Thinking of an Electro 35GTN...few questions

[msbarnes]

I'm specifically looking for an inexpensive and relatively small/compact black aperture-priority camera to use for dimly lit scenes. It seems that the Electro 35 GTN/GSN are my best bets for a FL rangefinder with my given requirements because the maximum ISO is 1000 (Are there any ISO 1600 RF's in its class?).

1) What is this PAD of death that I hear about?
2) Why is the bokeh star-shaped sometimes? I'm not a bokeh freak but I find this incredibly distracting.
3) Would you say that the lens is comparable wide-open to a Konica Auto S2? I love that lens.
4) What would be a typical price for one of these? You think I can get one for ~$60/shipped?

I'm thinking this or an OM2n. Both have their pros/cons so I'm trying to understand the GTN/GSN cameras better.

 

[gb hill]

The POD is explained at this link
http://www.yashica-guy.com/document/repair.html#nine

Black Electros are like black Canonets. They look good but shoot the same as silver & black ones do. I don't know about your other 2 questions. I paid less than 20 dollars for my GSN about 3 years ago. They are outrageous on ebay IMO. I very rarely use mine. I grab the Canonet when I want a fixed lens rf to travel with me.

 

[ChrisP]

There's a very expensive version called the Yashica Electro 35 GL that meters to ISO 1600. Thats the only 70's MF rangefinder I know of that that goes that high. Only comes in silver and is quite rare and like I said alot more expensive than the GTN (closer to $200 on ebay). Same lens and a little smaller I believe

 

[asfarley]

I found the lens to have more contrast than the S2, but I'm not very scientific and I didn't shoot with the S2 as much.

It should be possible to find an Electro for $60 shipped if you are willing to wait. I think they come up every month or two.

 

[btgc]

There's a very expensive version called the Yashica Electro 35 GL that meters to ISO 1600. Thats the only 70's MF rangefinder I know of that that goes that high. Only comes in silver and is quite rare and like I said alot more expensive than the GTN (closer to $200 on ebay). Same lens and a little smaller I believe

GL has lens which is used also on GX not GSN/GTN, 40mm f/1.7 that is.

Personally for any of Yashica or Konica FL RF's (well, or of other maker) which do not have automated exposure. Like Lynx or Konica III - release experience is so much better in earlier models.

If Lynx or III is not an option, I'd stick with KAS2 as there's no circuit responsible for exposure and one can safely use manual exposure. Also, choose you GSN or KAS2, be sure to use it with soft release as it really helps to smoothen release.

 

[stratcat]

The bokeh is star shaped because that's the shape of the aperture only at f/1.7 (if I remember correctly).

While I love my GTN, I certainly would not say it is compact, as compared to an Electro 35 CC, Electro GX (or the above mentioned GL) or a Canonet QL17.

 

[msbarnes]

Hmmm

I guess I'll have to reconsider my priorities. The color is not that important, and the size I can probably compromise. A meter would be a big plus because I do not like to bring my meter all the time (luna pro f). I didn't realize that the GSN took mercury batteries, so that is another negative.

1) I'm thinking of a lynx. How do you rate it's wide-open performance? Pretty decent? I'm interested in candid portraits mostly so center resolution/contrast are my priorities. Doesn't look so bad on flickr.
2) Do you notice that you can handhold different rangefinders at slower shutter speeds than others? It seems to me that larger bodies are a little better this, but maybe it doesn't really matter. I can handheld my Konica 1/30 most of the time without much effort.

 

[stratcat]

You don't need mercury batteries for the GSN, an alkaline 6 volt with a simple adapter works perfectly.

I like the images produced by my Lynx 14 wide open, but that of course is just me.

The Lynx is much larger and heavier than a GSN, but I find it's shutter sliky smooth. Also, they were designed to use hard to get or outlawed mercury batteries so you'll need either an adapter or replacements (alkalines or Wein cells).

 

[btgc]

The Lynx is much larger and heavier than a GSN, but I find it's shutter sliky smooth. Also, they were designed to use hard to get or outlawed mercury batteries so you'll need either an adapter or replacements (alkalines or Wein cells).

100% agree on smooth release (not the case with Electro) and Lynx is fully functional without battery (Electro is opposite) but it uses 35mm film....well, not outlawed yet, but hurry up, folks.

