Dud Yashica Mat 124 for $200CLA or return?

[John Wiegerink]

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.

Paul,
The Bronica S2A is said to have better and more hardened gears than the S2. I had the Bronica S2A when I started out in wedding photography. I used it for three or four weddings and that was it. The reason I stopped using it for weddings is because when I tripped the shutter it was louder than a 30-30 deer rifle going off. Not the best thing for a church wedding for sure.

 

[GregY]

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.

If you start looking at SLRs or 645 that's a whole other world of options......for someone who's taken a liking to a TLR. All things being equal, i'd take the Mamiya 6 MF....but that doesn't help the OP much....

 

[drsnowball]

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.

Careful, I might convince myself to ditch TLRs and go for an SQ or a RB67 after all this!

Joking aside, I’ve emailed Karl and the choice now is between one of his available Autocords and a Mamiya TLR. I hadn’t planned on going big—my original plan was a small TLR to get my feet wet and an MF SLR later on—but seeing the way people here praise Mamiya’s TLRs has me wavering.

 

[John Wiegerink]

Careful, I might convince myself to ditch TLRs and go for an SQ or a RB67 after all this!

Joking aside, I’ve emailed Karl and the choice now is between one of his available Autocords and a Mamiya TLR. I hadn’t planned on going big—my original plan was a small TLR to get my feet wet and an MF SLR later on—but seeing the way people here praise Mamiya’s TLRs has me wavering.

It's a choice between versatility and portability! The Mamiya is more versatile and the Autocord more portable. The Rokkor lens on the Autocord is really, really a good one, but the later 80mm f2.8 Sekor lens is nothing to sneeze at either. I'm just glad I don't have to decide.

 

[Dan Daniel]

Careful, I might convince myself to ditch TLRs and go for an SQ or a RB67 after all this!

Joking aside, I’ve emailed Karl and the choice now is between one of his available Autocords and a Mamiya TLR. I hadn’t planned on going big—my original plan was a small TLR to get my feet wet and an MF SLR later on—but seeing the way people here praise Mamiya’s TLRs has me wavering.

Two different uses. One is an adaptable interchangeable lens camera that happens to be a TLR. The other is a camera you can carry most places without much problem but limits you to one focal length. One is pretending to be a view camera and failing. One is pretending to be a Canon QL17iii and failing.

You won't regret either one. Think about how you shoot- do you roam and find shots? Or do you set out for a particular shot, set up, etc.? The Autocord can be a side item. The Mamiya will, most times, be the reason you are somewhere.

 

[bernard_L]

my original plan was a small TLR to get my feet wet and an MF SLR later on—but seeing the way people here praise Mamiya’s TLRs has me wavering.

I have a C220 (55 80 135 180) and a Rolleicord Vb. Both very nice cameras. But it's the Rolleicord that I take on mountain hikes. The C220 is more like "within 1km of the parking lot".

 

[MattKing]

I have a fairly small and light post WWII Japanese TLR badged Toyocaflex - the middle camera in this trio:

and a Mamiya C330. I've owned a C220 in the past.
The Toyocaflex is light and small, and the lens quality is good, but the flexibility, handling, viewing system - particularly the viewing system - and ergonomics of the C330 mean that I will choose it at least 90% of the time.
The Toyocoflex is a fun alternative for fairly limited circumstances.

 

[drsnowball]

I have a fairly small and light post WWII Japanese TLR badged Toyocaflex - the middle camera in this trio:
View attachment 421604

and a Mamiya C330. I've owned a C220 in the past.
The Toyocaflex is light and small, and the lens quality is good, but the flexibility, handling, viewing system - particularly the viewing system - and ergonomics of the C330 mean that I will choose it at least 90% of the time.
The Toyocoflex is a fun alternative for fairly limited circumstances.

How would you feel schlepping the Mamiya up a hike? I’ve seen other posters say it’s too much for them, but I feel like I have a pretty high tolerance for weight hiking for photos. On the digital end I’m hoping to have a supertele for birds one day after all. The bulk in the backpack concerns me more than the weight I think.

