Well, that didn't last long

[tomrit]

I posted a thread a week ago about my new to me YashicaMat TLR camera. The first roll worked OK, the second roll wound through without stopping, and the shutter gave up the ghost halfway through the third roll of film. Sigh!

That leaves me wondering what to do?

1. It will look nice on a shelf.
2. Sell it for parts
3. Try to fix it myself
4. Send it out for repair
5. Buy another, and keep this one as a parts camera.



That's her, where and when it happened.

For more details see my blog post:
http://graywolfphoto.com/journal/201...a-yashica-mat/

[Jim Jones]

I've owned a few TLR Yashicas over many years, and found them less reliable than I'd expect a Rollei or Mamiya to be. As inexpensive as the earlier models are, overhauls or repairs seem uneconomical. It might be a good time to become a Yashica TLR repairman. They are capable of good images when working well.

[Wade D]

Sorry to hear about your misfortune. Don't send it for repairs. It would likely cost more than you paid for it. There are reputable places that will make it like new but for a hefty price. I have seen websites that cover shutter repairs for DIY. That too is rather involved with your camera. Best bet is to buy another one.
KEH sells them although not at bargain prices for the most part. They do have a return policy so if you get a bad one you can get a replacement or refund.

[tomrit]

With quotes in the $150-$170 range (with shipping), Wade, it looks like you are right. I can repair it myself, if it does not need parts, so I will give that a try; if it does need parts I will buy another hoping they will not need the same parts.

[Jgolden]

my first medium format camera was a yashicamat tlr, bought it a several years ago off the auction site for 48.00 shipped, it was a great camera. i never had any issues with mine, i think i had it for around 5 years, i say with MF prices being what they are, buy another one or look into a mamiya c330, they are a great system, only tlr with interchangeable lenses i believe.

[Vedauwoo]

Originally Posted by tomrit

I posted a thread a week ago about my new to me YashicaMat TLR camera. The first roll worked OK, the second roll wound through without stopping, and the shutter gave up the ghost halfway through the third roll of film. Sigh!

That leaves me wondering what to do?

1. It will look nice on a shelf.
2. Sell it for parts
3. Try to fix it myself
4. Send it out for repair
5. Buy another, and keep this one as a parts camera.



That's her, where and when it happened.

For more details see my blog post:
http://graywolfphoto.com/journal/201...a-yashica-mat/

Rip the lens out and make it into a pinhole camera!

[tomrit]

That would not work well, as it is the shutter that is having a problem.

Interesting enough I find that if I focus to 7 feet or closer that the shutter fires normally. I tested that after reading a post on the web where the guy had that problem. It said that it was only a matter of adjusting the linkage and pin that cocks the shutter to fix it.

I bought another Yashica-Mat off eBay and plan to use one of them as a parts camera to fix the other. I will not know which will be which until that camera arrives, probably Monday.

[tomrit]

I bought another camera for parts. That did not work out as it appeared to have been immurged in water at some point. It is on its way back to the seller now.

In the meanwhile, I discovered that the pin in the crank on mine had been mangled to the point that it will not come out. It does look like I am going to have to destroy the crank to get it off without damaging the main gear.

Boy, do I wish I could afford a nice Rolleiflex that has already been serviced by someone really good at it. Not it is not that the Yashica-Mat will not take good photos, nor that they seem to have problems. It is just that in my old age I would rather have something that works, and is worth the effort and cost to repair. If you buy a $200 Rolleiflex Automat, and put $150 into it, you have a $300 camera. With the Yashica-Mat you buy a $75 camera, put $150 into it, and you have a $100 camera.

[Seawolf66]

Originally Posted by Jgolden

my first medium format camera was a yashicamat tlr, bought it a several years ago off the auction site for 48.00 shipped, it was a great camera. i never had any issues with mine, i think i had it for around 5 years, i say with MF prices being what they are, buy another one or look into a mamiya c330, they are a great system, only tlr with interchangeable lenses i believe.

go to the Mamiya system C-330 their a great camera or find yourself a 1937 or 1939 Rollie TLR like I did great camera:

[tomrit]

Used to have a Mamiyaflex C33. Not where I want to go today. Too big, and heavy. I simply want a highgrade snapshot camera. Of course, as mentioned in other threads, I do have a couple of decent 6x6 folding cameras to use.