Mamiya C series are great cameras for studio, but are far outclassed for travel by the Rolleiflex/cord.
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Dud Yashica Mat 124 for $200CLA or return?
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- Thread starter drsnowball
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Mamiya C series are great cameras for studio, but are far outclassed for travel by the Rolleiflex/cord.
No kidding. I took one look at that huge, gorgeous waist level finder and was instantly obsessed. That’s really what’s going on here—what is my method to get a WLF into my life? Haha.
Really appreciate all the advice and responses I’ve gotten. It’s a really great welcome into this board. I’ll take a look at any models folks keep suggesting, but for now I’m digging into the Rolleicord Vb, the Mamiya, and the Autocord.
Dr ......the Vb would be great! I had a bunch of various TLR including the much admired R 2.8F....which i traded for a 90mm SuperAngulon XL. Then almost by accident, I bought a Rolleiflex T for cheap..had Harry Fleenor do an overhaul and install a Maxwell screen.... got caught by the beautiful Tessar character...& it's been w me since. Brilliant cameras....simple & light . ......it's been around the world w me several times
*not to mention the less costly & widely available Bayonet 1 accessories.
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The Mamiya 220 weights about a pound more than the 124G, 2.4 vs 3.4 lbs. The 330 is another 1/2 pound.
+ the added bulk which makes a difference for discreet travel.
Just echoing others here. Yashicas are good MF cameras that are also inexpensive compared to top tier WLF cameras. The one you got was a dud but now you know what they're like. Don't worry about the meter - in fact if you can get a discount for a non-working meter go for it as you won't be using that meter anyway most likely. A $300-$400 Yashica with a Yashinon lens will make very fine, sharp images if you stop it down a bit. And when I added flocking inside mine flare was reduced dramatically. they're great fun! (Oh and get a lens hood for it too, they're cheap and useful.)
Yashicas with a Yashinon taking lens are great. Rolleicords -- you need to be aware that the mirrors have mostly gone dim and may need replacing (if not already replaced). Keep in mind that, if you get your Yashica properly fixed, it will last the rest of your life. It's really easy to waste a lot of money on cameras.
Hi Don. The mirror issue isn’t really an issue with Va and Vb. That’s mostly with Rolleicord III and earlier. People seem to often whine about dim viewfinders, for whatever reason, due to unrealistic expectations of the open waist-level viewfinder. Sometimes It’s the mirror or screen but not always.
I really enjoyed shooting with a 124g when I was in college. Got some great pictures with it. Flash forward a decade and I was blown away by the c220. Absolutely loved the 80mm and 55mm lenses as well as the incredible build quality. In the end it was just too heavy for me to really enjoy.
The Yashica never filled me with confidence as far as build quality goes. TLRs are such a weird type of camera. The Rolleiflexes are amazing, compact cameras. If you have one in good working condition it’s as good as it gets.I think the Mamiyas are every bit the equal in all aspects except bulk and weight. I think there’s a noticeable drop in build quality outside of those two. Yashica seems to have a better reputation than most of the Japanese TLRs but I’d never want to spend what they are going for. Even Autocords are known for delicate focusing mechanisms.
If you’re in love with the experience of shooting TLRs and aren’t doing big enlargements maybe a cheap one would scratch that itch? Japanese Vintage Camera has a good reputation and they have a bunch of Richoflexes at pretty reasonable prices. https://japan-vintage-camera.com/store
The Yashica never filled me with confidence as far as build quality goes. TLRs are such a weird type of camera. The Rolleiflexes are amazing, compact cameras. If you have one in good working condition it’s as good as it gets.I think the Mamiyas are every bit the equal in all aspects except bulk and weight. I think there’s a noticeable drop in build quality outside of those two. Yashica seems to have a better reputation than most of the Japanese TLRs but I’d never want to spend what they are going for. Even Autocords are known for delicate focusing mechanisms.
If you’re in love with the experience of shooting TLRs and aren’t doing big enlargements maybe a cheap one would scratch that itch? Japanese Vintage Camera has a good reputation and they have a bunch of Richoflexes at pretty reasonable prices. https://japan-vintage-camera.com/store
That's good to know. The sole Rolleicord I have is a bit older and the mirror is a bit dim.
At any rate, less desirable Rolleiflex cameras are not that expensive, either.
I should note that the Rolleicord I own is considerably older than the 4 Yashica tlrs. Yashica made fine lenses. But I don't know that they're "better" than a Xenar. The Yashinon is a great lens, though.
#1 you were ripped off.
