Today, I noticed that my Yashica Electro 35 GT is dead. The electronics stopped working and the shutter defaults to 1/500 sec.

I first noticed this on sunday, when I was shooting a fresh roll of Kodak BW400CN inside in dim light. The shutter didn’t sound like it was exposing long enough. Yesterday, I picked up the developed roll of Sensia 100 I shot in the past weeks, and about ten pictures, all taken inside, turned out either underxposed or plain black.

The funny thing is, pressing the “Battery check” button on the back of the camera makes the little lamp light up, so the camera does get power. However, the meter shows no reading anymore (i.e. under- or overexposure warning) — at least it doesn’t since today. Last week the exposure warning LEDs were still working.

Considering this camera cost me 30 € on eBay, I don’t think it’s a good idea to get it repaired. I may try and open it up myself, maybe there’s just a loose cable somwhere. Doesn’t hurt to give it a try.

Now, I will try and get hold of another Electro 35 (GS/GT/GSN/GTN), simply because it’s such a great camera. But I will also try and get hold of an Olympus XA, which has a slower lens (35mm f/2.8), but a great reputation and the same minute form factor as my new Contax T. I can’t use the XA in as low light as the Yashica, but these are cheap too and I really want to try one. Loaded with 40o ISO b&w film it should work in most indoors situations.