Life in Squares - The Yashica-Mat
This is the second post in a series I’ll be doing over the next few months, in addition to my regular posts. The idea behind “Life in Squares” is to give people interested in Medium Format Photography, especially in the classic 6x6 format, some info regarding some of the popular, and maybe not-so-popular, options out there. All of the cameras that I plan on featuring are personally owned and shot by me – my hope is that I can give some added perspective over and above the standard “gear reviews”. I’ll be honest about the good, and the bad………………and maybe along the way add some insights in regards to shooting in the beloved 6x6 square format.
The Yashica-Mat
Light. Simple. Quick. These words come to mind when I think about my experiences shooting with my Yashica-Mat TLR camera. Wait, I forgot one more – gorgeous. In my opinion, the Yashica-Mat is one of the most gorgeous, under-rated TLR’s out there.
The Yashica-Mat model was made from 1958 to approximately 1973. The serial number on my example puts its birthdate in January 1966, and was the 286th Yashica-Mat made that month. “Yashica” was originally a brand name of cameras produced by the Yashima Seiki Seisakusho corporation in Japan, which was founded in 1945 in the post-war era. The word “Yashica” is actually a combination of Yashima and Camera. Yashica. In 1958 the company adopted the Yashica name and officially became K.K. Yashica.
Yashica made many different TLR cameras over the years, with the Yashica-mat being one of the more popular models, only surpassed in numbers by the Yashica Mat 124G. Info on models and production numbers can be found here.
Shooting with the Yashica-Mat is fairly straight forward. The lever both winds the film on and cocks the shutter. Viewing is done thru the ground glass and the viewing (upper) lens, with the image being taken by the taking (lower) lens. Hence the name “TLR” (Twin Lens Reflex). The use of two lenses meant that there was no moving mirror required like in an SLR. No mirror to slap and make noise. No mirror to cause vibrations. This makes the Yashica-Mat one of the most quiet medium format cameras that I own. Its probably also one of the lightest – I think only my Holgas are lighter. This means that often the Yashica-Mat is my go-to choice for hiking or walking around.
The controls are well laid-out, with a dial on either side of the lens array. This top-down view shows the two dials on the outer right. One controls the shutter speed, and the other controls the aperture. The window in the middle between them shows what settings you are in. The leaf shutter in the 80mm f/3.5 lens has speeds from 1/500th down to 1 second, and Bulb. The 5-bladed aperture ranges from f/3.5 to f/22. Focus is controlled by the large dial on the left side of the camera, and that dial also houses an ASA/ISO reminder setting so that you don’t forget what speed film you have in the camera.
The Yashica-Mat has no meter, so all metering has be done with a separate hand-held meter. Being a simple camera, the accessories I own for it are sparce: the original case and strap, a close-focus lens set, and a hood for the taking lens (pictured). That’s about all I need or want for this camera.
When my camera was made in 1966, the retail price for it was $90 USD, plus an additional $10 USD for the leather case and strap. That would make it about $800 USD in today’s dollars, which is about what you’d expect to spend for an entry-level DSLR kit.
Below are some of the images I’ve taken with this camera over the last few years, on various film stocks.
Out of all of the medium format cameras that I own, the Yashica-Mat is the only one that has never, ever given me any problems. It just works every time. No drama. No muss. No fuss. The other benefit to shooting with it is that this camera, even more so than my Hasselbad, attracts curiosity and causes conversation with strangers. The questions are generally predictable - “Is that a Hasselblad?”, “Does that shoot film?”, “My grandpa had a camera like that.”, etc, etc. It’s nice to have people engage with me in a good way when I am out shooting. Its much different than walking around with a modern DSLR.
At the time I purchased mine, it was in such good condition and the price was so cheap that I almost felt bad about the deal that I got. Almost. Unfortunately now, just like every other medium format film camera, prices are creeping up. TLR’s in general have garnered a lot of attention after the Vivian Maier images surfaced. Even though she used a Rolleiflex, the Yashica-Mat and its other contemporaries were originally created to (on purpose) bear a striking resemblance to the Rollei. When folks looking to buy the same camera that she used found out how expensive Rollei’s are, they began looking at alternatives including the Yashica-Mat.
Yashica-Mat’s were made in large numbers, but they were not made in anywhere near the numbers that the 124G was. So when doing a search on eBay, more than often you’ll find a 124G instead. The 124G is a later model and a bit more complicated – it also has a built-in light meter. If you can find a Yashica-Mat, they are ranging in price now from $150 for one that’s in “so-so” condition but probably a solid performer, up to $400 for one in pristine shape. If you find a solid one that is cosmetically-challenged in regards to its leatherette covering, there are a lot of companies offering pre-cut leatherette replacements, even in other colors than the more standard black. I like the black that’s on my pristine example, but if I had a second one that was in need of refurbishing I’d probably consider brown or tan leatherette.
Would I recommend a Yashica-Mat as a first experience into the world of medium format photography? The answer is yes, for certain. It’s a great all-around performer, with sharp lens and nothing too complex to go wrong. I’d suggest you grab one now before prices go even higher.
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out!
Jeremy
Some Yashica-Mat resources:
All things Yashica can be found here.
Yashica info on Camera-Wiki here.
Custom color leatherette here (I’ve purchased from them for other cameras, very good quality)