How to Clean the Viewfinder on a Yashica Electro 35

In this video, I demonstrate how to disassemble and clean the viewfinder on a Yashica Electro 35 rangefinder 35mm film camera.
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The sequence of disassembly:
TOP
1. Unscrew (CCW) then remove shutter release lock ring
2. Unscrew (CCW) then remove iso dial lock ring
3. Secure rewind fork and unscrew top crank (CCW)
SIDES
4. Unscrew three 00 phillips screws on sides and rear
5. (If needed) run exacto knife along top case seam
UNDERNEATH
6. Lift top case up and to the left (wire is connected underneath)
7. Lift out viewfinder's top plate
Things to watch out for:
The red 'battery check' button is loose and will fall out if not supported during top.
Under the left side of the top is a wire for the flash sync port. Be careful not to pull on the wire and disconnect the solder connection.
DO NOT touch the beam-splitter (vertical glass with yellow tint) or it will damage the coating.
Happy cleaning!
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Helpful Links:
Yashica Electro User manual- filmismorefun.c...
Here is a great text step-by-step for many Yashica Electro repairs with pictures from a blog- www.yashica-guy...
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Music Credits:
Bensound- www.bensound.com
Hi there. I'm Chris. Film is more fun is a place where I share about whatever busted up old camera I'm currently shooting and tinkering with, or my meanderings in film photography. It would be pretty rad if you said what's up. I'm 99% friendly. Definitely do that. Disclaimer: If you want technical proficiency go watch 'The Art of Photography' (love that show). These videos are more like an elderly person navigating a tv clicker.
Tags:
Ilford,fuji, film, kodak, multipleexposure, doubleexposure, tmax, kodak, ilford, delta, filmismorefun, develop, selfdevelop, photography, analog, lightroom, adobe, darkroom, olympus, nikon, pentax, minolta, canon, 35mm, 120, portra, superia, fujifilm, diy, lomo, lens,

[@KyleMcDougall]

Thanks for posting this! Just picked up a GTN with a really cloudy viewfinder. Managed to clean it up after watching this. Looks like new!

[@filmismorefun]

Kyle McDougall Awesome! I'm glad it was helpful :)

[@vladislavstanimirovic9650]

Nice guide! I just got a Yashica 35 GSN, and l cleaned the viewfinder successfully thanks to your video! Keep up the good work.

[@filmismorefun]

Desetka Okasti Awesome! Have fun with it, they're a blast. Thanks for the kind words.

[@flowermaze___]

Thanks! :) Great, concise and excellent info!

[@filmismorefun]

I'm glad you found it helpful 🙂

[@Underlordist]

Thanks for this. I just picked up a Electro 35 CC. Slightly more recent than yours but I reckon things had not changed that much. Thanks (in advance) for your guidance!

[@filmismorefun]

Hi Philip! No problem, good luck with your repair 🙂

[@soldierloz]

Great video my friend. Really well done for doing it for us. 🙏🏻

[@filmismorefun]

@@soldierloz You're welcome. I'm glad you found it helpful.

[@TimothyBaker-f5b]

Thanks for the useful video, managed to replace the pad of death using three thin strips of 'Gorilla' tape, brought back the much talked about 'clunk' when cocking the shutter.

[@adrinfpv]

Have a video link?

[@MatthewOrtizTexas]

Great video! I couldn't find many on this topic, and in such great detail (especially on being careful with the beam splitter). Most videos I have found, people wipe those down like crazy...haha! Anyway, thank you for sharing such valuable content!

[@filmismorefun]

Thanks man! 🙂

[@InternetWesley]

Thanks for this, bud! Mine is nice and clear now.

[@filmismorefun]

You're welcome 🙂

[@QARIB_JEWELRY]

So nice👌

[@daniele3233]

Yeah, I don't even had one of these cameras but I'm watching this video And I'm enjoying it :)

[@filmismorefun]

🙂

[@ScottLaceyMN]

Thanks for the video! I just bought a Yashica Electro 35 at a local thrift store. I noticed that the viewfinder had been loosened on one side and was wondering if I could reattach it somehow. Watching your video, I think it might be possible. I'll give cleaning it a try and see if I can repair the viewfinder.

