Warning: Post is long and geek content ahead!
Before I got the digital camera I used 2 film cameras...
The first was a small Olympus PhD (Press here dummy) camera...no frills camera...just point and shoot.
The second camera I used was the Yashica Electro 35 GTN. It’s quite a marvel for a camera manufactured in 1976. Its exposure settings and focusing options were (are) regarded superior to many SLR’s which were produced much later in the 80’s. The Electro 35 is a rangefinder camera.
Have a look at my previous post: http://confusedrantings.blogspot.com/2007/01/yashica-electro35.html
More info on rangefinder cameras: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rangefinder_camera
Of course, it is needless to say, the features of this camera were vastly under utilized by yours truly...and the photos which came from this camera made everyone’s jaw droooop!
I never got to use this camera much and I never learnt much about photography eventually. Of course the enormous costs of developing and printing were another considerable constraint.
I finally graduated to a digital camera recently. The DSC H5 is among Sony’s Prosumer range of cameras. It has more features than a compact but lesser than a SLR. But, essentially it remains a point and shoot camera.
Read my previous post on this camera: http://confusedrantings.blogspot.com/2007/03/new-camerayipeeee.html
I’ve compared both cameras below...read on...
Of course this comparison means nothing, as each camera is from a different league altogether. This is only out of interest.
| | Yashica Electro 35 GTN | Sony DSC H5 |
| Format | 35mm full frame rangefinder | Prosumer Compact SLR like |
| Type | Film 24x36mm | Digital 7.2MP |
| ISO rating | ISO 25 (DIN 15) to ISO 1000 (DIN 31) | Auto, 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1000 |
| Lens | Color-Yashinon DX 45mm f/1,7 (6 elements, 4 groups) | 36mm – 432mm (6-72mm) Carl Zeiss Vario Tessar f/2.8-3.7 |
| Focusing range | 0.8 m to infinity | Normal focus range: 50cm Macro focus range: 2cm |
| Aperture | 1.7 to 16 | F2.8 - 8.0 (wide), F3.7 - 8.0 (tele) |
| Shutter | 30s ~ 1/500 sec., B* | 1/4 - 1/2000 sec. (Auto), 1 - 1/2000 sec. (Program Auto), 46-step 30 sec – 1/1000 sec. (Shutter Priority, Manual) Shutter speeds of 1/2000th are only available at apertures of F5.6 and higher. |
| Exposure meter | Single CdS cell, programs shutter selection | Multi-pattern (49 zone), Center weighted, Spot metering |
| Exposure compensation | EV -3.4 (f/1.7 @ 30 sec.) to EV 17 (f/16 @ 1/500 sec.) | +/-2EV, 1/3 EV steps |
| Viewfinder | Bright frame line, Overexposure and underexposure warning arrows | Electronic with same display as the back LCD |
| Focusing System | Superimposed rangefinder type focusing with automatic parallax compensation | Manual (with focus aids and magnification), Single, Monitor, Continuous. AF area modes: 3 Area Multi-Point AF, Center AF (selectable), Flexible spot AF, |
| Flash | Built-in "X" synchronization Hot Shoe | Pop up flash- Auto, On, Off, Slow synch, Red-eye reduction |
| Storage Media | Film easy loading- Single-stroke, Built-in double exposure prevention | Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo compatible, 32MB internal memory |
| Self Timer | ~ 8sec | 2sec, 10sec |
| | One 6 volts battery PX32, with | 2 AA NiMH batteries |
| Adaptors | 55mm ring, Hot shoe flash with sync, macro lens, tele and wide angle converters available, separate viewfinder for converter lens | Filter Diameter: 58mm (with supplied Adapter Ring) |
| Dimensions | 180 x 84x 73,5 mm | 113.2 x 83 x 94 mm |
| Weight | 750g | 554g |
| Continuous Shooting | No | Yes: 7 Shots at 1.1fps (7.2MP JPEG fine), 100 Shots at 1.4 fps (640x480 JPEG std) |
- *In B mode shutter remains open as long as the shutter released button is pressed. Ideal for long exposure time shots and needs a cable shutter release (separate accessory).
- **The original 6V PX32 battery is no more available because it’s a mercury battery and is banned to prevent pollution. However the Yashica camera’s electronics are capable of working well between 4-6volts.This allows us to use an alkaline battery which can be easily adapted by using a small spring.
There you have it. The Yashica takes wonderful pictures. Once I make my way up the photography learning curve I’ll surely have another go at the Yashica. Till then....shoot!
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