Yashica GT problem solving

[cope07]

So. First rangefinder. Yashica GT. Got the correct (I believe) silver-oxide battery. Got the adaptor. Green light shows green (good sign!). When I depress the shutter button, the shutter opens (and the aperture shown is the correct aperture), but then the shutter doesn't close until I give the film advance lever a nudge. Does that mean it is acting on bulb mode? By not closing, I mean I've set it to f/1,7 with 400 speed film and its been open for a minute or two now in a reasonably well lit room.

The over/under lights on top aren't working either. I don't know if anything should be displayed in the viewfinder but there is nothing their either


I hope you guys (/gals) can help

Thanks

 

[b1bmsgt]

Hi.

It's a good probability that you have a deteriorated POD. (Pad of Death)

If you are unfamiliar with the POD, take a look at this thread:

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=66696

A bad POD can easily cause the symptoms you describe. It would have to be replaced. It wouldn't hurt to clean the electrical contacts as well. There are places on the web that describe how to do this, or there are folks who can do it for you... 😀

Russ

 

[cope07]

woof, I just looked at yashica guy's POD repair. Pretty intense stuff. Especially since I recently took apart a Lynx, so I know what I pain it is (and how easy it is to rip the leatherette)

 

[Harlee]

I just replaced the POD in my GSN and I'm still having the same problem with the yellow light staying on and the shutter staying open regardless of what F stop I'm set on. Perhaps cleaning the contacts as illustrated above can make a difference. I have nothing to lose by trying that. What's the best way to clean those contacts?

 

[Greyscale]

woof, I just looked at yashica guy's POD repair. Pretty intense stuff. Especially since I recently took apart a Lynx, so I know what I pain it is (and how easy it is to rip the leatherette)

What Russ was saying between the lines in his post above (but he is much too modest just to blurt it out), is that if you are uncomfortable with doing such repairs yourself, you can send it to him at http://www.camerarefurb.com , and for a very reasonable price, he will happily put it back into working order for you.

 

[ColSebastianMoran]

Cope07, this stuff looked pretty intense to me as well.

If taking apart a zillion tiny pieces and putting it back together turns you on, then do it yourself. If you want to experience quality rangefinder photography, then hire someone... Russ is the man to put your camera right.

 

[cope07]

Ya, I noticed Russ's unwritten words. I am sure he is qualified and his prices are too steep (even though I am working on a student budget). I am waiting on the arrival of a Konica Auto S2 (and we will see if she works). I will take the effort to fix up the one I like best.

I am okay at electronics surgery, but my expertise is in modern gadgets, which are built a little differently.


On a related note, does anyone know a quick and dirty way to cover up some brassing on a black body? Would something like black model paint work/stick? I don't need a showpiece, but I wouldn't mind covering up the gold colored brass showing

 

[Greyscale]

You could try a black Sharpie.

the Konica Auto S2 is a nice camera, and much easier to do DIY repairs on than is the Yashica. Plus, it is not battery dependent, if the meter fails, you can use a hanheld or Sunny 16.

 

[cope07]

what makes me interested in it is that it has a manual mode so I can have more control over exposure. At this point in my photographic abilities, a film camera with a dead meter is a dead camera.


I tried a black sharpie (on something else similar), but as I expected it is very noticeably purply-black

 

[Greyscale]

A fellow that i know who has perhaps the largest collection of Yashica cameras anywhere recommends the UNI Black PX-21 Paint Permanent Marker, which he purchases on ebay.

 

[Frontman]

Personally, I like cameras which show a little brass, it means they have been used. Surprisingly enough, here in Japan cameras which are very brassy often sell for more money than cameras which have an unmarred finish. Some people (like Shintaro) actually polish off the paint on the corners and edges to give the camera a well-used look.

If you don't like the brass, get some brush-on enamel paint from an auto parts store. Don't use lacquer or epoxy, or any other type of paint, enamel is the usually what is used by the factory.

 

[cope07]

I understand, and maybe I will get that way some day. I really like how my leather bag has worn in. I just don't like the color gold very much, be it on purpose or due to wear. I don't really care if it looks worn or not.