The Yashica Mat-124G is a very popular 120/220 TLR, one of the last of its line, and often cited as a good entry level camera for MF work.

For more information, see theMF Cameras List Page links to Yashica sites, including an online version of the Yashica Mat124-G manual!

Notes:

See the Yashicamat 124 review for more details on testing procedures and findings. The above table helps explain why so many users find the Yashicamat 124 series cameras to be a good value. Of course, you will have to test your own TLR to evaluate how your particular lens performs, and where it performs at its best.

rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
From: [email protected] (AtpjimB)  
[1] Re: Inexpensive Medium Format?
Date: Sun Mar 08 1998

Hi Jim,

I was in the same situation and ultimately ended up with a Yashica Mat-EM. 
The EM's can be had for well under $200, have a very rudimentary
meter(selenium - works ok outdoors), and most importantly, the same optics
as the 124G's that are selling for $300.  I paid $140( including a cable
release(it takes a nonstandard release for older Leica/Nikon F), UV
Filter, 120 developing tank & reel, and a bunch of other goodies), so I
figure I spent about $100 for the camera - I would have bought the other
stuff anyway).  I got it from a dealer, so I got a 90 day warranty. 

It ought to work well in Europe(I'm taking mine next month).  It only
weighs slightly more than my Maxxum. 

You have probably been there already, but there is a great site on the 
124G at        http://www.geocities.com/y124g/o.html  [updated 12/2000]

Just remember that you can get an EM,LM,12,124 or a plain old MAT for much
less than a 124G. 

If you have any questions about the Yashica, feel free to drop me a line at
[email protected]

Good luck
Jim           

rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
From: "Louie Gonsalves" [email protected]
[1] First time with MF...
Date: Sun Apr 26 1998

Got a Yashica 124G last Friday. Just finished processing the 2 rolls I shot... one TMX, one TMY.

Now I know just how crappy my Tokina zoom for my x-700 is.

The lens on the 124G is nothing but fantastic (at least with B&W - Just loaded a roll of VPS for the color test...) I've read it's a Yashica copy of a Zeiss Tessar, but one local camera dealer (who's been shooting since the '60s) tells me it was indeed made by Yashica - but under liscense from Zeiss. Comments? So far, the lens seems to be quite free of the flare problems attributed to the 124G lens... (I'm starting to think some of those may be cement separation...)

But more than the sharpness, there's something about the quality of the negatives 6x6 has over 35, at least to my eyes (with an el-cheapo 8x loupe and a Radio Shack 30x microscope on a lightbox). The 6x6 looks noticably sharper, of course.. but it's the 'smoothness' in the shades, I dunno - it looks more lifelike. (This is comparing TMX 120 to TMX 35mm, same scene, same exposure, same time). The 6x6 has something lacking from my 35, I call it the 'Speed Graphic' look... it just plain looks smooth.

Not to mention, I took a quick flash pix of the wife, she was reading a magazine... and I can read the article on the negative. With only the 8x. The lettering in the article's body is razor-sharp (shot at f11).

I'm sold on medium format. For good. Next purchase: An enlarger, so I can print the 15+ sheets of 35 (and the soon to grow sheets of 6x6)... (I'm a recent tinkerer with B&W processing)

And after that....

Hassy? Bronica? Pentax? Mamiya? I think's I'll go for the Mamiya RZ, it'll do all three most common MF formats, plus it has a revolving back... but man, them are HEAVY suckers... My next MF box will be used primarily for studio portraiture (whenever I get around to 1- building my business and 2- make enough $$ to get a used or new Mamiya). For now, I'll probably just shoot portraits with the 124G and just crop em up a bit for the final print... the 80mm lens is just kinda short for portraiture, imho..

Comments on the Mamiya lenses versus Zeiss?

Of course, I still lust after a 4x5 Graphic =)
-----

From: [email protected] (JUribe1)
Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
Subject: Re: Auxiliary Lenses for Yashica TLR

Yashica TLR is a wonderful camera the way it is made.Auxiliary lenses will detract to the quality of the Yashinon lens and will serve no purpose.Please just buy a used lens shade and maybe a lens cap,and do not blow your money in auxiliary lenses wich will not work.Love the camera,hate the Auxiliary lens.

[email protected]

From: "David Foy" nomail@this_address.please
Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
Subject: Re: Yashica 124 / 124G differences?
Date: Tue, 09 Jun 1998

Primarily cosmetic. The 124-G is all black, whereas the 124 is chrome and black. The "G" stands for "gold" and indicates gold plating on the meter switch contacts, which increases their reliability a little. I also understand the meter circuitry was updated in the G. But that's about it. Same body, same optics, same operations, and the same bright, easy-to-use viewfinder screen.

