Yashica is known for their MAT series of tlr like mat-124 and LM. Due to their popularity, these previous yashicas (A, B, C, D, E) can be bought for a mere fraction of a yashicamat 124. Yashica A is the first tlr in the yashica series (yashica has a yashicaflex line before this). Boosting an early 3 element design lens, the yashimar (the yashikor replaced it and eventunally the 4 element yashinon took over in the later tlrs). Shutter speed is limited to just 1/25 to1/300. The built of it is small and very very portable, and with a sync cord / hotshoe, its the perfect tlr for a beginner to try medium format on a budget.
The ground glass is dull and dark with no grids or a split. Film advance is manual using the ruby window, and the shutter must be cocked before each exposure, which isn’t the best thing to take quick shots, but it’ll suffice. The quality of the body is not bad (the worst is a lubitel!) for a camera built on a budget, the japanese do the job well.
All in all, it’s a good camera to start trying medium format. After awhile you’ll know all the bad points of this camera and you will get this. heheh. 
[...] Yashica A [...]
Though I myself don’t own any Yashica, I love the swivel bokeh of all tessar-like lenses!