Gast
So far, I’ve only taken photos with 35mm cameras – various brands (Praktika, Zenit and Canon) – and DSLRs (Canon, Nikon, Fuji). However, as I’ve really taken to analogue black-and-white photography and I love this timeless style of photography, I’d like to get into medium format.
I’ve got my eye on the Yashica Mat-124 G (6x6). What do you think of this camera? What are the known issues, what should I look out for when buying it, or are there better cameras in this price range that you can recommend?
AntiLynd
If you’ve got a bit of patience and perseverance, it should be possible to get hold of a Rolleicord for almost the same price that some people pay for a Yashicamat. I can’t think of any classic quirks, except perhaps the exposure meter. There seem to be considerable variations from camera to camera, as some people complain about it, whilst others even manage to expose slides successfully with it. I’m one of the latter. Otherwise, I’ve never had anything to complain about, apart from the fact that my lens has quite a bit of barrel distortion. Lines that should be perfectly straight become bent (increasingly so towards the edges): | | becomes ( ) — if you get the chance, definitely shoot a test roll. Otherwise, the usual suspects: what are the shutter speeds like? Is the lens perhaps out of alignment? Is the pressure plate out of place? But that applies to every camera anyway...
That’s all from me...
Best regards
Nils.
Gast
As far as I know, the 124G’s light meter is designed to run on mercury batteries. If you use alkaline or silver oxide batteries instead, the light meter will need to be adjusted to account for their higher voltage.
If you have a handheld light meter (which, in my opinion, is the better choice anyway), then you can largely ignore this.
Get yourself a lens hood; the lenses on most twin-lens reflex cameras will thank you for it.
There are wide-angle and telephoto attachments available, but they aren’t exactly top-notch quality, so with the 124G you’re stuck with the 80mm ‘standard focal length’.
That said: it’s a lovely camera, quite light, quiet and takes decent shots. I haven’t noticed any barrel distortion on mine; perhaps a previous owner has fiddled with AntiLynd’s lens?
Make sure you set the pressure plate to the correct setting – that is, 120, as you probably won’t be able to get hold of the thinner 220 film anywhere anyway.
You’ll have to get used to the different perspective of the square image format – but that also has the advantage that you’ll never have to choose between portrait and landscape orientation...
Wolf_XL
...if you're interested in a mint condition Mat 124G – I'm looking to sell mine, as I now own two 'originals' (Rolleiflexes). There's no difference in quality – it's just that the originals feel better... :)
azurlord
First of all, thank you very much for your trouble; I really appreciate it (I signed up a while back; I’m still the one who started this thread).
@Wolf_XL
I’d be up for it straight away at a reasonable price, because unlike eBay, I simply have more confidence in this site. Is the device in good condition, and what price were you thinking of?
Wolf_XL
Hi azurlord,
I've sent you a private message – have a look in your inbox.
komet
I have a Yashica-Mat 124 (not the -G model) and I’m very happy with it. It’s my favourite camera for travelling. Don’t let anyone tell you it’s inferior to a Rolleiflex; in fact, for various reasons, I think it’s even better than a Rolleiflex.
Regards, Anthony
cfb_de
(not the -G version) and I’m very happy with it.
Hello Anthony,
I’m also quite happy with my ‘D’, apart from the Yashinon’s susceptibility to flare. Compared to my Rollei products, some of which are considerably cheaper (!), I’ve never really warmed to the 124-G, though.
Compared to the Flex, it has the charm, feel and sound of a rattling tea caddy.
That’s why I consider the 124-G to be significantly overrated compared to a 3.5 Flex. It’s still a good, capable camera, though. And knowing Wolf, he’ll be asking a reasonable price. Plus, unlike eBay, there’s a greater sense of trust here.
And since the OP has already set his heart on the tea caddy, he should buy it from Wolf and not just anywhere. Buying the Geli lens as well is a must! In my opinion, the Yashinon is every bit as good as a Tessar or Xenar when it comes to stray light sensitivity.