From: [email protected] (Peter Mikalajunas)
Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
Subject: Re: YashicaMat 124G results?
Date: Wed, 17 Jun 1998

On 17 Jun 1998 02:45:13 GMT, [email protected] (FOR7) wrote:

>I shoot 35mm with pro level lenses and am happy with my results as I do not
>blow up beyond 8x12 and use a tripod and slow fine grained film when possible
>with it.My question is will I see a marked/dramatic difference in picture
>quality between 35mm at say 8x12 and the YashicaMat 124G ( at it's prime
>apertures of say f8,f11 )at a compareable print size of  say10x10 for the 6x6
>format? I have some occasional needs for bigger blowups and am wondering if the
>YashicaMat would serve well. It's one lens would be just fine for the use I
>have planned but I would use it even more so if it showed a marked/dramatic
>difference when compared with 35mm even at the enlargemnets stated above.
>Thanks in advance.

I had a Yashica years ago, gave it away and just recently purchased another. I used to shoot a lot of chromes with 35mm. I loaded the Yashica with slide film and started shooting. The results amazed me. From then on, any time I wanted to enlarge to 16x20 I used the Yashica. While it is not and never was a top-end MF, it more than fills the job for occasional use. For the sort of work you describe, it will be a good investment.

From Medium Format Digest:
From: Ken Rockwell [email protected]
Subject: Response to Yashicamat 124G coated lens?
Date: 1999-01-28

I had a 124G.

The lens is single coated, which is all that is needed due to it's simple (4 element, 3-group) construction.

No, the Yashica lens has nothing to do with Zeiss, however the lens is a copy of the Tessar lens invented by Paul Rudolph about a hundred years ago, and I think Dr. Rudolph worked at Zeiss at the time.

Date: Wed, 6 Oct 1999
From: "S. Arterberry" [email protected]
Subject: Re: [Rollei] Non Rollei: Advice needed

I bought a 124G in nearly new condition 5 years ago at a camera show for $85. It is an excellent camera. Look for the yashinon lens, though. Other lenses were used with these cameras, and are generally inferior to the yashinon. I use mine in situations where i do not want to put a Rolleiflex at risk, such as on a bicycle, or at the ocean. For my $85 investment, if I lose, or seriously damage the camera, I will not lose much sleep since it has given me back far more than it cost.

....

Fromthe Rollei List:
Date: Wed, 6 Oct 1999
From: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [Rollei] Non Rollei: Advice needed

In a message dated 10/6/99 11:09:37 PM, you wrote:

I'm thinking about picking up a good used Yashica 124G and I wanted some advice about it if anyone has any experience with this camera?

I have had several over the years. They varied in quality. Some were okay, some were trouble-prone. The "best" were 124Gs. I used them because they were cheap (then), but I never fully trusted them. The only on the job TLR breakdown I ever experienced was with one. But they produced professionally acceptable results when they worked, and to be fair, that was most of the time.

First of all, I heard that it is a good inexpensive TLR. Any comments? How does it compare to some of the Rollei's? What would it compare to if any?

If you can get a good, clean sample, it will perform adequately. The lens can be equal to the Tessar/Xenar to be found on older Rolleiflexes and 'cords, heresy to some, but that has been my experience, acquired with numerous TLRs, Rollei and others. The 124 G has the advantages of a decent light meter and 220 film capabilities, compared to similar Rolleis. OTOH, 'flexes have an "auto" film loading setup and can be focused at eye level while using the sports finder, features lacking on the Y'mat. Rollei build quality is much superior.

What are any problems should I look for in these camera's? Anything I have to watch out for?

Every one I owned (4, actually) had one or more episodes of the film wind and shutter release locking up, a $50-60 repair. There are numerous openings for dust and debris to enter the mechanism. The MX flash synch switch is easily moved, and if it is on M when using electronic flash, your photographs will not come out. If you get a Y'mat, make sure the switch is anchored before using the flash. I used a bit of cardboard wedged into the slot. The red lines in the viewfinder ground glass, useful for leveling, are for a 35 mm adapter no longer available and don't make sense in the 124 G. I find them mildly annoying. Rollei has thinner black lines that work much better and are less obtrusive.

What is a good price for one of these cameras? Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated! TIA, Chris

A good price would be $85. A realistic price would be $150-200. Any more than that and you should shop for a Rolleiflex, IMHO a superior and more reliable camera.

I hope this helps.

From Rollei List:
Date: Wed, 6 Oct 1999
From: Godfrey DiGiorgi [email protected]
Subject: [Rollei] re: non-Rollei: Advice needed

I learned photography on a '38 Rolleiflex Automat and foolishly gave the camera as a keepsake of my grandfather to my uncle about 1974. He promptly sold it, which irritated me no end. I wanted another TLR and bought a new YashicaMat 124G in 1982 for $150, mail order.

The 'Mat is a decent camera, at least the earlier ones. The screen is a little dark, the CdS meter isn't superb, the early 4 element Yashinon lens is pretty good. There's a lot of plastic in it and it feels somewhat crude compared to a Rolleiflex. I bought a Rolleiflex 3.5 MX-EVS kit for $100 in 1983 and immediately sold the Yashica. It's like comparing a Rolls Royce with a Chevrolet: you can see the difference in the negatives immediately: Tessar or Xenar, the Rolleiflex is a far better camera.

