First street shoot with the Yashica Mat 124G

[Vics]

I normally shoot on the street with a Leica CL or Pentax MX, but I tried out my Yashica Mat 124G today. On the plus side, the shutter is so very quiet and no-one seems to notice me staring down into an old black boxy thing. On the downside, how on earth do you meter, focus and frame (back to front) quickly enough? Does it come with practise?

It absolutely comes with practice. I have an old Rollei how-to guide that admonishes the new TLR shooter to take the camera out and practice WITHOUT film! I tried it, and it really works. Take the camera out in the street and start framing, setting exposure and focusing slowly at first, and gradually (even over a period of say a week) pick up the tempo. Remember that6 one of the best street-shooters of all time, Robert Doisneau, used a TLR. It is a BORN street machine!

 

[Dan Daniel]

.... I'm working on my ' silly old man with a camera routine too' so that I blend in with the crowd.

I am still amazed at how little attention anyone pays to me when looking into a TLR. Something about that downward tilt of the head seems to activate an invisible shield!

At the risk of creating more GAS how do you all carry your TLRs? I was planning on just having it in my hand and a small bag for film wallet and such.

I have Op-Tech straps on my TLRs, the 'Pro-Loop' connector system. This is a thin fabric connecter that drops away from the camera when you lift it up. It takes a bit of fiddling to get it through the strap lugs on Yashica-Mats, but it will go. Best to put the 'male' side of the buckle on the right side since some Op-Tech straps have a specific orientation.

I then use NO actual pad unit, just connect the two short sections. This forms a smallish loop. I put my hand through this loop, then twist it around. You'll need to find the right length for the strap connectors. When I get the right length, I have a wrist strap/safety system. I can have the camera in my right hand, and hold the TLR from the back bottom with just thumb and finger pressure. Letting the strap carry most of the weight, the fingers just keeping it from swinging, I can carry a TLR all day with minimal stress.

And if I want a typical neck strap, I just install the padded section.