Yashica-Mat
The original crank-wind Yashica that established a dynasty.
Specifications
| Taking Lens | Yashinon 80mm f/3.5 (later Lumaxar 75mm f/3.5) |
| Viewing Lens | Yashinon 80mm f/3.2 |
| Lens Elements | 4 |
| Shutter | Copal MXV |
| Shutter Speeds | 1s - 1/500s + B |
| Light Meter | None (LM version has selenium meter) |
| Filter Mount | Bay I |
| Focusing | Crank advance |
- First crank-wind Yashica TLR
- Rolleiflex-style design
- 16 year production run
- Control wheels for aperture/speed
History
The 1957 Yashica-Mat was a watershed moment for Japanese camera manufacturing. It borrowed the premium features of the Rolleiflex — crank film advance, auto-cocking shutter — and delivered them at a fraction of the cost. This model established the template that would evolve into the legendary Mat-124G.
Notable Photographers
Helped establish Japanese cameras as viable alternatives to German engineering.
Innovations
- Auto-cocking shutter
- Crank film advance
Collector Notes
The original crank-wind Yashica. Established the template for later Mat models.
Current Market Prices (USD)
| Condition | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Poor | $40 – $80 |
| Average | $80 – $120 |
| Good | $120 – $180 |
| Excellent | $180 – $250 |
| Mint | $250 – $350 |
Source: eBay 2024
Manuals & Documentation
Photo Galleries
Shoot with your Yashica-Mat
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