Acquisition
Back in 2022, I started thinking about getting into film photography. I began visiting thrift stores in search of the perfect film camera. But I was having no luck.
In October, I got a call from my daughter, who was away at school. She was in a thrift store and she called me to tell me about a camera she saw there. It was the Yashica Electro 35 GSN. She said they wanted $40 for it. I told her to get it for me.
I picked it up from her a few weeks later. The first thing I did was clean the battery compartment. The battery springs were a bit corroded, so I had to clean them off. Other than that, the camera was in terrific shape. There was no fungus or scratches on the lens. The shutter is slightly mushy but not too bad. The light seals are in good shape. It took a while to understand the built-in light meter. In reality, I think I noticed it by accident. The two arrows that tell you if your exposure is over or under don’t really show up in the immediate viewing area of the viewfinder. You have to look up slightly to notice them. But a really cool thing about them is the arrows point to the direction you should turn the aperture of the lens to get a proper exposure.
Technical Specifications
The Yashica Electro 35 GSN is one of the most iconic rangefinder cameras from the 1970s. Known for its clean, minimalist design and solid build quality, it’s a favorite among film enthusiasts even today. Here’s a rundown of its key technical specifications:
- Lens: Yashinon 45mm f/1.7 lens. This fast lens is perfect for low-light photography and delivers sharp, vibrant images with beautiful bokeh at wide apertures.
- Shutter Speeds: The Electro 35 GSN uses a stepless electronically-controlled leaf shutter, with speeds ranging from 1/500 sec to 30 seconds. This allows for precise exposure control, making it an excellent choice for various lighting conditions.
- Exposure Control: Aperture-priority auto-exposure. This is a handy feature for beginners and experienced photographers alike, as the camera selects the appropriate shutter speed based on the aperture you choose.
- Metering: The camera has a built-in center-weighted metering system that uses a light meter to indicate whether your exposure will be under or overexposed. The “over” and “under” lights on top of the camera act as simple guides to help you adjust your settings.
- Focus System: Rangefinder focusing system. This system can take a bit of getting used to, but it allows for precise manual focusing.
- Battery: Originally, the camera required a 5.6V mercury battery, but since those are no longer available due to environmental concerns, a 3.3V lithium battery with an adapter is now a suitable replacement, which you’ve already successfully used.
Using Fujifilm Fujicolor 200 and Ilford Delta 100
Since getting the camera up and running, I loaded it with two film stocks: Fujifilm Fujicolor 200 and Ilford Delta 100. Here’s how the Yashica Electro 35 GSN performed with each:
- Fujifilm Fujicolor 200: This color film is well-known for its fine grain and balanced colors, especially in daylight. Paired with the Yashica’s 45mm f/1.7 lens, the images were crisp, with excellent color reproduction. The Electro 35’s aperture-priority mode worked particularly well with this film, even in varied lighting conditions. Shooting outdoors in bright daylight resulted in well-exposed, vibrant photos, while indoors, I found that the fast f/1.7 lens compensated nicely, keeping shutter speeds manageable without introducing much noise or blur. Unfortunately, I lost a roll that contained images I shot from August ’23 to March ’24. The envelope had been ripped open and only one roll of film was recovered. This has led me to start developing my own film now. But that’s for another post.
- Ilford Delta 100: Shooting with Ilford Delta 100, a black-and-white film, transformed the Yashica Electro 35 into a nostalgia machine. Delta 100 is known for its fine grain and tonal range, which paired beautifully with the sharp Yashinon lens. The rangefinder focusing really shone with this film, allowing me to achieve tack-sharp focus on my subjects. The contrast in the images was impressive, and I found that the Electro 35 handled shadows and highlights beautifully. Even in low-light scenarios, the combination of the f/1.7 lens and the film’s sensitivity allowed me to capture detailed, atmospheric shots. I prefer shooting black & white film in this camera. I will probably try some Ilford Delta 400 or Ilford HP5 Plus next.
Final Thoughts
The Yashica Electro 35 GSN is the first purchase in my growing film camera collection. The camera has been a joy to use. Its simplicity, combined with the precision of its rangefinder focusing and aperture-priority system, make it an ideal camera for both film photography novices and seasoned shooters alike. Whether I’m capturing vibrant street scenes with Fujicolor 200 or moody black-and-white portraits with Ilford Delta 100, the Electro 35 continues to deliver timeless images with that unmistakable analog charm.