Electro 35 G...buy or wait for better?

BetterSense · Dec 13, 2009

I'm in the position of wanting a rangefinder camera but not being able to afford a leica. I can buy a really mint condition electro 35G with case for $30. This is no leica--it has no manual mode, it has no hot shoe and the film speed only goes up to 500. What's mostly going to annoy me is the lack of manual operation. I'm debating whether to buy it while I can, or wait for something else. I'm not interested in collecting cameras. What are my other options? It's practically impossible to find cheap rangefinder cameras secondhand among the glut of SLRs, and I don't even know what's out there. I just want an easy-to-use coupled rangefinder camera with manual operation and a decent lens.

HerrBremerhaven · Dec 13, 2009

I sold a couple of black body Yashica GT cameras last year, after not having used them a while. At first they were nice, because the aperture priority allows for easy operation. Then I ended up with a Petri 7S, which I think is a better looking camera. After trying out the Petri 7S, I decided that I like it better, due to being able to set the shutter and aperture. However, the Yashica is built tougher, and has maybe a little better lens than the Petri. Tough choice, but the prices on these are close.

Ciao!

Gordon Moat Photography

Dave Pritchard · Dec 13, 2009

My Electro G goes up to ASA 1000. I just looked at it. Great lens, f1:1.7. It will set shutter speed out to 30 seconds! What do you want for $30?

If you really need full manual operation, I have two suggestions.

Canon QL17. You can set it off of automatic to get full manual control.

FED2. Yeah, it's Russian roulette, but fully manual. Leica 2 design. Good lenses.

BetterSense · Dec 13, 2009

My Electro G goes up to ASA 1000

you sure you have a G? Ken rockwell says the G only goes to 500. So does photoethnography.

Dave Pritchard · Dec 13, 2009

I think this is a terminology difference.

Karen Nakamura shows the ASA film rating from 25 to 1000.
Aperture from f16 to f1.7.
Shutter speed from 30 seconds to 1/500.

This matches the settings on my Electro 35 G.

Leighgion · Dec 13, 2009

I don't know enough about the Electro models to comment on them, but I can say the Canon QL17 is worth a look for you. I've got one and it's great when the occasion calls for a compact, capable RF.

QL17 has shutter priority mode, but can run full manual as well. The 40mm f1.7 is a good lens, it has a hot shoe, sync port and ISO goes up to 800. Metering is not TTL, but the metering cell is right above the lens and covered if you use filters, so no need to dial in filter compensation. Body is a solid block of metal.

Main downsides are that the meter shuts off completely if you go into manual mode so no help from it then, uses those outlawed mercury cells (but as usual works well enough with silver oxide substitutes) and its 48mm filter/cap size is a bit harder to shop for.

Stuff I shot with my QL17: http://www.flickr.com/photos/leighgion/tags/ql17/

Anscojohn · Dec 14, 2009

At that price, what's to lose? I sold many of those cameras. They are o.k., with all the negatives already pointed out. A bit bulky, tho. Is the difference in ASA number perhaps a difference between a G and a GN? One thing, though, that big long mercury cell might be hard to find nowadays--although they last "forever" if you do not make an huge number of 30 second exposures.
I have a Canonet GIII which I love; and a Fed 3 I love even more, because it needs me! Both cut a sharp image. The GIII still works (sans metering) without a battery.

Michael W · Dec 14, 2009

I was interested in an Electro until I held one, it was much bigger and heavier than I'd expected, along with the lack of manual functions, I lost interest.
Olympus SP is a good camera, small, excellent lens, manual exposure, uncoupled meter can be a bit fiddly. Takes mercury batteries but you can use the cheap modern hearing aid batteries instead. Not sure if they sell as cheap as $30 though.

Jeff Kubach · Dec 14, 2009

I have a Electro 35G which I got for free several years ago. Despite it's lack of manual functions, I still like the camera and does take great pictures.

Jeff

2F/2F · Dec 14, 2009

I'd recommend one for sure, but I think $30 sounds high, even for a very nice one.

Best (or "most controlled", rather) way to use these manually is with a flash. '30 is fixed, you choose your aperture, and change your flash power to suit.

mablo · Dec 14, 2009

I have an Electro G. I think it's a good camera when in good working condition. These day I use it mostly on a tripod in low light conditions.

Example photo with my G: http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2490/3930568389_3f7b7b6c33_b.jpg

d.sge · Dec 14, 2009

Yashica's Lynx series might be a better option for you considering your requirements. The 5000 is entirely manual, meters to 800* has a top speed of 1/1000 (and syncs up to it!) and an aperture range of f/1.8 - 22. It doesn't have a hot shoe, but the cold shoe/pc sync does just fine. They're about $45 with a case in good condition.

*The meter is a match needle type with over/underexposure indicators. You could always extrapolate if you're shooting at 1600 or higher.

