Throwback Edit Version: I edited this in August 2024, checked links and converted it to the new WordPress format.

And another Yashica Electro 35, this time a GL. The body of this camera looked clean, but there was haze in the viewfinder and ‘stuff’ on the lens. Surprisingly, given the state of the lens, the battery compartment was so clean you could eat your dinner from it…a small dinner. If it worked, then it would be an absolute steal for the $5 I paid for it.

With a f1.7 lens, it had great potential…if it worked. I was doubtful due to the ‘stuff’ present on the lens. It was released in 1974 but had a short shelf life. I put in the battery adapter I had previously bought for the other Yashicas I have tried and loaded up a film. With a battery compartment as clean as this one, I was not surprised the check light lit up like a Christmas tree. There was a slow and over-exposure indicator on the top of the camera, with a corresponding scale in the viewfinder. I must say though, it was hard to follow at times, but I think that was just me. Here are pictures from my first test roll.

These were scanned on my old scanner, but that is not the reason for the pale areas…light leaks galore. But other than that, I didn’t think it performed too badly. I was impressed by the little statue photos as they were in a dark area. The f1.7 lens really helped here.

I decided to invest some time and change the seals, which I should have done in the first place. Then I loaded up another roll and tried again.

No light leaks, but maybe a little hazy when the shutter speeds were slow. On the whole though I liked it though not has much as the konica.

So keep or sell? I think I will put it on eBay, but if it doesn’t sell I won’t mind keeping it. Of course it sold immediately.