Yashica Electro 35

[RalfJ]

Hello everyone,

Picked up a clean Electro 35 at a local fleamarket.

It’s very clean and rf is slightly off on infinity but not too terrible, since i have already removed the top shouldn't be too hard to adjust.

The problem u have is that this camera is firing at one speed, from ear inspection about 1/400 or 1/500s. Yes, i have heard about the PoD with foam pad deterioration but this unit does not have that issue, being a later one it has a good solid looking rubberized pad, see photo. Electric behavior seems ok, battery check and over and under lamps are turning on. My next thought was a potential mechanical issue where shutter may need a bit of isopropyl alcohol? Any ideas?

 

[Mr Flibble]

The shutter defaults to its highest shutter speed when it has no power (no battery or dead battery).
So it does sound like an electrical problem to me.

The shutter uses a solenoid and a capacitor to keeps the shutter open on the slower speeds.

 

[Mr Flibble]

This might help, this page contains several snaps from the service manual, including diagrams of the electronics of the camera.

Yashica Electro 35 retrofit

This blog is about general photography and more focused in vintage / old film cameras like Zeiss Ikonta Rolleiflex Agfa Isolette and Sigma Foveon

oldgoodlight.blogspot.com

 

[henryvk]

Did you check the battery compartment for oxidization? I had an Electro 35 and it needed it's contacts thoroughly cleaned with vinegar before it did anything.

 

[Mr Flibble]

Did you check the battery compartment for oxidization? I had an Electro 35 and it needed it's contacts thoroughly cleaned with vinegar before it did anything.

If the light meter lights and battery check works, I doubt it's the battery contact corrosion

 

[RalfJ]

If the light meter lights and battery check works, I doubt it's the battery contact corrosion

Many thanks for taking the time to respond. The lamps for over/under exposure turn on but are faint while the lamp for the battery check which is on the frame counter is solid. I am thinking based on behavior, that the solenoid and shutter magnet may not be getting the necessary current to provide the correct delay based on meter reading. This kind of repair is beyond my capabilities at this time unfortunately. @Rick, it’s good to see you here.

 

[Mr Flibble]

The components might still be okay, and that it's 'just' a loose contact somewhere in the circuit.

Dim lights might also point to a bad connection between the sliding contact surfaces that are hit sequentially when you push down on the shutter button.
As I recall as you push down slowly it first activates one of the over/under light meter circuits, than the other, and finally the shutter.

 

[henryvk]

Iirc you can just about see the shutter release shaft and the sliding contacts when you take off the bottom plate?

erik fiss | galleries | Yashica Electro 35 Repair Manual | 7

www.erikfiss.com

You can try to carefully introduce a small bit of contact cleaner through the gap and then excercise the shutter to see if things improve.

 

[RalfJ]

Thanks, I haven’t removed bottom plate, will give it a go

 

[henryvk]

Make sure it's really just a droplet though.