Yashica Electro 35's: what market segment it was for?

kansalliskala · Expire: 2016-12-30

In the 70's there was a huge supply of slr:s for hobby photographers.

Was it really for "ordinary" customers that wanted just a really good camera for family travel and such purposes?

Nesster · Expire: 2014-02-20

In the 70's the SLR revolution was just under way - soon enough the old clunky GSN style cameras were out of fashion.

But before that... in 1975 you could mail order a GSN for $78, and a TL Electro-X with the f/1.7 lens for $170. Or a Canonet GIII for $98 or the FTb for $210.

So there was still a price differential, the fixed lens RF went for half the price of an equivalent SLR.

Here's how they sold the Electro 35 in 1969 by the way:

larger http://www.flickr.com/photos/nesster/3257940134/

kansalliskala · Expire: 2016-12-30

Any idea what Zenits, Prakticas, Cosinas etc .. cost that time? I think Canon and Yashica were more expensive.

I mean from the "hobby" photographers point of view, one would have bought cheaper slr instead of quality rf?

Nesster · Expire: 2014-02-20

here, look for yourself, the 1975 ad:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nesster/3240721589/

The hobbyist would have gone SLR most definitely. The more mass market SLR buyer was a couple of years away still, and really not there all that long as the auto focus zoom p&s segment took off.

At the time I was shooting a Pen FT half frame SLR. And yeah, I aspired to the full frame... the fixed lens RF already seemed old fashioned to me. I can be even more specific: I would have bought an Olympus OM1.

A lot of Electros were sold to soldiers I think, inexpensive quality cameras for non-buffs.

Toeteraar · Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2009 12:33 pm Post subject:

kansalliskala · Expire: 2016-12-30

F16SUNSHINE · Expire: 2011-11-18

The Yashica Electros as well as other cameras could be found for sale at Military outposts in Vietnam.
Many soldiers bought them and quite a few made the trip back to the states.
Having purchased and re-built many dozens of the Electros I have seen quite a few that came from that route.
The earlier line of electro "G" and "GS" where also sold at Commissaries.
I have a couple of leather film cases attached to Electro straps that are stamped "Thudo Vietnam".
Thudo was one of the places where this purchase could be made.
One of our members had an electro in Vietnam. Maybe he can spell a bit more about this.

Andy

Puplet · Joined: 09 Aug 2007 Posts: 410

Susan Sontag mentions this camera in her 'On Photography' essay. She seems to think it was aimed at the point and shoot crowd.

kansalliskala · Expire: 2016-12-30

Was there some sort of trade restrictions between US and Japan that time?

Nesster · Expire: 2014-02-20

GrahamNR17 · Expire: 2012-09-06

This thread has made me desire an Electro 35 Shocked

F16SUNSHINE · Expire: 2011-11-18

rick_oleson · Posted: Sat Feb 07, 2009 11:37 pm Post subject:

They had some sort of arrangement with K-Mart ... I don't recall if they private labeled them or just sold a lot through the K-Mart stores.

bawang · Joined: 26 Mar 2008 Posts: 548 Location: Indiana, USA

kansalliskala · Expire: 2016-12-30

GrahamNR17 · Expire: 2012-09-06

F16SUNSHINE · Expire: 2011-11-18

Khidhir the first and third images are really great.
You have quickly graped the use of that camera.

@ Grahm
I will post some up as I can. There are a few ready now.
I had a deal to supply LOMO with refurbs but the economy and other factors has killed that arrangement.
In other words.....I have quite an inventory.
Different conditions, models, and colors.
Think about what you would like and how much to spend.

Cheers
Andy

BTW
Yashicamat TLR's also will be available Smile

Screamin Scott · Posted: Mon Feb 09, 2009 5:17 pm Post subject:

Andy,

So you are the one buying Yashicamat TLR's up on eBay? ...

I already have both an Electro GS (I replaced the seals already) & a Yashica D TLR so it doesn't matter
Laughing

GrahamNR17 · Expire: 2012-09-06

Andy, Maybe it is my activities in dog rescue, but even in cameras I tend to go for anything that doesn't need to be euthanised Laughing

In other words, I will be happy with an ugly duckling so long as it isn't going to die after a day. I like to use cameras, and I am not worried what they look like, just so long as they work and produce the results Cool

Graham

F16SUNSHINE · Expire: 2011-11-18

No, I only have a couple from ebay.
Mark Hama buys most of the ebay cheap TLR's (and electros).

The D was the first with the Yashinon lens.
There are a few LM and EM that have the german made Lumuxar (same lens scheme really as the Yashinon but more blades).
All the earlier models have the Yashikor which is quite inferior.

Screamin Scott · Posted: Mon Feb 09, 2009 5:36 pm Post subject:

My D has the Yashicor triplet... Sad

but Mark Hama only lives about 30 miles from me...

F16SUNSHINE · Expire: 2011-11-18

Nesster · Expire: 2014-02-20