Yashica TLR Price Guide
Yashica TLRs are generally more affordable than other TLRs among the top 5 brands. They are solid and built economically, made in Japan. The weight is also generally lighter.
I personally owned 6 yashica TLRs and all of them performed better than expected. Images are sharp, easy to carry and operate, bokens are beautiful (even much much better 5D Mark II with 50mm prime lens).
The yashica 124G is well sought after as it comes with meter, although the battery for the meter is no longer in production. Users can still find some fresh batt in ebay, mostly in HK.
Yashica D is one of my favs, very affordable, light weight and beautiful results. A very quiet baby and you hardly can hear anything when shooting.
I believe that the Yashica TLRs are still a bit undervalued.
Source: Yashica Camera Club
Perhaps up to 70% of Yashica TLR cameras seen for sale today are worth from just $20-$100. These are cameras that, due to their mediocre condition, either cosmetically or mechanically, are not of interest to the serious collector or to someone who wants a great-looking camera and expects to be able to use the camera for producing great images.
A – Immaculate
B – Signs of light use
C – Signs of moderate use
It is assumed that all camera functions are operating correctly. Consider the inclusion of a case, user manual, lenscap etc as a bonus
Reduce price by around $100 for each of the following faults:
Faulty winding mechanism
Slow speeds faulty
Self-timer faulty
Loose lens board
Loose/faulty focus
Significant dent
Bent viewfinder hood
Missing leg on base
Cracked, split, missing leatherette
Engraving
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A
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B
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C
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Pigeonflex
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$700
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$600
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$500
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Yashimaflex
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$1500
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$1300
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$1200
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Yashicaflex, early models
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$250
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$200
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$150
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Yashicaflex, late models
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$300
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$250
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$200
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Yashica A & C
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$250
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$200
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$150
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Yashica B. Grey version add 10%
Molforeflex Yashica Auto |
$1000
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$800
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$600
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Yashica Rookie
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$500
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$400
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$300
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Mat, 635, D, LM, Yashicaflex S
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$350
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$300
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$250
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Mat LM, EM, 12, 24, 124
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$400
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$300
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$200
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Yashica 124G
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$500
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$400
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$300
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Yashica 44, 44A 44LM
For rose or lavender colours add 25% |
$300
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$250
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$200
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Flickr TLR Groups
Places for TLR discussion:
Twin Lens Reflex Group, nearly 12000 members
Minolta Autocord Group, about 400 members
Rolleiflex & Rolleicord, more than 3100 members
Mamiya TLR, nearly 3200 members
Yashica TLR Unlimited, nearly 2500 members
Mamiya Blue Dot Lens, What Do You Think? Worth a Premium?
The blue dot on mamiya tlr lenses is an indicator of the later batch of Mamiya lens. the most common one is the 80mm/2.8 lens, which you can easily find on ebay.
However, many sellers started branding this “blue dot” and selling for a premium of these “blue dots”. Does it really worth a premium?
What do you think?
I did a little bit of research and compiled opinions from a number of mamiya users. Here is what they say.
I’m not entirely sure on the blue dot lenses. I do have a 80/2.8 blue dot lens. It’s nice and sharp and has good resistance to flare. The shutter is very strong compared to my other lenses (including a black, non-blue dot lens).
…. The blue dot may be an indicator of the later model black TLR lenses. It doesn’t necessarily mean they’re better or have a different optical formula. But they’re likely newer than the non blue lenses. So you’re likely looking at a newer, stronger shutter and potentially better coatings. Otherwise, it’s very likely they are the same as the regular black lenses equivalents without the blue dots. – Flickr Pro user
Sometimes the blue dot falls out leaving a recess where it used to go. The blue dot had more to do with marketing than with functional improvement. A more accurate indicator of age is whether the aperture ring has click stops which was phased in during the 1980s. Some blue dot shutters have them and some do not. It is a nice feature. I have several lenses that have the click stops and a recess in the shutter cocking arm for a blue dot but no blue dot. They seem to work fine without it.
The point is that it is far more important to have a lens with good glass and a reliable shutter than a blue dot. – Flicker user
Nothing special about the “blue dot” lenses except that they are just later versions of the black (as opposed to the earlier chrome) versions of the lenses. As far as I know, there is no substantial difference in the mechanical or optical qualities of all the black lens sets. The blue dot on the cocking lever may have some significance to a collector, but no practical difference to the user. I wouldn’t pay a premium for it; but then I buy equipment to use it, not to have it sit on a shelf as a show piece. – Apug Member
Blue-dot doesn’t really mean much. It’s literally just an insert in the shutter mechanics. People believe it signifies something – but I say it’s BS. – Apug subscriber
TLRgraphy 