Lens: 45mm f/1.7. It's identical to an SLR lens. Yashica brands it as YASHINON. "COLOR-YASHINON" was added in 1968 for marketing, since color film was just starting to become barely affordable to amateurs. It's the same lens. "COLOR" was a buzzword of the day as "Digital" is today. Think this is silly? How many of you pay extra for "Digital" filters?

Optic

6 elements in 4 groups, just like almost every SLR lens.

Single-coated in amber.

Diaphragm

5 blades stopping down to f/16.

Filter Thread

55mm. (Optional 57mm slip-on hood.)

Close Focus

2.6 feet (0.8m)

Finder

Always-bright framelines lit through a separate window. Auto corrects for parallax.

Meter

CdS cell above lens, not TTL. You must compensate filters by setting the ASA dial accordingly.

Red OVER light means you're at 1/500 second or more.

Yellow SLOW light means you're at 1/30 or slower; hold still or use a tripod.

ASA Range (ISO)

1966-1973: 12~500.

1973-1977: 25~1,000.

Shutter

1/500 ~ about 30 seconds.

Stepless electronic leaf shutter.

The slowest speed will vary with aperture: it can go longer than a minute at smaller apertures but only 3 seconds at f/1.7.

Maximum Speed with Flash (sync)

1/500.

X-sync at all speeds, better than SLRs.

Power

One PX32, E164, V164PX, TR 164, HM-4N, 4NR52 or 1404M 5.6 Volt mercury battery.

Works with today's alkaline replacements. My Electro 35 has a 4LR52, EN164A, A32, PC164, TR164A, 1404A alkaline in it. These are made with four stacked LR52 or 640A-P cells in series.

The specifications for today's alkaline battery are 335 mAH, 25.5g, 17.1mm diameter, 44.9mm height.

You can use a more common, smaller (170 mAH lithium, 150 mAh alkaline) PX28 if you jam in an extra spring and wrap the smaller battery in something to keep it centered in the Electro 35's larger battery hole.

The correct PX32 costs only $9.99 and lasts twice as long as the wrong $8 PX28 that doesn't fit without a kludge, so order two PX32s and keep the spare handy so you won't have to pay $15 for a PX28 at retail if your battery dies.

Battery Check Light

Yes, also illuminates frame counter and can work as a small flashlight!

Current Drain

60mA while shutter is pressed and lights are lit or shutter is open.

Less than 0.1 uA when idle.

Size

6 x 3-5/8 x 3 " (152 x 92 x 76mm) WHD, measured, including protrusions, excluding cap or case.

Weight

My Electro 35 GSN, made in Hong Kong, measures 25.692 oz (728.4 g) with full-size alkaline battery, but no case, filters, caps or strap.

Yashica specifies 26.4 oz (750 g) without battery, which is heavier than mine.