Electro35 battery question.

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Longfellow - 25 Apr 2005 07:08 GMT

I seem to be collecting Yashica Electro 35s, maybe because they're
cheap? Looking at Ebay this evening, I find a GS for $16US, but with an
interesting assertion in the description. Seller says that the camera
has been fitted with the correct Yashica specified battery, a Duracell
that is still available!

Does anyone know what battery that might be?

I've seen battery adapters for sale, and I've heard of other batteries
that have been used, though perhaps no longer available now. I fit a
smaller 6v battery in a roll of paper with a picture hanger (sans nail)
taped to the (-) end, and it works just fine, but the proper unit would
be nicer, if it really is still sold.

Anybody?

Longfellow

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Peter Chant - 25 Apr 2005 10:19 GMT

> I've seen battery adapters for sale, and I've heard of other batteries
> that have been used, though perhaps no longer available now. I fit a
> smaller 6v battery in a roll of paper with a picture hanger (sans nail)
> taped to the (-) end, and it works just fine, but the proper unit would
> be nicer, if it really is still sold.

Mine seems to work with a 6V battery, a bit of cardboard wrapped around it
and a spring cut to length to account for it being smaller than original.

Does it really matter as these cameras seem to work fine from 6V? 6V
batteries can be bought over the counter, rather than sourcing something
rare.

Signature

http://www.petezilla.co.uk

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Gordon Moat - 26 Apr 2005 18:21 GMT

> I seem to be collecting Yashica Electro 35s, maybe because they're
> cheap? Looking at Ebay this evening, I find a GS for $16US, but with an
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
>
> Longfellow

I have two Yashica GT rangefinders. The trick I did was to tape a CR123A
onto a CR1/3N, which gives me six volts, and just fits snug in the battery
holder.

I have been playing with bi-quad antennas lately, and I noticed at one of
the electronics supply places I find parts, that they do have a brand new
version of the correct battery for the Yashica Electro cameras. They also
have one of the weird batteries for the old Polaroid Automatic cameras
(peel apart films).

Maybe if you can find an electronics supply store, they might have
something that works. It surprises me that this stuff is still out there,
but I guess that is a good thing.

Ciao!

Gordon Moat
A G Studio
<http://www.allgstudio.com>

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Longfellow - 27 Apr 2005 18:53 GMT

> I have two Yashica GT rangefinders. The trick I did was to tape a CR123A
> onto a CR1/3N, which gives me six volts, and just fits snug in the battery
> holder.

CR123's are expensive! I've a couple of them for my Elan7, but with the
battery pack, 4 AAs last quite long enough and are much cheaper ;)

> I have been playing with bi-quad antennas lately, and I noticed at one of
> the electronics supply places I find parts, that they do have a brand new
> version of the correct battery for the Yashica Electro cameras. They also
> have one of the weird batteries for the old Polaroid Automatic cameras
> (peel apart films).

Next time you go, would you note what battery that is, please! Hope it
isn't incredibly pricey...

> Maybe if you can find an electronics supply store, they might have
> something that works. It surprises me that this stuff is still out there,
> but I guess that is a good thing.

We've a local Radio Shack (USA), but I've not seen anything of the sort.
RS is far from what it used to be, though.

Thanks for the info!

Longfellow

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Gordon Moat - 27 Apr 2005 19:04 GMT

> > I have two Yashica GT rangefinders. The trick I did was to tape a CR123A
> > onto a CR1/3N, which gives me six volts, and just fits snug in the battery
> > holder.
>
> CR123's are expensive! I've a couple of them for my Elan7, but with the
> battery pack, 4 AAs last quite long enough and are much cheaper ;)

I have some other camera gear that already used CR123 batteries. In fact, that
also led me to convert my old Polaroid 250 Automatic to a CR123. I agree that
other batteries are cheaper, though space is another consideration.

> > I have been playing with bi-quad antennas lately, and I noticed at one of
> > the electronics supply places I find parts, that they do have a brand new
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> Next time you go, would you note what battery that is, please! Hope it
> isn't incredibly pricey...

I will write myself a note to check, and let you know.

> > Maybe if you can find an electronics supply store, they might have
> > something that works. It surprises me that this stuff is still out there,
> > but I guess that is a good thing.
>
> We've a local Radio Shack (USA), but I've not seen anything of the sort.
> RS is far from what it used to be, though.

Radio Shack just has no use for rare, and slow selling, batteries. My
suggestion is to look at computer parts places, or anywhere that has bulk
electrical parts. I doubt any of this stuff could be found at any major brand
name store.

> Thanks for the info!
>
> Longfellow

Hopefully this gets the camera working. The battery should last a while, though
a conversion may still be in line in the future.

Ciao!

Gordon Moat
A G Studio
<http://www.allgstudio.com>

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Longfellow - 28 Apr 2005 17:42 GMT

<snip>

>> Next time you go, would you note what battery that is, please! Hope it
>> isn't incredibly pricey...
>
> I will write myself a note to check, and let you know.

Thanks, I'll continue to read here, then ;)

Longfellow

Signature

"..and the clarity and brilliance of the negs is just simply marvelous!
Taken with a Leica, of course; what lens?
.
Nope. Electro 35."

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Alex MacPhee - 26 Apr 2005 18:42 GMT

"Longfellow" <no-one@this.address> wrote i

> Does anyone know what battery that might be?

Replacement batteries are available from specialist outlets, but try using
the following combination of batteries instead: one CR123 (3v) and two
PX675 batteries (1.5v each). When you stack them up, their combined
diameter and length are very close to that of the original single battery,
and the Electro 35 is not too sensitive to the voltage difference between
5.6 and 6v. No need for specialist adaptors for other batteries.

Alex

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Dick - 26 Apr 2005 19:58 GMT

> "Longfellow" <no-one@this.address> wrote i
>
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
>
> Alex

Or he can go to Yashica-Guy at http://www.yashica-guy.com/ and check and
see what batteries are available for Yashica batteries.

Dick

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