Yashica 124G vs. Mamiya 220 or 330???

[Stradibarrius]

I have a Yashica 124G that takes great photos! Sharp and good contrast. I have wondered other than the ability to change lenses on the Mamiya's, how do the cameras compare for photo quality ease of use etc.?

 

[dazedgonebye]

I don't think you'll find many who will fault the quality of the Mamiya.
The Yashica is much smaller and lighter, better to carry around and has a meter.
If you want interchangeable lenses, you have to be willing to tote the extra heavy gear, not to mention the additional lens(es).

 

[mickallen]

It's funny but I am just considering buying either the Yashica or one of the Mamiya's, so I would also like to know the results of this thread.

 

[Merkin]

I wouldn't commit to one of the Mamiyas until you can actually get your hands on one. They are quite a bit heavier and larger than the Yashicas. Also, for the price of the Mamiya and a couple of lens sets, you can just as easily get in to a number of MF SLR systems, which gives you lens interchangeability without the parallax. A MF SLR can also be smaller than the Mamiya TLR. To me, the advantage of the TLR is small size/greater portability than a MF SLR, and the Mamiya definitely throws that advantage out the window.

 

[Roger Hicks]

I'm not a great TLR fan, so my advice may be of limited interest, but I've used both, and outside the studio I'd back the Yashica hands down (weight, bulk, ease of use). In the studio, probably the Mamiya.

Cheers,

Roger

 

[Way]

I have a Mamiya C330 and only the 80mm lens. It hasn't let me down optically and for some reason, seems more "fun" to use than my Rolleis. Just a gut feeling thing. I have an Optech neoprene strap and it helps alleviate the weight issue.

 

[Keith Cocker]

I have the C330s (and I have several Rolleiflexes and a Monolta Autocord) and have had a Yashica. I sold the Yashica and have had no regrets. The Mamiya is a much more robust camera and the lenses are better IMO. You are, of course, comparing Apples and Pears given the size of the two Cameras and the fact that the Mamiya is a system camera.

 

[shadowfox]

Mamiya lenses seems sharper from corner to corner. The heavy 180mm is especially nice.

I used the system some time ago, favored the Hasselblad kit because I have three lenses with it, not because of image quality.

If you're printing big, go with Mamiya, but if not, stay with Yashica, or upgrade to one of the 'cords (Rolleicord, Autocord, Diacord).

 

[mrisney]

C220 it's smaller, than the C330, and the same Sekor lens is used on either. Go for the 'newer' blue dot, black lenses. Yashica is all plastic-y IMO, cheap, it does have a meter though. I pick a camera for the sharpest lenses. If size trumps lens quality, and your looking for 120, go Holga. IMO the best 120 lenses ever, are the lenses for the Mamiya 6 and 7's. For TLR, if I could swing it, I would go for a Rolleiflex with a Schneider Kreuznach Xenotar. That seems to be the apex for sharp lenses on a TLR from the images I see on Flickr

 

[JohnTF]

Having used a Rollei and Mamiya TLR for many years, I found the Mamiya's ability to change lenses, and the slightly faster loading worthwhile.

I also used the Yashica 124G, similar in most ways to the Rollei. Build quality of the Yashica is good enough, and they sometimes bring up to twice what they originally cost, $125. The Mamiya actually got quite expensive leading up to its production demise. Build quality, as stated above, is more robust with the Mamiya.

I think the aperture also stops down one more and opens up one more stop with the 80mm Mamiya. I have the 55mm which is a terrific lens, the 105 and 135. The glass is excellent, and the shutter Seiko.

Using a TLR is, perhaps, an acquired taste, but I like the composition on the ground glass, and I like the WLF.

I would look for the C330s, the last model, the advantages of the 330 over the 220, IMO, are worth the slight premium in price. The main difference between the C330f and C330s, other than age, I believe is the type of interchangeable viewing screen, the C330s has a simpler drop in, and I do recommend the split image screen. You want the newer lenses as well, I think all the later lenses were black.

The only thing I did not like, was the distance scale, too hard to read with any precision, so you have to be clever if you want to zone focus on occasion.


If you want a light carry around camera for MF, I prefer the Fuji's RF's.

I believe the Yashica, if the meter is still working, takes the mercury battery.

