Rolleicord vs. Yashica Mat 124G?

[geneaker@gmail.com]

It's a win/win choice.

It's a win/win choice.

Optics:
I've used a Ymat 24 along side a Rolleicord 124 side by side for several years. I cannot tell much difference.

Handling:
The 124 has a brighter screen. The f stops and shutter speeds are a little easier to see and change. On the other hand, Who is in a hurry?

Build: I would choose the Cord; but an overhaul on the 124 G is not expensive.

Which camera inspires you, flirts with you, and makes you feel like a photographer? Choose that one.

 

[mel]

Thanks again everyone for weighing-in with your thoughts. I'm confident I would have been happy with each and every suggestion. I am particularly appreciative to have been directed back to a Rollei, as that is what I had my heart set on, with particular attention to the Rolleicord which I had overlooked. Just about the same moment I had decided to pick up a Rollei from Keh, a very gracious RFF member, who had read this thread contacted me with a Cord Vb in immaculate condition right out of the movies, original Rollei lens cover, authentic Rollei lens shade, Rolleifix and pistol grip with remote shutter release. The condition is pristine. I was in shock. I just sold my Sekonic light meter (after not receiving payment on the first go around on 'bay), received immediate payment this time, and already paid for my Cord which I will have very soon. I am amazed that folks pay more for a meter than I paid for the Cord, and it gets better. I just read on RFF that there is an awesome free meter app to use with the iphone, so I won't even have to replace the meter I sold. Wow, I am so excited. I will post my first roll of pics. Thanks again.

 

[mel]

Here is a picture of the camera.

 

[ianstamatic]

Somehow people always pick up Yashica and Autocords but always missed the Ricoh TLRs even though a few of us mentioned these quite a bit.

I will pit the Ricohmatic 225 against the best models of Rolleicord, and other Japanese TLRs.

But, a well-serviced Rolleiflex 2.8 is still the king when it comes to quality.

1+

Ricohs are great !! My fave Japanese TLR

 

[DaveO]

Before you decide on a Mamiya, look up the weight of them. They are probably double or more the weight of the Rolleis and Yashicas.

 

[Derwent]

Nice looking camera!
I have a Rolleicord V and I love it!
I didn't touch any of my 35mm stuff for about 3 months after I got it!
I think the V is the best value, it's got X-synch, right hand focus, the good lens, but it's cheap compares to the Va and Vb...
Granted, I'd love a later one, but they go for a lot more...

 

[geneaker@gmail.com]

win/win

win/win

I have both the cord V and the ymat 124 (and the Rolleiflex, too) .---If you develop your own film and make your own prints--I can't tell the difference in prints. There's so much more to an outstanding picture than minor differences between this lens or that one---good subject, good lighting, good composition are far more important.
On the handling side, I love both cameras. However, some people may prefer one or the other for a personal reason. I find both cameras very inspiring to use---but I'm hooked on ground glass viewing.

 

[ianstamatic]

I bought a rolleicord mkII for about $80 that takes amazing images, the lens capures great tones and swirls like crazy in oof areas. I use it alot even though i have a 2.8 e . Think the diacord i have is the nicest japanese tlr i have used and the lens is brilliant. Its built like a brick and has taken a beating and is remarkably well built

 

[filmfan]

I have a friend who owns and uses professionally both the Yashica Mat 124G and a modern, fancy Hasselblad system. Guess which he prefers? (hint: it starts with a "Y")

... There is something about the German lenses. Japanese lenses look flat to me. It is in 35 mm also. I compared my Pentax and Leica systems. My wife can pick out the Leica prints in a blind test 100%.

You both obviously are drinking from the same water supply...
I have owned all sorts of lenses, both German (Leica, Zeiss, Schneider) and Japanese (Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Mamiya, Hexanon, etc). Although the German lenses may have a slight edge to my eye, nobody can tell which lenses shot which photos when viewing my prints (11x14, 16x20). Even distinguished professional photographers and printers (some you have heard of) cannot tell. So, I'm afraid you drank the cool-aid my dear sir.

...And dressed up in a red or blue camera leather covering you'll have people crossing the street to see it!
Peter

Precisely the reason NOT to do this.

 

[DaveO]

I believe the Yashicas came with one of two lenses. One of them is not very good, but the other was very good. Yashinon was one name, but I don't know if it was the good one.

 

[ghostwriter69]

I also had a 124G. When it worked fine, I was happy with it, but it also developed winding issues not too long after I got it.

Eventually, I got a Rolleiflex T in really nice condition, and I haven't been happier.

I don't know if the winding issue is wide spread or anything like that, but I thought I'd just add my own experience.

