Yashica Electro 35, Aperture Priority Rangefinder

Today we have a look at the Yashica Electro 35, a model from the 1970's. It may be old, but shows no signs of slowing down. It's no Leica, but then it doesn't leave you with empty pockets either. Could this be an alternative?
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Instagram: @nicksmith_photo
#rangerfinder #film #35mm

[@Jermzybarra]

first review of this camera i've seen where the reviewer actually takes good photos lol nice work!

[@NickSmithPhoto]

Thank you for the kind words.

[@filmrollstroll2003]

Just picked up an Electro35 MC for $15 bucks and I’m pretty stoked to see how it pairs up in the Yosemite valley! Great work and keep inspiring

[@NickSmithPhoto]

Thanks! Yosemite looks like an amazing place to visit. Have fun making photos!

[@sputumtube]

Just bought one for £61.00 off eBay. Also bought the battery adapter package. Both should arrive in about a week. Looking forward to using it. :)

[@NickSmithPhoto]

I hope you get years and years of fun out of it!!

[@tillw9730]

Great review. All the best for your channel

[@NickSmithPhoto]

Thank you

[@photomaster1]

Thank you for this, I've picked up a few range finders and not knowing they are range finders only at that time just a cheap camera. Now looking back many people have used them only because SLR's just cost too much during that time. Like the 110 cameras, no one at that time considered Oh this is a range finder type camera, we just called them 110's in the US that's one tens... Good look at the camera I'm not much of a Yashica-type guy but each his/her/them own... Times are a-changing and Film never dies.

[@NickSmithPhoto]

Thank for watching and sharing your thoughts, it's appreciated.

[@GreenlifeFin]

Thnaks, this was very useful.

[@NickSmithPhoto]

No worries!

[@Macjohn1419]

I had one of these cameras and sold it awhile back, regretting the decision. One thing to be noted, the Yashinon lens is super sharp and my negatives and images were very crisp. One of the reasons I regretted selling it. As much as I would love to have one, again, it would be for a collection rather than shooting. I don’t shoot film, anymore. Too many steps to process and print or scan to a digital medium.

[@NickSmithPhoto]

I hear that sometimes people convert old lens with newer mounts. You never know you might be able to find someone that’s done it to the Yashica Electro lens. Maybe that will bring back some memories.

[@kencarnley7101]

I am going out of town soon. I have my Nikon F2 Kit ready to go. But now you make me think, "Why not just take me Electro 35". I have taken some really good photos with it. I have too many Cameras!

[@Yohan-tq3vi]

Why does this sound so solemn and serious

[@sgit1]

An interesting feature of the GSN is when you close focus the framing lines move to account for parallax.

[@NickSmithPhoto]

It definitely comes in handy when framing accurately.

[@juliadamian1194]

I recently bought Yashica electro GS 35 and I haven’t tried it yet, your colored photos looks really great! May I know what film did you use?

[@NickSmithPhoto]

Hi Julia, thanks for your question, I believe the film I used was Lomography Color 400, which some people think is actually repackaged Kodak Ultramax. Have fun with your new camera!

[@RobMoses]

I got one of these. I should use it. You got some nice pictures with it. Keep up the good work Nick, I am going to subscribe.

[@NickSmithPhoto]

Thanks Rob! Definitely dust off the camera and give it a whirl.

[@BruunMedia]

Love the lamp. 😂

[@TheBigNegative-PhotoChannel]

Nice video Nick. 👌 I was suprised how big the yashica is. i always thought it is smaller like the olympus 35 series cameras. 😀

[@NickSmithPhoto]

Thanks very much. Yeah it is deceptively large, shame it’s not a tad little bit smaller.

[@juanimal]

Nice video of a beatiful camera. I think you missed the GL model, with 40mm 1.7 lens. Cheers!

[@NickSmithPhoto]

oops!

[@MegaSoundscapes]

Thank you for the video. Nice camera and great shots ! Which film did you use ? ... Mine arrives on saturday. Looking forward to it.

[@C.I...]

This is so well shot. Very nice to look at, very slick presentation, good info. What was your process for the film effect at 1:45? Was is just a grain overlay and the gate silhouette, or was it more complicated? Also, would have appreciated a view through the viewfinder - I like seeing stuff like that.

[@NickSmithPhoto]

Hi C.H. you're correct about the grain and silhouette. Also thanks for your feedback about looking through the viewfinder, I shall take that on board for any future videos.

[@human_error1]

This looks like a really interesting location! Where abouts was this shot?

[@NickSmithPhoto]

This is in a little seaside coastal village in Suffolk, East Anglia.

[@BennyAun]

What will happen if accidentally press Film release ? Will all the photos ruin ?

[@NickSmithPhoto]

If the back door hasn't opened, then your film should be fine.

[@beneric1000]

Thank you. I have a few of these cameras. What film did you use when you were shooting with this camera?

[@NickSmithPhoto]

I believe the film I used was Lomography Color 400, which some people think is actually repackaged Kodak Ultramax.

[@smyrnianlink]

Get a leather half case (if you can find one..) Everyone used to use these with leather half cases.. That little button was never an issue..

[@NickSmithPhoto]

Thanks, I’ll keep that in mind

[@Mg-dk5mf]

Hello. I was wondering, if you get the battery adapter, how do you change the shutter speed so it doesn’t stick at 1/500? Or how did you personally work around it? Thanks!

[@NickSmithPhoto]

If you’re able to get batteries then the camera will change shutter speeds for you, however if the camera is stuck on 1/500 even with batteries, then it sounds like there is an issue with your camera. The only work around is to use the aperture to control exposure

[@selmansenkalp]

@@NickSmithPhotohe literally asked what you said in the video mate.

[@sidmogaveera5173]

Hey great video! Does the vf have a 1:1 magnification?

[@NickSmithPhoto]

Hey, thanks for your kind words. With regards to the viewfinder, I'm not actually sure, I couldn't find any information on it's magnification, and there wasn't any mention in the manual. Apologies I couldn't help.

[@sidmogaveera5173]

@@NickSmithPhoto Hey appreciate the reply! Yeah I couldn't find any info myself! Well do things look considerably smaller than real life when you look through the vf?

[@Yohan-tq3vi]

Oh my god where can I find one video where they just tell me how to use my camera

[@looftiqus3658]

hello, where do you buy a yashica camera?

[@shlomohsamuel19]

Should a beginner in film photography buy this?

[@NickSmithPhoto]

I think that's for you to decide, based on budget, size of camera you want and style of shooting. For example is you like seeing through the lens, then this isn't for you as it's a range finder, but also is you can get batteries for this camera, as mentioned as they're no longer available and you'll need to do some hacking. Sorry I can't give you a definitive yes or no.

[@smyrnianlink]

It is one of the most pedagogical cameras I know of.. Manual focus, automatic exposure (aperature priority).. Means dirty work is all automatic and the pleasure part is all manual The lens is fantastic.. Electronics is perfect .. (can retrofit new batteries and light meter still works perfectly because it adjusts the voltage) Robust metal body and nice mechanical sounds .. very satisfactory :) I even love the feeling of the shutter button.. It is lovely .. This camera has only one single weak point.. It is big.

[@BennyAun]

Should this camera keep in dry box ?

[@NickSmithPhoto]

Hi, thanks for your question. Unfortunately I can't answer that. All I can say is that I live in the UK and have never kept my cameras in a dry/humidifier and had no issues. Apologies I can't help any further.

[@BennyAun]

@@NickSmithPhoto that true