[@filmismorefun]

Scott Lacey Awesome! How much did you pick it up for?

[@ScottLaceyMN]

About $12.95

[@halcyondaze6897]

Cheers, has given me the confidence I was lacking :)

[@filmismorefun]

Halcyon Daze i'm glad it was helpful! :)

[@acidsnow5915]

super helpful this video! thank you! now i just need a yashica electro 😂😂😂

[@filmismorefun]

ACID SNOW well, if you have $20 and eBay you're half way there! 😀

[@mangkukX]

Thanks! My dad has this camera, although im not sure what model.

[@filmismorefun]

You're welcome 🙂

[@RobbieMaynardCreates]

Thanks for the video! This was super helpful. By chance, do you know how to fix the frame counter? Mine is stuck at 36.

[@filmismorefun]

You're welcome! I'm glad it was helpful 🙂 I've never had to fix the frame counter, but the first place I would check is making sure the counter release latch isn't stuck when the door opens.

[@auzcote9789]

I have this exact one. Just got it yesterday for 13 bucks at a antique shop. Still works it seems but it has over spray near the lens and viewfinder. Wondering if rubbing alcohol will work to clean it.

[@filmismorefun]

It's worth a shot! For $13 that's a decent find. I hope it works out for you 🙂

[@instructionification]

Great tutorial. Any advice on replacing of the "Pad of Death" ?

[@filmismorefun]

Thanks! Here is a pictorial overview of how to replace it: www.yashica-guy.com/document/repair.html#nine

[@blindsouris]

Thanks for posting this! I use the same tools but the screw on the arm is hard to loose (4:44) have you a suggestion?

[@filmismorefun]

Hey sorry for the delay. I no longer have the camera, so unfortunately I can't provide any direct suggestions to help. A small drop of penetrating oil could be an option though, but I hope you've worked it out! 🙂

[@ivonesyoRamos]

Great vídeo! Clear and fun! Thank you. I ll try! Do you have a vídeo o recomend one to clean lens?

[@filmismorefun]

Thanks! No, I don't, sorry.

[@wenchih-liang900]

Hi! I am encountering this problem with my yashica electro 35 GSN that I just got a few days earlier. When I look into its viewfinder, it displays this camera's front view with a blue-ish tone, which is kind of troubling. Is there any chance you would provide me any idea of how this might happen? Sorry if this question seems abrupt, and also thank you for your awesome explanatory video!

[@filmismorefun]

Hi there. I'm not sure why it's happening, and I have never personally experienced this issue. However, I've read that others have had it happen with their Electro's, and cleaning the viewfinder seemed to help a bit.

[@faustoferreiradasilva787]

If the camera has no electric circuits, can the diagonal piece of the viewfinder be cleaned the same way as the others?

[@filmismorefun]

Hi Fausto! No, even if the camera is mechanical only, any beam splitter should have a coating on it to create the overlaying effect. I've recently uploaded a video on how to clean these pieces using a digital sensor cleaning kit of you're interested. Hope that helps! 🙂

[@simrandhimanz]

My grandfather had bought this in 60's for almost 28000INR

[@filmismorefun]

That was a bunch of money back then! I think that is around $390USD or so? Now you can pick them up used for just $30 in decent shape.

[@jasonherrera3658]

Do you know how to remove the old rubber pad for the shutter to replace it ?

[@filmismorefun]

Here is some info: www.yashica-guy.com/document/repair.html#nine

[@juanmartinmoralesgomez4671]

Hi, i have a Yashica Electro GS but have a problem, the red light of the lightmeter always turn on in AUTO no matter what i do, is always turn on but when i change the mode to BULB or FLASH only the yellow light turn on, do you have a video or something that help me out? I will really aprecciate

[@filmismorefun]

Hi Juan! Does it expose the film correctly despite the lights coming on? I'm not sure how to help, but it sounds like an issue with the metering circuit.

[@juanmartinmoralesgomez4671]

No, it´s always the same shutter speed no matter what, i try to close and open the aperture, change de ASA and cover the little window of the lightmeter to check any change on the shutter speed and it´s always the same. Do you have any idea or what i look out on the insides? It´s my dad camera and i really want to use it

[@filmismorefun]

@@juanmartinmoralesgomez4671 it sounds like it is functioning on the mechanical shutter speed. If it was your father's, and it has sentimental value, in my opinion you may want to send it out for repair or service. I'm not sure how to advise your repair, sorry!

