Yashica-A

Yashica-A - Good Condition | Twin-Lens Reflex (TLR) Camera | Classic Yashimar 80mm f/3.5 Prime Lens

The Yashica-A (S/N: Not specified) is a beautifully simple and robust medium format Twin-Lens Reflex camera that serves as the perfect entry point into the world of 6x6cm square-format photography. Introduced in the late 1950s, this model is prized for its minimalist, fully mechanical design and its signature Yashimar 80mm f/3.5 taking lens. This three-element triplet lens is celebrated for its classic vintage rendering, offering gentle sharpness and a smooth, nostalgic "roll-off" in out-of-focus areas that modern digital sensors cannot replicate. With its bright waist-level viewfinder and nearly silent leaf shutter, the Yashica-A provides a tactile and meditative shooting experience that produces negatives with four times the detail of standard 35mm film.

Key Features

• Classic Yashimar 80mm f/3.5 prime taking lens for soulful, vintage medium format imagery

• Matching Yashimar 80mm f/3.5 viewing lens for bright, top-down ground glass focusing

• Copal shutter with four essential speeds (1/25s, 1/50s, 1/100s, 1/300s) plus Bulb

• Large 6x6cm square negatives on 120 film for superior tonal range and detail

• Fully mechanical operation—no batteries ever required for shooting

• Integrated pop-up magnifier in the waist-level finder for critical focus adjustment

• Durable all-metal body with a timeless black leatherette and chrome aesthetic

Introductory Paragraph The Yashica-A is a masterpiece of functional simplicity. This specific unit features the 80mm focal length, which is widely considered the "standard" view for the 6x6 format, providing a perspective very similar to the human eye. Because it is a Twin-Lens Reflex, you compose and focus through the top lens while the bottom lens captures the image on film, allowing for a constant, uninterrupted view of your subject even during exposure. The Yashica-A is particularly favored by street photographers and portraitists who appreciate its quiet operation and the way it encourages a slower, more considered approach to composition. It is a rugged, honest, and highly rewarding tool for any film enthusiast.

Condition Report Good condition. The camera body shows normal signs of light use and minor cosmetic surface wear consistent with its vintage age. Both the Yashimar 80mm f/3.5 taking lens and viewing lens are optically clear, free from fungus, haze, or significant scratches. The Copal shutter has been tested and fires accurately across all four speeds and Bulb mode. The aperture blades are clean and responsive. The waist-level viewfinder opens and closes correctly, and the ground glass is clear. The film transport and manual focus knobs operate smoothly.

Specialist Note "The Yashica-A is the 'people's TLR.' What I love about this model is that it doesn't overcomplicate the process; it gives you exactly what you need to make great images and nothing you don't. The Yashimar lens has a lovely 'glow' when shot wide open at f/3.5, which is perfect for dreamy portraits, but it sharpens up beautifully at f/8 for landscapes. It’s an incredibly quiet camera—the leaf shutter is barely a whisper—making it one of the best tools for candid street work. For anyone wanting to experience the magic of 120 film without the complexity of a pro-system, the Yashica-A is the perfect companion."

What's Included

• Yashica-A TLR Camera

• Integrated Yashimar 80mm f/3.5 Taking Lens

• Integrated Yashimar 80mm f/3.5 Viewing Lens
  

• [Optional: Mention Leather Case if included]

Technical Specifications

• Camera Type: Twin-Lens Reflex (TLR) Camera

• Film Format: 120 Roll Film (6x6cm)

• Taking Lens: 80mm f/3.5 (Prime Lens)

• Viewing Lens: 80mm f/3.5 (Prime Lens)

• Shutter: Copal Leaf Shutter (1/25s - 1/300s)

• Focus Type: Manual Waist-Level Ground Glass

• Category: 1. Cameras ▸ Twin-Lens Reflex (TLR) Camera

• Battery Type: None (Fully Mechanical)