Which one to buy -Yashica Electro 35 GS- Or Minolta Hi-Matic F

The Hi-Matic F does not allow much control- is basically program mode only. The GS allows aperture control.

Honestly: the Minolta Hi-Matic 9 and Hi-Matic 7s are the same size as the GS, offer program mode (sets all by itself) and full manual exposure mode. In the latter mode the meter still operates, unlike the Canonets.
 
Well, since this is the Yashica forum, of course you should get a GS.

(Hop over to the Minolta forum and I'll give you a different answer...) :D

Russ
 
My vote goes for any other fixed lens rangefinder with more controls than any of both. As we are in Yashica subforum, I'd say - Yashica Lynx 5000. That is the camera.
 
I've owned both. Both produce nice images, but the Yashica is just special.

Might want to start lifting weights to get used to carrying it around, though...
 
I have both. But if I have to choose, it would be a tough one. Probably I'd pick a Yashica. It's lens is faster and I have control over aperture. Minolta is fully automatic, but I like a wider lens (38mm) and it's compactness. They both are able to produce very nice and sharp images. For the price they go on the big auction site now, it doesn't cost an arm to have both IMO.

i-DBNL73k-L.jpg
 
I had a Yashica 35GT which has the same lens as the GS, I think and took (what I think) are some great images. I've attached some below:

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One thing to consider is whether or not the larger aperture is worth the larger size. I recently bought an Olympus 35RC and SP and kept the RC because it's substantially smaller and easier for me to carry about.
 
matthewm said:
One thing to consider is whether or not the larger aperture is worth the larger size. I recently bought an Olympus 35RC and SP and kept the RC because it's substantially smaller and easier for me to carry about.
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You should get the RD and have the best of both worlds, fast lens, small size, and manual control. I have the SP, RC, DC, RD, UC, S, and Ace, but the SP (and it's twin brother the UC) makes the best images.

Between the Himatic and the GS, I would prefer the GS, it has a better lens, and it excels at night and low light shooting. For smaller size, you could get a GX, which was the top of the line of the Electro rangefinder cameras. The GX is about the same size as the Himatic F, but has a 40/1.7 lens, an improved meter, and aperture priority control. Unfortunately, the GX is hard to find, and expensive.
 
Here's something I bet you didn't know. The Minolta Hi-Matic F is basically a Yashica ME with the addition of a rangefinder. Take away the rangefinder, and it's a Hi-Matic G, with the same internal guts as the Yashica ME. So no matter which one you get, it's still a Yashica (except for the Rokkor lens).

PF
 
I do like aperture-based automation. If it's going to be totally auto, then a Yashica T4 or an Olympus fully automatic camera.

As to size, I like my Yashica GX with 40mm lens. For a little wider and smaller body, the CC or CCN. Yashica are great.
 
Paolo Bonello said:
Hey Matthew,
Just wondering what iso/asa you took those shots at? Did you push it at all after scanning?
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All three images were shot on Tri-X 400 at 800, I believe. It's been a few years, but I seem to remember pushing it a stop. Most likely developed in D-76. The scans are from prints if I remember correctly, although I think I have the negatives floating around here somewhere.

All of these were shot at f/1.7 though. I remember that specifically.
 
Thanks Matthew, really appreciate the response. They were great shots. if I had to guess I would have said 800 plus about one stop in photoshop but fairgrounds do tend to have quite bright lights. You know I'd love to take out the yashica more at night for hand held shots but I get a bit nervous and always opt for my OM2n or NikonFE with the ability to meter and shoot at higher ISO. It's a shame we never saw 1600 or 3200 from the Yashica Electros. It's something I would have really liked.
 
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