It seemed that towards the end of the line Yashica cut costs on the 'Mat a lot. I believe they went to a cheaper 3 element lens and further pushed them down the road to extinction. A friend of mine who has the 'Mat as well as Minolta Autocord and Ricohflex says that of the three, the Autocord is the best. Finding service for these cameras is possible but parts are getting hard to come by.

I sold the MX-EVS in the early '90s but found I couldn't stand being without a Rolleiflex, so I found an MX for $225 and fitted it with a Maxwell screen and had it serviced. The result is a camera which is far far better than the YashicaMat.

Godfrey

From Rollei List:
Date: Wed, 6 Oct 1999
From: Tony Zoccolillo [email protected]
Subject: Re: OT: Yashicas (was...[Rollei] re: non-Rollei: Advice needed)

Actually, it was the early Yashica TLR's that had the 3 element lenses. The Yashimaflex had a Tri-Lausar lens and the Yashica A, B, C and D's that had the 3-element Yashikor lens. The D's changed to 4-element Yashinon at some point in production according to some owners I've spoken with. I think the Yashica EM and LM had Yashinons and the 635 had a Yashikor. The early Yashicamats had a Lumaxor (or something like that) lens that is, I've been told, are 4-element lens but I haven't been able to confirm it. From then on all Yashicamats had 4-element Yashinons (except maybe the Yashica E which I have no info on). The 124G was supposed to be better than the Yashica Mat-124 with the addition of gold plated meter switch contacts.

I had a 124G as my first TLR and I paid $99 for it. It was a nice camera capable of good sharpness at f/8, though it was a bit prone to excess flair in backlight situation. I completely agree with the comparisons to the Automats...definitely Chevys to Rolls. (I must say, my Monte Carlo has been a damn good car.)

At the $250 or higher price tags I see, I'd rather own an Automat MX. If you find an Yashicamat or the Yashica D, 12 or 24 for under $100, it's worth grabbing. (A TLR I'd really love to get my hands on is the Olympus Flex B I with a 6-element 75mm f/2.8 Zuiko taking lens....I've yet to see one for sale.)

regards,
Tony Zoccolillo

From The Rollei List!
Date: Fri, 8 Oct 1999
From: Jay Kumarasamy [email protected]
Subject: Re: [Rollei] Yashinon lenses

Yashikor was a 3-element lens.

Yashinon was a 4-element lens.

- Jay

.....

rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
From: "Jeff Rester" [email protected]
[1] Re: Yashicamat Lenses
Date: Fri Dec 31 1999

Joe,

The Yashicamat uses Bay I mount filters and close up lenses. Yashica made close up filters along with several other companies (Sun, Spiratone, Vivitar). I own two pairs (+1 and +3) of Rolleinar close up filters for my Yashicamat. They are made by Rollei, and I think that their quality is superior to the others. The top viewing filter has built in paralax correction. Try checking on ebay for filters and additional lenses. That is where I bought mine. They usually sell for $30-50, although I bought my +3 for $14. Good luck.

Jeff

Date: Mon, 01 Nov 1999
Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
From: flyboy803 [email protected]
Subject: Re: Yahsicmat 124G

I'm really not trying to offend anyone here, but what some believe is the going price for a 124G isn't quite right...maybe some are remembering what this camera sold for the last time you saw one in your local shop, which could be as recently as a year ago...but the reality of the 124G is that it has gotten seriously overpriced, mostly due to the silly amounts people are paying on eBay for them...it's not at all uncommon to see one sell for over $500 at auction...

And this is trickling down, slowly but surely...several reputable on-line camera sellers are asking more and more for the 124G, and not necessarily because they are trying to gouge customers...my local shop dude told me he'll have to start cranking his prices up because he'll now have to pay more, whether in cash or trade...he sold me the last reasonably priced one he had about two months ago...paid $150 for camera, case, strap, lens hood, battery, and set of close-up filters...and it even has a working meter, which isn't typical at all...the camera is, I'd say, an eight...now, the reason I got this price was that it was my good fortune to be dealing with an honest guy, and he charged what he did based on what he had paid...he further tells me that if I were buying a 124G from him today, he'd probably be asking $250 minimum, and considering the accessories mine came with, it might be more like $300...asking him to speculate further, he went on to say that he could see asking $400-500 if he had one mint in the box...

Yashica made many TLRs, so don't confuse some other models with the 124G...whether this rig is worth it or not, and I really don't think it is, it has at least doubled in price over the last year...but I really need to tell anyone considering a 124G this; it takes remarkably sharp pictures...the Yashinon 3.5 is one hell of a lens...

