Yashica Electro 35

Yashica Electro 35
image by Achim Pfennig (Image rights)

Note: the branding "Electro" was also used by Yashica on a series of 35mm SLRs. This article describes the popular rangefinder model.

In 1966 Yashica introduced the Electro 35, the first of a very successful line of automatic exposure 35mm rangefinder cameras with fixed Yashinon lenses. A black model was also sold as the Yashica Electro 35 Professional. The rangefinder is coupled to the focusing ring and the viewfinder is parallax corrected. The front ring of the lens be used to select A for aperture priority exposure, B for bulb or a arrow symbol for flash. The shutter has a stepless automatic shutter with speeds from 30 seconds to 1/500s. Metering is with a CdS cell and done by half depressing the shutter release button. This shutter release button also has a lock and a screw-in cable release socket.

When the shutter speed for the aperture selected is lower than 1/30s, the viewfinder shows an orange arrow pointing left and an orange light is displayed on the top of the camera. Similarly, when the shutter speed would have to be faster than 1/500s the viewfinder shows a right pointing arrow and there is a red control light on the top. Either situation can often be solved by changing the aperture, but anyway the shutter will still fire. With the underexposed indication on, the photographer may consider using a tripod.

Black Electro 35 Professional
image by Captainchaoz (Image rights)

Specifications

All models of Yashica Electro are fitted with a stepless Copal electronic blade shutter, with flash sync at all speeds. The PC sync contact is placed on the left side of the camera, probably for aesthetic reasons. The Electro, G, GT, and GS models have a cold accessory shoe. The GSN and GTN models have a hot shoe.

All models are fitted with a Yashinon 1.7 45mm lens with a 55mm filter thread. On the G and later models, the lens is branded as a Color Yashinon, although it was otherwise identical. The closest focusing distance is 0.8m. The camera has three exposure modes: auto, B and flash. The first Electro has an ISO/ASA range of 15 to 500; all subsequent models have an ISO/ASA range of 25 to 1000. An ASA/DIN conversion chart is pasted to the inside of the back door.

	35	35 Pro	G	GT	GS	GTN	GSN
Introduction	1966	1966	1968	1969	1970	1973	1973
Colour	chrome	black	chrome	black	chrome	black	chrome
Shoe	cold					hot
ASA	10-400		12-500	12-500 (early) 25-1000 (late)	25-1000
Meter	CdS