First street shoot with the Yashica Mat 124G

Gorgeous stuff... Just beautiful. Nothing beats medium format - nothing. It would suck if 35mm print film went the way of the dodo. But it would break my heart of 120 left us. Digital is "close enough" to 35, esp. full frame, but as these pictures illustrate medium format is really something special.
 
As hard as I try, I'm just not quick enough or maybe even attentive enough when I'm walking to around to catch scenes or interesting composition with people on the street. People shots are not my main photographic interest as I usually do much more slow, abstract type of photography. In any case, what I'm saying is that after a lot of trying to do the sort've quickly moving and fast shooting style of street photography I am just not cut out for it.

However, with a TLR when I can find an interesting spot or location or light, I can set up and then wait for compositions to "happen" so to speak. I think that for me it's a style of shooting that suits me better. It's something that i would urge peolple to try because if nothing else it's just a totally different experience to the usual way to approach street photography.

To the OP, keep trying! You are off to a good start! Besides using a fast film like Delta as I said before, if you find a good location don't worry about metering. Find a good baseline and go with it unless the conditions change. Practice estimating, too.

Here are some results which I liked:



Untitled by andre dos santos, on Flickr

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Untitled by andre dos santos, on Flickr

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Untitled by andre dos santos, on Flickr

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Untitled by andre dos santos, on Flickr

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Untitled by andre dos santos, on Flickr
 
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Stick with it. You'll probably pick it up quickly. The exposure side takes some effort but that experience applies nicely to all sorts of cameras. I still struggle with the left/right tilt of the camera. That motion isn't intuitive yet.

Over all though, the cameras are a blast to use. I particularly like the difference in how people react to the camera.

Besides, a a TLR fits nicely in a small bag with a little rangefinder. ;)

Edit: I posted this with respect to the street photo topic. The shots are a mix of Rolleicord and Autocord pictures. Gotta say, some of the Yashica shots in this thread look amazing. Love the way that lens renders.

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http://www.flickr.com/photos/cannelbrae/4760896355/

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http://www.flickr.com/photos/cannelbrae/4899656427/

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http://www.flickr.com/photos/cannelbrae/4714543996/

4718807734_e2829bdf2a.jpg

http://www.flickr.com/photos/cannelbrae/4718807734/

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http://www.flickr.com/photos/cannelbrae/4437036171

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http://www.flickr.com/photos/cannelbrae/5205573925/
 
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Hello

Some very nice BW pictures.

But where do you find Neopan 400 now ?
Or is it the funny CN stuff.

Thanks

-tc
 
DanOnRoute66 said:
I haven't used one in many years, but I remember the 124-G being rather simple to use. I shot a lot of photos in my senior yearbook with one.

BTW, one of my favorite authors, Michael Z. Lewin, lives in Bath. If you haven't discovered his books yet, I highly recommend them.
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All these years and I never knew that, "Ask the Right Question" I guess? :D Top writer, I must look out for him next time I visit The Bell in Walcot Street as I'm sure I've seen his face in there before.

I shoot in Bath quite often myself River Dog so if you spot some guy with a Rolleicord or a Leica it may well be me. I spotted where those pics where shot immediately, that area around the Abbey is a great place to find some real characters with all the tourists that visit the area.
 
cidereye said:
I shoot in Bath quite often myself River Dog so if you spot some guy with a Rolleicord or a Leica it may well be me. I spotted where those pics where shot immediately, that area around the Abbey is a great place to find some real characters with all the tourists that visit the area.
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Hi there, I will keep an eye out for you. I am in town most weekends with a camera of one sort or another. I never get bored in the crowds, there is always something going on and Bath stone is a lovely backdrop.
 
Florian1234 said:
I think there will be a change of style then, contentwise. What do you think?
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I agree.
Simply having to compose for the square is a major change. Add to that the different ergonomics of a TLR and you have a very different experience altogether to a rangefinder camera.

Not eveyone's cup of tea, but personally I've found it to be very refreshing. :)
 
Indeed, that will be some kind of adventure. Seems that I found one, let's hope it will arrive here and work properly. :)
 
Well, I guess I can post in this thread now, I just won an old meterless Yashicamat on eBay. But I have had TLR's in the past.

The trick is set your exposure for the light. You do not need to change it unless the light changes. Zone focus, something like 6 to 12 or 15 feet works well. Then all you have to do is frame, and push the button. Plan ahead, if you see some one coming that looks like and interesting subject, be ready to shoot when they come into your zone of focus.

Those built in meters are the problem, they make you think you have to use them for every shot. Us guys, & gals, who learned back before build in meters have an advantage, we never did become slaves to the darn things.
 
Well, mine is here and I already shot two films of which the first one is at the lab and will arrive some day this week so that I can scan the photos.
The camera had what seems to be a common problem: there was some residue on the side of the rear lens towards the aperture/shutter. Had to screw it out and clean it, put it back in and now it is clear.
 
Lovely shots. Especially Bob's pictures exhibit that certain 3-D feeling that good MF is capable of. I love square, I've an SLR, a couple of TLR's and folder in 6x6 format. If were to chose a format over all others it would be 12 on 120.
 
Bobfrance said:
I agree.
Simply having to compose for the square is a major change. Add to that the different ergonomics of a TLR and you have a very different experience altogether to a rangefinder camera.

Not eveyone's cup of tea, but personally I've found it to be very refreshing. :)
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I don't compose for the format, I compose for the picture. The big square negative gives me lots of options. Does the picture want to be an 8x10, fine I will compose for an 8x10. Does the picture want to be an 8x40, fine I will compose for an 8x40. Does the picture want to be round, fine I will compose for a round picture. In all those cases it means cropping, but the 6x6 negative is big enough for cropping.

It doesn't matter much to me what format the camera I am using is, because I usually ignore that and shoot for my visualized image.
 
There are some great shots here for sure and a lot of useful information too. I just purchased a 124G and it's on its way to me now, I can barely control my little self I'm so excited. I plan to do lots of street photography and the sneaky shutter will help and I'm working on my ' silly old man with a camera routine too' so that I blend in with the crowd.
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.
 
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