#2 A CLA here in Western Canada can be done for under $200 Canadian; you do the exchange rate!
#3 Smudges are worse than scratches for lens issues.
I have a C33, C220 with all the lenses and a Rolleiflex. The Rolleiflex is by far my favorite walking-around camera. The C220 excels for everything else. I barely know the difference when the C33 is in my hands.
My 'go to' camera for trips where I want to be light enough, or when I do not know what to expect (Business trips in unknown places , that kind of trips) is the Rolleiflex.
No sorties about how it works, nonanalysis paralysis about which lens to take, etc...
My bare minimum setup (camera, filtres, meter, a few films) is compatible with a Nova Micro bag.
No sorties about how it works, nonanalysis paralysis about which lens to take, etc...
My bare minimum setup (camera, filtres, meter, a few films) is compatible with a Nova Micro bag.
ditto
I bought a 124G two years ago on eBay but when it arrived it had obviously had an accident before being posted. The camera back was bent around the tripod socket, the metal lens hood had a gouge in it that had torn the metal, and yes, it didn't work. My guess is its tripod had been knocked over right after taking the eBay photos. eBay immediately re-imbursed the money and the seller said keep it, but even so it still wasn't worth repairing a 'free' camera. Thinking back to my previous Yashicamats I thought how easy it is for them to stop working anyway, never mind after a fall. But why was I trying to add to my collection of TLR's with a Mamiya 330f, Rolleiflex, Rolleicord Vb, Lubitel, and the best one of all, my Minolta Autocord. So I'd recommend an Autocord, v. sharp lens, light, robust, easy to use, and a flat film path.
I'd send it back out of general print .
It was sold as in full working order , and you paid the price for one in full working order .
Get one from elsewhere that does work .
I have several Yashica TLR's including a 124g which I really like .
These small TLR's are really nice to use and easy to carry on a hike .
I have Yashica's , Minolta Autocords , Rolliecords , an assortment of other small TLR's plus several Mamiya TLR's.
I tend to take the Mamiya ones out when I know I'll need to change lenses or when I'm only planning on a couple of shots and haven't planned for the rest of the roll .
Otherwise I'll just as likely take out the smaller fixed lens type .
Regards to meters , my 124g has one and is fairly accurate if you know where to point it , but it's the only TLR out of about twenty I have that have a built in meter .
Don't let that sway you , meters are cheap to pick up .
It was sold as in full working order , and you paid the price for one in full working order .
Get one from elsewhere that does work .
I have several Yashica TLR's including a 124g which I really like .
These small TLR's are really nice to use and easy to carry on a hike .
I have Yashica's , Minolta Autocords , Rolliecords , an assortment of other small TLR's plus several Mamiya TLR's.
I tend to take the Mamiya ones out when I know I'll need to change lenses or when I'm only planning on a couple of shots and haven't planned for the rest of the roll .
Otherwise I'll just as likely take out the smaller fixed lens type .
Regards to meters , my 124g has one and is fairly accurate if you know where to point it , but it's the only TLR out of about twenty I have that have a built in meter .
Don't let that sway you , meters are cheap to pick up .
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- bernard_L
- Deleted
- Reason: posted on wrong thread
With all of the assorted cameras mentioned, the major deciding factor on purchasing a particular camera is condition. And then condition. And third, condition. All of these are old cameras. There are clunkers for all of them to be bought.
Something to remember about Yashica TLRs is that they made hundreds of thousands of them. And they were used everywhere. In high school photo programs, riding in the trunks of police cars for crime scene work, at weddings week after week. So condition is important, both from use history and the quality of any repair work done over the years. The lens, Yashinon, is as good as a Tessar or Xenar, all of which are almost as good as the Rokkor on the Autocords (yep, trolling here). A clean lens, that is, on an aligned and adjusted camera, etc. for any of these.
As I said before, if the Mamiya's size will work for you, it's an excellent camera. But you pay in bulk and weight for the multiple lens option and the bellows.
Something to remember about Yashica TLRs is that they made hundreds of thousands of them. And they were used everywhere. In high school photo programs, riding in the trunks of police cars for crime scene work, at weddings week after week. So condition is important, both from use history and the quality of any repair work done over the years. The lens, Yashinon, is as good as a Tessar or Xenar, all of which are almost as good as the Rokkor on the Autocords (yep, trolling here). A clean lens, that is, on an aligned and adjusted camera, etc. for any of these.
As I said before, if the Mamiya's size will work for you, it's an excellent camera. But you pay in bulk and weight for the multiple lens option and the bellows.
