Leica owner casts his eye on an Electro

[OurManInTangier]

Simon, I recently picked up an immaculate Electro 35 for about $25 and have run a couple of rolls through it. I am very impressed with the "feel", lens quality and overall results. It quickly became "easy" to use, then outright fun. I also have a Contax T2 which is a more compact but has vignetting problems that the Yashice doesn't have. Here are a few shots that came out of those rolls

Tuna - I remember seeing two of those shots before, both of which are crackers but I hadn't seen the dolls shot - which is really something. If I can put the GSN to use like that I'll be happy. The reason I thought of getting an Electro is as a short-term second body companion to my M6 ( obviously I realise that I can't use Leica lenses etc on the GSN!) I can use one film stock in the M6 and another in the GSN. Do you tend to use the GSN for colour or one type of film particularly - I'd be intrigued to know if you think it deals with anything especially well.

Sorry to go against the grain here, but I've owned and used Leica and Yashica fixed lens RF, and the two are in no way remotely comparable in terms of construction quality. I predict you will be dissapointed. The Yashica optics are fairly good on the faster lenses, but the mechanics can be best described as consumer grade and targeted for low cost mass production. They are often frought will the usual problems of old cameras as well: iris problems, electrical failures, battery issues, jammed controls, abuse, etc. On the other hand they are cheap, so there's not too much to lose.

David - I've been made aware through some general research that these cameras are far more 'mass production' than Leica cameras in their feel and construction, with all the problems that this creates. As you, and my research, have stated though, the cost and ability of a decent example may outweigh any problems. I know that this is not a camera to compare to my Leica in terms of build but so long as it works and I get some use ( and some fun ) from it then I'll be over the moon!

 

[NickTrop]

David Murphy -

No need to apologize for going against the grain but I disagree to an extent. You'll - I dunno, pay $30 for a GSN shipped. And yes - you may get a great sample, or not. Luck of the draw. Sooooo.... either buy one CLA'd in advance like I did with my GSN for $40. (There was a seller doing this regularly on eBay, don't know if he is now...) and you'll get a "functions as good as new" GSN. Or PM Gman here and see if he's fixin' to put any in the classifieds.

Orrrrrrrrrrrrr.... spring for $80 and have it CLA'd by Mark Hamma. Max you'll spend is $100 for a fully functional, works like new sample. Still very cheap, imo, especially relative to the cost of any used Leica. By the way, even though the "lowly" GSNs suffer from "mass produced consumer grade mechanics and all the issues that go along with it", do you really think a Leica of the same vintage unserviced, with their "hand-crafted mechanical swiss watch percision" construction will not suffer any "consumer grade/mass-produced" old camera issues and function flawlessly w/o a trip to the technician??? I might argue, anecdotally, that you might have a better chance of getting a fully functional GSN if the POD doesn't go from 1971 than an unserviced Leica from 1971.

I say a 40 year old camera either hand-crafted or mass-produced will suffer comparable issues if they haven't been serviced since purchase. And the battery issue you allude to have simple fixes, especially with the GSN that can handle 1.5v variances without effecting the meter. Put a $0.20 spring from the hardware store in the compartment, and something to "fatten" the battery - paper, cardboard, whatever, and you're in business.

Or, you can get a hand-crafted, solidly constructed, definitely not mass-produced battery adapter from Yashica Guy for $12.

As far as the lens quality goes, dunno, I've seen some stunners from what you describe as a "fairly good" 1.7/50 DX Yashinon but I know it's no match for that banged up $300 1936 uncoated 3.5/50 collapsable Leica Elmar - but you know, all those Leica lenses have that "special certain something" that those cheap mass-produced lenses never could match. At least that's according to the Leicaphiles and the Leica marketing folks.

 

[Iskra 2]

"Auurraaah"... that's what it is. A new name for OOF, flare and whatever other lens characteristic....... and the Electro 35 GT's "Color=Yashinon DX" has it all. 😀

I would bet that the Electro's metering circuit design/manufacturing/quality is as good as any 30 year old or somewhat newer Leica and .......... the camera can ride around on the floor of my truck year round. How many Leica's get that chance. 😛

Can you believe, some in the Orient actually cannibalize/modify the Yashinon's and mount them on other cameras. 😱

Regards.​

 

[Iskra 2]

EDIT #1: GT not GTX. 😕 😱 Decided to "fondle" the Electro this morning and when I took it out of it's case I saw it was a GT not a GTX. The full lens name is Color= Yashinon DX. 😱

EDIT #2: Has anyone mentioned parallax correction ..... Lighted film counter? 🙂

No diopter adjustment.:bang:

Regards.

 

[NickTrop]

I would bet that the Electro's metering circuit design/manufacturing/quality is as good as any 30 year old or somewhat newer Leica and .......... the camera can ride around on the floor of my truck year round. How many Leica's get that chance. 😛
Can you believe, some in the Orient actually cannibalize/modify the Yashinon's and mount them on other cameras. 😱

The circuit, I believe, is sensitive to -1 EV with 100 speed film and can meter - accurately (a fairly amazing capability esp. given its age), to estimate shutter speeds up to a minute or more and get a proper exposure. There are definately advantages to having a "banger" that takes good pics that you can leave on the floor of a truck or walk into the ocean with, without a worry etc... The lens that's hacked off the Yashicas and made into M or LTM mounts (forget which) is the 35/1.8 from the Electro CC. There's a couple threads about that on this forum (Yashica) but I'm too lazy at the moment to dig them up. I have the CC and it's right up there with the 1.8/38 on the Konica S3 (have both) - another cachet-less unhearaded gem of a lens.

 

[Iskra 2]

Never been inside a Leica but have taken some other cameras apart. Recalling the 60 to early 70's military technology/mfg/quality standards and comparing to the Yashica it's no "slouch". 🙂

Gold plated contacts, precision resistors, quality solder joints, good materials selection (pad excepted), metal finishing, mechanical intricasies (light meter ASA "blind")(parallax correction) etc, etc. Too bad they didn't design the battery compartment to accomodate leaking batteries.:bang:

The Electro metering is discussed at length but has anybody compared it to a newer camera, like some of the Leica M's?😀 ..........and .......... what do some of those 60-70 Leitz lens project on negative/positive color film in low light situations.😛 Wish I had time to make the comparisons.

That could be understood as a challenge😉

Regards.:angel: