Another Yashica

jon_flanders · 08-06-2004

I got the rangefinder bug a few months ago and just got my fifth Yashica(this was a GS not a GSN) from EBay today. It was listed as having a stuck film advance lever and I got it after a higher bidder bailed out. Cost, $5.53 plus shipping.

Turned out the film advance lever was stuck because someone had film in the camera and hadn't released it to rewind. It has a nice hoya filter and a neat fabric and leather strap. Once I cleaned the outside of the viewfinder glass, it has one of the cleanest views of any of the five Yashica GS-GSN's I now possess. I guess it must be time to stop. But how can I when such bargains are out there?

Anyway, here's a series of shots of a concert my sister organizes in Vermont every year. Used the GSN with asa 400 film, should have used 800 for some of the shots inside the church, which has no electricity. Scanned the negatives with a Poloaroid Sprintscan 35 plus, using Vuescan and Polaroid Insight, which led to some color variation between shots. I'm still learning the ins and outs of these programs and the scanner.

Jon Flanders

http://snow.prohosting.com/%7Ejeflan/calais_04/Calais_2004.html

back alley · 08-06-2004

jon, welcome to the forum.
i only took a quick look but you have some nice shots there.

have you tried any b&w film in your 'new' cameras?
i think you might like it.

joe

jon_flanders · 08-06-2004

I have one Yashica loaded with b/w which I intend to develop at home and then run through the scanner. I have not been in the mood to shoot b/w in the summer.

I spoke too soon on the latest one. Despite its good looks, it evidently has the "pad of death" problem. Symptoms, no clunk when you advance the film, and the shutter has only two speeds, fast and slow. Oh well, the filter and strap were worth the cost and maybe this winter I will take another crack at the pad problem. The first one I tried, I got the pad on but couldn't get the camera back together.

I should mention that my rangefinder affliction includes acquiring a Zorki 4, a Konica C 35 and a Canonet Q17 GIII. I can't seem to stop using the Yashicas though.

Jon Flanders

pshinkaw · 08-06-2004

Have you looked at Mike Feuerbacher's website? He has an illustrated article on pad replacement in the Yashica. Given the things that can go wrong in an Electro 35, a bad pad may be worth fixing if evrything else is in good condition.

http://feuerbacher.net/

-Paul

jon_flanders · 08-06-2004

Yes, I think I used that one for my first try at it. I think I may try going through the top of the camera next time, even though it is not recommended. It can't be worse than some of the things we have to do in a locomotive shop. Just smaller.

I found that it was a real problem getting the vinyl off the front lens assembly, and this camera looks too nice to mess up that way.

Jon

pshinkaw · 08-06-2004

Try using an eye dropper and applying a little denatured alcohol or Everclear to the edge. Wait a few minutes, peel back some of the vinyl and apply a little more to the exposed glue edge.

Alcohol will usually soften the glue so that it does not stress the vinyl covering as much. Alcohol is usually not harmful to vinyl either. if you use Ronsonol or naptha on the glue, you may melt the vinyl or discolor it.

-Paul

jon_flanders · 08-06-2004

Well, I will keep that in mind if I try that method again.

Jon

jon_flanders · 08-09-2004

Well, I tried the through the top replacement method with the "pad of death" and it seems to have worked. I won't know for sure til I run some film through of course.

I used an exacto knife to scrape as much glue off as I could and I
stuck a needle into the side of the replacement pad and gingerly pushed it into place. Then I left the camera upside down overnight after pressing the pad as best I could with the exacto.

The shutter seems to match the working Yashica GSN's that I have in terms of similar times at different f stops. Got a nice clunk too.

Jon Flanders