Fixing Yashica Electro 35

First the preparations… Collecting all needed items and preparing the workshop on the table…

Check out the state of the light seals of that camera… well almost for sure there was no point for taking photos with those seals in that state. For sure they would be exposed…

First we have to remove the old seals with use of toilet paper or cotton wool saturated with isopropyl alcohol and toothpick. Isopropyl alcohol ‘ruberizes’ the old seals (makes it consistency of rubber easy to remove), then it’s easy to remove it with wooden toothpick which doesn’t cracks the black metal… Take a look at the photos – especially at the mess at the table during that process (3rd photo)…

When removing you have to remember how the seals look like before you remove it. This could be useful when you cut out the new ones, especially when comes to prepare the same shape and then position it at the same place. Unfortunately I haven’t the photo of cutting the new seal, probably because I was very concentrated during that process :) Of course the ruler is very handy during that activity…

I bought self-adhesive sheet of light seals, but if you have a normal one – you should use some glue with elastic consistency after caking (in Poland you can use very popular glue: Butapren – it’s popular because of many reasons… mostly the smell… and others effects…). You cut the very narrow seals which fits in the groove in the camera. Later with use of the small flat screwdriver and toothpick you carefully put the light-proof sponge on place. I’ve used also some kind of light-proof material which is used in 35mm film cassettes. It was needed near the lock on the back of the camera. You can see on the photos… however it’s not so easy task as it look like, especially in the grooves.

The results – new light seals on place you can see on the next photos… You can admire the final effect. Unfortunately I cannot be sure that I did a good work. The true test will be with a new film… and only after developing the film with no sign of the white stains, line and overexposures I can congratulate myself a good job… we’ll see…

But wait. It’s not the end. There is one more thing. The cover of camera. It’s in good condition, however there is small rip in the bottom, probably because the thread has worn. For now it’s noting serious, however with everyday use soon there can be a bigger problem.
Take a look how it look like on the photos:

That rip can be easily be fixed with the needle and black thread and the butapren glue for strengthening the seam. Unfortunately I had only dark blue thread instead of black, but I preferred to choose the stronger blue than weak black.

Sewing the leather or artificial leather is not easy, it requires some strength to sew it, and the thimble is irreplaceable then. I’ve managed to take some photos during seewing…

Tadaam ! Okay, and that’s it… the camera Yashica Electro 35 GSN like new – with brand new light seals and sewed cover. I can’t wait to put the film inside and test it. Especially that I also managed to solve the problem with batteries for this model of camera which are not produced any more – special size, voltage 6V and contained Mercury. Fortunately there is on the market battery 6V which is also used for other older cameras like mine Canon AE-1 Program. It’s different size shorter and narrower, however with some small metal rings (metal pads), adhesive tape and self-made spring I made 4LR44 battery compatible with Yashica Electro…

So… after loading the film camera will be ready to use… and I hope to try it very soon…