I’ve already set the return up, and props to eBay, it was accepted instantly. It’s going back this morning.
I’ve found a C220 + 80mm 2.8 for $300, and extra lenses don’t seem too pricey. There’s a local one in worse condition I might go see to get some hands on. The Autocords I’m seeing are about the same price. Is that about the price I should expect? Getting my bearings because both models are new in my hunt.
I suspect the Mamiya will be too chunky for my use on top of my full frame kit, but another system camera is very tempting, and the prices are definitely better than the later Yashicas (I assume due to Yashica going viral).
I’ve found a C220 + 80mm 2.8 for $300, and extra lenses don’t seem too pricey. There’s a local one in worse condition I might go see to get some hands on. The Autocords I’m seeing are about the same price. Is that about the price I should expect? Getting my bearings because both models are new in my hunt.
I suspect the Mamiya will be too chunky for my use on top of my full frame kit, but another system camera is very tempting, and the prices are definitely better than the later Yashicas (I assume due to Yashica going viral).
Send it for service
Autocords are in the $3-400 range I would think. Big concern is the focus lever moving smoothly. If it is stiff or not moving, that's an unusable camera that needs an overhaul. Also make sure the lens board actually moves in and out with the lever; sometimes the lever ring can snap, the lever moves easily, but it isn't connected to the lens board.
The Autocord is in the same size/weight area as the Yashicas, Rolleicords, etc. Excellent all-day carry cameras.
The Autocord is in the same size/weight area as the Yashicas, Rolleicords, etc. Excellent all-day carry cameras.
If I were given the choice between a Mamiya C220 with 80mm and a Yashica 124G? Well, I'd be looking for a 55mm and a nice case for the C220. That's just me. I've owned and used several models of the Yashicamats and Mamiya C22's, C33's, C220 and C330's. Like I said, I'll take a lighter used C220 anyway. That said, I don't own any Mamiya or Yashicamats anymore. Also, being that I'm pushing toward 80 yrs old I lean toward lighter cameras. My Minolta Autocords are very nice to use after a CLA. My first experience with the Autocord was in the late 70's and I bought one from the old Shutterbug paper magazine that use to come out. It was listed as nice (exc+) , but a little stiff in focusing. I tried to use it as is and the first day the focus lever broke off in my hand. Lesson learn, never attempt to operate a Minolta Autocord with stiff focus. Send it for a CLA and then be happy.
Sometime back I bought a Rolleicord Vb just to see how I liked it. Well, I liked it a lot and it's what I grab for flying out the door, well at my age maybe it's more shuffling out the door. My Rollei"s with their Planar and Xenotar lenses are left on the shelf as well as other very good cameras. Another camera that often gets overlooked is the old Rollei Automat. If it hasn't been abused it can make a very good user camera with a really fine lens. They also don't command as much money as other Rollei and Rolleicord cameras. My vote for the best of what we're talking about here is the Rolleicord Vb hands down.
Sometime back I bought a Rolleicord Vb just to see how I liked it. Well, I liked it a lot and it's what I grab for flying out the door, well at my age maybe it's more shuffling out the door. My Rollei"s with their Planar and Xenotar lenses are left on the shelf as well as other very good cameras. Another camera that often gets overlooked is the old Rollei Automat. If it hasn't been abused it can make a very good user camera with a really fine lens. They also don't command as much money as other Rollei and Rolleicord cameras. My vote for the best of what we're talking about here is the Rolleicord Vb hands down.
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You can contact Karl Bryan, who services Autocord. Often he has a few already CLA's Autocords for sale, and the price might be within your budget. I bought a really nice one from him in 2024.
I too have had to lighten my loads to carry around. These days my go to medium format camera is a Seagull 6x6 folder. A super cheap (in all senses of the word) camera that fits in my hand. Here’s the thing, once you stop down to 11 or so the differences in image quality of all of these cameras will be pretty close IMO. Spending the extra money will get you better results at wider apertures, feel better in the hand, be more reliable, and in the case of the Mamiyas give you lens options and bulletproof build quality. If it’s going to be a fun camera instead of a workhorse I’d lean towards what is easy to carry and fun to use over absolute image quality.
On the other hand, I wouldn’t overthink it too much. Maybe the best thing to do is just get one in your hands and start shooting. Find a camera that works well and that will tell you what your next one should be
As OP is looking for a waist level viewfinder the other options is a Bronica S2, well made, top shutter speed of 1/1000 of a second, interchangeable focusing screens and lens. It is heavy, the other option is a Mamiya 645.
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