Yashica Mat 124G

terrycioni · 05-03-2007

Greetings,

I have a very nice Yashica Mat 124G on the way (I paid a little to much for it). and I pretty excited about shooting with it.

I will keep you posted as things progress.

Cheers. Terry.

mich8261 · 05-03-2007

Terry,

I also got one that I paid too much for, but I am very happy with it. The self timer even work on it (my avatar was taken with the camera hanging from my neck).

Cheers.

terrycioni · 05-03-2007

I love the avatar.

Way back in the late 60's I worked at a small weekly newspaper in rural Alberta Canada as a jack of all trades (pressman, engraver, sales person, reporter, photographer and janitor). For pictures we used a rather beat up Yashica Mat and processed the film in the owners basement darkroom (all fun).

My first <photo> assignment was to shoot some pretty serious bush fires along the Blind Man River - bouncing down a dirt road in a 53 orange VW and the Yashic Mat bouncing along on the seat beside me is now a fond memory. The owner had a big color TV in the room next door to the darkroom that I could watch well of course agitating the TRI-X. The 68 Democratic Convention riots were all over the news and seeing them in color was a big deal. Since then I have always wanted a Yashica Mat, but as life goes I never did a thing about it, now I have time and the inclination - so here we go. It will be fun.

Cheers. Terry.

dll927 · 05-07-2007

It's amazing how those old TLRs seem to cost more than they did new. I have a Mat 124 (not the G version) that I bought new in 1970 for $90. Still have it.

kaiyen · 05-08-2007

The Yashica Mat 124 and 124G became seriously overpriced about 2 years ago. Everyone wanted to try MF, and they were the way to go. I got mine for $15, then paid $85 for a CLA. Then I bought a second one for $25, then a CLA. Nowadays you buy them straight up for about $100 and you still might need a CLA.

The good news is that there are still some good deals out there, as well as alternatives to the 124 and 124G that are in the same price and perhaps slightly more available. The Minolta Autocords are known for their control of film flatness, and if you don't mind the weight the Mamiya ones can be surprisingly affordable. I did a comparison of a C330 system with a wide, normal, and tele set of lenses, and a Bronica SQ-A system with the same lenses. I could get two C330's for the price of the Bronica system (and we're still pretty cheap either way).

allan

biomed · 05-08-2007

I bought a new 124G at Fairchild AFB, WA, in 1972 for $65.00. It was a special order item that was not picked up and was on a clearance sale. I never even opened the box, but traded it in (with a slight profit) for some new Nikon gear. I often wish I had kept the camera. A studio I worked for used 124Gs for shooting weddings.

Mike

nikon_sam · 05-08-2007

I traded a couple of SLR's for a mint condition 124G w/case and box...
I do love shooting with it and really need to use it more...

terrycioni · 05-09-2007

I am hoping to take the newly acquired 124G out for spin this weekend - with a couple of rolls of Delta 400. Looking forward to it. FYI the prices for the 124G on the bay are totally nuts.

Cheers. Terry.

reub2000 · 05-13-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by dll927

It's amazing how those old TLRs seem to cost more than they did new. I have a Mat 124 (not the G version) that I bought new in 1970 for $90. Still have it.

That's about what I paid for mine on e-bay.

chambrenoire · 05-13-2007

I would say that my Yashica Mat is my favourite MF camera to shoot with! Just lovely. Check out my Yashica Mat Set on Flickr.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mmarchi...7594508254932/

terrycioni · 05-13-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by chambrenoire

I would say that my Yashica Mat is my favourite MF camera to shoot with! Just lovely. Check out my Yashica Mat Set on Flickr.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mmarchi...7594508254932/

Thank you I enjoyed your flickr set.

Best. Terry.

chambrenoire · 05-13-2007

Thanks Terry!

Aurelius · 05-13-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by chambrenoire

I would say that my Yashica Mat is my favourite MF camera to shoot with! Just lovely. Check out my Yashica Mat Set on Flickr.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mmarchi...7594508254932/

Gör min dag! The H.E. pic is super!!!!

/TBS

chambrenoire · 05-13-2007

Hehe, tack så mycket! (Thanks in Swedish)

terrycioni · 05-14-2007

Greetings,

Any thoughts on a finding a lens hood for the Yashica Mat. I see them on eBay and have checked the local stores for a BAY 1 hood but are there alternatives?

Best. Terry.

nikon_sam · 05-14-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by terrycioni

Greetings,

Any thoughts on a finding a lens hood for the Yashica Mat. I see them on eBay and have checked the local stores for a BAY 1 hood but are there alternatives?

Best. Terry.

Terry,

I used a Tiffen Series 6 adapter "Bay mount" (placed a Yellow 2 filter in it) and then added a Tiffen Series 6 Lens Shade.
This worked out well and without any vignetting...I also made a second one for the Viewing Lens, without the filter. I had to modify the top shade to allow mounting both shades.
This works very nice and really changes the look of the 124 that people will comment on "What a neat old camera..."
If you want I have a "Kenko" square type lens hood that fits this camera...

terrycioni · 05-14-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by nikon_sam

Terry,

I used a Tiffen Series 6 adapter "Bay mount" (placed a Yellow 2 filter in it) and then added a Tiffen Series 6 Lens Shade.
This worked out well and without any vignetting...I also made a second one for the Viewing Lens, without the filter. I had to modify the top shade to allow mounting both shades.
This works very nice and really changes the look of the 124 that people will comment on "What a neat old camera..."
If you want I have a "Kenko" square type lens hood that fits this camera...

Thanks Sam,

Finding anything with a Bay Mount in this neck of the woods is akin to finding a needle in a haystack. I called our three best camera stores - and they had no idea what I was talking about. So yes I would be interested in the Kenko sq type hood. Let know what you would want for it, etc. Thank you so much for the idea.

Best. Terry.

nikon_sam · 05-14-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by terrycioni

Thanks Sam,

Finding anything with a Bay Mount in this neck of the woods is akin to finding a needle in a haystack. I called our three best camera stores - and they had no idea what I was talking about. So yes I would be interested in the Kenko sq type hood. Let know what you would want for it, etc. Thank you so much for the idea.

Best. Terry.

Terry,

I sent you a PM...

Sam