Molly Ayala
The Yashica Electro 35 is a 35mm rangefinder camera with automatic exposure and a Yashinon lens. It was introduced in 1966 and was the first of a successful line of cameras. The Yashica Electro 35 has three exposure modes: auto, B and flash. The camera operates with a 5.6V mercury battery, which should be inserted with the negative end in first. The battery check button will indicate whether the battery is charged. The shutter speed can be manually selected, but only B (bulb) and X (flash, 1/30s) can be chosen without a battery. The aperture ring should be turned in the direction of the arrow until it disappears. If it doesn't disappear, a tripod is recommended.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Brand | Yashica |
| Model | Electro 35 |
| Type | 35mm Rangefinder |
| Year Introduced | 1966 |
| Lens | Yashinon 1.7 45mm lens |
| Exposure Modes | Auto, B, and Flash |
| Shutter Speed | 30 seconds to 1/500s |
| Battery | Mercury PX23 battery or 4SR44/357 batteries with an adaptor |
| Film | 35mm film |
| Accessories | Lens shade, filters, auxiliary lens set |
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Inserting a battery
The original battery for the Yashica Electro 35 is no longer available, so you will need to purchase an adapter to fit a 4LR44 battery into your camera. You can buy these adapters on eBay.
Alternatively, you can use 675 zinc-air hearing aid batteries without an adapter. The voltage is not quite right, but it should be close enough for modern films. Once activated, zinc-air batteries only last a couple of months, but this should be long enough for a roll of film.
Another option is to use four LR44 batteries with some aluminium foil at the end for contacts. This seems to work for some users, with the electronics working and the shutter speed changing based on lighting. However, some people have reported that the use of LR44 batteries leads to underexposure due to a lack of conduction, and that the lamps will die out faster.
It is also possible to tape together four SR44 or 675 hearing-aid batteries on end, but again, the voltage may not be quite right.
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Using a flash
The Yashica Electro 35 has three exposure modes: auto, B (bulb), and flash. To use the flash mode, turn the front ring of the lens until the arrow symbol is selected.
The Yashica Electro 35 does not have a hot shoe, so you will need to either use a flash with a PC sync cable or an adapter that can be put between the cold shoe and the flash and attached with a PC sync cable. The PC sync port should be next to the viewfinder.
If you plan to use a strobe flash, place insulation tape on the base of the shoe to prevent the flash from shorting out. Older strobe flash units without a hot shoe contact will also avoid this problem. If you are using flashbulbs, align the flash symbol on the exposure control ring with the red triangular mark. The shutter speed will automatically be set at 1/30 sec.
For night photography, set the exposure control ring at the AUTO position and the aperture ring at the INDOORS (window) symbol. The shutter speed will be determined and set automatically. When the yellow indicator lamp fails to go off even when the aperture ring is turned all the way, mount the camera on a tripod to prevent camera shake, or use flash.
The Yashica Electro 35 GX features a unique Electro Auto Flash System that allows for fully automatic flash exposures. The Yashica ES-20 AUTO strobe unit can be mounted on the camera and swivelled right or left for a bounce flash technique.
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Adjusting the aperture
The Yashica Electro 35 is an aperture-priority camera, meaning that the user only needs to adjust the aperture, and the shutter speed will automatically adjust depending on the aperture setting.
To adjust the aperture, first set the ISO on the bottom of the lens. Then, look through the viewfinder or on top of the camera, where you will see two left and right arrow indicators. When you press the shutter button halfway, one of these arrows will light up, indicating which direction you need to adjust the aperture to get a good exposure.
For night photography without a flash, set the Exposure Control Ring at the AUTO position and the Aperture Ring at the INDOORS (window) symbol. The shutter speed will be determined and set automatically. However, when shooting with the YELLOW arrow on, use a tripod, as this indicates that the exposure speed is slower than 1/30 second.
If you are using a strobe flash, align the Flash Symbol on the exposure Control Ring with the red triangular mark. The shutter speed will automatically be set at 1/30 sec. Focus the camera and divide the guide number of the strobe flash or flash bulb by the flash-to-subject distance. The figure thus obtained should be set by turning the Aperture Ring. For example, ASA 100 film with a guide number of 84 at a distance of 15 feet equals an f/5.6 aperture.
Each stop on the lens barrel represents a 100% change in the amount of light from the adjoining setting. As the numbers get larger, the amount of light transmitted by the lens decreases.
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Shutter speed
The Yashica Electro 35 is a 35mm rangefinder camera with automatic exposure and a Yashinon 1.7 45mm lens. It was the world's first electronically controlled full-frame camera, introduced in 1966. The shutter speed is controlled electronically and is set automatically to ensure the correct exposure. The shutter has a stepless automatic shutter with speeds ranging from 30 seconds to 1/500s.
The Electro Exposure control system is of the Aperture Priority type, where the user selects the lens opening, and the camera sets the shutter speed accordingly. However, it is possible to override this automatic setting and manually control the shutter speed for specific scenarios, such as sporting events. This manual control is achieved by understanding the relationship between the aperture stops and the percentage of light between them, allowing users to select the shutter speed best suited for their desired shots.
The camera provides visual indicators to assist users in determining if the required shutter speed is too slow or too fast. When the shutter speed for the selected aperture is lower than 1/30s, the viewfinder displays an orange arrow pointing left, accompanied by an orange light on top of the camera. Conversely, when the shutter speed exceeds 1/500s, the viewfinder shows a right-pointing arrow, and a red control light illuminates on top of the camera. Adjusting the aperture can often resolve these issues, and the shutter will still fire.
Additionally, the Yashica Electro 35 offers a Bulb mode, allowing for shutter speeds slower than 1/30s. When using a strobe flash, the shutter speed automatically sets at 1/30s. The camera also includes a self-timer feature, although its use and that of the Bulb mode are not detailed in the sources provided.
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Using a tripod
Similarly, when the shutter speed is slower than 1/500 seconds, a red arrow pointing right will appear in the viewfinder, and a red 'over' indicator will light up on top of the camera. This is an indicator of overexposure, and the camera should be placed on a tripod.
The Yashica Electro 35 Instruction Booklet also recommends using a tripod and cable release when the camera is set to 'B'. In this setting, the shutter will remain open for as long as the Shutter Release Button is kept depressed.
For night photography without a flash, set the Exposure Control Ring to the AUTO position and the Aperture Ring to the INDOORS (window) symbol. The shutter speed will be determined and set automatically. However, when the YELLOW arrow appears, this indicates that there is insufficient light for handheld photography, and a tripod should be used.
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Frequently asked questions
The Yashica Electro 35 was designed to use a 5.6V mercury PX23 battery, but it can also operate with 4SR44/357 batteries with an adaptor.
First, unscrew the battery compartment cover with the edge of a coin. Then, insert the battery with the "-" (minus) end going in first, and replace the cover.
Press the Battery Check Button. If the green light comes on in the Film Exposure Counter, the battery power is sufficient.
This means that the shutter speed for the aperture selected is lower than 1/30s. You can try to solve this by changing the aperture.
Align the Flash Symbol on the exposure Control Ring with the red triangular mark.