From: [email protected]
Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
Subject: Re: Yashica 6x6 advice needed
Date: Wed, 03 May 2000

The 124G has a baffle in the film chamber, gold plated contacts for the meter, a black professional finish and lower quality gears in the film wind system. The 124 has the older style of chrome finish, heavier gears in the film wind sytem. The meters, shutters, lenses, etc.. are identical.

karl

Date: Thu, 02 Nov 2000
From: [email protected] (Bob Tenney)
Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
Subject: Re: Where can I get Stuff for a Mat 124G

"Dave Lund" [email protected] wrote:

>Does anyone know where I find the following goodies for my Yashica 124G.  I
>just bought the camera and it works great, but I could use:
>
>1) a lens cap
>2) batteries
>3) a case
>4) a lens hood
>5) filters
>
>Thanks.... Dave

Camera Depot (camera-depot.com) sells most of these items brand new and _cheap_. The lens cap and lens cover I ordered from them are made in India. The hood is aluminum, a bit rough to put on, but if worst comes to worse (say it gets hit) I actually like the idea that it would break befor my camera. $14.95. As for the plastic lens cap what can you say? Covers the lenses, stays on, $6.95, uh huh, yep...

They also have other stuff you don't usually new new- rearlens covers and body caps for Leica screw mount for example. Haven't tried those myself.

Date: 10 Jan 2001
From: [email protected] (Brian Reynolds)
Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
Subject: Re: Battery for Yashica 124G

B.B. Bean [email protected] wrote:

>I have an old Yashica 124G - Do I need an MR-9 to use Alkaline
>batteries? Yashica says the PX625A will work fine, but the manual I
>have says it requires a mercury battery. What do you say?

I use a MR-9 Battery Adapter from CRIS Camera Services URL:http://www.criscam.com/ with a V76PX battery in my Yashica Mat-124G. The meter and this battery/adapter combinatino checked out OK when I sent the camera off for repair a while ago.

--
Brian Reynolds

From: [email protected]
Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
Subject: Re: Yashica-mat LM question
Date: Sat, 27 Oct 2001 

"The Dave(c)" [email protected] wrote:

>I'm taking my first steps into MF.  I have been reading this ng for several
>months and have learned alot.  I also found some very good MF webpages that
>were quite helpful.
>
>When I found out that it doesn't cost my first born to get into MF I got
>excited about the prospect.  I don't have much money so I got on eBay and
>found a Yashica-mat LM.  I fully intend to buy up later, but I thought this
>would be a good way to get in.  I have not yet received it, but do have some
>very basic questions.
>
>First:  I don't know how to load it.  Can someone give me some basic
>instructions or direct me to a resource?

  Here is the excellent J Harper page on the 124G model:
http://www.geocities.com/y124g/front.html

  The LM is a basic YashicaMat with a light meter. They all load the
same way. You will need a second 120 film reel for the take-up spool,
which you could get for free at any lab that processes 120 film.
  The camera has two spool locks on the side. Pull these out and turn
them so that they stay in place. 120 film has a folded leader tongue,
which you slide into a slot on the take-up spool. The standard method
is to load and lock the film spool first, then load in the take-up
spool at the top. I do it backwards, but either way you should learn
to load the camera without much effort.

>Second:  I'm going to order some film this weekend.  Should I go ahead and
>get some Fuji Velvia and/or Provia, or should a buy some cheaper stuff to
>"practice" with?

  I'd try color print film or black & white before the chromes. Slide
film requires accurate metering, and since you're not yet sure about
the meter go with prints to start. Go to slides when you become more
familiar with the camera and want a true test of meter accuarcy.

>Third:  Does this camera have interchangable backs?  That's one of the
>coolest concepts about MF.  It seems so obvious to me that I'm surprised
>35mm doesn't do it.
 
  No interchangeable backs. The early Yashicamats use 120 film, the
635 uses 35mm and 120, the 24 model uses 220 film, and the 124 and
124G models can use both 120 and 220.

>Fourth: The meter is supposed to work, but I'm thinking about using my Canon
>Rebel for metering, if it does not.  Do I have to have film in the Canon, or
>can I just re-set the ISO and meter for the MF then set the Canon back when
>I use it?

  Some folks do this, but you should think about getting a hand held
meter. There is no need to haul around both formats if you're only
planning to shoot 120. The battery for the LM meter has been outlawed,
so a meter that uses current batteries will be useful as you move up
to larger camera systems.

  Here's another page:

http://people.smu.edu/rmonagha/mf/yashica66.html


From: Lassi [email protected]
Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
Subject: Re: New Rollei TLR
Date: Sat, 27 Oct 2001 

Martin Jangowski wrote:
> 
> Train Man [email protected]> wrote:
> > I just purchased a Rolleiflex Automat 4 TLR, SN 1276997. How do I tell
> > what type of Bayonet filters etc to purchase (bay1, bay2, bay3)? The
> > taking lens is a Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar with a red T (if that means
> > anything)... With the Bay1 to 49mm atapter fit this camera? I don't want
> > to spend the $20 to find out it won't.
> 
> All f3.5 Tessar/Xenar/Triotar Rolleis have the Baj I, the Rolleiflex A with
> a 2.8 Tessar and all f3.5 Planar/Xenotar Rolleis have Baj II and all
> 2.8 Planar/Xenotar Rolleis have Baj III. You'll need the plentiful
> available Baj. I filters.
> 
> Martin

The Japanese TLR manufactures also used the same bayonet and called it
B30, because the filter diameter is 30mm. AFAIK, the red T just means
the lens is coated, like any other after-WW2 lens.

