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tested some yshica electros


martin

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it's not a real leica thead,

but interesting.

 

Over the last weeks I tested some yashicas electro rf.

I like the easy to use and the quality of the lense.

While the rf is not that leica quality, of course,

but you can get it cheap.

 

3062137652_3ca58f5fce.jpg

 

the other results can be seen here:

 

Yashica elektro 35 - a set on Flickr

 

have fun

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Yes, the Electro 35 is indeed a great camera, with a superb f:1.7/45mm lens and a pretty good rangefinder. The original Yashica Electro 35 came out in the late 1960's and was the first rangefinder with a fully electronic shutter and exposure - quite a breakthrough at the time. Tens of thousands were produced and can be found dirt-cheap!

 

A few issues to look out for though: the so-called 'pad of death' and unavailability of the original Mercury batteries. The battery issue can be solved easily by substituting for a type 544 6 Volt battery and a spacer. The so-called Pad of Death is a killer though. It is a pad made from dense foam, which disintegrates in time and makes the electronic shutter of the Electro 35 useless. And since it is fully electronic, you're stuck......

 

A good technician however, can replace the pad in about 30 minutes - so the repair can be relatively economical ( takes me about 2 hours and lot of cursing....). It is quite easy to tell if the pad is in good condition - when you wind the camera, you should hear a distinct clunk in the middle of the winding action. If you hear the clunk, the pad is fine.

 

Just a bit of trivia from an old-timer........

 

Best,

 

Jan

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I really enjoyed the photos, Martin. I also like the Flickr system of slideshowing through - one gets a sense of wandering about (where?) with you. Exposures spot on; great colour too; maybe your choices in post-processing? Anyway - good on you for being so naughty as to post non Leica images!

However I would question how good the Yashica lens is. Is it just me or is the ultimate focus a bit fuzzy? Is that the dumbing-down on the net? I don't think so as one can compare similarly affected images.

I am interested in this area of photography myself (cheaper eBay run-around rangefinders) so please don't think this is any criticism of you and your abilities - just wondering about the lens really. I've been wondering about one of these or, and this is where I'd naturally go as I'm already pretty Zuiko'd up, an OM35SP having heard the f1.7 on this is really good.

Jim.

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the photos on flickr are downsized to 800 pix,

so the real quality is not visible,

using the flickr slideshow scales them up,

so again the quality is reduced,

don't use the slideshow.

 

I used the electros with some bw film and printed the photos in my darkroom,

up to f-stop 2 the lense performs like a older summicron.

Contrast and sharpness is realy outstanding.

But just be carefull taking shots against the sun.

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Martin

 

thanks for posting.

I always enjoy to see images taken with over models in the 'digital age'.

 

I can also feel your passion for the camera, I am sure you have a great time with it.Some of the images are a bit soft but on the whole very pleasant, and as always, its the photographer who makes the images.

well done.

 

In a couple of days I will receive my first Kodak Retina Automatic...am looking forward to taking that for a test drive too...:)

 

Good light

 

Andy

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Martin

 

thanks for posting.

I always enjoy to see images taken with over models in the 'digital age'.

 

I can also feel your passion for the camera, I am sure you have a great time with it.Some of the images are a bit soft but on the whole very pleasant, and as always, its the photographer who makes the images.

well done.

 

In a couple of days I will receive my first Kodak Retina Automatic...am looking forward to taking that for a test drive too...:)

 

Good light

 

Andy

 

Andy, thank you.

 

going out with a loaded film is what I realy like,

and these old cameras have a marvellous lens quality.

 

Please let me see your results with the Kodak!

 

And please let me know wich of my photos are soft.

 

Best,

martin

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Thanks for information, Martin, about the Flickr factor. I thought as much and certainly wasn't doubting the quality of the images in any other respect, nor those of the photographer!

I looked through the images once or twice more and really liked them all over again - same comments as before.

Thanks for putting them up there. Here... Somewhere.

Jim.

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And please let me know wich of my photos are soft.

 

Best,

martin

 

Martin,,

I just viewed the set on Flickr again, this time on my PC and they don"t look soft...I made the mistake I think of viewing them via slideshow on my mac (larger screen) and they looked soft.:confused:

good stuff, and I am eagerly waiting the "post bote" for my Retina..will post some shots in coming weeks....

 

Regards

 

Andy

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