New Yashica Electro GX -- All the Basics?

I finally bought a 35GX recently through the net. Handsome camera, but I got disappointed at its viewfinder--it's so colour-tinted that it seems as if I were looking through a dark blue-green filter! This is my first Yashica RF, so I wonder: if it's normal with these Electro, or simply a special case?

That said, I've done a few test shots and the results look very good. Execellent 40/1.7 Yashinon lens.
 
Daniel:

I'd get the GX CLA'd if I were you....and put new seals in it. You'll be much happier w/ it then.

Bill
 
Thanks for the replies. I'm glad this dim VF is not normal. :p

On the other hand, I just might get another 35GX (probably a Black one) from Japan to see just how a normal VF would look like. In the Quest site, 35GX is described as a hard-to-find species. Perhaps so in the US, but I notice this camera is far from rare in its domestic market.
 
Yashica tinted the glass slightly in their rangefinder cameras to help increase contrast. Normally it doesn't darken the viewfinder enough to be really noticeable. Cleaning out the inside of the rangefinder and the glass windows in the top cover can make a big improvement, and removing the top cover is not very difficult.
 
Bill, thanks for this tip for the eBay seller gadgetworldexports. At $6.99 shipped, looks like a bargain. Have you checked for vignetting?

I also found a good, slightly different hood from eBay seller shamino123 at $13 shipped but it has to be positioned a bit (not screwed down tightly) to avoid blocking the viewfinder.
 
ColSebastianMoran said:
Bill, thanks for this tip for the eBay seller gadgetworldexports. At $6.99 shipped, looks like a bargain. Have you checked for vignetting?

I also found a good, slightly different hood from eBay seller shamino123 at $13 shipped but it has to be positioned a bit (not screwed down tightly) to avoid blocking the viewfinder.
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No-I haven't checked for vignetting yet. I will soon and report back.
 
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I use a 52mm standard Heavystar hood and get no vignetting. I think adding a filter to that would do it, though.
 
farlymac said:
Colonel, heavystars sells an S&W Wide Angle hood in 52mm and 55mm that replicates the original Yashica hoods in size (18mm depth), but are screw on, and come with caps. I've had no vignetting or viewfinder blockage problems with mine.


Yashica Electro 35 GX Front by br1078phot, on Flickr


Yashica Electro 35 GX Capped by br1078phot, on Flickr


Yashica Electro 35 GX Top by br1078phot, on Flickr

PF
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dumb this down for me guys, I see standard 52mm hood (http://www.heavystar.com/servlet/the-15233/New!-Metal-52mm-Standard/Detail) and wide angle 52mm hood (http://www.heavystar.com/servlet/the-12164/New!-Metal-Wide-Angle/Detail)…I'm guessing these are what farlymac are talking about….pros and cons of each on a GX?
 
If you want to use filters with the hood, get the wide angle hood.

If you're not using filters and want better flare protection, get the standard hood.

If you don't want your VF to be blocked by the hood, get a tilted & vented hood. I don't know if filters will cause vignetting with it on. You can adjust the position of the vent with a very thin spacer between the hood and camera (thread, wire, rubber band, etc.).
 
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Bruin said:
If you don't want your VF to be blocked by the hood, get a tilted & vented hood. I don't know if filters will cause vignetting with it on. You can adjust the position of the vent with a very thin spacer between the hood and camera (thread, wire, rubber band, etc.).
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Slip of paper in the filter threads does the job for me. I can position the vents just where I want and everything stays put.
 
Best Vented Slanted Hood for GX

Best Vented Slanted Hood for GX

ColSebastianMoran said:
Bill, thanks for this tip for the eBay seller gadgetworldexports. At $6.99 shipped, looks like a bargain. Have you checked for vignetting?

I also found a good, slightly different hood from eBay seller shamino123 at $13 shipped but it has to be positioned a bit (not screwed down tightly) to avoid blocking the viewfinder.
Click to expand...

I now have both hoods.

Very similar, same dimensions, no problem with vignetting on the GX.

The hood from shamino123 is better finished; the paint on the inside is a flatter black than on the gadgetworldexports hood.
 
I tried the tilted & vented hood on my GX, and it partially blocks the RF window. Looks like a standard/wide straight hood is the way to go.
 
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