Judging by the serial number, the camera should celebrate its 50th
birthday just about now. Lots of other Rollei trivia is available at
your nearest search engine :-)

-- Lassi



Subject: Re: Yashica 124 Lens Hood>?
From: "JeffW." [email protected]>
Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
Date: Sat, 11 Aug 2001 

Three options:

1. Bay 1 to 49mm adapter and a 49mm screw on hood.

2. Watch for Hoya or Tiffen Bay 1 hoods (and others). I bought mine for $8.

3. Watch for a Kodak series 5 or 6 Bay 1 adapter and use Series 5/6 filters
and hoods.

JeffW.
> What's the deal with these? They only accept the orig.?
> 
> I would much rather not pay the inflated $50+ eBay prices
> if their is an alternative...
> 
> 
> MKT


From Rollei Mailing List:
Date: Sat, 09 Mar 2002 
From: Cliff Travis [email protected]
Subject: [Rollei] Yashica

Hi,

Seeing all of the coments on yashicas prompts the Following:
Over the years I have bought and sold many Yashica TLRs They filled a void
and became quite expensive and much sought after only after manufacturing
ceased.

I found that they have  BRIGHT focusing Screens and that the Yashinon (4
element) lenses produced Professionally. Wedding photographers loved them.
However they had at least one mechanical weakness of which I am aware.  A
relatively light bang on the right side of the lens focusing mount could
bend the cocking mechanism out of shape. Otherwise they could hold their
own against a SIMILARLY PRICED Rollei. I will buy any reasonably priced
(Wholesale) 124G or 124 that I can find.

Cliff

All Seasons Camera
Cliff Travis
5 Harvard Lane PO Box 111
Hastings on Hudson, NY 10706
[email protected]




From Rollei Mailing List:
Date: Fri, 08 Mar 2002 
From: Richard Knoppow [email protected]
Subject: Re: [Rollei] Yashica

...
 Having had a Yashica when they were new I am not so sure the glass was
that bad. There were a couple of lenses used, one a good quality Tessar
type, which I think would not be inferior to the Tessar and Xenar lenses
used in Rolleis. Someone would have to find a working camera to test this.
The shortcoming of Yashicas was mechanical softness. If used as a snap shot
camera it would probably last forever.

  Another camera used as a "throw away" was Pentax. They had excellent
optical performance and were well designed for use, but not particularly
long lived. Press photographers would use them until they wore out and
replace them.

  Keep in mind that this was common practice even with Speed Graphics. One
would trade the camera in for a new one every couple of years.

----
Richard Knoppow
Los Angeles, CA, USA
[email protected]



From Rollei Mailing List:
you wrote:

>Who in the world used a Yashicas a press camera?  Other than Jim
>Hemenway for his high school newspaper in the late 50s?

During the early to mid '60s, Y'mats were commonly used by daily newspaper
photo staffs and some of the services.

>IM notso HO, Yashicas are fine for B&W, but for color the Yashica optics
>can't match Leica, Zeiss or Schneider glass.

My test results showed no real differences between Yashinons and Xenars in
either color or B&W  Planar and Xenotars tested superior, although that was
primarily at apertures wider than f8-11.  Yashinons were more variable in
manufacture, though, so I can understand that someone who drew a mediocre
sample might conclude thay were generally inferior.  I never trusted Y'mat
mechanicals, however.  Rollei is so much better.  I don't miss the Yashicas
at all.

Allen Zak
[Ed. note: thanks! to Alan for sharing these tips and notes on film - 120 vs. 220...]
Date: Thu, 24 May 2001 
From: Alan Davenport [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Yashica 24 and 120 film

There's a common conception, that TLR's such as the 124G, with an adjustable
pressure plate, are moving the focal plane of the system to accommodate either
120 or 220 film, depending on the position chosen.  This is wrong.

The film's emulsion is positioned by the nicely machined guide rails on either
side of the picture area.  The guides are fixed, and so the position of the emulsion
is fixed.  By a remarkable coincidence, this location coincides with the groundglass
in such a way that both lenses will be in perfect focus at the same time.

The reason for the adjustable pressure plate, is to adjust the pressure (!) against
the back of the film.  This is to compensate for the different thickness of 120 film,
which also includes a paper backing, vs. 220 film which has no backing but only
paper leaders that tape to each end of the film.  Presumably, changing the pressure
ensures that the film will remain flatter, between the guide rails.

Here's the reality:  I own a Yashica 24, serial no. L5121415.  I have owned this camera
since 1973.  It has start marks for BOTH 120 and 220 film.  I have run many rolls of both
120 and 220 film through it, and never had a focus problem (at least not caused by the
camera!)  The Yashica-24 uses 120 film perfectly.

