Yashica Electro 35 rangefinder patch is diagonally misaligned — can it be repaired?
Asked 1/6/2021
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On my Yashica Electro 35, the rangefinder patch only gives correct focus if the overlaid image is shifted diagonally up and to the right. If I align a vertical edge, the top of the patch still appears displaced upward, and at infinity the patch remains diagonally offset. Is this a camera fault, and can a film camera technician fix it? Is this something that can be adjusted as a DIY repair?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
5y ago
2 Answers
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What you describe is a misaligment of the beam splitter (which, despite its name, in this case combines or overlays the image from the moving mirror or prism in the RF over the straight-through image in the main viewfinder).
Correcting this is possible in almost all rangefinders, and fairly routine for an experienced technician. Be sure you mention it when you drop off or mail in the camera for servicing. I'd recommend also having the shutter and advance/cocking mechanism serviced at the same time; it saves shipping cost and downtime compared to having to do them separately, and for a camera that old (40-50 years), both most likely need service.
That said, many self-repairers have performed this kind of adjustment -- I would, however, recommend starting with a camera that doesn't have metering and flash wiring under the top cover, as those complicate the process of accessing the rangefinder and closing up after the work is done.
Originally by user89902. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user89902
5y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Yes — this sounds like a rangefinder/viewfinder alignment problem, likely involving the beam splitter or related rangefinder optics rather than normal operation. A technician can usually correct this, and it’s a routine repair for someone experienced with rangefinders.
Because the camera is decades old, it’s also sensible to have the shutter and advance/cocking mechanism serviced at the same time if you’re already sending it in.
DIY adjustment is possible on many rangefinders, and some hobbyists do it successfully, but it’s not the best beginner repair. If you’re not already comfortable working on film cameras, having a qualified technician do it is the safer option.
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