And can you share what about the finder and ergonomics makes you choose it over the smaller TLR? Is it brighter, or the parallax adjustment, or something else?

 

[MARTIE]

Here are some more pic's.

The Mamiya has an 80mm f2.8 taking lens while the Yashica 124G an 80mm f3.5. They have the same f2.8 viewing lens so equally bright viewfinders.
In this configuration, the Mamiya can focus down to about 25cm while the Yashica 1m.
The weight difference is 0.468g or 1.03lbs.

If your not hindered by just a standard lens, then the Yashica or others would be better. (The portability point, as above)
If you're interested in wide-angle or portrait options, then the Mamiya would be better. (Versatility point, as above)

 

[MattKing]

How would you feel schlepping the Mamiya up a hike?

I've schlepped an RB67 on a hike!!!
The C330 is actually smaller and of similar weight than a lot of modern SLRs. And if you want several lenses, the package of body plus lenses is actually a very manageable size, compared to most medium format interchangeable lens cameras.
If size and weight are extremely high priorities, I carry an Olympus 35mm camera - either a film or digital OM, or an XA series fixed lens camera.

And can you share what about the finder and ergonomics makes you choose it over the smaller TLR? Is it brighter, or the parallax adjustment, or something else?

The Toyocaflex is a lot less refined than the Yashica Mat that inspired this thread - separate shutter cocking, no double-exposure prevention, and a very rudimentary viewing system that was probably dimmer than the (~20 year younger) Mamiya when both were new , and much dimmer than the Mamiya 70 years later.
I get real use from the parallax adjustment features and close focusing capabilities and wide range of accessories available - including the prism finder - but the core strengths of a TLR are the main reasons to consider the options available.
The cameras you are considering don't suffer from most of those limitations, but I can't comment directly on using those except to the extent that back when they were new I actually sold some of them, and my experience was limited to sales person's knowledge, in store handling, and customer feedback.
By the way, this was taken with the Toyocaflex:

Net Loft Floats #10

• MattKing
• Nov 18, 2024
• 2

A detail from some of the nets and floats on display at the Net Loft building at the Brittania...

 

[John Wiegerink]

I've schlepped an RB67 on a hike!!!
The C330 is actually smaller and of similar weight than a lot of modern SLRs. And if you want several lenses, the package of body plus lenses is actually a very manageable size, compared to most medium format interchangeable lens cameras.
If size and weight are extremely high priorities, I carry an Olympus 35mm camera - either a film or digital OM, or an XA series fixed lens camera.


The Toyocaflex is a lot less refined than the Yashica Mat that inspired this thread - separate shutter cocking, no double-exposure prevention, and a very rudimentary viewing system that was probably dimmer than the (~20 year younger) Mamiya when both were new , and much dimmer than the Mamiya 70 years later.
I get real use from the parallax adjustment features and close focusing capabilities and wide range of accessories available - including the prism finder - but the core strengths of a TLR are the main reasons to consider the options available.
The cameras you are considering don't suffer from most of those limitations, but I can't comment directly on using those except to the extent that back when they were new I actually sold some of them, and my experience was limited to sales person's knowledge, in store handling, and customer feedback.
By the way, this was taken with the Toyocaflex:

Net Loft Floats #10

• MattKing
• Nov 18, 2024
• 2

A detail from some of the nets and floats on display at the Net Loft building at the Brittania...

Matt,
I remember the first time I saw the net shot, it almost made me want to hunt down a Toyocaflex of me own. Then I looked at all the really good cameras I had on the shelf and said, "Do I really need another camera"? Still, that camera did you proud. The one thing I always liked about the Mamiya C 33 and 330 is the close focus / macro bellows draw and good parallax correction in the viewfinder. They were very well designed and thought out cameras made to take photographs.

 

[250swb]

—but seeing the way people here praise Mamiya’s TLRs has me wavering.

I'm not criticising the Mamiya's for their intrinsic qualities, but they are massively heavy against an Autocord or Rolleiflex like for like, and more so if living the dream and carrying two or three lenses around as well. In the 'He-Man' contest a kid I'd lug my C220 around everywhere with me, but now as an old git I'd lug around something more practical even it was the same overall weight.

