Phil Koenig

Rolleiflex-inspired twin lens reflex from Japan.

A Japanese alternative to the Rolleiflex

The Yashica Mat is a twin lens reflex (TLR). Its design is derivative, based on the Rolleiflex. It has an 80mm f/3.5 Yashinon lens which, like the Tessar, has four elements in three groups (source: camera manual).

The Yashica Mat’s lens has been described as having ‘outstanding mid-aperture (i.e., f/8 or thereabouts) performance’ (Matanle, 1986). I think it works great at any aperture.

Compared to my Rolleiflex MX

• Both have f/3.5 lenses with four elements in three groups.

• The Yashica Mat has a brighter focus screen.

• The Rolleiflex has a solid, machined feel; the Yashica Mat is lighter with a stamped sheet metal vibe.

• The Yashica Mat lacks the automatic film starting feature of the Rolleiflex. Instead, you line up the start of the film manually. I don’t see this as a disadvantage.

• The shutter lock on the Rolleiflex is more elegant and easier to use.

There are other differences but those are the main ones.

f/3.5 v. f/2.8 lenses

The Yashica Mat lens is an 80mm f/3.5 and there was no option for a faster f/2.8 lens as with some Rolleiflex models. Usually I like fast lenses. However, f/2.8 Rolleiflexes are noticeably bulkier and heavier, so I prefer the f/3.5 versions.

Maintenance and repair

I used my original Yashica Mat on many trips and put a lot of film through it. It was a really great camera. In the late 2010s the shutter gave out so I bought another, which hasn’t had any maintenance yet.