What the F*** just happened to my Yashica?!

Army35mm · Jan 2, 2017

[Insert juvenile crying emojis here]

The Film advance lever on my Yashica TL-Electro-X has been sticky since I got it, but it's been slowly loosening up the more i use it. When I first got it I applied a little bit of CLP(gun lube) to the mechanism(by removing the lever itself and dropping a small amount into the body of the camera from the top)

Today, I went to rack the lever, and it got stuck (I'm one of those gargantuan, clumsy, unfortunate fellows who doesn't know his own strength) I push it harder, and it knocks loose, then comes back to the start position and starts acting normally. Well, I hesitated to load up a roll of film, and then noticed, the damn thing makes a clunk when I bring the lever back, and disengages the shutter button about 3 times out of 5.

Not sure if I trust some of the Korean camera techs out here, all they speak is Nikon and canon for the most part, and I speak literally none of the language(just pointee-talkee) so I'm not quite sure what to do.

Anyone have diagrams or anything handy so I can find out what could be the issue? My google-fu has failed me.

Johnkpap · Jan 2, 2017

New camera Required

The cost of repair and the non availability of parts makes this one a paper weight.

Sorry

Johnkpap

Army35mm · Jan 2, 2017

Fantastic. Thanks. Gives me an excuse to look into getting a Nikon FE then, haha.

Army35mm · Jan 2, 2017

Fucking yikes, just got a look a the bottom edge of the upper shutter looks like it took a hit. I don't know if it got pinched by something, but this camera is def. toast.

darkosaric · Jan 2, 2017

Put the camera on auction site as broken - maybe you get couple of $/€ for it (this is what I do in situation like this), and get a new one .

Sirius Glass · Jan 2, 2017

darkosaric said:
Put the camera on auction site as broken - maybe you get couple of $/€ for it (this is what I do in situation like this), and get a new one .

No, no, no! Do not say it is broken. Put "I think it may need some adjusting, but I do not know much about these film cameras."

Theo Sulphate · Jan 2, 2017

darkosaric said:
Put the camera on auction site as broken - maybe you get couple of $/€ for it (this is what I do in situation like this), and get a new one .

Yes, auction it as a parts camera - people who repair old cameras will be interested.

fstop · Jan 2, 2017

"Found this in my grandparents closet,don't know much about it.This camera is in great shape!.This is a great shooters camera!"

Leigh B · Jan 2, 2017

fstop said:
"Found this in my grandparents closet,don't know much about it.This camera is in great shape!.This is a great shooters camera!"

Be careful. Your ethics are showing.

- Leigh

Sirius Glass · Jan 2, 2017

Leigh B said:
Be careful. Your ethics are showing.

- Leigh

Ethics have nothing to do with eBay. In fact if you have no ethics or scruples you are a prime candidate for seller of the year.

fstop · Jan 2, 2017

another feeble attempt...
BTW Those are excerpts from current auctions.not mine

"Fantastic. Thanks. Gives me an excuse to look into getting a Nikon FE then, haha."

If I was stranded on a deserted island and could only have one camera, the FE would be in the top 5 of 35mm film cameras.

Leigh B · Jan 2, 2017

Sirius Glass said:
Ethics have nothing to do with eBay.
In fact if you have no ethics or scruples you are a prime candidate for seller of the year.

Quite true, which i why I don't sell anything there, not do I buy.

I prefer to deal with the reputable members here and on LFPF.

- Leigh

Helinophoto · Jan 2, 2017

Just be honest and sell it as a repair/parts camera, parts are needed all over the place.

Huss · Jan 2, 2017

fstop said:
another feeble attempt...
BTW Those are excerpts from current auctions.not mine

"Fantastic. Thanks. Gives me an excuse to look into getting a Nikon FE then, haha."

If I was stranded on a deserted island and could only have one camera, the FE would be in the top 5 of 35mm film cameras.

So not the FE then.

Nodda Duma · Jan 2, 2017

Yashicas are available on ebay...look for an auction where they actually show the exposure lighrs turned on.

fstop · Jan 2, 2017

Huss said:
So not the FE then.

My first choice would be one of the following, Leica R-5, Minolta XK, Nikon F-3,FA The FE would fall in line behind those but those are stiff competition.The FE has a lot going for it.

Army35mm · Jan 3, 2017

Nodda Duma said:
Yashicas are available on ebay...look for an auction where they actually show the exposure lighrs turned on.

That's probably the worst thing about this, the exposure metering on this one worked fantastically.

Army35mm · Jan 3, 2017

fstop said:
My first choice would be one of the following, Leica R-5, Minolta XK, Nikon F-3,FA The FE would fall in line behind those but those are stiff competition.The FE has a lot going for it.

I hear all sorts of good things about all these, and there's no real good reason I'm going for the FE over the fact that I just want to try the Nikon FE. I have heard lots of good things, and the price in the area is right.

zanxion72 · Jan 3, 2017

I would not buy the FE. It has a thin metal part that locks the film advance ratchet at the bottom that comes loose after time to the point you will be always having to remove the bottom plate and fix it.
The F3 and the FA are much better options and if all mechanical cameras are o.k. with you, an FM would be just perfect.
Avoid the Leica R cameras as things may go way off your budget.

Army35mm · Jan 3, 2017

zanxion72 said:
I would not buy the FE. It has a thin metal part that locks the film advance ratchet at the bottom that comes loose after time to the point you will be always having to remove the bottom plate and fix it.
[sic]

First bit of hate I've seen for the FE. Everything I've heard was that it's pretty durable. Not doubting you, but I'm curious if anyone else here has experience this issue specifically.

BrianShaw · Jan 3, 2017

That's not hate... that's a fact, but not one that should discourage you. Happened to me once in the past 4 or 5 years. FE has some quirks, especially if adding a motor drive. But its one of my favorites nonetheless.

Arctic amateur · Jan 3, 2017

I haven't had that issue with my FE, but the rewind lever fell off in a small shower of parts once. It had unscrewed itself. Luckily it happened at my desk, so I found all the bits and was able to reassemble it.

BrianShaw · Jan 3, 2017

I had the rewind knob explosion once too. Still not a reason to dump the FE.

I also had the "dead battery = stuck mirror" situation. Still not a reason to dump the FE.

Army35mm · Jan 3, 2017

BrianShaw said:
That's not hate... that's a fact[sic]

I meant it more euphemistically, but good to know it's not a reason to overlook it. I kinda fell in love with one I saw in namdaemun market.

miha · Jan 3, 2017

zanxion72 said:
Avoid the Leica R cameras as things may go way off your budget.

+1

What the F*** just happened to my Yashica?!

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