Post by zack on Nov 25, 2007 17:25:37 GMT -5
Well...Some weeks ago I've decided to get an Yashica MG-1 just for fun of it. I already own a nice 30 years old Electro 35 GSN in excellent shape.
Frankly speaking I like the feel, the design, the simplicity and the performance of the "Electro" line of cameras.
....
In the past I used to work as a wedding photographer in a small town in Brazil. The Yashica brand is very popular over there and has the reputation (among amateurs and pros) of making reliable cameras in their price range.
I still recall those nice mechanical range finders like the Minister D and the venerable TLR's line.
In my home country, during the seventies and eighties, all the imports were very restrict and getting a decent camera was a big investment and most of the times you had to deal which non-official sources/sellers to get your gear.
For many professionals, top brands like Nikon, Rollei, Leica were only accessible in the magazines pictures (LOL) or if you were luck enough to work for a big company in the fashion/press photo business, a rich man... or something like that. :-D
Funny to remember that the east-Europe brands were always avaliable (Prakticas SLR). But they are very well know for being unreliable mechanically. Here I have to mention the nice presence of the Meopta brand, mainly because of their fine B/W and color enlargers. (Does anyone here remember the Magnifax/Opemus line?)
Despite partially moving away from Yashica 35mm early on, in benefit of the wonders of the Olympus OM system I still kept using the venerable Mat 124 for big enlargements.
("Partially" because, even during that period I always had the trusty Electro 35 inside my bag for any emergency. A couple of occasions I had to use it and the results never disappointed me.)
....
I know the MG-1 is a simplified version of the Electro 35 (no "B" setting, no automatic parallax correction, no pc connection and a f=2.8 lens instead a f=1.7).
The less powerful lens doesn't bother me at all, because I know it's high quality and has been used on several other Yashica's previous models (Minister D, etc)...Sharpness, good color rendition and contrast always there.
Finally my baby arrived and it looks great.(less than 20 bucks)! :-D
I was conscious about the little chance of getting a perfect working camera and totally ready to have some fun and learn something while trying to fix it.
I'm really trying to get into collecting old range finders and I wanna to be able to fix simple problems.
After a quick inspection, 3 flaws detected:
-No power, (remember it has an electronic shutter. 1/500 only w/o batteries)
-No clunk while advancing the film (bad P.O.D.)
-Fog and some stain on the inner lens elements (between the shutter blades)
That weekend I managed to fix the first two.
The pad got replaced without difficulties using the needle method and the 'no-power' was caused by a corroded wire connected to the battery holder.
But sadly, to my judgment the lens will never be like-new again, even w/ a good cleaning.
Since I don't have a complete set of tools, I didn't remove the lens yet, because I don't want to butcher anything.
First I had to find a replacement lens.
Days later, I've found a parts camera on eBay. Bought it and luckily the lens is in good shape (no scratches and very little dust on the inside), despite the body in poor condition, jammed shutter and missing levers on the top.
Now my question:
I want to "transplant" the lens set (front and rear groups) from one camera to another, but it's a very delicate task and maybe involve the removal of the whole front plate/lens assembly.
To do this, I wanna be sure what I have to do and the tools needed.
How can I disassemble the front and back elements without causing any damage on the camera?
Which tools do I need and can they be home made?
I have the Electro 35 assembly charts, but the front barrel of the MG-1 is quite different, mainly because of the electric-eye (The light meter cell).
Does anybody know where can I download the service manual/assembly charts of the MG-1 at no charge?
Thanks for any advice and sorry for the big text.
Best regards to all!
/Zack
Frankly speaking I like the feel, the design, the simplicity and the performance of the "Electro" line of cameras.
....
In the past I used to work as a wedding photographer in a small town in Brazil. The Yashica brand is very popular over there and has the reputation (among amateurs and pros) of making reliable cameras in their price range.
I still recall those nice mechanical range finders like the Minister D and the venerable TLR's line.
In my home country, during the seventies and eighties, all the imports were very restrict and getting a decent camera was a big investment and most of the times you had to deal which non-official sources/sellers to get your gear.
For many professionals, top brands like Nikon, Rollei, Leica were only accessible in the magazines pictures (LOL) or if you were luck enough to work for a big company in the fashion/press photo business, a rich man... or something like that. :-D
Funny to remember that the east-Europe brands were always avaliable (Prakticas SLR). But they are very well know for being unreliable mechanically. Here I have to mention the nice presence of the Meopta brand, mainly because of their fine B/W and color enlargers. (Does anyone here remember the Magnifax/Opemus line?)
Despite partially moving away from Yashica 35mm early on, in benefit of the wonders of the Olympus OM system I still kept using the venerable Mat 124 for big enlargements.
("Partially" because, even during that period I always had the trusty Electro 35 inside my bag for any emergency. A couple of occasions I had to use it and the results never disappointed me.)
....
I know the MG-1 is a simplified version of the Electro 35 (no "B" setting, no automatic parallax correction, no pc connection and a f=2.8 lens instead a f=1.7).
The less powerful lens doesn't bother me at all, because I know it's high quality and has been used on several other Yashica's previous models (Minister D, etc)...Sharpness, good color rendition and contrast always there.
Finally my baby arrived and it looks great.(less than 20 bucks)! :-D
I was conscious about the little chance of getting a perfect working camera and totally ready to have some fun and learn something while trying to fix it.
I'm really trying to get into collecting old range finders and I wanna to be able to fix simple problems.
After a quick inspection, 3 flaws detected:
-No power, (remember it has an electronic shutter. 1/500 only w/o batteries)
-No clunk while advancing the film (bad P.O.D.)
-Fog and some stain on the inner lens elements (between the shutter blades)
That weekend I managed to fix the first two.
The pad got replaced without difficulties using the needle method and the 'no-power' was caused by a corroded wire connected to the battery holder.
But sadly, to my judgment the lens will never be like-new again, even w/ a good cleaning.
Since I don't have a complete set of tools, I didn't remove the lens yet, because I don't want to butcher anything.
First I had to find a replacement lens.
Days later, I've found a parts camera on eBay. Bought it and luckily the lens is in good shape (no scratches and very little dust on the inside), despite the body in poor condition, jammed shutter and missing levers on the top.
Now my question:
I want to "transplant" the lens set (front and rear groups) from one camera to another, but it's a very delicate task and maybe involve the removal of the whole front plate/lens assembly.
To do this, I wanna be sure what I have to do and the tools needed.
How can I disassemble the front and back elements without causing any damage on the camera?
Which tools do I need and can they be home made?
I have the Electro 35 assembly charts, but the front barrel of the MG-1 is quite different, mainly because of the electric-eye (The light meter cell).
Does anybody know where can I download the service manual/assembly charts of the MG-1 at no charge?
Thanks for any advice and sorry for the big text.
Best regards to all!
/Zack