[@tsusec]

dust seal on the film advance lever fell apart, is there any other way to fix dust seal cap on the view finder?

[@filmismorefun]

Hey there. I'm not sure, sorry. I haven't had the Electro apart since last year, and I really don't recall. You might want to check Yashica Guy's repair blog (link is in the description). Good luck!

[@dr.bukhari4113]

I have one ,i found in my fathers things ,but its window glass from anterior side is broken and behide it a black borders like thing is also moving ? Do u think it reparable ?? Other wise its in A-1 condition

[@filmismorefun]

You will have to disassemble, and assess against another (maybe non-working from ebay) camera to use as parts. Good luck :)

[@sapienstudio]

Thank you for the vid! A little question for you. Just fixed the POD on my electro, got appropriate batteries and the problem persists...only the OVER light comes on. Any tips? I appreciate it. Thanks in advance! Boe

[@filmismorefun]

HI Boe! Check that your iso is set correctly, and if so, you may need to send it in for service. Google Mark Hama - he is the go-to for Yashica repairs. :)

[@Seakuii]

Is it possible for the lens to be cleaned as well? Mine has mold or fungus on them :/

[@filmismorefun]

maryanna sigar Hi Maryanna! Yes, it is possible. You need to disassemble the lens to do so, but that doesn't guarantee that the fungus hasn't left an etching in the glass. In the video description is a link to a site with step-by-step instruction on how to take it apart. If its severely dirty, you may be better off just purchasing a clean copy because of how inexpensive they are. Good luck!

[@GEZMO333]

Can the Electro 35 be used as a fully manual camera!?

[@filmismorefun]

Hi Austin. No, it is an auto exposure (via aperture priority) only. Hope that helps!

[@LaiN900]

what if the gunk is one the splitter...?

[@filmismorefun]

@@LaiN900 I've heard of people using digital sensor cleaners on the beam splitter.

[@LaiN900]

@@filmismorefun thanks for the quick reply @Japan Vintage Camera seems to be using lens cleaning fluid on it without any problem.

[@karimnageeb1880]

sir, if you still have this camera I've found my dad's old one, the same model as yours, but it's pretty Rusty, dirty, the main lense for the focus is stuck or something And of course without batteries. I would really appreciate any help you can provide to repair it and get it back at least to be semi functional.

[@filmismorefun]

Hi Karim. You will need to purchase or make a battery adapter. (I created one by taping two LR44 batteries to a short metal spacer) Thankfully I have not needed to take apart the lens assembly yet on mine, so unfortunately I can't provide any help with your focus issue. Here is a good tear-down tutorial for the front of the camera: mattsclassiccameras.com/how-to/inside-yashica-electro-35/ hopefully this can lead you in the right direction. If the lens does not move at all, I wonder if something is catching? If it was a cleaning issue, I'd assume it would be hard to turn, but should at least rotate. Electro's are pretty inexpensive on ebay if you need to pick up a spare for parts to use to repair yours. If you do repair the issue, please let me know what you find, I'd be interested to know. Good luck!

[@karimnageeb1880]

filmismorefun thanks for caring! I will do further research before I try doing anything. Although I think mine is too Rusty to repair. I also found out that the shutter doesn't work and always closed. might end up as vintage on the shelf. thanks again for your reply!

[@Garacha222]

TBH, although I hear the works, it is very un-clear where area to NOT touch so as to make my camera no longer a rangefinder. You are pointing in such a general direction I am clueless about this most critical potential error. kzbin.info/www/bejne/fH2WgZ6klNWnj9U the rest about dis-assembly is so well done! thank you for uploading

[@BigJunioris]

I Just scruw my battery check cuz you forget to mention It. THANK YOU

[@RootSuitMan]

1:30 yeah that cup is empty lmao

[@filmismorefun]

Oh no nooo. That had 100% delicious coffee. 🙂

[@briancalixx]

i just need the tools :(

[@filmismorefun]

Tools are super cheap at Harbor Freight, if you have access to order from them.

[@methane_9261]

overused sound effects