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Kyocera Corporation, Japan

Yashica Electro 35
Yashica Electro 35
PROFESSIONAL
(1966 - 1969)

The Yashica Electro 35 was introduced in 1966. (December 1965 ?). The first camera in Yashica Electro series an the first 35mm rangefinder with electro-magnetically controlled shutter in the world. It was available in a black enamel and a chrome finish. version has a The mechanics and operation are identical. My camera is the second model with the badge on the front in chrome.
The Electro 35 is an aperture-priority camera, which means you set the aperture and the camera sets the appropriate speed for you. To help you with this, two warning lights are provided on the top of the camera.There are two rings around the lens barrel. One is the aperture ring, the other has only three different positions: AUTO, Flash, and “B” for long, manual exposures.

Lens: Color-Yashinon DX f/1.7 45mm; 6 elements in 4 groups, stops down to f/16.
Shutter: Electronic, stepless shutter mechanism. Speeds from 1/500 sec. to 30 seconds; B setting; built-in self-timer; X sync; shutter release lock; automatic setting.
Focusing: Coupled range/viewfinder focusing; 0.8 meter (2'6") to infinity; bright frame with automatic parallax compensation.

Exposure Control:  Solid-state  'Electronic  Brain'  controls the electronic shutter according to light intensity measured by the CdS sensor; precise shutter speed for correct exposure in any light is determined and set AUTOMATICALLY; exposure symbols for easy selection of aperture; arrows warn against over-exposure and signal slow shutter speed and advisability of using a tripod; ASA range from 25 to 1000 (DIN 15-31)

1. The RED and YELLOW warning arrows in the Viewfinder and on the camera top are actuated when the Film Advance Lever is wound and the Shutter Release Button is half-pressed.
2. The absence of both arrows signifies hand-held photography is possible. All you need do for a perfect picture is FOCUS and PRESS the Shutter Release Button down all the way.

Battery: Mallory TR164, Eveready E164 or equivalent (Either of these are not for sale anymore but with certain arrangements 4LR44 can be used).
Other Features:  Single-stroke film advance lever charges shutter, sets electronic exposure control   to  standby condition, registers count  of exposed frames and prevents double exposure; automatic resetting exposure counter;the large and bright viewfinder automatically adjusts for parallax correction as you focus; fold-away crank-handle for rapid film rewind; multi-slot take-up spool for easy film loading; battery checker incorporated in the exposure counter window.
Lens Shade:   57mm slip-on type. Filters:  55mrn screw-in type. Dimensions:   140 x 86 x 74mm Weight: ~750 grams

The Auxiliary Lens Set consists of an auxiliary telephoto lens which extends the focal length of the camera lens to 58.4mm and an auxiliary wide-angle lens which reduces the focal length of the camera lens to 37.7mm. To make picture composition easier and more accurate, an exclusive viewfinder is supplied to serve both lenses.

 
Yashica Electro 35 GS
 
Yashica Electro 35 GS (1970)

Electro GS is already the third generation of Electro 35 cameras and it is introduced in 1970. What is new and improved is the lens color correction (Color-Yashinon) and film sensitivity range which is improved up to 1000ASA. GS/GT has also an improved shutter release lock and an integrated door release / rewind handle. The Hot Shoe doesn't came until with the GSN /GTN in 1974. As it's predecessor a black variant Electro GT was also available.

The last Yashica Electro model MG-1 was introduced in 1976 and the production continued allmost twenty years until 1984

Detailed and competent information about Yashica rangefinders:

Yashica Guy

 
Yashica MG

Yashica MG-1 (1975)

The MG-1 was released in 1975. It is a leaf-shuttered 35mm coupled-rangefinder camera with aperture-priority automatic exposure. The MG-1 has a 45mm f/2.8 Yashinon lens.

This is one of the "Last Samurais" before the "Plastic Age". The Yashica MG-1 is a "full size" rangefinder. Some wouldn't like its automatic functions but its a feature which makes it easy to use. The almost total lack of manual control is no doubt a limitation. It is achieved with a higher cost. The Yashica MG-1 is however designated to a person who did not put value on such oddity.

