frederick_joicey

<p>Gus, Many thanks for your contribution. I follow what you have posted. You seem to have very good technical knowledge about the AX camera. The camera seems to be freeing day by day. The former Contax technician I contacted is of the opinion that lack of use has caused this.<br>

I will certainly consider a service of the AX. As regards buying a replacement - they are very rare nowadays. When the camera was first launched at £1,900 here in the UK, it was something I could not afford. Eventually bought mine (used) for about £350 and it was Mint-.<br>

Thanks again for your reply.</p>

<p>I have not used my AX for over 1 year. It now seems to lock occasionally. When it locks, if I move the mode lever to Macro, then lightly press the shutter button, it frees it. I can then switch back to Manual/Single AF/or Cont. AF. and everything is perfect again in the viewfinder. The battery is OK, having tested it in another make of camera. I have been in touch with a man who worked as a camera technician with Contax here in the UK. He believes that non-use of the camera had caused this malfunction. He suggests moving the mode switch back and forth; and firing the shutter frequently, should bring the camera out of its "slumber". Everything works fine in Macro mode with no 'lock-up' It only locks occasionally when it SAF/or CAF. when using 'program'/TV/AV. When switching to Macro, and back to the other modes I can hear the film plane moving smoothly and correctly.<br>

There is nothing to suggest that it is 'mirror slip' causing this problem.<br>

Any suggestions and comments from AX users would be appreciated.<br>

Thanks.</p>

<p>Thank you all for the information, and will have a look at the suggestions. I now gather that the battery is for exposure only, so by using a lightmeter I can work out the EV, and set that accordingly on the camera.</p>

<p>Just received a Minsiter D, but it does not have a battery with it. Which is the best battery to use with this camera ?<br>

I have been trawling the internet, etc, and gather that a Wein cell is the most accurate, but does not last too long. PX625's are available, but I believe they have a 1.5v output, which would/could affect exposure.<br>

Anyone with the Minister D and who can suggest the best and most appropriate battery, I would like to hear from them.<br>

Thanks in anticipation.</p>

 

<p>Don't laugh just because I have the Zenit E, and still love it. It was my first slr. It is in mint condition and I still used it occasionally until recently, when I managed to jam the film advance lever. There was no film in, and I was 'exercising' the shutter and winder. At the time I also had a cable release fitted into the shutter release button, and that was when the problem reared its head.<br>

I have seen Tom Tiger's site and tried his remedy, - turning the shutter release button. No success. Tried using the delay timer, but again no success. I have had the bottom plate off and also tried his suggestion re pulling on the black lever. Still no joy.<br>

As regards taking off the top plate, I think that may be a bit too advanced for me. Professional repair ? - too costly when compared with prices for a Zenit E on the bay.<br>

So if anyone has a quick and simple remedy I would be more than grateful.</p>

<p>Jim, and Sebastian, Thank you both for that suggestion, and I will give that a try. I have seen your 'light leak' thread, and will go into that fully.<br>

Sebastian now just had a look at your link, and things are becoming a little clearer for me. If I am correct in my asumption, the camera is taking close to perfect shots, and then when the film is wound on, when a properly exposed frame is 'stationary' near the door hinge, - that is the time when light is getting to the frame. Yes, that makes sense to me now. Perhaps at times I have had my right hand over the door-hinge area, preventing light getting inside. I had been assuming that light was getting to the frame when it was directly behind the lens.</p>

 

<p>If I have done anything incorrectly re the uploading of the photos, my apologies. But if anyone has any observations re what is happening, I would be grateful.<br>

Thanks.</p>

<p>Looks like I am getting the photos uploaded, but too large a file ? When clicking the attachment it opens up in another window. Probably get it right eventually.</p><div></div>

<p>And here are some which are near perfect exposure. Two shots of a house/roses - 1st one taken with camera doing the work - assuming it was working correctly. The 2nd assuming shutter firing at 1/500 sec, and used appropriate aperture from using a light meter.</p><div></div>

<p>Struggling a bit at the moment, but have managed the above 3. I will try and add some more.</p><div></div>

<p>Just done a search on Photonet, and found a similar query to mine, so hopefully I can now attach the photos.</p><div></div>

<p>I have scanned some of the photos from first use of the Electro 35, and some show what might be lens flare; others possible light leaks; and yet there are some of the photos absolutely perfect. Hoping some of you can provide interesting comment re the possible defect.<br>

However, I am now lost as to how to attach the scans to this post of mine. Any help/suggestions.</p>

<p>I have just done a rudimentary test on the Yashica, Completely dark in the room. Camera set to B, then I pressed the shutter button; held the shutter open, then with a torch shone light at the back of the camera, all round the joins, hinges, etc. I could see nothing at all whilst looking through the front of the lens towards the back of the camera, not even a glimmer or slight bit of light.<br>