 

[drsnowball]

So as it turns out I’ve decided on one of Karl’s Autocords. He was super responsive and I’m not ready to give up the small size TLRs just yet—if I need the extra functions, I can always jump into a C220 or even an RB67 in the years to come. The only thing I know I’ll miss immediately is the close focus distance, but my Z6iii can always handle those shots. The fixed lens is honestly a benefit more than a negative—I already have decision paralysis on my digital lenses, so the Autocord will be nice and simple. Very excited to wrap up the deal and get it!

All the responses and stories on this thread have been amazingly helpful, not to mention extremely welcoming. Thank you so much to every single commenter here, you’ve all been so helpful and so kind!

 

[Dan Daniel]

There are close up lenses for TLRs. The Autocord takes what is called 'Bay 1' bayonet one, Bay I. The most common closeup will be a Rolleinar. three 'strengths. ' 1, 2, and 3!! Imagine, eh?

Which Rolleiflex Rolleinar Close-Up Lens is Right for Me? — Dan Wagner, Writer, Photographer, Content Creator

Rolleiflex photographers prize Rolleinar close-up lenses for their sharpness, lightweight, compact size, and ability to bring them closer to their subjects. The Rolleinars pictured above consist of a viewing lens paired with a close-up lens.

www.danwagner.com

How to Identify and Use Rolleinar Lens Attachment Sets

One of the great things about film photography is just how much information there is on the internet about various esoterica related to cameras, accessories, film development, and more. But it&#821…

beyondtheaperture.com

Each comes with a matching close up lens for the viewing lens with a prism. So this helps with the close framing (some people call this parallax correction which it isn't but that's another topic so yeah call it 'parallax correction'). People get very good results.

And yes, the Rollei close ups work on the Autocord. Bay I accessories work across models like the Rolleiflex (some models), Yashica, Kalloflex, Autocord, etc.

Karl's the man for Autocords. You'll have that camera for ages.

 

[GregY]

I'm not criticising the Mamiya's for their intrinsic qualities, but they are massively heavy against an Autocord or Rolleiflex like for like, and more so if living the dream and carrying two or three lenses around as well. In the 'He-Man' contest a kid I'd lug my C220 around everywhere with me, but now as an old git I'd lug around something more practical even it was the same overall weight.

Agreed. My experience owning Pentax 67, Mamiya RB67 & Mamiya C330 systems lead me to leaving them for a slimmer 4x5 view camera outfit....

 

[GregY]

There are close up lenses for TLRs. The Autocord takes what is called 'Bay 1' bayonet one, Bay I. The most common closeup will be a Rolleinar. three 'strengths. ' 1, 2, and 3!! Imagine, eh?

Which Rolleiflex Rolleinar Close-Up Lens is Right for Me? — Dan Wagner, Writer, Photographer, Content Creator

Rolleiflex photographers prize Rolleinar close-up lenses for their sharpness, lightweight, compact size, and ability to bring them closer to their subjects. The Rolleinars pictured above consist of a viewing lens paired with a close-up lens.

www.danwagner.com

How to Identify and Use Rolleinar Lens Attachment Sets

One of the great things about film photography is just how much information there is on the internet about various esoterica related to cameras, accessories, film development, and more. But it&#821…

beyondtheaperture.com

Each comes with a matching close up lens for the viewing lens with a prism. So this helps with the close framing (some people call this parallax correction which it isn't but that's another topic so yeah call it 'parallax correction'). People get very good results.

And yes, the Rollei close ups work on the Autocord. Bay I accessories work across models like the Rolleiflex (some models), Yashica, Kalloflex, Autocord, etc.

Karl's the man for Autocords. You'll have that camera for ages.

Thanks for that Dan. I was surprised just how good the results are with the Rolleinar 1!

 

[ic-racer]

—but seeing the way people here praise Mamiya’s TLRs has me wavering.

If you were frustrated by a slow shutter in the Yashica, The Mamiya could be a nighmare. Every lens will need its shutter serviced.