BetterSense · Dec 14, 2009

yeah, on a fully manual camera, I don't even care about the meter range or the ASA range. I can just ignore the meter entirely or use a different one. On a auto-only camera, the meter-coupling range always seems to be limiting. On my OM2n, the ASA only goes up to 1600 so in auto mode, so with you are even limited in the amount of exposure compensation available to you, and shooting things like stage-lit performers can be perfectly impossible on auto mode due to lack of meter coupling range. Same with my XA cameras...with aperture priority operation, you can't even extrapolate the meter in situations where the camera is perfectly capable of taking the shot, and I find that infuriating.

fotch · Dec 14, 2009

For that price, wait for the camera you really want, a fully manual camera.

Not being able to go manual is a real hardship.

sangetsu · Dec 15, 2009

The Electro series of cameras is very nice. It's true that there is no manual control, but you can manually adjust somewhat just by turning your ASA dial up or down.

$30 is not that bad a deal for a camera with the functions a Yashica Electro has. It's durable, easy to use, has a good lens, and takes great pictures. The quality of the materials and the workmanship on these cameras are excellent. If someone steals it, no big deal, you can replace it cheaply enough. If someone tries to mug you, you have something big enough to put a serious bump on his head.

I'm new to Yashicas myself, but in the short time I've used mine, I've grown to love it.

TheFlyingCamera · Dec 15, 2009

If you're looking at cameras in that price range/feature category, also consider a Konica S2 or if you're a glutton for punishment, The Lynx 14e - it has an f1.4 50mm lens, so it's a big honker on the front. Also consider that almost any of the cameras you buy in this class/age will probably need a good CLA to be fully operational, so budget that in as well.

FilmLives! · Dec 16, 2009

IF you can find a nice properly-working example, there is always the Konica S2. You get a fast sharp lens, its built like a tank (all-metal and not a lightweight - I've read the soldiers in Viet Nam loved to carry them for the abuse they could take), it offers shutter priority auto OR full manual control, and it works on manual even with a dead battery. Yes, you are still limited to ASA 500 max (ASA = ISO for you deprived youngsters).

jZ

Ian Grant · Dec 16, 2009

My sister had a Yashica Electro G, is was an awesome camera, the lens was outstanding, the exposures spot on, but it was rather tooAutomatic.

I guess I''d not recommend one now, there are better range finder camera's available for the same price.

Ian

elekm · Dec 16, 2009

In the earlier part of this discussion, I think there was confusion between "film speed" and shutter speed. The top shutter speed probably is 1/500. The highest ASA setting probably is 1000.

Anyway, for $30, it's a decent deal. You might have to replace the seals.

Always be careful about describing something as "mint" until you actually inspect the camera.

In that price range, your choices are limited, especially if you want a meter and manual shutter speeds.

mablo · Dec 17, 2009

What elekm said. I once bought a "mint" looking Yashica Electro 35 GSN for 40€. When I got I found out that the battery wire was badly corroded, light seals were a distant memory and a Yashica Electro specific problem, the "Pad Of Death" was bad.

Amir Aziz · Dec 19, 2009

I would suggest getting a russian rangefinder either a Fed 2 or a Zorki 3C. The Fed is closer copy to the orginal Leica LTM design while making film loading easier and having a combined rangefinder/viewfinder. The Zorki has a brighter viewfinder and faster shutter 1/1000sec as opposed to the Feds 1/500sec. Try to get a body that comes with either 50mm Jupiter 8 or Industar 61 or Industar 26M

b1bmsgt · Dec 19, 2009

Basically, you're either a Yashica fan or you're not, I guess...
If you check out the Yashica forum over at rangefinder forum.com, you will find a lot of folks who are rabid fans. If you think the Electro is too automatic, then a Lynx 5000 or 14 would be a good way to go. Both have full manual shutter speed and aperture along with an on-board meter, although I would recommend a good hand-held rather than trust the built in too far. The 14's will cost you a bit, but the 5000's can usually be had for a very low price.
I also have a few Zorki's and FED's. They are definitely hit and miss, but if you get a good one you are in for a treat, IMHO. I would recommend the Jupiter 8 personally, but the Industars ore OK too...

Russ

r-brian · Dec 19, 2009

I much prefered my Minolta Hi-Matic 7s over a Yashica Electro that I had. The Hi-Matic are either AE or complete manual. And the lenses are sharp.

elekm · Dec 20, 2009

Several decades have done a lot for the Yashica Electro cameras. The years have transformed them from lower-tier product into cult camera. Same goes for the smaller fixed-lens rangefinders made by Olympus, Canon, Minolta and to a much-lesser degree Konica and Petri.

Even so, they were all decent cameras then and are still decent cameras today. I just wouldn't overpay for them.

Pumal · Dec 24, 2009

A Mint, CLAD Yashica 14e IC is worth 100 bucks.
A Mint, CLAD Yashica Electro 35 GSN is worth 50 bucks

Electro 35 G...buy or wait for better?

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