Yashica LM TLR

[PhilipHowe]

Hi, I've been offered a Yashica LM TLR and wondered if anyone had any advice on what to look for on the camera and any general advice.
The guy thinks it works, but hasn't tried any film in it. The light meter appears to work, the only thing that doesn't is B mode.

Thanks.

[John]

It's a good camera from its day and one advantage for you might be the flash synch at all speeds. The viewfinder is reversed left to right, so action shots would be difficult. The fact that B doesn't work indicates a shutter fault, and the shutter is likely to be very slow anyway. An overhaul might be needed, which is probably possible, but the repair houses that do this can be quite slow.

For one in pristine condition I wouldn't pay more than £30-£40 these days, and for one with a fault I wouldn't pay anything. So somewhere between nil and £20 I think, depending on how much you want it!

Hope that helps!

[Alan Duckworth]

I had two Yashika Twin Lens Reflex over the years, and they both suffered from sticking shutters. They would work for a good while, then the shutter wound refuse to fire. As they were virtually valueless I dismantled them and put them together again, after blowing them gently to remove any dust etc. They would then work for a couple of films then it would start again. When they were working they were superb pieces of equipment, But you never knew when it was going to happen, it just did. It was a good number of years ago. I think I brought them to a club sale and sold them, complete with faults advised, for about a pound each.

[PhilipHowe]

John, Alan, thank you very much. I do have a Cornet TLR, which I've used by making a DIY tunnel out of an old kitchen roll and attaching my macro lens to, such that you get the character of the view lens from the Cornet (scratches and all), with the added instant of digital.

I may pass on this one, but, as you've both hinted, the age of the camera means it won't be ease of use anyway.

Thanks.