As with all older systems, you want to check the mechanics and the glass, especially if the camera is from a warm and moist region.


Regards, John

 

[mrisney]

The main difference between the C330f and C330s, other than age, I believe is the type of interchangeable viewing screen, the C330s has a simpler drop in, and I do recommend the split image screen. You want the newer lenses as well, I think all the later lenses were black.

If your diligent you can find a Intenscreen Beattie with a split screen for the C220, they are around, and make all the difference, you can also put a meter, like the Voigtlander VC Meter or the Gossen Match meter on the optional grip

Agreed on all points. And I also agree on the Fuji GW/GSW 690/670 - very good 120 RF.

 

[Allan Reade]

I have a C3 and the 65mm and 180mm chrome series lenses. The 180 is sharp and is great for portrait, the 65 is OK for sharpness and great for close ups. The later series 'blue spot' lenses are supposed to be very good. The ability to change lenses and focus closely without close up lenses is great, but the size is a bit of a draw back for me for carrying the camera around photographing hand held. It is built like a tank with purely mechanical parts, no electronics to go wrong. If I had the money I would buy a smaller and lighter TLR in addition for carrying around, but I wouldn't get rid of the C3.

C3 65mm lens

 

[Stradibarrius]

Allen, beautiful shot! What film and developer were used?

 

[JohnTF]

If your diligent you can find a Intenscreen Beattie with a split screen for the C220, they are around, and make all the difference, you can also put a meter, like the Voigtlander VC Meter or the Gossen Match meter on the optional grip

Agreed on all points. And I also agree on the Fuji GW/GSW 690/670 - very good 120 RF.

Changing the screen on a C220 is not for the faint of heart, I took one apart and found slices of 120 film backing paper used as shims, but the Beattie screens are really bright, I have one on one of my Blads, and the thing almost blinds me. ;-)

I was thinking of the Fuji 645's, but I do have the 690 GSW, and I put a user 690 with interchangeable lens up for sale. I really like
much of what Fuji produced, I think the folder is a terrific pocket camera.

Some accessories fit both the C series and some other Mamiya products.

 

[Allan Reade]

Stradibarrius,
Thanks, I've been admiring the pictures you have posted in the gallery.
Kodak BW400CN developed in the local lab, scanned on a drum scanner and contrast tweaked in Camera Raw. I have great respect for people who develop and wet print, but for me this works.

 

[mrisney]

I was thinking of the Fuji 645's, but I do have the 690 GSW, and I put a user 690 with interchangeable lens up for sale. I really like
much of what Fuji produced, I think the folder is a terrific pocket camera.

I suppose we are a little off topic here, but enjoying the thread.
I did an exhaustive amount of 120mm camera trying (buying it on EBay,
KEH, or Craigslist) over the past 2 years, and I had and sold the following outifts:
Fuji GW 690 II
Mamiya 645 Pro TL
Hasselblad 203FE (great camera)
Rollei 6003

in the end I was drawn to the squares, I have settled on a Mamiya 6, and a Mamiya C220
- and that works for me for 120, done with acquistions.
The lenses on the Mamiya 6 are awesome, and the C220 is so
affordable these days, when I sold the 203FE and the 80MM FE T* PLANAR, I was able
to buy a Mamiya 6 with 3 lenses, and the C220 and still had enough to buy a digital Lumix G1.
The Hasselblad 203FE in my mind was the perfect 120mm camera, and the lenses are pretty amazing.
Still, it's a studio - and a reflex camera. These days I avoid SLR's. I think that SLR historically
ran its course, and these forums are all about rangefinders anyways, and all that implies (silent shutters, no vibration)
In terms of TLR's - I do think the Rolleiflex'es are the cream, but the pecking order in lenses,
is MAYBE (subjective opinion of course )
followed by the Mamiya's Sekor's and then maybe the Yashinon, Minolta Autocard are no slouches,
but something about the Sekor S lenses .. good stuff.
120mm - in general there is very little differences between manufactures, they are all superior to anything you can do with 35mm
in terms of resolution.
After that it's more or less what each camera offers - for me, the bellows and interchangeable lenses are must have's,
followed by a meter, which the 124G has, other than that I think it's hair splitting at some level.

