Yashica GX Questions

[PatrickT]

I just got a Yashica GX in the mail from another forum member and so far I'm loving it. Perfect size, weight, focal length, max aperture etc. There are two things that I wish were different though, and here is where my questions come in.

First, is there any workaround to getting ISO 1600 on the camera (as opposed to it's 800 limit)? I don't care about ISOs below 50-100, so is there a way to modify it to get 1600?

Second, I am a big fan of focusing tabs on short throw lenses. The GX has a pretty short throw lens and I would LOVE to have a focusing tab on it similar to this: http://www.kenrockwell.com/leica/images/35mm-f28/D3S_6520-1200.jpg I realize that I could just put a zip tie on there or something, but is there a more elegant solution?

Thanks!

Patrick
www.trautfieldphotography.com

 

[PatrickT]

Oh, and here's a photo from the first roll...I'm loving it 🙂

 

[Mablo]

I've heard that you actually could modify the ASA scale but I don't think it's a DIY job. Btw. be careful with the large finder window. I got mine unfastened by pushing it slightly with my thumb. All in all, it's a great camera I think.

 

[PatrickT]

Thanks for the help guys. I'll look around and see what I can find!

 

[Frontman]

You can't easily modifiy ASA scale, it is controlled by a ring inside the lens housing which is perforated with progressively sized holes. Small holes for bright light, large holes for dim scenes. you could modify the ring by moving the limiter and adding a hole half the size of the previous one, but it would be difficult.

The ND filter over the meter window is the best option.

 

[PatrickT]

Thanks. When I was talking about modifying the asa, I was really meaning doing something like putting in a battery with lower voltage or something so that it would set the asa off. Not sure how well that would work as there could be all sorts of other problems.

Yeah, some sort of ND filter over the meter seems like it would be the best, easiest and most cost effective 🙂 Now I just have to figure out how to do it 🙂

 

[gliderbee]

Set 800 and put a one-stop ND filter over the meter sensor (but not over the lens, obviously). I guess you'd have to use a gel and cut it to a very small diameter....

I don't understand why that would work ?

If you put a ND filter over the sensor, the camera will think there is LESS light, and hence, will choose a slower shutterspeed, as if you had a slower film. If you would develop that film then as a 1600 asa, it would be overexposed..

What am I missing ?

Stefan.

 

[LunoLuno]

I think gliderbee is right. Or, am I missing something, too?

If you really want to shoot 1600 films with the Electro, and if it happens rather often, I think getting a GL is another option. The GL is a little bulkier than its successor, GX, but it's still small and light enough when compared to the original Electros. It has the same 40/1.7 Yashinon lens as the GX, and best of all, it's got a largest viewfinder among all the Electros, which is somehow not mentioned very often.

Luno

 

[NickTrop]

I've heard of some people using delicious bread sticks for this purpose.

Be sure to bring along a tire gage! 🙂

 

[btgc]

Lynx...Lynx 5000...Cheap and plentyful, you get manual control and peace of mind. Sorry for not supporting idea of conversion.

 

[Frontman]

I've never shot anything faster than 400 speed film in my Yashicas. One of the good things about these cameras is that their fast lenses allow decent shutter speeds in low-light situations. I think the GX has a maximum shutter speed of 8 seconds. Such an exposure speed combined with 800 speed film and a fast lens should be enough for most situations.

 

[PatrickT]

I'd love to shoot street photography at night downtown...and for that you definitely need more than 800 asa and a f/1.7 lens. I may try the nd filter over the lens trick...we'll see!

Any thoughts on the tab?

Patrick

 

[sig]

I do not think there is any point in the filter on the lens and no filter on the light meter.

Since the light meter meter for ISO 800 the shutter speed will be for iso 800. The point with using iso 1600 film is to enable shorter shutter speeds? Or am I wrong?

 

[LunoLuno]

Unless you want some special characteristics (e.g. grain) of the ISO 1600 film, there's no point shooting it with the ND filter IMHO.

F1.7 lens + ND filter + ISO1600 film

is equal to

F3.5 lens + ISO1600 film (with F1.7 dof)

In this case, a faster film does nothing to do with capturing more light.


Luno