do i need a yashica 124g

jamesj

jamesj

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so i have been thinking about getting a yashica 124g and i was wondering are they as good as everyone says they are. the photos i have seen so far are awesome. or will i be disappointed...


help me out or in other words persuade me to get one...


:)
 
Do you need it? Probably not, but I have one, and although I don't use it much it does take great pictures. Besides, it's much cheaper than a Rollie or a 'blad.
 
Yes, you need one. A classic over the years and still you can do 220 film. I bought one new yrs ago for $190.00 and have gone through 3 since.
Excellent images for the price.
 
Anyone looking for a nice Yashica Mat 124G might want to contact Barton Wall in Indiana. He sells on eBay under the name wa2141929 . He's had years experience with Yashica's (and Rollei's too). He checks them out and cleans them, makes sure everything is working OK, etc., and his prices are very affordable. He's very pleasant to do business with. I'll be going back to him when I want another TLR. I bought one from him and it's a real beauty--looks new. Not trying to take anything away from Mark Hama (who is highly regarded), just recommending another source to consider.
 
that camera just scares me, plain & simple!

everything is backwards, including the image you focus on...i had one for about 10 minutes and put it up for sale.

btw, most cameras that shoot 120 will knock the socks off most 35mm cameras.
 
I love My Yashica-Mat 124G camera myself. The backward's focus is something that's normal with all TLRs. You get used to it quite quickly. The first day I used it was on a trip to San Francisco and in about twenty minutes I had gotten used to it and composing was fine.


You just gotta keep in mind that the image you are taking is reversed. And that you need to think about how lines and the composition would look reversed. Hard to conceptualize at first but it becomes easy afterwards.

The only way I would ever give up my Yashica-Mat was if I got a Hasselblad with a wasit level finder. The. Only. Way.


:)

Here are just a few of the shots that I've put up on flickr from this camera:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarky_coolbox/tags/yashicamat/

I have plenty of others but I just havnt had the time to put them up yet.
 
DON'T DO IT, if you've never shot MF and are happy with 35mm. You'll be quickly spoiled and saddened that all the money you spent on expensive 35mm gear will deliver no where near the image quality that a cheap 6x6 camera will. Then you'll start wondering if a cheap MF camera does this so well, how about a better one?
 
Do you need it?

Depends what you want. 6x6 composition is not for everyone. I still struggle with it.
But I think everyone ought to try it out.

The Yashica Mat 124 is what I have, more metal than the G version. Don't depend on the meter on the G, use handheld meter, or sunny-16.

If you get one, put aside some money for a good CLA. It makes a lot of difference.
 
I have had a 124 for a few years. I have taken some of my best shots with it. It tends to be bit slower in my hands as I deal with the reverse image, so couldn't suggest that it's a good street shooter.
Also, I wouldn't be stuck on the 124G. this seems to sell for more than the 124 (no gold meter contacts and chrome lens bezel and less plastic in the winder). Any of the later Yashicamats with the Yashinon lens are good.
Back to your question: if you haven't shot MF before and will be comparing the image quality to 35mm, then you will have a big surprise.

Good luck....
 
jamesj said:
...or will i be disappointed...
Click to expand...
You'll only be disappointed in your former 35mm gear.
MF is a real treat.
Slower, more expensive, but a treat none the less.
Shooting super high speed film is very nice, very little grain.

And medium speed film is fantastic!

jbf-I have owned both a 124G and a 500C. Both nice cameras but
I sold the hassy, and my 124 went in for a CLA last week!
 
Get a Yashica 12, same camera except it uses 120 film. Match needle metered.
Quite rare, but on ebay it doesn't match the searching words of the *mat so you can find one with few bids.
Or get one yashica not metered, you will find that you will use your external meter more often that the built in, so, why spending more money?
 
My first serious MF camera was a Yashica MAT 124G. After it was stolen I moved to the Mamiya Super Press 23 almost by accident. I am no longer as fond of the 6x6 image, but still have many pleasant memories of the Yashica. The only problem is the "cult" price it now commands. I have no experience with the other Yashicas mentioned, but they might be the better deal. Just be sure to get the Yashinon lens. I think I would consider the mention above of Mark Hama or wa2141929 on ebay. A reputable seller selling a CLA'd version is more certain to deliver a satifsfying result. I can't think of anything worse that great anticipation immersed in a flood of problems a seller didn't admit to or perhaps know about. One reason I mention that is that I found the meter on mine to be accurate and very useful. I always carried a hand held meter, but normally only used it in very low light or very tricky light conditions. If I ever got another, I would want that accurate meter.
 
jamesj said:
so i have been thinking about getting a yashica 124g and i was wondering are they as good as everyone says they are ?
Click to expand...

This was taken with a 124G - the decision is yours.


8543091b.jpg





Here's another

6364b0ef.jpg
 
I have a Yachica 12 with a busted focusing helical. Any chance of a repair? I'd let it go pretty cheap.
Vic
 
I'd like one someday, but would want economical processing so I could afford to use it a lot.

Are there mail away developers for 120/220?
 
next step will be 4x5 . wait till you compare a 4x5 chrome to a 35mm . buy it , they are a great addition to you collection and if you like quiet shutters these are some of the quietest .
 
The square format and reversed waist-level viewing
can be quite an adjustment for those of us raised on 35mm.

I owned a Yashica Mat 124G for about a year ($119 new!).
I got some nice results but never got comfortable using it.

Chris
 
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