the sounds that Yashica Electro GSN makes

[juggler]

Found a link from Matt Denton's page to this site http://rangefinder.free.fr/Electro35GSN.html

At the bottom is an audio player. It plays the shutter sound and the cocking sound.

The wav files are here...

http://rangefinder.free.fr/Images/GSN_shutter.wav
http://rangefinder.free.fr/Images/GSN_cocking.wav

Now I can have some reference to the POD problem. :)

[Pherdinand]

mine has a different cocking sound. Completely different.
But the shutter i can recognize:)

[phquest]

After reading all the comments regarding the GSN' pretty quite shutter, I came to the conclusion that mine must be defective or something.

I did the POD replacement. The shutter speeds seem to be fine but the shutter sound it is not quite at all. It can definitely be heard.

It's not as loud as an SLR sound but not 'whisper' quite either.

[JoeFriday]

my 2 GSNs are a bit different from each other.. the one I used yesterday has a shutter so quiet that I have to pay attention to know that I just took a photo.. but the other one (that I haven't even put a test roll through yet) is significantly louder.. about as loud as my Leica (a veritable cannon in comparison!)

ironically, the film advance situation is just the opposite.. the one with the quiet shutter is louder than the other (not by too much)

[ErnestoJL]

After POD replacement in my GSN, I was surprised about how quiet was it in comparison with the old GT and the MG1 I have . The GT was made about ´72 and the MG1 in ´80 or so, however the GSN (´76) sounds different, even having more or less the same design and parts. This GSN outperforms all the other even some other cameras renowned to be damn quiet.

Ernesto

[whereshaldo]

How would someone compare the sound level of the GSN to an Oly XA? I have both and the XA is much more quiet. Just curious how quiet a GSN can really be...

Hal

[whereshaldo]

Ok, then thats about the same noise level as my GSN and my Vitomatic IIa. My XA is much quieter, but none are so quiet that I can't hear them fire.

Hal

[geezer]

At last ..real live gsn users. Surely I'm hallucinating. I'm a 66 year old geezer who has been pointing cameras at everything for the past 38 years and still know practically nothing of the art. I began with a 1936 Zeiss Ikon Contax and have used Nikon F2 Photomics, FM, FE, FG, N2000 and back to rangefinders. My favorite and most usable camera today is my gsn and Canonet QL 17 G111. I love my gsn and the G111 is too small to leave home alone. I take them almost everywhere I go. Glad I found this site and you folks. [geezer talk]

[XAos]

There are no GSN's here. Move along.
<------ :)

[geezer]

Ha. Typical gsn deception. I'm staying. Maybe there's someone here from Whidbey island?

[Igor.Burshteyn]

My Electro sounds similar. It's very quiet. But it has some metallic components and for me at least sounds distracting - I really prefer sound of kievs/contax' on 1/50 sec even though it's definitly louder.

[tedwhite]

My hearing is not what it once was. Having said that, I can't hear my Oly XA at all (but I can feel its release) and can barely hear the GSN. By comparison, my friend's M3 sounds a lot louder (and I used to think it was the quietest camera ever).

[flashover]

Hay Frank my GSN dosen't make any sound.

[whereshaldo]

Hey Geezer,
Could I get you to post some photos that show the GSN and GIII in a side by side size comparison? I'm curious about this -- I just lugged my GSN all over Vietnam for 2 weeks and it beats taking an SLR, but I'd like something smaller/lighter that still allows for some manual manipulation. I've got an XA but the focusing is much trickier.

Hal

[geezer]

Hi HaL,
You could and I will but, the batteries I have in my Canon are not correct and I'm almost certain the meter is off because of that. I've been told that the meter in the G111 is voltage dependent? and the GSN is not. The G111 images look a bit washed out compared to those of the GSN. How do you guys go about putting images on this site? You must have then put on a disc and then load them to site? Let me know.
I guess I could put them on my little web site and post the link..duh.
[I forgot my password and have been unable to post here until this evening....duh again.]


I like the manual over ride on the G111 and the aperture priority of my GSN. I just purchased a GT off ebay and my fingers are crossed.

[luketrash]

As someone who has a G, GS, and GSN, I have made these observations. They are only my own findings since I have only one of each camera.

The G seems to be the best built of the lot. It feels more tightly put together, the shutter is the quietest, and it has the least amount of reminant rubber goo from foam degradation. I've never opened any of my cameras up though for fear of breaking them. I have replaced the door seals with black yarn and sticky black felt from a hobby store.

Anyway, the quietest shutter is the G, then the GS, then the GSN.

The best 'feel' is the G by far. Compared to the GSN it's like driving a Mercedes compared to a Ford Escort. The GSN is kind of a rattle trap.

Of course, this all could be due to the previous owners. However, I got my G and GS from the same GoodWill store, so I imagine they had the same owner.

Another noise I think is neat is the shutter on long exposure. Right before it closes, you hear a 'zzzzzzipp!' sound. This happens on all three of them.