Alan Davenport
[email protected]



[Ed. note: thanks to Dan Andrews for this tip!]
Date: Sun, 25 Mar 2001 
From: Dan Andrews [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: YashicaMat 124-G

Great web site!  I have a tip, and a question:

If you travel a lot, and if you visit photo shops when you travel, keep
your eyes peeled for older Yashicas.  I recently bought a Yashicamat
124-G for $100 in Cairo, which is a lot lower than I expected.

Of course, one risk you take with buying overseas is that there may be
no guarantees, and you really need to know the equipment, or be willing
to have the camera services by someone back home.

Which brings me to my question ... who services Yashicas in the US,
Canada, or the UK?  The Yashica I bought works great in every respect
except the cable-shutter-release mechanism is broken, and only manually
releasing the shutter works.  I'd like to have it looked at sometime.

Thanks,

Dan Andrews


From: [email protected] (KFritch)
Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
Date: 09 May 2002 
Subject: Re: yashica mat 124, flash for it?


Your MAT124 does not have a hot shoe?  For some reason or other, I thought they
did.  Silly me.  You have a number of options.

1.  Vivitar 283/85 or similar.  These are fairly large, heavy flashes and
should be used with a mounting bracket.  This will all run more than the camera
unless you luck into good used equipment.

2.  Smaller electronic flashes that comfortably fit to the side of your camera
- consult with your local camera store as to current brands - I still use a
long out of production Toshiba a little larger than a pack of cigarettes that
produces enough for most situation.

3.  If you have a lot of old bulbs available to you (I do), then an old
Honeywell Tilt-a-Mite will do very well.  They can be had for almost nothing
but batteries are not inexpensive and you need to make sure they have a
functioning capacitor.  M-2 and  M-3 bulbs are ideal with these.  (If you don't
already have a large or cheap supply of these, forget about it.

The real question is, how much use for a flash do you think you will have?  If
it will see heavy use, then get something like a 283 with bracket.  If rare
usage and not too much power required, then consider a smaller, less expensive
on camera flash.

I use all three of systems I have suggested above depending upon what I'm
shooting and how much stuff I want to carry around.  Find your comfort level
and go with it.


From: "roland.rashleigh-berry" [email protected]
Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
Subject: Re: Yashica-Mat 120 Question
Date: Tue, 29 Oct 2002 


I read at the link below that the Lumaxar was made in Germany specially for
the Yashica mat-124G and is an improvement on the Yashinon. It was made to
Yashica specs and so is probably a Tessar design like the Yashinon.

http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=001I3X

...



From: "kab" [email protected]
Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
Subject: Re: Yashica Mat 124 (G)
Date: Sat, 02 Nov 2002

The 124G (besides the GOLD contact for the meter) has a baffle in the film
chamber and the latter versions are famous for the wind mechanism sounding
like a coffee grinder and are prone to winding failure.  The 124 is a much
better built camera with quality metal parts.

regards,
karl

> "roland.rashleigh-berry" [email protected] wrote 
> > The 124 is of a slightly less solid build. The "G" on the 124G is for "gold"
> > as in gold contact. It makes a better connection with the meter when the
> > hood is lifted. Apart from that, they are similar.


From: [email protected] (Karl Winkler)
Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
Subject: First MF Gallery added to site...
Date: 17 Nov 2002

For those interested, I've posted a new gallery to my site, of photos
taken with an old Yashica-Mat TLR. Using this camera has shown me the
"light" and I'm starting to invest in a real SLR system.... No
comparison at any size reproduction, in IMHO, between 35mm and 120.

But you knew that...

-Karl
http://pages.cthome.net/karlwinkler


From: [email protected] (Kamox)
Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
Subject: Re: Newbie seeking advice...
Date: Thu, 28 Nov 2002 

>How would a cheap Yashica 6x6 medium format TLR camera compare with my
>Canon EOS 600 35mm outfit.  For portrait and landscape photography?

It would be MUCH better. I actually own "a cheap Yashica 6x6 medium format TLR
camera" (paid 200 euros for it)
and the difference is astonishing. However, I only use professional film with
the Yashica (mostly Kodak Portra 160 NC).

Just to give you an idea, in a 13x13cm print (5 and-a-half inch) you can
perfectly distinguish the structure
of a high-tension pylon just 3 millimeters wide on the print. I can't shoot
portraits at optimal apertures
(f/11 and f/16 for the Yashica Mat 124G) as the excessive detail would make the
skin seem older: every single
wrinkle is recorded on the film... you can't see this even with a Summicron in
35mm format. And we're talking
about a cheap lens. Imagine using a Mamiya or a Zeiss lens!

Bye,

Kamox.



From: "roland.rashleigh-berry" [email protected]
Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
Subject: Re: Yashica Mat 124 (G)
Date: Thu, 31 Oct 2002


The 124 is of a slightly less solid build. The "G" on the 124G is for "gold"
as in gold contact. It makes a better connection with the meter when the
hood is lifted. Apart from that, they are similar.

"Steve Barker" [email protected] wrote 
> I forgot what the difference between the Mat 124 and the Mat 124G was / is.
> I remember we had a 124G in high school and was a pretty fair camera. I've
> got a 635 and am thinking about putting another TLR on board.


