Yashica lights up the viewfinder and steps up shutter technology.
This camera, introduced in 1968, was the third in Yashica’s TL series, their first SLRs with TTL metering. Well built and well specified, here’s what I thought when I put my first roll of film through it.
Why is the Yashica TL Electro-X a Landmark Camera?
1: The world’s first SLR to use electronic lights in the viewfinder for exposure information.
2: The world’s first SLR with a mechanical shutter including stepless electronic timing, operating at intermediate speeds between those designated on the shutter speed dial.
3: The world’s first SLR with an integrated circuit (silicon chip or microchip).
The User Experience
The Look
This was Yashica’s first sexy camera. I have always found this camera’s predecessors dull to look at. I had a Yashica J-3 and it was dull to look at and dull to use. I found it hard to focus, so I sold it, the tedious thing. The ‘X’s immediate forbears, the TL and the TL Super are equally uninspiring to look at; but the designers got their shit together for this one. It’s a strutting cockerel of an SLR with the red X on the front, the gothic letter Y on the prism hump and the electro logo. Rutherford’s theoretical representation of an atom with a dot representing the nucleus being orbited by paths representing electrons has turned out to be inaccurate, but it must have looked cool back then, and it is definitely retro cool now. Even the self-timer lever looks cool; a little flash of Art Deco to my eyes. The chrome nosed Auto Yashinon-DX 50mm f/1.7 matches the body very well.
The Feel
It has heft; typical for a mid sixties Japanese M42 SLR. The leatherette covering feels thin and rough, but is undoubtedly hard wearing. The shutter speed dial is stepless at speeds lower than 1/30th second. The shutter release is light with a fair amount of travel. I took this camera with confidence on two walks in the Yorkshire Dales, knowing it was more than robust enough to tolerate some jiggling around in a rucsack when not in use.
In Use
This is another enjoyable camera to use. Stop-down metering is activated with a depth of field preview feature. This is situated on the side of the lens mount housing and takes the shape of a generously sized lever that you push down on. Correct exposure is achieved by twisting the lens aperture ring and that lovely silver and back shutter speed dial until a pair of red lights in the shape of arrows no longer light up. When the left arrow lights up, you are underexposing. When the right arrow lights up you are overexposing. Both arrows point in towards the centre. When no arrows light up, you have correct exposure. This confused me until I read the manual. I thought the camera had an error. Today’s best practice in user experience design would demand a third light, perhaps green in colour, to confirm correct exposure, rather than have no visual indication of correct exposure. In fact, it should work more like the positive visual feedback of the battery check on the top of the camera. A green light illuminates to indicate the battery is in good shape when you press a red button.
Look through the viewfinder

The viewfinder is decent with a Fresnel screen and a microprism that I find surprisingly easy to find focus with. The shutter release is not lockable, which surprised me. The black film rewind release button is found on the base of the camera. The metal shutter is quieter than anticipated (but by no means quiet!). There’s a very convenient mirror lock up lever on the other side of the lens mount housing to the stop down meter lever.
I put a roll of T-MAX 400 in the ‘X’ and took it for walks in Wharfedale, Wensleydale and here and there. It performed flawlessly. I did carry a back up light meter with me, but after a few frames I was confident in the accuracy of the 50 year old IC. It was such a pleasure to use and is equally nice just to look at.
Photographs taken with the Yashica TL Electro-X
Here are a few photographs from the roll of T-MAX 400. It was exposed at box speed and developed in FX-39II at 1+14 dilution for 12 minutes.










FURTHER READING:
Film Photography Review
Camera Wiki
Instruction manual at Mike Butkus’ site
I bought one in November 2002 from ffordes photographic via the internet. It cost then £75 second hand it still works ok with the battery fitted, haven’t used it since around 2005 as digital cameras were rapidly overtaking film cameras , it’s got a beautiful yashinon dx f1.4 fast lens , sharp photos.
Hi Michael. Many a film photographer will envy that lens! Thanks for visiting and for your thoughts.
Hi! Do you know if this camera can use 35mm b&w film? If not, what kind of film can it shoot? I found my grandfather’s old camera while cleaning out his things and would love to shoot it! I have 35mm film left over from my film photography class this semester and would love to use it!
Hello Drew. Yes, absolutely; this camera can use any type of 35mm film cartridge, whether it be colour or black and white. Have a go with your grandfather’s camera and let me know how you get on with it!
I bought my Yashica TL Electro X new in 1972. I used from 72 thru the 90’s. I have three lens and lots of filter. My problem is I lost the battery cover. I put it away and bought a Minolta 35 (film) I would likr to use my Yashica. Any idea where i can get a battery cover?
Hi Gerald. Thanks for your comments. It sounds like the camera has served you well. I think your best option for a replacement battery cover is to look for a donor camera on eBay sold as spares or repair. There’s at least one for sale on the UK site at present.
Hi I have a Yashica TL Electro-X the entire kit a couple extra different size lenses different flashes I mean I have the entire kit as if you bought it brand new from store even comes with the original user manual.. I am trying to sale it but I honestly don’t know where to sale it.. if you know someone or if you’re interested yourself just email me and we can talk . It comes with carrying case and a bunch of accessories.