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.

 

[BrianShaw]

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.

 

[isaac7]

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

 

[Don_ih]

The mirror issue isn’t really an issue with Va and Vb.

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.

 

[Melvin J Bramley]

Hi all, newbie here trying to figure out a cost effective way to play around with medium format after shooting digital for years. In short, my newly bought $200 Yashica 124 needs a CLA for $300-400 or goes back.

I picked up a Yashica Mat 124 (non-G) for $200. The meter is broken but the listing otherwise described it as working.
The lenses seem OK except for some cleaning smudges on the taking lens—I’m waiting for a test roll to come back to me Monday.

That said, after shooting the test roll, the shutter has started to stick on opening. Is a CLA worth it, or should I just return this camera and aim to buy an already-CLA’d camera? I’m getting CLA quotes for $300-400 in my area, and I’m getting gunshy at $600 all-in for a Yashica…

#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.