The before and after on a Yashica Mat 124G I rebuilt last week

Picked up a beat up Yashica Mat 124G at an estate sale for $40. The shutter was stuck, focus was stiff, and the viewing screen looked like someone used it as an ashtray. After a full tear down, cleaning the helical threads, and replacing the light seals, it's like a completely different camera. Has anyone else found that these TLRs clean up way better than you'd expect from the initial look?

2 comments

2 Comments

noah_barnes17d ago

Worth noting that the real hidden value in these beat up Yashicas is the focusing screen - people swap them out for fresnel screens all the time, but the stock one cleans up to be totally usable. Stiff grease on the helical threads usually just needs some heat from a hairdryer to loosen before you try turning it. A full rebuild like this probably doubled or tripled the value even if you don't sell it.

the_skyler17d ago

Honestly, that's a killer find for $40. I gotta ask though, when you were cleaning the helical threads, did you have to deal with any dried up grease that was basically like cement? I've heard those older Yashicas can have that issue and it's a bear to break down without damaging anything.