I really need to shoot some film with the G so I can start to compare which lens I prefer the most. So far, my GS seems (in my opinion) to outperform my GSN.

All of them are accurate on shutter speeds though. I love em for night photography.

[geezer]

Frank I just learned of Matt's sites. He's a fount of info on quite a few rf cameras. I found Jon Goodman on-line and ordered some light seal material for my G111..now to instalkl it.
Talked with a forum gent that lives near me and am getting some light seal material from him and am hopefully going to learn a few things cleaning and adjusting my Yashica's.

[geezer]

Luketrash,...
I've never seen a G. When did that model come out? Is it earlier than the Lynx 1000? I'm picking up another GT and a Lynx 1000 this Friday from the same fella I mentioned in the previous post. If the G is as solid as you say I can't wait to get my hands on one. The old 1936 Zeiss Contax I had some years back had that feel... a tank...as was my old f2 photomic.
...my gsn, a rattletrap...n-o-o-o-o. say it ain't so.

[luketrash]

Your GSN might not be a rattle trap :) Here's my noted differences between the G and GSN. The GSN for all intents and purposes is identical to the GS I have. The only difference is the film winder on my GSN is plastic and it's metal on my other two cameras.

The G (I now know) has ISO ratings 1/2 those of the GS & GSN. ie 12-500 vs 24-1000 on the dial on the top.

Also, the case opens with a latch on the side which you use your thumbnail on, instead of pulling up on the film winder.

The leatherette is the most attractive on the G in my opinion. A uniform design instead of simulated leather grain or whatever.

The G has a different battery check with a green lamp on the rear (instead of frame # illumination).

The G also is missing the black plastic grips on the focus ring. It's just all aluminum.

Finally, the G has a nice black leather case. The GS and GSN have poopy vinyl cases ;)

I will try to get some photos of the three of them at lunch to share.

My G and GS are both made in Japan, whereas my GSN was made in Hong Kong, I believe.

[Damian]

Geezer, I've been using a 675 zinc air hearing aid battery in my GIII, and it works like a charm. My battery compartment is nice and snug, so I can put it in there without any help (It's a little smaller than the original mercury). I've heard of people using the 675 with a little foil wrapped around it, or an o-ring if necessary.

[geezer]

Damian, I hve a PX625A in mine and it works...I'm just not sure if the voltage is correct for the meter. I can't seem to find out if the G111 is voltage dependent. I will try a 675 and see if it makes a difference. Since the battery compartment is also snug in mine it will likely fit just fine. Thanks for the input.

[geezer]

Luketrash,.......
by film winder are you meaning the film advance or the rewind handle? Both are metal on my gsn. Mine is made in Hong Kong..your's?
I do like the 1000 iso of the gsn...wish it were higher. ..say 1600.
I have a Konica C35 [low end] with a similar latch on the back.
I'd like to see the covering on your G. Did it come standard or is it a refurbish?
I don't mind the black plastic grips on the focus ring..I just wish it had a small handle like the G111.
The case for mine was pretty trashed when I got it and the factory camera strap is vinyl??
I'd love to see some pictures !

[Damian]

Damian, I hve a PX625A in mine and it works...I'm just not sure if the voltage is correct for the meter. I can't seem to find out if the G111 is voltage dependent. I will try a 675 and see if it makes a difference. Since the battery compartment is also snug in mine it will likely fit just fine. Thanks for the input.

It is unfortunately voltage dependent, and that 625A is 1.5v rather than 1.35. With the 1.4v ZA cell I have in mine, it checks up just right with my known correct meters.

[luketrash]

I started the other thread for the reference photos. My GSN does indeed have a plastic rewind crank. It's simulated chromed plastic, whereas my G and GS have metal ones.

It could easily break on the GSN if I pulled up too hard on it.

Photos are at: http://photobucket.com/albums/f25/yashica/

Kinda hard to tell the differences without holding them in person. They all look similar.

[geezer]

Damian,
Plan on picking up a zinc 675 tomorrow. I thought my meter was off. Thanks again for the advice.

[geezer]

Luketrash,
You're right...they look an awful lot alike. I know what you're saying, there are several Nikons that look alike but feel very different. I'm anxious to get my hands on the GT.
Nice group of G cameras you've got. Thanks for sharing them.
Were those shot with a digital?

[luketrash]

Yeah, those were all taken with my new Nikon D50 with the nikkor 50mm f1.8 lens.

I'm loving that setup, but it sure cost an arm and a leg. I just got all my b&w setup stuff this week though, so I'll be burning up the rangefinders until I run out of 100' of film. I have three arguses and 3 yashicas that all need attention :)

[geezer]

Bought a pack of 675 ZA and it fits fine and meter is working...now to run a roll, through it. Wish I could find a roll of 8 or 12 just for testing. Don't see those anymore. Thanks again for the advice.

[luketrash]

That's why I bought bulk b&w film :) I can finally experiment with all of the cameras I've picked up at estate sales and junk stores.