Beatrice Lang
The Yashica Electro 35 GSN is a classic 35mm rangefinder film camera from the 1970s. It is known for its bright lens and aperture priority system, where you select the lens opening and the camera sets the shutter speed accordingly. This camera was widely used for street photography and general-purpose images, gaining popularity among Vietnam War photographers. In this article, we will discuss the steps involved in opening and setting up the Yashica Electro 35 GSN, as well as some of its key specifications and features.
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Loading film
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Firstly, ensure you have the correct film. The Yashica Electro 35 GSN uses 35mm film, which is readily available. Check your film box to confirm the type and ensure it's suitable for your camera. Keep your camera body and hands free of dust and dirt before you begin.
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Open the film chamber by lifting the rewind knob. Place the film cassette into the chamber, ensuring it sits securely. Push down the rewind knob to secure the film in place. Check that the film is flat and correctly positioned before proceeding.
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Now, insert the film leader into the take-up spool. This is a critical step, so take your time. Use the film advance lever to feed the film across, ensuring the perforations engage with the sprocket teeth. Once the film is in place, close the back cover.
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At this point, you'll need to wind the film rewind crank-handle on the film rewind knob. Do this gently and clockwise until you feel a slight resistance. This step ensures the film is taut and ready for shooting.
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Advance the film further by pressing the shutter release button. Do this until the figure "1" appears on the film exposure counter. Check that the film rewinds correctly; as you advance it, the film rewind knob should rotate counter-clockwise.
Remember to store your camera in a cool, dry place when not in use, and always remove the battery to preserve its lifespan.
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Camera specifications
The Yashica Electro 35 GSN is a classic rangefinder film camera from the 1970s. It is the final version of the Yashica Electro 35 range, which was first introduced in 1966. The GSN model was produced from 1973 to 1977.
The Yashica Electro 35 GSN has the following specifications:
- Film type: 35mm (up to ISO 1000)
- Weight: 24.6oz (697.4g) without battery, or around 750 grams without film or battery inside
- Lens: Color Yashinon DX 45mm f/1.7. The lens has 6 elements in 4 groups and stops down to f/16.
- Filter size: 55mm threaded, 57mm slip-on
- Focal range: 2.6' to infinity
- Shutter: Copal Elec (Leaf) with speeds B, 1/30, 30s-1/500 aperture priority (1/500 only without battery)
- Viewfinder: Coupled rangefinder with auto parallax correction
- Exposure meter: lens-mounted CdS, over/under lights in viewfinder
- Battery: Originally PX32 5.6 Mercury, will accept 6v 28A or 4LR44 by adapter
- Other features: Hotshoe equipped, self-timer, battery check lamp, quick-action wind lever
The Yashica Electro 35 GSN is an aperture-priority camera, which means that you select the lens opening and the camera sets the shutter speed for the correct exposure. This can be overridden if desired, for example, when photographing sports events.
The camera has a coupled rangefinder, which is used for focusing. The focusing range is 0.8m (2'6") to infinity. The Yashica Electro 35 GSN also features a bright frame with automatic parallax compensation.
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Camera history
The Yashica Electro 35 GSN is a classic rangefinder film camera from the 1970s. The Yashica Electro range spanned from 1966 to 1977, with the GSN version only available during the last four of those years, from 1973 to 1977. The GSN was the final version of the Yashica Electro 35 range.
The Electro 35 was the first of a very successful line of automatic exposure 35mm rangefinder cameras with fixed Yashinon lenses, introduced by Yashica in 1966. The rangefinder is coupled to the focusing ring, and the viewfinder is parallax corrected. The front ring of the lens can be used to select A for aperture priority exposure, B for bulb, or an arrow symbol for flash. The shutter has a stepless automatic shutter with speeds ranging from 30 seconds to 1/500 seconds. The original Electro 35 had a ""cold" accessory shoe, and the meter accepted film speeds from 12 to 400 ASA.
The GSN model, introduced in 1973, featured some changes and improvements. One major change was the addition of a hot shoe while retaining the PC socket. A supplementary screw-on Tele and Wide-Angle adapters were included in the kit version, allowing modification of the characteristics of the image taken by the fixed lens. However, the practical usefulness of these adapters was limited as they degraded image quality and required a separate hot-shoe-mounted finder for composing, making it impossible to use the hot-shoe flash simultaneously.