 

[Ronald_H]

Yashica Mat 124 FTW ;-) Sure, winding mechanism is a bit iffy, but you get used to that. However, there is absolutely no argument about the image quality.

Stopped down to f8 I find the images sharper than the Zeiss Planar f2.8 on my Hasselblad 500 C/M. I bought the Yashica as entry into medium format and thought it would gather dust after getting a Hasselblad kit. Not so. The Yashica is quieter, lighter and much better for handheld shots. I dragged it to India twice and on museum trips to the UK and Germany. The results thrill me every time.


ZLSM steam loc B1220 by Ronald_H, on Flickr

 

[DominikDUK]

Get the Yashica-mat with the Yashinon lens instead of the 124G cheaper and better made. You also might consider an older Rolleiflex pre-war or just Postwar Automat (if it was good enough for Imogen Cunningham it's good enough for me) instead of a Rolleicord.
The Ikoflex is often badmouthed but I like mine just fine same lens as the Rolleiflex pre planar. If you want to buy a Rolleicord don't dismiss the triotar models stopped down the difference between the Triotar and the Tessar are negligible.

Dominik

 

[Ko.Fe.]

Yashica was my first TLR and although it worked, I was not impressed. Replaced by C220 and C330 and set of 4 lenses plus the shades. Not impressed either. That was a long time ago, 30 years at least.

I borrowed a 3.5 Rollie a few years ago. Those images were impressive. Same from a tele Rollie again borrowed. There is something about the German lenses. Japanese lenses look flat to me. It is in 35 mm also. I compared my Pentax and Leica systems. My wife can pick out the Leica prints in a blind test 100%.

On a budget, I would pop for the Rolliecord or save some and get the Rollieflex . I learned a long time ago, it is all about the lenses.

Very similar story and opinion on my side.

Had 124G as my first TLR.
Vent through C33 with two lenses. Owned Yashica A II S for fun shortly.
Got Lubitel-2 for even more fun (great for street photography, with scale focusing by quick finder).

Have two another 124G now. They designed very well, they looks nice. They are very advanced TLRs with exposure meters and bright screens. All three 124G I deal with have working Copals. The image is sharp and contrasty. All three have clean lenses.
If sharpness and contrast is only criterias for image quality 124G is the best for it under unbeatable price tag.... It is very sharp in the middle and very contrasty.

But I decided to try Rollei, just because of talks about it here and where.
Again, just for fun and to see how it "works inside" I purchased III with Xenar. Camera exterior - "very ugly", taking lens has separation. I have to get to the shutter and take slow speeds part out for service to make it works again. I have to clean mirror and focusing screen.
It is very primitive camera comparing to 124G, but have closer focusing distance and parallax correction.

I took one test roll of GP3 100 in it. Couple of quick test portraits to check flash with it and the rest of the roll for street portraits and candids at f5.6.
Lens suffers from sun to it. But it is my first TLR where I see the character of the lens...
Maybe it is due to separation defect

 

[Luddite Frank]

The main criticisms I have been reading about the Yashica Mat 124 G are with the film-wind / transport system.

One respected TLR repair refuses to work on them, I believe?

I don't think I've seen many criticisms of the Yashica optics.


As for the Rollei, the main issues would be getting one in working order. Build quality seems to be superior, the 'Cords are simpler mechanically, and therefore have less to go wrong, but you should budget for a CLA.

I have never heard / read anywhere someone accusing the Rollei of being "a cheaply-made piece-of- ****".... that said, they don't seem to come cheap, or service cheap.

I have a very ugly 'Cord ( peeling covering, scratched lens, gummy shutter ), that is probably only good for a paper-weight, an early '50's 'Flex, needing CLA, and a YashicaMAT (nearly mint), and YashicaMAT 124-G (also nearly mint).

Both Rolleis need major service, but both Y-MAT seem to be usable.

It is not fair to compare my Rolleis against my Yashicas, due to the disparity in condition, but - just in handling & manipulating, the Rolleis have a much more "hefty" / solid feel about them.

Good luck with your project !

LF

 

[JSturr]

Hello to the group -

I’ve been shooting film, seriously since early February. When I found an expired roll which sat on my late Father’s shelf and decided to give it a go in the retired FM-2. That started it all - and soon I was clamoring for MF.

I reached out to a friend of my Father’s about the idea of shooting film and he offered his YashicaMat 124G to get me started on my exploration. Mint condition 124G I might add — and it is wonderful !! He’s been my mentor ever since.

Now I'm into film whole hog — the Nikon D3s has been shelved and I’m all F100 and Yashica 124G. That includes developing both BW, C-41 and scanning 35mm and MF.

And I'm loving the Yashi !!

 

[colyn]

Myself...I'd go with the 124 (pre "G").. It seems to be better made and also comes with the Yashinon lens..