So take what I am saying with a grain of salt, if you get that 120 roll back, and your loving it, it doesn't really matter.
I will say though, the bulk of the C220 is smaller than the C330, atlough not as small as the 124G, and it doesn't have that
nifty built in meter

 

[mhv]

My current MF system is a Mamiya C330 with the 55mm, 105mm DS, and 180mm (all black). I hesited long and hard between it, a Rolleiflex, and a Hasselblad kit. Eventually I settled on the Mamiya for the following reasons:

* The best Mamiya lenses are everything you need to have from Medium Format. Yes, they're not Zeiss, and they don't have the same look, but you won't complain about sharpness or colour rendition. Leagues above Yashica.

* Price if you want interchangeable lenses: if you can work with a single focal length, the Rolleiflex would be the best choice. It's light, well-made, and has excellent lenses. But if you have the urge to try a wideangle or a portrait lens, your choices are different depending on money. If money is an issue, you may either a) buy a kit with the three best Mamiya TLR lenses as I did or b) buy a basic Hassy kit and rent the other lenses according to need. I prefer to own my lenses, so I went Mamiya.

* Weight: if you think a 3-lens C330 kit is heavy, try to carry around a similar kit in Hasselblad! My previous TLR was a Yashica D, which is essentially made of plastic. But, hey! I'm a big guy, and I can handle some weight. If you really wanted quality & lightweight, go for a Rolleiflex Planar/Xenotar. Otherwise, everything else in Medium Format is heavy.

* Cheap accessories: having a prism or a pistol grip can be very useful. Paying Rollei/Hasselblad prices for them is more annoying.

* Easy film loading on a tripod: what? Yes, if you work on a tripod and need to change film with a TLR like the Yashica or the Rollei, you need to unscrew the camera from its plate, open the door, change the film, and put everything back together. Mamiya was smart enough to figure out a film door that can be opened when the camera is mounted. It's a life saver with portraits or landscapes.

Despite its few quirks, the C330 is a very easy to use camera, and reliable. Should it croak, you can always get another body, or a less expensive/lighter C220.

 

[Al Kaplan]

Somebody makes or did make a quick release gizmo that grabs the circular plate on the bottom of a Rolleiflex. They aso made plates to screw on to the bottom of other cameras that lacked them. Just flick a lever! I used to have one back when I was shooting weddings with TLR's. You can use the gizmo on a tripod or a flash bracket.

Yes, the Mamiya C series are reliable and have good lenses, but once you hit forty they're too dang heavy. If all you have is a 75mm lens you really learn what you can do with it, and it really isn't that restricting. The f/2.8 Rolleis, Mamiya C series, and the Hasselblad are all 80mm. The extra coverage of the 75 makes it worth putting up with an f/3.5 lens.

 

[JohnTF]

Somebody makes or did make a quick release gizmo that grabs the circular plate on the bottom of a Rolleiflex. They aso made plates to screw on to the bottom of other cameras that lacked them. Just flick a lever! I used to have one back when I was shooting weddings with TLR's. You can use the gizmo on a tripod or a flash bracket.

Yes, the Mamiya C series are reliable and have good lenses, but once you hit forty they're too dang heavy. If all you have is a 75mm lens you really learn what you can do with it, and it really isn't that restricting. The f/2.8 Rolleis, Mamiya C series, and the Hasselblad are all 80mm. The extra coverage of the 75 makes it worth putting up with an f/3.5 lens.

Rollei had their own quick release, and when I had the camera on a flash bracket, I would sometimes release the camera back, turn the camera body, swap the film, and slide the catch. You had to be careful not to torque the back hinge.

Still, I preferred the film swap on the Mamiya, plus my Mamiya took 220 film.

I preferred the parallax warning on the C330s as well, the camera seems to have a lot more of a parallax problem than the Rollei.

Regards, John

 

[johannielscom]

I have two black-lense-blue-dot C330's and think the world of them. Had a C3, sold it and regretted it, even more so after reading another thread on a Yashica here, were the Mamiya was suggested as the better alternative.

I bought one and another for spares, that is actually fully working even tho it looks like a dog and there is separation in the rear lens element .

EDIT: forgot to mention: I take a monopod with me when taking the camera outdoors. On the one leg and with the neck strap taut, I can manage 1/60th and f2.8. If slower, I use whatever surface is at hand.