Konica Auto S2 v. Yashica Electro 35 Smackdown

[Farace]

Only kidding, but I did see what appeared to be a mint condition (even had a little clear plastic guard in the hot shoe) Yashica Electro 35 at an antique store on Saturday for $25. I passed it up because it didn't seem to offer anything my Auto S2s don't give me, other than the hot shoe. But I don't know anything about Yashicas, so I'm curious about the relative merits of one versus the other. (In other words, did I mess up by not buying it?) (Ray_G, if you're interested I could point you right to it. Then I wouldn't be thinking about it because it would be gone.) 😀

 

[shadowfox]

Like you, I passed up two different occasions when I could've gotten a Yashica Electro 35. Finally, I saw one with my name on it, and having run a test roll on it, I'm impressed, the lens is super sharp.

On the Konica side, I have the Konica C35 and the Konica Auto S3, I like the lenses for a different reason, they seem to have render the background/ foreground separation *really* well, they are not as sharp as the Yashinon though.

 

[Farace]

It was bugging me, knowing that camera was a mile away from my house just sitting there, so this morning I went down there and bought it. It's a GSN, not that I know yet what that means. No case or lens cap, but the camera looks pristine. Guess I'll have to learn about it, and if I don't like it like my Auto S2s, I'm sure it would make someone very happy to take it off my hands.

Umm, I know I need to go do some research before I ask RTFM-type questions, but I don't see a way to manually set the shutter speed. Is that right, or am I missing something?

 

[Farace]

It's stepless electronic. You set the aperture according to the lights, the camera does the rest.

Thanks. I just read through an online manual I found; the camera has no manual mode then and can barely be used (if one knows the default shutter speed with a dead battery and can dial in an appropriate aperature for the conditions)? (Advantage: Konica.)

(I guess it's time to move into the Yashica area, after I do some more reading so I can reduce the number of stupid questions I'll ask. 🙄)

 

[ruben]

a ) http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=36242

b) Most Yashica Electros yellow patches have survived to day much better than most Konicas'

c) ISO 1000 AE

d) Quieter shutter (perhaps world record) and much quieter winding

e) Faster shooting for the one looking to it.

GREAT DIS-ADVANTAGE OF THE YASHICAS: NOT FULL MANUAL OVERRIDE

But most important of all is what YOU like in your camera, not what the camera may have for you.

Cheers,
Ruben

 

[Farace]

Thank you, Ruben. The more I read, the more I'm thinking that the two cameras complement each other fairly well. Each seems to have strengths not present in the other. If I need to take complete manual control--if I want to shoot IR, for instance, the Konica is the clear choice. If I want to shoot a lengthy low-light exposure, from what I've read, the Yashica shines. The Konica's shutter is not excessively loud, but the camera has been justly criticized for its unnecessarily loud ratcheting wind lever, so the Yashica would be the choice where quiet operation is necessary. (It's funny that they both have mercury battery replacement issues of very different sorts, the Konica not having a problem finding a battery of the proper size but of the proper voltage, the Yashica on the other hand dealing well with the difference in voltage but needing help with appropriate fit.) As for the yellow patch, I've found a bigger problem with the Konica's viewfinder being a tendency for the half-silvered mirror to fall off its mount as the adhesive ages.

Happily, they both take the same size filters . . .

So in the end I think I'll be happy to have both. I was thinking too much of where their abilities overlap, rather than where they don't.

 

[Kat]

As long as you have a working meter, the lack of manual override may not be as big an issue as one might think, since you'll be able to compensate through the ASA dial. The problem would just be that there is no readout or any way to know the speed the camera sets. The GSN is not my overall favorite camera in the bunch, but I doubt I'll let it go because it IS my favorite when it comes to low light conditions. For some reason, it just performs better in this area.

 

[Farace]

Hopefully I'll find a suitable battery today and see how it powers up. The previous owner seems to have installed a 3v battery, which might explain why the camera appears to have had such little use.

Edit: Radio Shack is open today, had a 4LR44 (will do for now; I'll get 4SR44 or one of the better batteries later), I wrapped a bit of thin packing foam around it and put it in the Yashica with some wadded up foil (again, temporary) and she came to life (hurrah!). Now to run some film through it.

 

[ruben]

..... The more I read, the more I'm thinking that the two cameras complement each other fairly well. Each seems to have strengths not present in the other. ... .
.....
So in the end I think I'll be happy to have both. I was thinking too much of where their abilities overlap, rather than where they don't.

Broad wisdom my friend.

The only thing I may add is that being the GSNs sold by 20 to 50 bucks, this may be the biggest bargain of the Bay.

But if I was in your shoes, I would contact first Greyhoundman, a well known repairman and member of RFF, as he uses to put for sale these cameras, with his backing.

Cheers,
Ruben

 

[Farace]

The only thing I may add is that being the GSNs sold by 20 to 50 bucks, this may be the biggest bargain of the Bay.

But if I was in your shoes, I would contact first Greyhoundman, a well known repairman and member of RFF, as he uses to put for sale these cameras, with his backing.

I think I got an excellent bargain with the GSN I bought at an antique shop in town. $25 got me a near-mint GSN with no issues (and no shipping cost!). A fresh battery brought the whole camera to life. I'm putting a roll of film through it right now.

If I ever do have issues and need advice, I certainly will not hesitate to get in touch with Greyhoundman.

 

[NickTrop]

I think I got an excellent bargain with the GSN I bought at an antique shop in town. $25 got me a near-mint GSN with no issues (and no shipping cost!). A fresh battery brought the whole camera to life. I'm putting a roll of film through it right now.

If I ever do have issues and need advice, I certainly will not hesitate to get in touch with Greyhoundman.

Don't feel guilty. There's no law against having more than one camera. I'm about to buy my 5th rangefinder, my first FSU. I use them all. I think you'll like the GSN. While I appreciate all-manual control, I must admit this camera is a lot faster in operation than all my all manual cameras. I like the over/under lights on the top plate for pre-"metering".

Ultimately, this camera has a nice balance between automation and control. Grea low-light performer, first-class lens like the Konica, and a very fast operating camera - premeter using top plate, decide aperture/DOF, prefocus using scale, refine focus in VF - super silent "click". I far prefer aperture priority over shutter priority for precise control over aperture and DOF. You can estimate shutter speed pretty accurately once you get used to it.

 

[ully]

My GSN goes with me everywhere, its parked in my truck next to the OlyRC, one with B&W and one with color film. Lens is very sharp and its about as silent as I have ever heard.

Enjoy