Lens on Lynx 14 were optimised for large apertures, as Yashica told masses. Lynx 5000 isn't bad, either - and same buttery smooth release.

I recall times when Toyota Celica were called girl car and Supra - for boys. Same with Yashica - Electro 35 (at least, large bodies) is for girls and Lynx - for boys 🙂

 

[UberSquid]

I know this thread is a bit old by now but I thought that as an avid fan of the Yashica G series I'd toss in my two cents.

I bought my first Yashica GS from eBay for $15 delivered. It worked ok for a while and then it was the first camera I ever repaired. The Pad of Death is really no big deal, just go slow, keep your parts organized and follow the directions without taking any shortcuts and you will have it back together.

Since then I've bought hundreds of Japanese rangefinders including several Canonet GIIIs that I've rehabbed and either sold or passed off to aspiring hobiests. I have a nice array of cameras to choose from yet the one that is always with me is a beat up old Yashica GN. I don't worry about exposure, I just set the aperture for the depth I want and shoot. Rarely do I ever get an improperly exposed frame. The Yashica is everything I love about rangefinders. Fast, easy and allows me to think about taking the photo rather than worrying about the camera, it just works, all the time.

If you don't have one yet, get one! I never use a flash on top of my camera anyway so I've never bothered getting a GSN with the hot shoe, if you can deal with a cord for the flash then the GS series often go for much less than the upgraded unit. Then if you really need a hot shoe later, it's not too hard to upgrade a GS to GSN status by finding a donor shoe to graft onto your camera.

The Yashica is probably the most under rated camera in it's price range. Even today I still grab them when I find one under $20 just because I want to make sure that I have a usable one at hand until the day they put me in the ground.

Just my opinion...

Jeremiah

 

[f6andBthere]

I'm specifically looking for an inexpensive and relatively small/compact black aperture-priority camera to use for dimly lit scenes. It seems that the Electro 35 GTN/GSN are my best bets for a FL rangefinder with my given requirements because the maximum ISO is 1000 (Are there any ISO 1600 RF's in its class?).

1) What is this PAD of death that I hear about?
2) Why is the bokeh star-shaped sometimes? I'm not a bokeh freak but I find this incredibly distracting.
3) Would you say that the lens is comparable wide-open to a Konica Auto S2? I love that lens.
4) What would be a typical price for one of these? You think I can get one for ~$60/shipped?

I'm thinking this or an OM2n. Both have their pros/cons so I'm trying to understand the GTN/GSN cameras better.

I'm struggling to think of the cons of an OM-2 compared to an Electro ... I'm no real fan of the Yashica sorry, I think they're overrated. Ergonomically arkward, hard to use when lighting is tricky (no EV compensation), large and ugly. The Olympus has the best AE system of any camera of it's era and can be used manually if you choose ... it's also not restricted to one focal length.

Admittedly it's an SLR verses a rangefinder but after sampling a couple of Electros over the years with their yellow diamond shaped RF patches I'd prefer to focus an OM-2 in poor light any day!

 

[Frontman]

The GTN is a great camera, and it will do what you need it to do. It's ergonomics are not for everybody, but it is easy to use with a minimum of fuss. Exposure compensation is possible by turning the ASA dial on the top of the camera.

The GTN/GSN were replaced by the GL, but the GL had only a short production run, and few were exported from Japan. The GL had it's ergonomics cleaned up, a wider 40mm lens, and a higher film speed capability.

The GX is similar to the GL, and is also rather uncommon. Between the two, I prefer the GX, but the GL gets the nod as far as rarity goes.

Any of these cameras will take great pictures with ease, all you need to do is set the aperture, compose, and shoot. They are particularly good for shooting at night.

 

[PMCC]

+1 on the Electro 35 GX. Best Yashica fixie: newer/smaller/lighter than GTN, comes in black, wider lens (fast, sharp six-element 40/1.7), better RF/VF with parallax correction, great for dim light, no P.O.D. worries, meters to I.E. 800, cheaper than GL. Get instruction manual and battery converter from Yashica-Guy online.

 

[Bill58]

The GTN is not "small/compact". If you want that, get a GX.