Yashica Electro 35 GS: delayed shutter problem

[juggler]

Hi All,

Just tested out a roll of film on the camera I got recently. The view finder is bright and nice. The lens has very slight fungus but is clear.

I have got the batteries (CR123 + 2 x LR44) and the meter lighted up beautifully! It showed over and under-exposure situations when I depressed the shutter halfway. Metering seem right by comparing the similar settings on my EOS.

Bad news is the shutter seem inaccurate. My pictures came out with motion blur.

In "flash" mode: It sounded like it is much slower than the manual-stated 1/30 s, possibly like 1/2 s. And sometimes it can be longer if I depressed the shutter button very slowly. For testing in this mode, I used a Metz 45 CL4 connected to the PC sync. I used f/4 or f/5.6 on the camera and flash. Flash is in "auto" mode. The flash (I used bounced and fill-in at the same time) did not manage to freeze the subject because of the slow shutter.

In "Auto" mode: I also took a few outdoor shots. There's no camera shake but pictures seem a bit soft, not crisp. The shutter speed in this mode sounded "right" but I am not sure if accurate. i.e. for bright scenes, the shutter speed was fast and slow for darker scenes.

In timer mode: sometimes it doesn't trigger the shutter.

Any advice on what's the problem? Possible for any DIY solution or best option is to the camera repairman?

Thanks!

 

[pedro.m.reis]

Had a problem with the shutter on my Electro 35. In "B" the blades opened very slowly and not completly ... its that your case too?

EDIT:
My problem was solved with the help of Greyhoundman, a clean and lub of the shutter and blades did the trick.
See the thread in the Repair Notes forum.

 

[juggler]

Hmm... I did not test out the "B" mode though looking at the blades. I will check again tonight. But it sounded OK. i.e. when shutter button is depressed, it opened and closed again when released.

 

[john neal]

OK - first check your battery connections are OK.

Next check whether you have the Yashica "clunk" when you wind on - if not, you have the infamous "Pad of Death" problem - this is highly likely unless the pad has been replaced.

Third, remove the battery, set the lens wide open and fire the shutter on "A" while looking through the lens at a plain light source - if you see a "star" shape, your shutter is sticking and needs a clean/relube, which is a frequent problem on these old cameras, particularly if they have been stored in a warm place, as the grease dries out.

Lots of info here and around the web on DIY repairs. or you could contact Greyhoundman to see if he would do it for you.

 

[juggler]

Battery connections OK. The battery check light in the film counter window lights up.

I removed the battery and fired in "A" mode. The aperture looked of the right size as I changed from f/1.7 to f/16. Seems like the shutter blades are OK.

OK. I hear a very faint "clunk" sound as I wind on. It is much softer than the winding sound. I wouldn't have noticed it until you mention. Is this "clunk" sound supposed to be quite audible? The shutter release is the loudest sound comparatively. Is this the "Pad of Death" problem? Will solving this problem resolve the inaccurate shutter speed?

I will try to read more... thanks.

 

[caspert79]

Hmmm....could very well be the pad of death.
Visit www.yashica-guy.com for more information (also repair tips).

 

[juggler]

Do the over/under lights act properly?

At f16 does the under light come on in a dim room?

Yes it does. The metering seem right.
Red light in very bright situations and amber in low-light. 🙂

And, BTW, I forgot to mention that the ASA ring is also very stiff to turn.

 

[Sean Chan]

The 'Clunk' sound is quite a loud sound and you should able to feel it too, it will make the camrea shake very slightly when the pad jumps back to postion.

And it happens at the beginning of the winding stroke.

I believe you have a 'POD' problem too.

 

[juggler]

The soft click sound I heard happens at about 2/3 into the winding stroke.

Thanks for the info. At least now I have identified the problem. Will try to read up more before I attempt anything. 🙂

 

[Sean Chan]

The soft click sound I heard happens at about 2/3 into the winding stroke.

Thanks for the info. At least now I have identified the problem. Will try to read up more before I attempt anything. 🙂

It shouldn't be soft, the clunk sound of mine is quite loud.

But to be certain of things, just simply open the top cover of the camera and give it an inspection and you will see if the pad really need replacement. I hope it is, coz its a very simple job.

Information on this forum is more than enough for you to attempt the job.

Best of luck.