Dud Yashica Mat 124 for $200CLA or return?

[GregY]

Would you ever take the Mamiya traveling or on an extended photo walk/hike out for landscapes? That’s going to be my main use, alongside my existing Nikon digital kit. Amateur hobbyist sort of stuff.

My sense is I should stick to the Yashicas and various ‘cords; and that if I wanted interchangeable lenses outside of a studio/tripod situation, I need to look at medium format SLRs.

Mamiya C series are great cameras for studio, but are far outclassed for travel by the Rolleiflex/cord.

 

[drsnowball]

You've past the first and major issue of TLRs- you like the viewing system.

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.

 

[GregY]

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.

 

[Paul Howell]

The Mamiya 220 weights about a pound more than the 124G, 2.4 vs 3.4 lbs. The 330 is another 1/2 pound.

 

[GregY]

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.

 

[lecarp]

Contact Mark Hama, He is the master for Yashica Mat. Reasonable and superb work.
Don't fall for all the Rollei rhetoric.

 

[warden]

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.

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.)

 

[Don_ih]

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.