Yashica Mat-EM

Electric eye meets medium format — automatic exposure arrives.

1964–1967 6x6 on 120 film Made in Nagano, Japan
Yashica Mat-EM twin-lens reflex camera

Photo: Nguyen Diep · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Source

Specifications

Taking LensYashinon 80mm f/3.5
Viewing LensYashinon 80mm f/2.8
Lens Elements4
ShutterCopal SV
Shutter Speeds1s - 1/500s + B
Light MeterCdS coupled
Filter MountBay I
FocusingCrank advance
  • First CdS metered Yashica-Mat
  • Semi-automatic exposure
  • Match-needle metering

History

The Mat-EM featured Yashica's 'Electric Eye' automatic exposure system, a forward-thinking addition that presaged the automation wave that would later sweep through photography. The selenium meter controlled shutter speeds automatically.

Innovations

  • Automatic exposure
  • Electric Eye system

Collector Notes

Upgraded Mat-LM with modern CdS meter replacing selenium cell.

Current Market Prices (USD)

ConditionPrice Range
Poor$50 – $90
Average$90 – $140
Good$140 – $200
Excellent$200 – $280
Mint$280 – $380

Source: eBay 2024

Manuals & Documentation

Shoot with your Yashica Mat-EM

metergeist is a free light meter app and film roll tracker built for TLR and medium format photographers. Meter light, load film, track every frame.