Good 120 for beginner?

oftheherd said:
Yeah, I noted that too but didn't want to say anything. Even my Perfekta doesn't have a bumper. 😀
Click to expand...

Well, it turns out that should have tipped me off. The camera arrived filthy, beat up, and with a dead meter. I tried two new batteries, neither works. Seller obvious lied about having tested it.

Back it goes. 🙁
 
If you are still set on a Yashica Mat, you might consider buying one from Mark Hama. Besides being an excellent Mat repairperson, he sells on eBay under the handle of "lakesuwa".

I really like using my Mat LM (bought from someone else, received with shutter speeds off) and Mr. Hama got it running as good as new.

Aside from the "left is right" thing, I enjoy the TLR. The Mat is fairly sturdy and easy to use.

Good luck!
rt 🙂
 
mabelsound said:
Well, it turns out that should have tipped me off. The camera arrived filthy, beat up, and with a dead meter. I tried two new batteries, neither works. Seller obvious lied about having tested it.

Back it goes. 🙁
Click to expand...

Wow. That's a big time bummer. Sorry to hear it. I know how much you must have been looking forward to using that. Lakesuwa has a great reputation. He will cost more, but you know what you are getting. There are of course good deals to be had online.

Don't give up on the idea of a folder. Unless you just want the feel of the TLR, what is the difference? Seeing your potential photo on a ground glass? The different angle of taking the photo (waist level)? Well, those are reasons for a lot of people. The only other advantage I can think of is that Yashicas and Rolleiflexs will take auxillery lenses. Some say they degrade the photo too much. That I don't know. Folders will be lighter and more pocketable.

However you go, good luck and enjoy.
 
mabelsound said:
Lots of Mats on eBay...some in very fine shape. Might well go for one!

What about 6x7 though? That's kind of what I was after...I don't have anything in that aspect ratio. And perhaps a faster lens. I realize I just doubled my budget right there...
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Well, if you're looking at 6x7 format, you are going to pretty much be looking at newer medium format SLR cameras; the older cameras are mainly in 6x6 and 6x9 formats, with a smattering of 6x4.5 cameras thrown in. You might be interested in a Pentax 67, which looks and works just like a 35mm SLR, but it is a good bit bigger.

Personally (if you're looking at folders -- and particularly if you are looking at cameras for landscapes), I don't think you can really do much better than either a Voigtlander Bessa II or a Zeiss Super Ikonta. Both are 6x9 format. Neither one has internal metering. A handheld meter doesn't have to cost that much though.

One thing about TLRs: until you have racked up some experience with it, you (or anyone else who hasn't used one a lot) will have one hell of a time tracking moving objects with it (or even getting them in the right spot in the composition). The reason is that the viewfinder displays objects backward -- an object moving to the right in the viewfinder is really moving to the left. It takes a while to get used to that. You find yourself swinging the camera around and trying to locate the subject in the viewfinder again after losing it -- a lot.
 
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FallisPhoto said:
One thing about TLRs: until you have racked up some experience with it, you (or anyone else who hasn't used one a lot) will have one hell of a time tracking moving objects with it (or even getting them in the right spot in the composition). The reason is that the viewfinder displays objects backward -- an object moving to the right in the viewfinder is really moving to the left. It takes a while to get used to that. You find yourself swinging the camera around and trying to locate the subject in the viewfinder again after losing it -- a lot.
Click to expand...

Yes, this is a disadvantage and it takes a while to get the hang of it if you ever do. I like the TLR for portraits and scenics mostly. I'm sure it would be nice for street photography as well (I don't do that myself). The Hasselblad with the waist level finder has this issue as well but not when you use a prism finder.

I'd not be concerned with using the built in meter in the Yashica TLR as even working they aren't too accurate.

The folding rangefinder cameras are good for action but ( until the new Fuji comes out) they are all vintage and will take some learning to get used to. Personally I find folding MF rangefinders very useful when portability and weight are considerations.

Super Ikonta, Voightlander Bessa, Iskras, Moskvas, Super Baldax, Agfa etc.
 
No zeiss !!

No zeiss !!

Do not take a Zeiss. Most of them have overlapping between pictures. So no Ikoflex TLR and no Ikonta !!
An Iskra would be my choice: folding camera and no lightmeter : price around 90 €.🙂🙂
 
As long as you can get used to the whole left is right thing with a TLR they are the best way to go IMO. Big bright screen, easy to focus, great results. My first ever MF was a 124G and you really can't go wrong with one. Having the meter is handy (but don't rely on it, esp if you are shooting slide) and its easy to load and use. And of course 6x6 simplifies composition. I kind of miss mine but equally love the all-auto nature of the Fuji GA645's (currently have a zi)
 
Got the 124G today...MUCH better. The seals had disintegrated, so I spent a couple of hours cleaning it inside and out, and putting in new seals. Great shape, meter works, lenses are totally clear, and it came with the leather half-case. I'll let the glue on the seals dry overnight, and then I'll shoot a roll tomorrow!
 
OK here are a few! I can't believe the detail, it's amazing! These are on Reala...

http://flickr.com/photos/mabelsound/sets/72157605055444662/

2492967256_7470e6cab6.jpg


2492973284_1f373affb7.jpg


2492968574_ed8fe7e869.jpg
 
Leighgion said:
Having just bought a supposedly good working condition Fuji GS645 that's definitely not, I would caution against jumping right into a folder as a beginner to medium format if you never owned a folder before. By nature of their design, folders more vulnerable to issues.

Given that "an inexpensive metered, aperture-priority rangefinder" in medium format is pretty much not happening, I'd give serious consideration to the suggestion of a TLR instead, which go for much less. I've been shopping a long time to find a reasonably-priced medium format rangefinder. They tend to go for very stable, fairly weighty, price tags.
Click to expand...

Excellent observation and advice!
 
Apart from the Yashicamat 124G, other members of the same family are also worth considering. The Mat, 635 etc. all carry the same sharp Yashinon 80f3.5 lens and come quite a bit cheaper than the Mat124G. Armed with a good handheld meter, one can begin to do some serious picture taking.
 
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