Yashica-Mat

Buying Tips

The original Yashica-Mat introduced the crank-wind design. Here is what to watch for when buying one.

• No built-in meter: The base Yashica-Mat does not have a built-in light meter — you will need a handheld meter or phone app. The metered version is the separate Mat-LM model.
• Crank mechanism: Turn the film advance crank through several revolutions. It should wind smoothly and cock the shutter each time. A grinding or skipping crank indicates worn gears inside.
• Bay I filter ring: Inspect the Bay I mount on both lenses for dents or damage. A bent filter ring cannot hold accessories securely and is difficult to repair.
• Focusing smoothness: Rotate the focusing crank from minimum to infinity distance. The movement should be fluid with no catching or dead spots. Stiff focusing usually means dried helicoid grease.
• Shutter accuracy: Test all speeds from 1s to 1/500s. The Copal MXV shutter is reliable but after 50+ years, slow speeds often run long and need calibration.

See our complete TLR buying guide for a full inspection checklist.