Yashica Electro 35 GSN
This is another classic film camera that I owned and tested. This is a 35mm rangefinder that come with a Color Yashinon DX 45mm 1:1.7-16 lens. Trust me this lens is sharp. When I collected the scanned CD and developed negatives from the shop, I examined the negatives under a loupe. Boy, the images were sharp!
This is bigger than the Olympus 35 EC and weighs about 700g and is solidly built. I love the feel of it in my hands. This cameras can be obtained cheaply from Ebay at around US$25 or less. As with all old cameras, you will need to check the working condition and the condition of the light seals before you bid for one.
This camera uses the old mercury batteries that could not be found these days. Just roll of 4 LR44 button cells batteries and add some aluminium foil to make the contact.
Some sample photos off the camera.
Shopfront at Haiji Lane, Singapore
Shadow on a HDB block , Singapore
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This post has 13 comments
July 8th, 2008
i always have reservation to bid for cameras online. pardon my ignorance, but how do you check the working condition and the condition of the light seals?
July 8th, 2008
there is always a risk…sometimes the camera may not reach you at all. You can only hope for the best. As for testing, you need to shoot a roll to check that the metering and light seals are ok. Usually the light seals are in a bad condition but may not affect the photos.
April 9th, 2011
Hi,
I’ve came across your blog while searching for someome to repair my dad’s Yashica Electron 35 GSN. Could you give me some direction on where I could get mine repaired? It had been sitting in the box for more than 20 years.
Thanks !!
April 9th, 2011
hi Lin
Ar you in SIngapore? You can yru Camera Hospital at Sunshine Plaza – http://pachome1.pacific.net.sg/~lns/
Get a quotation first
April 23rd, 2011
Hello, I would like to buy a good film camera for my trip to LA in June, I am not an experienced photographer but I am a painter so colour and light are both very important to me.I want to buy something quite small to travel with..any recommendations?
Ellen
April 23rd, 2011
what do you think of this?
http://www.ecrater.co.uk/p/7926697/yashica-electro-35-classic-vintage-film
April 24th, 2011
yeah the yashica electro GSN is great but is only semi automatic. u have to shoot in shutter priority mode if i remember correctly.
October 26th, 2011
Hi I would like to ask if you know where I can get the Yashica Electro 35 GSN in Singapore? I’d prefer to get it from a physical store to check out the condition myself… Thanks!
October 26th, 2011
you have to try the 2nd hand camera shops at the Peninsular Shopping Centre area. try the “The Camera Workshop” or “P&G”. honestly i think you can get a good piece off ebay.
November 4th, 2011
hey thanks man.
i recently got one yashica electro 35 gsn off ebay and damn, i think its not working too well, unfortunately. the shutters, viewfinder everything seems fine, but the film advance lever gets stuck sometimes when i try to wind it plus one of the yellow plastic covers for the \’slow\’ light indicator has gone missing! (I think it has gone inside cause i dont see how it can fall out).
and do you know anything about the \’Pad of Death\’ problem? My electro 35 doesn\’t seem to have a \’thud\’ sound as suggested by many internet users when the lever is winded and the shutter is much more than a silent click…
Does any of the shops at Peninsula Plaza u suggested provide repairs and fix for such issues?
Damn, I was looking forward to testing out the camera!
November 6th, 2011
orh..have u load in a roll and try shooting with it ? you should not hear a loud thud when you advance the film so it should still be all right.
for repair, u can try P&G Camera at the basement of Adelphi or the Camera Hospital at Sunshine Plaza but check out the costs first.
November 7th, 2011
hmm ok.
but anyway i just put in a 123A battery stacked with a 1/3N battery (6V in total) and the battery check light did not light up! I must be so unlucky to get a faulty camera…
What battery do u use for ur Electro 35?
November 7th, 2011
i was using 4 x LR44 batteries and since that would is still too short, i add some smashed up aluminium foil.
how was the battery compartment condition? any corrosion?
did the ebay seller listed the condition as working? you might want to try getting a refund if he listed it as so.