From: "Sandor A. Feher" [email protected]
Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
Subject: Re: Yashica 124 good starter?
Date: Wed, 26 Feb 2003


Two week ago I went into town. Dropped in into the camera store. They had
a Yashicamat 124G in mint condition. I knew instantly that I "must" have
this camera.
I did buy it for $250.00. Great price for great shape.
I put the camera side by side against my Rollei 6008i with the very same
80mm lens. Took identical photos on Agfa chrome and IMO one could not tell
the difference between the images. Of course the Yashica will have
limitation but for a beginner it is a great MF camera to learn composition,
and as said before move away or get closer to get the shot.
The light meter is weak on the Yashica but it will be good for negative
work, the prints will look great. For slides either have a good reliable
meter or to be familiar with the "sunny 16" rule.
...


From: [email protected] (Argon3)
Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
Date: 26 Feb 2003 
Subject: Re: Yashica 124 good starter?

One of the limitations of the Yashica (or any TLR, basically) is that you're
stuck with one focal length. Okay...the Mamiya TLR system is the exception.
You can search for tele and wide auxilliary sets but they seem to me to be
scarce and relatively costly.

Years ago I picked up a book which was titled, "How to be positive about the
negative" (forget the author) in which the author recommended the procurement
of a TLR as a basic camera and then went on to give you a good basic course on
how to control contrast through processing. The salient point here is that his
take on the "one focal length problem" was simple: if the image is too small in
the viewfinder, get closer, if it is too large, back up. 

Now some of you might be saying "duh..." but if you think about it this is
still sound advice. It's great to have a medium format SLR with several lenses
but you can do some great things with a simple camera. Historically speaking
think about how many classic photos were made by people in the same
circumstances.

argon


From: "Bob & Linda Flood" [email protected]
Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
Subject: Re: Yashica 124 good starter?
Date: Wed, 26 Feb 200

> I see several of these on ebay for around $150. Are the Yashica 124 TLR's
> any good as a starter camera?
>
Sure are. But, like anything else, there are limitations.

First and foremost, it won't have interchangeable lenses. You can find wide
angle and telephoto supplemental lenses that attach to the bayonet mount on
the front of the lenses, but the effect is mild (not VERY wide angle or VERY
telephoto). The optical quality of these supplemental lenses isn't up to
good 35 mm standards, but adequate given the large negative size.

There are basically two lenses available - Yashikor and Yashinon. The
Yashikor lens is a triplet (3 element) lens - it is quite sharp in the
center, with less sharpness at the edges. The edge sharpness improves
significantly when the lens is stopped down to f8.

The Yashinon is a Tessar-type design, 4 elements, and has better edge to
edge sharpness, especially when wide open.

My Yashica D has been as reliable as a brick for over a decade, and I
especially like the location of both the focus and film advance on the right
side, allowing me to hold the camera with my left and operate all the
controls with my right - no changing hands. In case it isn't incredibly
obvious, that's a personal preference.

Frankly, the next step up in optical quality is a Rolleiflex, at
substantially more money. A Yashica is a very good value for the money.

Good luck.

Bob in Las Vegas


From: Norm Fleming [email protected]
Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
Subject: Re: Yashica 124 good starter?
Date: Thu, 27 Feb 2003 

I have a 124 G which is a great camera and will serve you well.

I would say, however, that this model is now rather overpriced.

There are some alternative TLRs out there that you can buy for peanuts that
may get you going just as well.

e.g. I have a Flexaret VI, made in Czechoslovakia by Meopta. Absolutely
solid and heavy top build quality and excellent 4-element Tessar type lenses
(equivqlent to the Yashinons of Yashica 124s) that takes sharp and contrasty
photographs.

Even more basic is my old Graflex 22, with a simple Cooke triplet Graftar
lens, which is supposed to be useless, but performs beautifully at f8 and
smaller. Again, built like a tank, and particularly attractive in the gray
leather/stainless steel version which has proved to be a conversation starter
on many occasions.

You might also consider a 6x6 folder such as the Zeiss Nettar - excellent
performance, reasonable cost , dead simple to use and folds up nice and
small.

Whatever you wind up with I'm sure you'll get hooked on med format.

Enjoy

Norm Fleming

DH wrote:

> I see several of these on ebay for around $150. Are the Yashica 124 TLR's
> any good as a starter camera?


From: [email protected] (David Smith)
Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
Subject: Re: Yashica 124 good starter?
Date: 1 Mar 2003 

> I see several of these on ebay for around $150. Are the Yashica 124 TLR's
> any good as a starter camera?

Hello,

I took my Yashica D out the other night and piggybacked it top my
telescope. Set the fstop to f5.6 Sighted on Orion and surrounding
milky way. Focused at/near infinity, and exposed for over five
minutes. Kodak Porta 400 The mount was a tracking mount and I did a
fair polar alignment.

The stars were pinpoint almost completely to the edges. I was lucky
and had no star trailing or field rotation. No sky fogging. (It was
black out there) I was impressed enough to have my local pro lab
enlarge to 16"X16" Can't wait til I get the print.

