An 'Estate Sale' purchase

Browsing the 'bay' a few weeks ago for a new TLR to add to the collection (I want to have an example of one from each of the major manufacturers) there was a Yashica-Mat described as 'Estate Sale, good condition, don't know how to test it but all seems to work', followed by some photos of the camera in its case but none of the camera on its own. I should probably have passed on it, but I didn't. What I could see from the photos looked OK so I put in a bid of max $120 not really expecting to get it and was somewhat surprised to win it for $115.

Well it it duly turned up in a rather battered cardboard box with very little packing, so my heart sank a little expecting a wreck. What a surprise, after taking the camera out of its case (which was actually in excellent condition) what appeared was a near mint Yashica Mat. Just a few minor marks (easily cleaned with an alcohol swab) , not a scratch on the paintwork and just one or two dust specks in the lenses, the serial no. makes it a 1970 model. Everything works with just the slow speeds being a bit too slow (will get the camera CLA'd soon to fix that). It is now probably in the best condition of all of my TLR's.

I don't why I bid on this camera with such a vague description but it turned out OK. Not sure if I'll chance my luck again!

Sometimes one gets a feeling that you “must” have it! And, so feeling lucky you go for it - whatever “it” might be! Congratulations on your purchase... the reward for your bold move!

Hi John, I think you'll really like this camera once you get to use it. I've had a Yashica-Mat just like yours (earlier model without meter), for years and it's never disappointed me. Easy to use, compact, light, and the Yashinon lens is a very decent Tessar type. No Rolleiflex, but a nice copy!

Hi Fred,
I'm not sure if it was a 'feeling' but something said go for it. I'm still a bit puzzled as a couple of years ago I purchased a Rollei Automat which was also described as an estate sale, in excellent condition but turned out to be a wreck. Fortunately the glass was good, although it took a lot of $$$ to bring it back to a useable state. I said then I would never do that again. I guess I'm now even, until the next time!!

tessar said:

Hi John, I think you'll really like this camera once you get to use it. I've had a Yashica-Mat just like yours (earlier model without meter), for years and it's never disappointed me. Easy to use, compact, light, and the Yashinon lens is a very decent Tessar type. No Rolleiflex, but a nice copy!

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Hi tessar,
I'm already liking it, cosmetically it is perfect and just waiting for the first roll to come back from processing so I can check for any image issues before it goes for a CLA. It will then join its brother TLR's (Two Rollei Automats (Opton Tessar and Xenar), Rolleicord Va, Minolta Autocord and a Walzflex IIIA.) Next on my list I'll be looking around for a Zeiss Ikoflex Favorit, Olympus Flex or an Art Deco Rolleicord. Of all my TLR's the Minolta Autocord is my favourite followed by the Xenar Automat.

A similar thing happened to me. Someone listed a Yashica D without any photos of the actual camera, just some of the camera in a case in a box. I don't remember what he had it listed at, but I put in an "Or Best Offer" of $35 and won it. When it arrived, it was absolutely pristine. It didn't look as if it had ever been taken out of the case. Not as fancy a camera as your Mat there, but I like it just fine.

It's nice to see folks posting good results from 'taking a chance' on an item in unknown condition. Most of the time, we just see complaining and distrust when a seller without knowledge of an item lists it in such a way.

Congrats! Yashicamats are great cameras. I enjoy shooting mine as much as I enjoy shooting my Rollei.