The GSN also featured gold-plated electrical contacts, and the ISO range was altered from 10-400 to 12-500. The camera operates on Aperture Priority mode only, with no fully manual or Shutter Priority modes. The lens is a Yashinon DX f/1.7 45mm with six elements in four groups, stopping down to f/16. The shutter is electronic and offers an infinite range of speeds from 1/500 seconds to 30 seconds, with a B setting, built-in self-timer, M and X sync, shutter release lock, and automatic setting.
The Yashica Electro 35 GSN is an iconic and highly regarded film camera, known for its fast and sharp lens, delivering terrific results. It was widely used for street photography and general-purpose images, and it also gained popularity among Vietnam War photographers towards the conflict's conclusion.
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Camera features
The Yashica Electro 35 GSN is a rangefinder camera. It features a COLOR-YASHINON DX f/1.7 45mm lens, with 6 elements in 4 groups, and the ability to stop down to f/16. The shutter is electronic, with an infinite range of speeds from 1/500 of a second to 30 seconds, as well as a B setting, a built-in self-timer, M and X sync, a shutter release lock, and an automatic setting. The camera also has a hot shoe and PC terminal for flash synchronisation.
The camera's lens can be augmented with a variety of filters for special photographic effects. Many kinds of 55mm screw-in type filters are available for both colour and black-and-white film. An Auto-Up Lens is also available, which allows for photographs to be taken of subjects between 32 and 18 inches away. An Auxiliary Lens Set is also available, which includes a telephoto lens and a wide-angle lens, as well as an exclusive viewfinder.
The Yashica Electro 35 GSN is powered by a 5.6V Mallory TR164 or Eveready E164 mercury battery, although these are no longer sold in most Western countries. A Yashica Guy Adapter can be used to allow the camera to be powered by 4LR44 batteries, or 675 zinc-air hearing aid batteries, although the voltage of these is not quite correct.
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Camera maintenance
The Yashica Electro 35 GSN is a classic rangefinder film camera from the 1970s. While it is inexpensive and great for street photography, it is prone to age-related problems. Here are some maintenance tips to keep your camera in good condition:
Loading Film
To load film into the Yashica Electro 35 GSN, first, pull out the Film Rewind Knob, which will cause the Back Cover to pop open. Place a 35mm film cassette into the film chamber and push down the Film Rewind Knob. Insert the film leader into the Take-up Spool and advance the film with the Film Advance Lever, ensuring that the perforations engage the sprocket teeth. Close the Back Cover. Wind the film rewind crank-handle on the Film Rewind Knob clockwise until you feel slight resistance. Advance the film and press the shutter release button until the figure "1" appears in the Film Exposure Counter. Check that the film is properly loaded by verifying that the Film Rewind Knob rotates counter-clockwise as you advance the film.
Cleaning the Rangefinder Glass
The Yashica Electro's weak spot is its dim rangefinder. To address this, you will need to clean the rangefinder glass. First, remove the three silver crosspoint screws from the top of the camera – there are two on the sides and one on the back under the battery check button. Use a point spanner to remove the winder by turning the top counterclockwise. Remove any washers and other small parts, setting them aside in a pile while maintaining their original orientation. Remove the ASA dial by first setting the ASA to 100, then using a point spanner to take out the center screw. The dial can then be lifted off.
Fixing the Shutter
If your shutter is not opening when you press the release button, you may need to adjust a small piece labelled "A", which sits against another piece when the shutter is charged. Use a needle file to file down the edge of this piece so that it stays in place when the shutter is charged but swings free when released.
General Repair and Cleaning
For more information on general repair and cleaning, you can refer to online resources such as Matt's Classic Cameras, which provides tips and tutorials for various classic cameras, including the Yashica Electro 35. It is recommended to have a well-lit working area and a tray or paper towel to work on. Basic tools such as jeweler's screwdrivers, spanners, and cotton swabs, as well as cleaning agents like Windex, are useful for maintenance tasks.
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Frequently asked questions
To load film into the Yashica Electro 35 GSN, first, pull out the Film Rewind Knob, which will cause the Back Cover to pop open. Then, place a 35mm film cassette into the film chamber and push down the Film Rewind Knob.
The Yashica Electro 35 GSN is a vintage, classic rangefinder film camera from the 1970s. It is quite big and heavy, weighing 750g without film and battery. It features a bright lens (45mm f/1.7) that gives more depth to pictures.
The Yashica Electro 35 GSN uses 35mm film with an ISO of up to 1000.
The Yashica Electro 35 GSN has an Electro Exposure control system of the Aperture Priority type. You select the lens opening, and the camera automatically sets the shutter speed for the correct exposure.
You can find the Yashica Electro 35 GSN on second-hand markets, such as eBay or Craigslist.