Best regards,
Franz
spotmatic
If you’re looking for a twin-lens camera, you’re better off going for the original. A Rolleicord isn’t much more expensive, but it has the better lens. That said, there aren’t many alternatives in this price range.
the silver ox
cfb_de
Hello Silberochse,
I don’t think the Yashinon is all that bad. It’s just incredibly prone to stray light. But in terms of contrast, sharpness and everything else, it’s certainly on a par with the Xenar on my Cord or the Tessar on my Flex.
Which doesn’t change the fact that on eBay, the old 124G is now selling for more than a Flex, which is mechanically far superior. You can always find a decent automatic model there for under €100, but a decent rattling 124G ‘tea tin’ is a rare find...
Best regards,
Franz
Gast
I’ve got my eye on a Yashica Mat-124 G (6x6). What do you think of it? Are there any known issues, what should I look out for when buying it, or are there any better cameras in this price range that you’d recommend?
Make sure the film advance works properly and accurately. My Yashica is beyond saving in that respect. Now I’m only going to be getting a Cord or a Flex :-)
Regards, Martin
spotmatic
Hi Franz,
Yes, of course the Yashica isn’t bad, but if you want to take photos with a certain technical nostalgia, retro feel – or whatever you want to call it – I’d go for the original. Or a Mamiya C330; at least you can change the lenses on that...
Ebay is now only to be recommended with reservations; there are too many people playing dumb (“I don’t know anything about technology, memory cards, etc.”) just to get rid of their junk.
Best regards,
the silver ox
cfb_de
Hello silberochse,
I wouldn’t call it a retro vibe or nostalgia for technology. The Rolleis are simply two classes better in terms of mechanical design and processing. After all, they used to be the cream of the crop among TLRs, whilst the Yashi was more of a camera for the wannabe (today we’d probably call that a ‘prosumer’).
These days, thanks to the hopeless overvaluation of the 124G, they cost about the same. And that’s precisely why I recommend the Rollei today.
However: when it comes to Rollei, I don’t recommend the – equally overvalued – ‘T’, ‘3.5F’ or 2.8 models, but rather the very models that aren’t surrounded by much hype. They go for a good hundred quid. They’re all decent; none of them have that rickety tin-can mechanism like the 124G, and they’re serviced by a whole host of camera repairers. Unlike the Yashi, even the supply of spare parts isn’t a major problem.
If you’re going to get a Yashica, then get one from the era *before* cost accounting and profit maximisation were introduced in Japan. So no 124 or 124G.
And ask me how I know about the spare parts… On my Yashica-D (a lovely camera, by the way!), the pressure/counting roller on the take-up spool was flat. An original part? No chance. At Rollei, they told me that the part from the Cord II might fit (which is about 25 years older) and sent me one. It fits perfectly, because the Yashica is a pretty good Cord replica.
My pre-war Flex is currently in for servicing and is being brought back to life there with original parts. After almost 70 years, the camera has certainly earned it, and I’m happy to slip a hundredner under its leather cover :-)
It’s unfortunately true that you often get ripped off on eBay these days. But just as often, you get outbid by Kamerad Bäucher on the good deals :-)
I, however, haven’t had any seriously bad experiences on eBay so far. Perhaps partly because I wouldn’t dream of bidding more than 150 there. Blimey. That’s not true. More than 162.50 is correct, as that’s what I paid for my 90mm Elmarit.
And in the very worst-case scenario, there are still specialist shops with second-hand sections and warranties in selected larger provincial towns (Stuttgart, for example, or even Berlin – last week in Mitte I managed to snag a T where the dealer had priced it at 110). Here in S, 2.8 Flex lenses go for between 160 and 200 in specialist shops. Usually second-hand, technically top-notch, with a warranty. So I’m no longer considering a 150-euro Yashi plus postage and the hassle of buying it online.
Best regards,
Franz
