Yashica · 35mm rangefinder · 1965 into the 1970s (GSN and GTN from 1973)
Yashica launched the Electro 35 in December 1965, and it became the first commercially successful electronically controlled 35mm camera. You pick the aperture, and a CdS meter tells the Copal leaf shutter how long to stay open, anywhere from 30 seconds to 1/500 with no steps in between. That long end is why people still carry one at night. The lens is a 45 mm f/1.7 Yashinon, six elements in four groups, focused with a coupled rangefinder. Yashica kept refining it for years. The G of 1968 got a Color Yashinon label, the GS and black GT of 1970 gained gold-plated contacts and a wider film-speed range, and the GSN and GTN of 1973 added a hot shoe. The series sold in the millions, so there are plenty to choose from, and one turns up in The Amazing Spider-Man (2012).
The variants
The original, G, GS, GT, GSN and GTN all share the 45 mm f/1.7 lens. The GS and black GT of 1970 added gold-plated contacts and film speeds to ISO 1000, and the GSN (chrome) and GTN (black) of 1973 added a hot shoe. The CC, MC, FC, GL and GX are different cameras with other lenses.
The best-known fault is the pad of death, a rubber pad on a spring-loaded slider that breaks down with age and throws off the metering. The original foam light seals have usually crumbled too, and the camera was designed for a 5.6 V mercury battery that's no longer sold.
Buying guide
We'd buy the GSN titled refurbished and tested at $120 delivered, or the Japan GT titled with its lens and finder working at $71 if you'll sort the battery and seals yourself. The Electro 35 sold in the millions, so there are about 150 for sale, most asking $65–150 delivered, and every version from the G to the GTN has the same 45mm f/1.7 Yashinon. It was built for a 5.6 V mercury cell that's no longer sold, so plan on a 6 V 4LR44 / 4SR44 (PX28) with an adapter. Without a battery the shutter still fires, but only at 1/500 s, so a seller's "shutter fires" proves little. Ask whether the pad of death has been replaced and for a video firing in bright and then dim light, where the shutter should stay open clearly longer. Skip the $239 US GT titled only excellent, about 2.6 times the median.
$40.09est. delivered
The lowest delivered Electro 35 here, at $40 from a US seller, with no test claim. At that price, budget for a battery adapter and new seals, and ask for a video of the shutter in bright and dim light.
Vintage Yashica Electro 35 With Yashinon DX 1.7/45mm Rangefinder Film Camera
$71.49est. delivered
A GT, the black version, titled with a beautiful lens and finder and working, for $71 delivered from Japan, inside the band. Ask whether the pad has been replaced and which battery it was tested with.
Beautiful lens & finder Works Yashica Electro35 GT 35mm film camera from Japan
$120.00delivered
Titled refurbished and tested, on a GSN with the hot shoe, for $120 with free shipping from the US. Ask what the refurb covered, especially the pad and the light seals.
Yashica Electro 35 GSN RF Film Camera Sr. 1226058 Refurbished - Tested
$184.99est. delivered
A black GT with its box, graded Exc+8 by the Japan dealer, for $185 delivered. That's over the band, with $55 of it shipping, but it's the only boxed one here.
🍙Exc+8 w/ Box🍙 Yashica Electro 35 GT Black w/ Yashinon‑DX 45mm f1.7 from Japan
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 11, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ. eBay shows yours before you pay.
Snapshot
Checked . Some may have sold.
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 11, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ. eBay shows yours before you pay.
Used$40.09est. delivered
$33.00 + $7.09 shipping
Buy It Now$33.00
Good buy
With the 45mm f/1.7 Yashinon DX. No test claim.
Seller: shsharp
100% positive
Used$71.49est. delivered
$39.99 + $31.50 shipping
Buy It Now$39.99
Good buy
Black GT, titled with a beautiful lens and finder, and working. Ships from Japan.
Seller: keiz_house
100% positive
Refurbished$120.00delivered
$120.00 · free shipping
Buy It Now$120.00
Good buy
GSN titled refurbished and tested. Free shipping from the US.
Seller: digicamm
100% positive
Used$184.99est. delivered
$129.99 + $55.00 shipping
Buy It Now$129.99
Good buy
Black GT with its box. Exc+8 is the Japan dealer's grade.
Seller: nokik_0
99.4% positive
Used$93.15est. delivered
$80.00 + $13.15 shipping
Buy It Now$80.00
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Our take
GSN with a case. No test claim.
Seller: ravichopra
100% positive
Used$110.55est. delivered
$103.46 + $7.09 shipping
Buy It Now$103.46
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Our take
Silver GS, titled working.
Seller: marus.59igt
99.5% positive
![[FOR PARTS OR REPAIR] Yashica Electro 35 Vintage Rangefinder Camera - 45mm f/1.7](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/l18AAeSwrQBqyq55/s-l500.jpg)
For parts$44.41est. delivered
$35.00 + $9.41 shipping
Buy It Now$35.00
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Check the seller
Titled for parts or repair. The seller has zero feedback.
Seller: theclevershop2
No feedback yet
Used$239.00delivered
$239.00 · free shipping
Buy It Now$239.00
Priced high
GT titled excellent, with no test claim. About 2.6 times the median ask.
Seller: lli8928
100% positive
Prices change daily. The live eBay search shows everything listed now, including anything new since Oct 11, 2026.
See every listing on eBay ↗eBay search
Canon · 35mm rangefinder
Meter onlyFixed 40 mm f/1.7 Canon lens, 6 elements in 4 groups · 1972–1982
$150–$300 typical ask
Minolta · 35mm rangefinder
Meter onlyFixed 45 mm f/1.8 Rokkor PF, 6 elements in 5 groups · From 1966
$75–$160 typical ask
Konica · 35mm rangefinder
Meter onlyFixed 45 mm f/1.8 Hexanon (6 elements in 4 groups) · From 1965
$60–$120 typical ask