Don't SHOOT FILM! - Until You've Seen This! Yashica ELECTRO 35GT - Budget Leica BEATER!

Nigel, this was so well presented . Thank you for your excellent use of our lovely English language - your God- given intellect and powers of camera/art analysis. You are a treasure in our lives.

Another fan of the camera here. One thing; The red light is showing overexposure, but the yellow light is a warning light for slow hand-held shutterspeed (1/30), not underexposure. It will always meter automatically, but gives the yellow light warning if it meters under 1/30 shutterspeed. So, you have to use the iso dial if you deliberately want to underexpose your shots.

Another great video Nigel! I wanted to comment on this one since I have an Electro 35 G and truly love it! As my first rangefinder it took a while to get used to the focusing diamond, but after that it was off to the races. I have run a handful of rolls through it and, apart from a small light leak that seems to have worked itself out, the images are outstanding! I enjoy shooting black and white with it the most and have produce some wonderful shots with it. Also - the sounds of life in the video were music to my ears!

I bought my first "good" camera in Hong Kong in 1977 when I was a student and doing 6 months of practical training there as part of my engineering degree. My final choice was between the Yashica Electro 35 and the Canon QL17 and I went for the Canon because of the compact size and a more convenient battery. I was never disappointed with my choice and used it until it was stolen at Heathrow airport in 1996. However, I later found a Konica Auto S2 in a Tokyo junk shop (2002) and the 45/1.7 Hexanon lens on that is amazing. In fact, I was so impressed with the IQ that I went on to buy a couple of Konica SLR cameras and the Hexanon AR lenses have since become my favorites for using on my mirrorless digital cameras. If you get the chance, I recommend you take a look at the Konica Auto S2.

Thanks for taking the time to explain the focus process. This is the dirst time i heard that the view finder is not xonnected to the lens. That helped. We found a GSN cleaning out the inlaws house in San Jose. I am refurbishing the camera and hope to have it ready for Christmas. I appreciate the time and effort you out into this video. This project made me pull out my Minolta Maxxum 7000. Clean it up and get aome film ordered.

I always like to watch your videos because you are so exited about those old cams and so am I. I got a GS this week for 59 Euros, good optical condition but it had all the usual illnesses that this camera can have. The minus on the battery compartment was corroded and broke, the POD (Pad of death) has deteriorated and the light seals were gone. I had to take the camera apart and luckily got it back together again. Looking forward to run the first film through it next week.

This (the GSN, not the GT) was the camera that sent me forever down the rangefinder rabbit hole. Mine died (not the POD problem) after about six months of hard use, but it gave it's life for a "good" cause (emptying my wallet on far more expensive RF gear): my next camera was a (modern) Zeiss Ikon and a 35/2 Biogon ... and the rest (even more money gone) was history. The lens is fantastic, the camera overall is simple to use, the auto exposure was excellent. The only (minor) negatives were the size (it's a bit bulky -- not horribly so, but compared to other RFs); felt hollow-y / cheap when compared to the brick-like solidity of Leica; and the limited ability to push film (because of the narrow ISO range), otherwise it was a perfect camera for my purposes. Always kind of wanted to splurge for the black (GT) version again to relive my early RF days!

My mother had one of these in the 70's ...unfortunately, hers is nowhere to be found, but I just picked one up a very clean one for $100. I love the layout and the lens. I also really like the fact that it is inexpensive....I bought it as my go-to camera for when I am travelling and I don't want to risk taking my more expensive gear with me, but I want a great film camera. Thanks for the helpful review....well done.

Great review. I enjoy hearing the world as you walk around. I have an earlier Yahica Lynx 5000 with a similar lens but with a less striking design. The meter on mine has failed but it allows for manual selection of aperture and shutter speed using an external meter. You've inspired me to finally do some troubleshooting!

Great! Finally an experienced man and photographer and not some usual improvised hipster one! thank you for sharing your knowledge and vision!

A very thorough review. I was interested because I have just inherited my father in laws's old Yashica Electro AX which looks to be in perfect condition, I have never seen him use it in the last 40 years! I literally just worked out my battery problem. The original battery is no longer available so I am using a CR123 and 3/4n I think in series. I just realised that the second small battery wasn't making contact with the CR 123 as the positive connection is actually recessed! Your vlog has inspired me to go out and get some shots.

Thanks for the content. I just got my hands on an Electro 35 GS in pristine condition. Have yet to finish the first roll and see the results, but all the controls are beautifully smooth and easy to use. And that smooth, quiet shutter action!

I've been wanting to pick up a consumer rangefinder from this era... and I think you've sold me on this one. Now off to hunt one down!

Beautiful camera and the video here is of course extremely informative and pleasant to look at. Thank you very much for that!😍

Enjoyed the video. Watched it here in Ft Worth Texas. I bought one of these cameras at the start of the pandemic and shot a couple of rolls. Impressed by how sharp the lens is. This was the second one. The first had the dreaded corroded battery compartment. I do have the auxiliary lens adapters as mentioned below, but have not used them yet. Will give them a try. Keep up the good work!

I actually missed this video when you released it a couple of weeks ago. so you can imagine how surprised I was to see it pop up on my feed 2 days after I ordered a GTN on ebay. I have wanted to try one of these for ages. I actually got one a year ago, only to find I actually bid on the wrong one I was watching by mistake, and the one that I got was a parts camera with lots of bits missing. at least I've got lots of spares for my new one lol. Great video as always. let's hope mine works as well as yours.

got a e35 GSN from a second hand shop for $30. they thought it was broken. (the timer was stuck, i fixed it in the shop and bought it) Yashica seems to be my brand of camera. my favorite is an FX3 super. been shooting with the e35 for a week. its been super enjoyable. the limitations are welcomed. fixed lens. unless lighting changes, pretty much only have to worry about the focus. the alignment was weird at first. wish the diamond was a liiiittle bit bigger. im glad you liked it too! im glad our experiences with it were reflected in our opinions! a damn fine camera.

I will second these cameras being fantastic. These cameras can be bought for a song if the light meter is not working, they can be very often repaired by resoldering the battery wire that got corroded off the battery terminal from leaky dead batteries. This is by far the most common fix needed. There is also a tiny rubber pad that dries out and falls apart on the internal recocking pin, also a very easy fix. There are several vids on how to do the repairs. I have seen these for as little as ten dollars US in this nonworking condition. If you are handy with jewelers screwdrivers it is a great way to get a good shooter for very cheap!

Someone down to earth. Nigel great video. I have an old GT only goes to 500 but really great pics. I spent 5 wonderful years in England. My family from Cornwall and Ireland originally. The light in the UK seems to saturate all the colours compared to the U.S. This is a camera to take advantage of that.

I love it when you make this sort of video. Thank you.