Can I take that as a plus, not necessarily 100%, result ?</p>

<p>Jim, and others, The more I look at the photos I suspect some of the problem might be lens flare, as that problem occurs when I shot with the sun in front. Other shots, taken in shadow(in the afternoon) are perfect.<br>

Bear with me and I will scan various shots and upload them for your opinions.</p>

<p>Just picked up the photos of 1st film through the Yashica. Only used negative film to start with. Most of the shots are fine with no problem, yet a few have what looks like may be light leaks, but I would have thought if that was the case, then a light leak should show up, most likely on every shot.<br>

Returning to the POD, I have just had my hands on a Yashica MG1 which is in working order, and I now have heard the distinct and slight thump/clunk when a Yash is working correctly. That noise is absent on my Electro 35, but as I mention most of the photos taken have come out fine.<br>

Next point - light seals on the Yashicas, I have found complete seals on both the above cameras near the hinge on the back cover. There is no evidence of sticky, deteriorated foam anywhere else on either camera.</p>

<p>Sebastian, Thanks for that. I missed your correction further down. But we all make mistakes, eg. me posting in here, but who cares, everyone has taken it light heartedly.<br>

Should have my first film back today, so will be hoping for good results.</p>

<p>Thanks for the welcome in here, Jim. Although I may have been slightly mistaken, I did want to rub shoulders with the Leica bunch !! The only Leica I own is the R5, which I treat myself to 3 yrs back. Methinks some in here could be miffed if the Yashica RFs take photos almost as good as a Leica.!!!!</p>

<p>I suppose you may be correct re Classic Manual Camera forum, but when I started searching on PhotoNet, and seeing 'Leica and Rangefinders' I thought that the most appropriate. And searching here there aremany references to non Leicas.</p>

<p>Sebastian, Thanks for your post. I came across your test article last week, and printed it off. Last night I sat down and went through each step, as you laid them out. Every thing seems to be working correctly. But at point No. 9 set it to B, nothing happened, and I thought that there was a fault; but with the battery then inserted, and pressing the shutter release button, the shutter remained open for as long as I held it down.<br>

I don't do my own developing so I am awaiting the return of the first film used in the Electro 35.</p>

<p>Thanks to all for the information you have posted. I was aware of Butkus and also Yashica Guy, but I will have a look at the other links.<br>

As regards a battery adapter for the Electro 35s, I have just bought one on ebay. It is milled from aluminium and fits all the models. Cost £6.99p It was listed as Yashica Electro 35 battery adapter sleeve TR164. The seller (in UK) was 0182david.<br>

I also have several 35 slrs which I would call modern classics, but I use them in rotation so they are never just stuck away in a cupboard.<br>

Thanks for the posts, but if anyone else has useful comments and observations, please post.<br>

If anyone is interested there is a Yashica Lynx 14 here on the bay. Sale ends today. Present bid £54, but reserve price has not been met.</p>

<p>Just bought a Yashica Electro 35 - an early model as it has the recess on the bottom plate below the back release. Film speed 12-500. Serial No.: 90704852 . Already I am hooked, and although having acquired a Minolta Hi-Matic 9 in the last few days, I am looking at further Yashica RFs in the electro range.<br>

Does anyone know where I can find a list of the models, hopefully chronologically, showing features of the models ?</p>

<p>Just bought some more APS film, expired in 2004. I used 1 roll and it has come out perfectly. The remainder have gone into the freezer.</p>

<p>Thank you for the information re APS film, mshobbies. I will have a look at your site. I have felt that people on ebay are asking a fortune for even single rolls of APS film. As for the derogatory comments about APS cameras and film, it is as though others think we are trying to convert everyone to the format, and asking them to ditch digital, and all other film formats. How mistaken can they be. Here in the UK we have a columnist in a photo mag who writes once every month about the quirky and unusual cameras he has bought. 127 film/110 film, etc., etc.,and even what he classes as toy cameras.<br>

My first hands on with an APS camera was when a friend traded in a Nikon 35mm for a Minolta Vectis S1. 'Too small for me and my hands,' I thought, but when I saw the photos results they were good. As I mention previously in here they are a good handy 'carry about'camera, and the lenses are good.</p>

<p>Andy, Thanks for the update. Keep us posted re the result when you have completed the 'job' fully. I will make a note of the product and more than likely give it a try.</p>

<p>Andy, If you use the stuff which your mother has suggested let us know the result. Try using it on a very small area to start with. Possibly the best place to start would be the metal flap, then if successful the screen. Best of luck.</p>