Well, I once asked a local camera repairer/dealer here how much it will cost to clean a Leica viewfinder. He said SGD 125 (but when he saw what I wanted cleaned, he said no need to waste money) ! So might as well send for full CLA, cleaning is part of it ...
There are a couple of guys on the net showing how to repair whatever can be repaired on a Yashica by ordinary users. Goggle for "Yashica Guy" or "Matt Yashica GSN" ... their tutorials on replacing the light seals are good. It doesn't seem too difficult to open up the top to clean the viewfinder. Haven't found the need to do it on mine yet, I worked on replacing the light seals instead.
My viewfinders are also bluish, I think it's naturally dim. To quote someone - "I have cleaned the internals of the viewfinder on my GSN, which improves the contrast a bit. But, by design, the viewfinder is on the dim side (blue/gray tinted) to contrast with the yellow rangefinder patch.".
The dim view is pathetic compared to a clear Leica viewfinder, which is by itself inferior compared to a Hassy rangefinder prism viewer (due more to the size). The Yashica's is more flare-resistant, though, why can't Leica get theirs flare-free with the stock viewfinder ? The Yashica shutter click is definitely quieter than a Leica and less vibration, but a Leica with a soft shutter release is almost as quiet. I did add a soft shutter release on the Yashica, it helps a bit, but not the same degree as on a Leica. Cocking the Yashica is noisier, though.
Despite these nitpicks, the Yashica takes very high quality pics, it has its own charm, definitely worth more than its going price these days if pic quality was the only gauge (and if one can get a piece in full working condition).
Heday, what batteries do you use on the Yashica ? I can't find the 4LR44, or PX28A so far, so I use a CR123 + 2 LR44 stacked on it, which makes 6 volts ...
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