Product ReviewsYashica Electro 35 GSN 35mm Rangefinder Film Camera Body Only

Decent Camera

It's camera with programmed shutter, which makes it easy to use. Sometimes the light meter tends to overexpose my pictures, I don't know whether it is the problem with my camera or not. Maybe set the ISO a little higher than the ISO of the film that is used would help. Got this camera for 35 bucks, really worth it.Read full review...

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: shop-dumfries-va

Too good to be true as usual.

A clean Yashica Electro 35 GSN on the outside, but the battery compartments wiring had corroded, and detached from the internal electronics. Two stars because it still makes a beautiful paperweight.

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: backinthedaypa

A very useable camera with a great lens.

The lens produces very sharp images with good contrast and color rendition with Kodak ColorPlus 200 film. The light meter is giving good exposures. The POD is working in this camera and doesn't need replacement. The shutter button does stick down, but the shutter works normally. The metal lens barrel was dented on the end, preventing screw in filters from being used. The light seals needed replaced, but no light leaks on the images taken before they were replaced. Read full review...

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Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: electric-city-v...

Perfect little toy!

Yashica Electro 35 could be one of the cheapest rangefinder cameras in the markets. However, this camera is still pretty playful and enjoyable little toy for the photographers, especially for those who like film photography.This model, GSN or a GTN, first came out at 1973-1974, at that time it was the most popular consumers model.
It takes very decent pictures, with the batteries in (2X LR44, 1X CR123), it has a simple meter system to tell you slow(under 1/30) and fast(over 1/500). It means that this camera is fully in the Av(Aperture priory mode), the only this you need to do is the focusing and aperture rings adjustments.
Generally, if you like film photography, and couldn't not affort a Leica or Zeiss Ikon, get this one or Canon's small range finder, you would be satisfied with them.

-BenRead full review...

You get what you pay for.

It is a great camera to start using Ranngefinders. It has a great and fast lens that will provide nice and sharp images. It cannot be compared with the best analog rangefinders but it a great camera for it's price. The main issue with the cameras from this period is the batteries which cannot be found in some countries, so if you are pretty sure that you will have problems finding 6V batteries, you should purchase some and a battery adapter on Ebay when you buy your Yashica. Accesories are just that, don't bother on buying the tele and wide lenses, they are useless, unless they come bundled. Overall, it is a great budget rangefinder camera, I would recommend it for starters, photography students and casual photographers.Read full review...

Great camera to enter rangefinder photography.

This camera is an inexpensive way to get into rangefinder photography. Though you may not get the quality of a Leica or Voigtlander, it will be just as fun, and more economical. When buying I would ask about the the Pad Of Death, which is a small pad inside the camera that over time will wear and cause the camera to cause erroneous exposures. Also ask about the battery compartment, these being older cameras, corrosion will occur if not stored properly. I've seen concerns about discontinued batteries and adapeter kits for the CR123, dont bother. There is a readily available battery, the PC164 6v is the direct replacement, I got mine at a local batter supply store and will fit nicely with no adapter. All around it is a fun Apeture Priority camera, no frills, just you and the camera, so enjoy.Read full review...

Yashica Electro 35 CLA Service

I'm very happy with the job iphoto* did on my Electro 35. It was in decent shoe but it just didn't operate correctly. Mark did a great job he also replaced the POD and the filter ring (which was bent out of shape) and sent the camera back with a battery adapter and a fresh battery.

I have a few more of these cameras and when I can they will all get CLA'd by Mark.

Thanks!Read full review...

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: iphoto*

Comfort for afficiandos

I bought this camera as a replacement for my original which was worn and out of proper adjustment.

The GSN is a comfort and pleasure to use by comparison to other vintage cameras. The shutter is controlled directly by the light meter so that the negatives come back from processing all uniformly exposed. You only wind the film first, set a reasonable aperture, and then the proper focus distance using the rangefinder, frame the picture and depress the shutter release.

These cameras with few exceptions require replacement of a pad under the shutter release, and of the foam light seals.Read full review...

Great camera but becareful

These cameras are great rangefinder however there are little things that should be looked at and shown when buying or selling one. For example is there battery corrosion and foggy and dusty view finders. Both of these things are fixable but it does save time if mentioned or shown. All of these cane be easily fixed however. The camera if in working order is a great addition to a camera collection or starting camera for film photography. It is a very versatile camera for what it is and I wouldn't hesitate to buy another one if presented the chance.Read full review...

Verified purchase:  Yes | Sold by: belles.ventes

Beautiful functional rangefinder

Takes great pictures. Rangefinder tricky to use in low light, but then, so is film. Had good luck zone focusing if you give it enough light. Like that it has a light meter and automatic exposure, but wish there was more control over exposure; tends to drastically underexpose in low light conditions, have to lie about the film speed to give it enough time. Wonderful feel, fast quiet shutter, fast lens, great price!Read full review...

Great rangefinder camera...but be careful!

The Electros are great cameras; sturdy, built before everything became plastic. Just be aware you will need a battery adapter because of the old mercury batteries which are no longer used. These are easily available on EBay and I've tried several that work. My advice, though, would be to ask in advance of buying the camera what the battery compartment looks like; most come w/out being checked and if there is corrosion from old batteries you're in for some trouble to get a new battery to work. This goes for the MG-1 and all the other electro models as well (not the Lynx; different battery).
Another potential issue is that rangefinders get out of whack; look to see that it's been tested for vertical and horizontal accuracy. Another great feature is the hot shoe for flash.Read full review...