Yashica Mat 124G – No Respect?

Yashica Mat 124G – Almost a Rolleiflex?

First, this is just some meanderings,….not really a review. If you want to get into all the history of Yashica TLR’s, and enough minutia to make your head explode, head over to YashicaTLR.com. This is just a cursory look-see about both the Yashica Mat 124 and 124G. Although there’s not much difference between the two, the main difference a person would note is one has chrome accents and one is black. But,…the 124 is completely metal and the 124G has a small amount of plastic. Things feel a bit more robust on the cheaper 124. However, the 124 stopped being manufactured in 1971. The G went all the way to 1986. So, it’s probably easier to find a “mint” G than a plain old 124. That said, I have seen chrome 124G’s. Just have to look hard. 😁

Solid But Cheap

There are older Yashica TLR’s,…like the Yashica-24 and Yashica-12. In fact, models from 1956 to 1986. So, Yashica was no “Johnny Come Lately” when it came to TLR’s. But, I would stick with the newer crank versions. Another was actually called Yashica Mat 124B. It had no meter and was made in Brazil. I believe production stopped in 1983. As the newest models are still really inexpensive, I’d just go for the “perfected” newer models.

Both models have a four-element, 80mm f/3.5 taking lens, with the very sharp and excellent “Yashinon” label. The Mat-124 and Mat-124 G all accept Bay 1 accessories, Which matched the Rolleiflex. Both had a ground glass screen, a 3x diopter loupe and a sports finder. Sort of. It is incorporated in the focusing hood. Not like Mamiya or Rolleiflex changable viewfinders. Personally I wouldn’t call it that, but that’s how it’s listed in the manual. The shutter is in the lens and of the Copal SV variety. It has shutter speeds of 1 sec. to 1/500 sec., plus B.

Rollei or Not,…A Workhorse

These cameras are basically a Japanese copy of a Rolleiflex. While I wouldn’t put build quality on the Rolleiflex league,…or even Mamiya TLR’s, the cameras are solid. When stopped down to f/8 or so, they are easily equivilent to the exceptional Rollei lenses. My only complaint about the G version is prices are going up. Almost like the secret is out,…get yours while you can. The 124 is cheaper. But since production ceased in 1971, finding a mint one is pretty hard.

The Yashica Mat 124G pressure plate slides between 12-exposure and 24-exposure settings, (depending on 120 or 220 film). The 124 it pulls out and rotates. But who shoots 220. You can’t even buy it any longer. So it’s a preference is a non-issue. The covering is not leather. I think the 124’s shipped with leather straps, but the coverings are leatherette. The 124 has a square pattern and the 124G is more like a Nikon F pebble texture.

Battery or Not,…Works Fine

Of course, like all cameras from that era, the Yashica Mat 124G took a 1.35V mercury battery. Repace with a Wein PX635 which is the same voltage. Why some people put in 1.5V batteries is beyond me. Not that the meter is very accurate, but I would think it would make it less accurate. But remember, the shutter mechanism is mechanical, and is not coupled in any way to the meter. I actually think the Yashica Mat 124B was a good idea. No meter. (but was only produced for 2 years) Handheld meters are way more accurate when using this camera.

That said, the camera works fine without a battery. The loading film part doesn’t require much explanation. But you can download the manual below if your confused. The inside of the camera has pretty clear printed instructions. But the real beauty of this camera is the lens. The 80mm f/3.5 lens is part of the camera. The images it produces just stopped down a bit are startling in their clarity and micro-contrast. Considering the price, it astonishes even the most jaded photographers. While it’s the standard Hassy 6×6 format, it takes a little practice if you’re use to an SLR. The image in the viewfinder is ‘mirrored’.

Focusing is done with a large knob on the side, and it is a silent and smooth operation on my camera. The winder is a handle, that turns just short of a full turn to set up the next frame. The aperture and shutter are controlled by two small dials on the front of the camera. The shutter was the real surprise to me – it’s super soft and quiet. It’s somewhat odd to have such a heavy camera with such a quiet shutter. I’ve shot with other medium format cameras and they give a vibrant slap of a shutter – not the Yashica Mat 124G.

A Bigger Negative

Look,…I don’t want to get into any deep discussions about a Rollei, (or Mamiya), lens being nominally sharper wide open. But, if you’re already shooting 35mm,…BIGGER always wins. So, why do I love this camera? It makes some stunning photographs. Medium format film can provide such a different look from 35mm, and this camera adds a fun square format to that dynamic medium format film. The photos come out with a depth-of-field that I wouldn’t expect from a f/3.5 lens, and even more surprising to see at f/8 or f/11. The detail and sharpness is unmatched, from all of the cameras I’ve used. I shoot digital alongside film, and I think this camera gives me the sharpest and most intriguing images than from any other camera I’ve used. I look forward to shooting with this camera at any opportunity.

Final Word

A word of advice, should you choose to take a camera like this out for a shoot – expect that just about everyone will stare and some will ask you what in the world you are shooting with. It’s an attention-grabbing camera, and I don’t think I’ve ever gone out with it without someone striking up a conversation! Now I know it has a “fixed” lens, but the work around is Yashica’s attachable auxiliary wide, telephoto and close up lenses. So, there is a cheap work around if shooting with “only” a normal lens appears limiting. (I know photographers who’ve had decades long careers with only a “normal” lens) It’s just a different mindset in a modern “zoom lens” era. 🤷‍♂️

If you’ve never shot with a waist level finder I’d urge you to get right around to finding one. The process of making the photos is almost more fun than seeing what you created. Almost! One upgrade I would make is the focusing screen. While the standard one is,…OK,….you can get really bright ones on Ebay for about $25-$35! It’s really a no brainer. In comparison, I think the last time I updated a Hassy screen, it was $300. 😮

Yashica Manual