Viewfinder/focusing with Yashica Electro 35 GTN

[TomMessenger]

Hi all,

I picked up a great condition GTN at a car boot sale for £2.50 last summer, but never got round to using it. Probably due to the focusing system, so here's my question. I don't know the proper terminology, but it seems like the orange 'focusing image' that slides over the actual frame in order for you to focus, is very small in the center of the finder. It seems quite a small area to me - is that right? People say how quick and easy Rangefinders are to use, so it it just a case of getting used to it? Might be a good chance to check out the metering today if I take it out with me.

Cheers,
Tom

 

[2F/2F]

That is how most (if not all) rangefinders work; there is just a small area that has the split images.

As far as easiness, I think it depends on the person and the situation. I have never found rangefinders easier or faster to focus than SLRs. But I still like using them for the convenience factor in certain situations. When I have time to take a little while longer to focus every shot, and D of F preview or perfect framing are not super important, I like using them, because they have the feel of a point and shoot in terms of size, but most of them give you a lot more quality and control than a P&S. And two of my favorite lenses that I have ever used are RF lenses (Leitz Summar and Summitar).

The Yashica Electros are some of my favorite rangefinders. You got a good camera for a good price, assuming everything works.

 

[TomMessenger]

Thanks, I'll give it a run today

Yes I was pleased with the price, and I did a double take when I opened the case to see what was inside - I had been looking at them that week, then came across the flagship model at a carboot! I DIY'd the battery retrofit and cleaned up the dust inside the finder and it's very clean now.

 

[TomMessenger]

Took it out today - will have to get it developed on Monday and see how we did Took me so long to focus each shot!!

 

[elekm]

Check those foam seals. You might need to replace them.

 

[TomMessenger]

I replaced the hinge seal when I first got the camera - just with a strip of felt. Not sure about the other seals, but we will see when I get the film back. Cheers

 

[TomMessenger]

It works

 

[holmburgers]

Great shot! Wubba wubba!...

To make the rangefinder patch easier to see, you could put a colored gel over the RF window. This will color the center patch, and potentially make it easier to see.

 

[TomMessenger]

Thanks, that's a good tip I'll give it a go. I think I'll stick to SLRs and TLRs for the time being though as I'm a bit quicker! Saying that I am pleased and quite surprised with the results and auto accuracy of the GTN. The out of focus areas on one of the low lights tests @1.7 were very smooth while the subject was sharp, which is something I definitely like.

 

[holmburgers]

I agree, the Yashica is certainly a capable camera. I bought my GF one and it's a great starter camera. It's kinda too big to really justify its use over an SLR, but I guess it is quiet, for what that's worth. Good luck!

 

[mr rusty]

I have a yashica minster d and the rangefinder was difficult to use - the patch just wasn't bright enough.I suspect the half silvering has become tarnished/degraded a bit. I found a tip which I tried and works well - black out the centre of the front viewfinder window to the same size as the rangefinder patch - I have done mine with just marker pen. Now the rangefinder patch is the only thing visible in the centre and it is simple to align edges as in any split image focussing, rather than trying to superimpose a dim rangefinder image on the main viewfinder image.