Opinions plz: to get my 35 GT repaired?

[efix]

Hey guys (that's meant generically -- gals included 😉),

you may remember that I recently reported that my Yashica Electro 35 GT had died -- probably some electronics failure. It's not the battery, the battery chek lights up when pressing the button.

I inquired with Will van Manen in the Netherlands if they could repair the camer and what it would cost. They told me a price of 135 €, to which have to be added the shipping costs as well as 19% VAT, so it would sum up to about 180 €.

Is that a reasonable price to pay? It would mean that afterwards I would have a 35 GT in PERFECT working order with repaired electronics and a full CLA, which will then probably last me several years before needing to get serviced again.

What do you think?

 

[b1bmsgt]

What exactly are the symptoms?

Russ

 

[efix]

The battery chek lamp lights up, but I get no meter reading in the viewfinder and the shutter is stuck at the default 1/500 sec.

 

[Mikey_Rotten]

If you have the money I think you should get that gem fixed

 

[efix]

It's now officially dead. After disassembling it, it worked for half a roll of film. Then, some condensator burned through, making a long squealing noise of rising frequency. Now the shutter won't fire even at its default speed. Battery check still lights up, though - that seems to be a seperate circuit.

I'm not really willing to pay almost 200 €, if I can get a CLA'ed one via eBay for less. I'm even thinking of upgrading to a Lynx or an Olympus 35 SP, which appeal more to me. Sad though to put my 35 GT to rest. It was a fine camera while it lasted.

 

[btgc]

Contact Russ http://camerarefurb.com/
Otherwise Lynx is a camera to look for.

 

[raid]

Sometimes, it is better not to keep on buying old replacement cameras for broken ones. It is better to get a good (but broken) camera fixed and then use it. I was lucky with my GT for the past 20 years or so.

 

[monopix]

If you want to send it to me (I'm in the UK) I'll check it over and give you a quote but, if it's fixable at all, it won't be more than £50 (UK pounds) plus shipping. I've repaired several and they generally aren't that difficult to fix. Show stoppers would be if the meter cell has died or some physical damage has been done to it. PM me if you're interested and I'll give you my address.

 

[efix]

Got the camera back from monopix yesterday, he did a great job fixing it! Meter works again, shutter works again, film advance works again, light seals are replaced. Looks and feels almost new!

I'll report back once I got the test roll developed.

 

[TTNC]

Congrats on getting it fixed!!

 

[gb hill]

That's great news to read. Didn't cost an arm & a leg either. Look to seeing the photos.

 

[raid]

Yes, these are good news. If my GT stops working, I will be asking here for assistance in finding someone to repait it for me.

 

[forsakenrider]

Great to hear you got it fixed! I love mine and Im taking it on a backcountry ski trip tomorrow!

Mine does one funny thing, the over exposure light only lights up if I depress the shutter button a specific amount. Anyone had this ?

 

[ColSebastianMoran]

Mine does one funny thing, the over exposure light only lights up if I depress the shutter button a specific amount.

I think it's designed that way. As you push the release button down, different contacts are activated at different points.

 

[efix]

Hrmph. I was able to shoot one roll over christmas, then the shutter stopped working. Peter (monopix) took another look at it and found that a screw had come loose and is now blocking the shutter release mechanism. He's working on it.

My 35 GT has a screw loose ... funny, if it wasn't so annoying ... I hope next time it doesn't break down again right after getting fixed ...

Btw, I didn't get around to scan the pictures from that one roll yet, but the negatives look fine, so at least I know that the first repair was a success ;-)

 

[efix]

Soo ... my 35 GT is finally back again from Peter (monopix), and it seems to be working just fine. He repaired the shutter, and it feels like new now. Great service, highly recommendable!

I'll keep you updated if it keeps working ;-)

 

[steveclem]

Does anyone have a source of batteries for these cameras? Electro 35 GT here.
I'm getting the battery check light up but it fades after a second or so. Also the Red/yellow lights are a touch intermittent, any ideas?
cheers,
Steve
UK

 

[ColSebastianMoran]

Steve, there's a good recent thread about Yashica Electro batteries here.

 

[steveclem]

Col, many thanks, found what I wanted right away, and my thanks to Monopix for posting.
On order now!

 

[ColSebastianMoran]

Which battery did you get? I use either the 164 or a silver-oxide 28 battery with the adapter from eB*y seller bennfoto.