The winder is a handle, that turns just short of a full turn to set up the next frame. The image in the viewfinder is ‘mirrored’.įocusing is done with a large knob on the side, and it is a silent and smooth operation on my camera. While it’s the standard Hassy 6×6 format, it takes a little practice if you’re use to an SLR. Considering the price, it astonishes even the most jaded photographers. The images it produces just stopped down a bit are startling in their clarity and micro-contrast. The 80mm f/3.5 lens is part of the camera. But the real beauty of this camera is the lens. The inside of the camera has pretty clear printed instructions. But you can download the manual below if your confused. The loading film part doesn’t require much explanation. That said, the camera works fine without a battery. (but was only produced for 2 years) Handheld meters are way more accurate when using this camera. I actually think the Yashica Mat 124B was a good idea. But remember, the shutter mechanism is mechanical, and is not coupled in any way to the meter. Not that the meter is very accurate, but I would think it would make it less accurate. Why some people put in 1.5V batteries is beyond me. Repace with a Wein PX635 which is the same voltage. Of course, like all cameras from that era, the Yashica Mat 124G took a 1.35V mercury battery. The 124 has a square pattern and the 124G is more like a Nikon F pebble texture. I think the 124’s shipped with leather straps, but the coverings are leatherette. The Yashica Mat 124G pressure plate slides between 12-exposure and 24-exposure settings, (depending on 120 or 220 film). But since production ceased in 1971, finding a mint one is pretty hard. Almost like the secret is out,…get yours while you can. My only complaint about the G version is prices are going up. When stopped down to f/8 or so, they are easily equivilent to the exceptional Rollei lenses. While I wouldn’t put build quality on the Rolleiflex league,…or even Mamiya TLR’s, the cameras are solid. These cameras are basically a Japanese copy of a Rolleiflex. The shutter is in the lens and of the Copal SV variety. Personally I wouldn’t call it that, but that’s how it’s listed in the manual. Not like Mamiya or Rolleiflex changable viewfinders. Both had a ground glass screen, a 3x diopter loupe and a sports finder. The Mat-124 and Mat-124 G all accept Bay 1 accessories, Which matched the Rolleiflex. As the newest models are still really inexpensive, I’d just go for the “perfected” newer models.īoth models have a four-element, 80mm f/3.5 taking lens, with the very sharp and excellent “Yashinon” label. Another was actually called Yashica Mat 124B. But, I would stick with the newer crank versions.
So, Yashica was no “Johnny Come Lately” when it came to TLR’s. There are older Yashica TLR’s,…like the Yashica-24 and Yashica-12. So, it’s probably easier to find a “mint” G than a plain old 124. However, the 124 stopped being manufactured in 1971. Things feel a bit more robust on the cheaper 124. But,…the 124 is completely metal and the 124G has a small amount of plastic. 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. This is just a cursory look-see about both the Yashica Mat 124 and 124G. If you want to get into all the history of Yashica TLR’s, and enough minutia to make your head explode, head over to. First, this is just some meanderings,….not really a review.