My observation is that my Yashinon 80 f3.5 lens is very good. The
viewfinder is pretty good at focusing and framing in the dark. Better
than an SLR. The Yashica's are simple to use and all in all an
excellent medium format TLR camera. I paid over $100 for my Yashica
because it was in mint condition. I could find no sign of use so I
overpaid. Big deal. Great camera. You will need a light meter.

David Smith



From: Richard R. Johnson 
Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
Subject: Re: Yashica Mat 124 Repair
Date: Sun, 06 Jul 2003 

"Sean" [email protected] wrote:
>There is a ebay seller "richertd" who occasionally resells 124s that have
>been repaired and cla'd. The work is done by a gentleman in Atlanta, who
>used to work on the Yashica Production line. I know he has a web site, but
>for the life of me I cannot find the link (too many computers, too many
>rebuilds).
>
>Sorry I couldn't be more help, but if you really want it fixed, he could
>probably do it.
You're probably thinking of:

Mark Hama Ltd.
2675 Earl Dr.
Marietta, GA 30062
Tel. 770-565-1498
Fax 770-977-5078
email: [email protected]


From: William Garrett [[email protected]] 
Sent: Fri 11/21/2003 
To: Monaghan, Robert 
Subject: Yashica MAT124G

I have instruction manuals available for $7.50 for the Yashica MAT124G. They are NOT photo copies like 
I got from Yashica! These are scanned from original manual and presented in Adobe PDF format. 
Via e-mail from [email protected]. I accept PayPal internationally. I would appreciate a link on your 
Medium Format Articles Page. 

Respectfully, 
William R. Garrett 


From: [email protected] (UncaMikey)
Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
Subject: Re: Yashica Mat 124G jammed advance lever
Date: 23 Dec 2003

"Tom" [email protected] wrote 
> Seems
> that the shutter release button doesn't do whatever it is supposed to do to
> tell the wind lever that it is ok to advance the film. If I tap on the
> shutter release button, eventually it will release the "anti double
> exposure" lock.

Excellent! I just tried that, tapped away for about 5 minutes and was
about to give up, but then it started working again, perfectly.

Thanks for the quick and very helpful response!


From: [email protected] (Ralf R. Radermacher)
Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
Subject: Re: Yashica Mat 124G Vs Rolleicords
Date: Tue, 23 Dec 2003 

Larry R Harrison Jr [email protected] wrote:

> Anyway, as Yashica Mat 124G seem to be the newest twin-lens-reflexes made
> (not counting the Seagulls, which probably don't rate), I was curious--what
> is the consensus concerning the quality of those cameras vs a vintage
> Rolleicord from the early-mid 60s?

Peoples' apparaisals of the Mat should be taken with a gran of salt. My
own experience with the three I've owned shows that the optical quality
varies a lot.

I've had one which has downright naff, one which was quite decent but
nothing to shout about and one with the second-sharpest 80 mm lens I've
ever used, only exceded by my 80 mm Schneider Xenotar which goes for
twice as much as a whole Mat.

Ralf
--
Ralf R. Radermacher - DL9KCG - K�ln/Cologne, Germany
private homepage: http://www.fotoralf.de



From: "Glendon" [email protected]
Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
Subject: Re: Yashica Mat 124G Vs Rolleicords
Date: Mon, 22 Dec 2003

"G. Huang" [email protected] wrote 
> I have both a Rolleicord and a Yashica 124G. I do tend to use the
> Yashica more for two reasons. The built-in meter is convenient and more
> accurate than I can ever estimate.

Yup.

The shutter release button is a
> better design than the swinging lever on the Rollei in my opinion. I
> tend to cause more horizontal camera movement with the Rollei release.

Fit a screw in button release to the cord cable release...solves that
problem....some people's fingers do seem to jerk more when pushing a lever
rather than a button (mine included), but its all mind over matter. Its a
standard thread, so most buttons will fit.

> On the other hand, the Rollei feels smoother with the focusing action.

Yup. I played with friend's cords and mats before going for a cord....just a
better feel allround, better feel of quality and robustness, and used there
is not much difference between the price of late model cords and mats. And I
think the late model cord Xenar lens wins out comfortably.

Just my views


From: "kabkos" [email protected]
Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
Subject: Re: Yashica Mat 124G Vs Rolleicords
Date: Mon, 22 Dec 2003

Actually the 124G was the only Yashica that had baffling in the film chamber
in an attempt to cut down on reflective light and to increase contrast. The
Yashicas have the same film path problem that the Rolleis do, the film is
bent across a roller prior to going into the film gate. The Autocord and
the Richomatic 225 have multiple baffles and they both have a film path
where the film comes off of the roll into the film gate and it is after the
film gate where the film takes a bend onto the take up spool. This leads to
a much flatter film and a sharper picture. The Ricohmatic 225 and the
Autocords are both very affordable and they last forever. My favorite is
the Ricohmatic because it also has the ability to take 35mm film with the
proper adapter.

regards,
karl
...




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