  • Film type 135 (35mm)
  • Picture size 24mm x 36mm
  • Lens Yashinon f/2.8 45mm lens, four elements in three groups.
  • Shutter Electronic-controlled leaf-type shutter with continuously variable speeds from 1/500 sec. to about 2 seconds; built-in self-timer; direct X contact shoe. Shutter speed sets automatically at 1/30 sec. when Auto lever is adjustable to flash setting.
  • Viewfinder Bright frame finder with parallax correction marks; shows yellow and red exposure indicator arrows.
  • Exposure meter Fully automatic 'Top-Eye' CdS exposure control; precise shutter speed assuring correct exposure is set automatically through pre selection of exposure symbol (lens aperture); EV range from EV2 to 17 (ASA 100); exposure indicator lamps in viewfinder and on camera top-yellow signaling slow shutter speed.
  • ASA range From ASA 25; to 800
  • Film Advance Single action film advance lever advances the exposed frame and cocks the shutter.
  • Battery One 5.6V mercury battery (Eveready E164, UCAR E 164, Mallory PX32 or equivalent.)
  • Size and Weight; 140.6 x 72 x 82 mm; ~620 g

Yashica T AF (About ten years later)

The best point in this good looking Auto-Focus, Auto Exposure camera is definitely the lens, a famous Carl Zeiss f/3,5/35mm Tessar. In the early Eighties it was at the edge of the popular Point-and-Shoot cameras. Shutter: Programmed electronic shutter Viewfinder: Bright frame finder with parallax correction marks Battery: Two AA1,5V (LR6, AM3) Size and Weight; 121x 73x45 mm; 340 g (incl.batteries)

"Kyocera's "T series" cameras are compact cameras equipped with Carl Zeiss T* lenses, which produce high imaging performance. Nine models of the series have been released up until now, starting with the T AF-D released in 1984. Used in all T series models, Carl Zeiss Tessar T* lenses are developed on the principle of "recreating subjects as they are," as seen with Carl Zeiss T* interchangeable lenses for CONTAX single-lens reflex cameras. With a T* multi-layer coating for excellent color reproduction characteristics, the lenses have won support from customers the world over." (Kyocera News Release)

Yashica T3D (Again a couple of years onwards)

Yashica T3D continues the series of cameras that that do not compromise on image quality. An excellent Tessar is still in the picture, shape of the body is now rounded and the grip ha s more comfortable (anatomic) shape. New feature is the date back. A waist-level viewfinder "Super Scope" is provided as a supplement to the normal viewfinder. It is convenient for taking pictures from very high or low angles, or merely when attempting a new perspective in your photography. To use the Super Scope, hold the camera at least 20 cm from your face, so that your line of sight is perpendicular to the scope window. The left-right orientation of the image seen in the Super Scope will be reversed, and the image frame covers a narrower portion of the subject that that seen in the normal viewfinder.

Yashica T4 Super D (The last T series 35mm camera)

This camera has been designed to be weather proof under normal conditions of everyday use. The modern Olympus digital P&S cameras have also this very convenient feature. As a result, the camera can be used on rainy days, at the beach, or on ski slopes without worry of water leakage. The camera has not been designed, however, for use underwater, and should never be submerged in water, or washed by being placed under a faucet. The shutter release has a half-pressed state and a fully-pressed state. The half-pressed state meters and focuses; fully pressing the shutter release takes the picture. Also T4 has Super Scope waist-level viewfinder feature that I have not seen on other point and shoot cameras. Battery: One 3V Lithium battery (type CR123A or DL123A). Dimensions and Weight: 118 (W) x 64.5 (H) x 39.5 (D) mm, 190 g (without data back and battery). 118 (W) x 64.5 (H) x 42 (D) mm, 200 g (with data back, and without battery).

Yashica T AF
T3D
Yashica T4 Super
©2004 Reijo Lauro