New to MF ... Which Yashica Mat?

[gregmacc]

Hi all ... my first post on APUG ...
Which are the best Yashica Mat models and lenses? I'm after a camera that will introduce me to MF ... something with that classic camera personality, great quality images, but not so clunky or quirky in operation that it's frustrating to use. There seem to be lots of Yashicas on ebay with prices that suit my meger budget but I don't know which ones were the best. I'm looking for something with a 35mm SLR 35-50mm lens equivalent angle of view. Metering would be nice but I could live without it. Are there common issues/faults to be aware of?
Cheers from Adelaide, Australia.

 

[Ian Grant]

Welcome to APUG. The Yashicamat 124 and newer 124G are probably the best, but theb 635 is OK too, other models tend to be older or have selenium cell meters which are prone to age badly. The 124G is more expensive, the G means it's electrics have Gold contacts unlike the 124 also a few minor cosmetic changes.

The best lenses are the Yashinons, f3.5 80mm and equivalent to a 50mm lens on a 35mm camera there were no wide angle versions, unlike Rolleiflex's.

Ian

 

[Laurent]

I've been told that the 124G would be more fragile than the 124.
My 124 is a very nice camera, the meter works fine (although I usually use a hand-held meter), at least for negative, but it's taking a mercury cell (some adapters are available though).

 

[Ian Grant]

I've used both, but own a 124, alternative batteries are readily available, some people say the 124g is more plasticy but I never really noticed and the one I used seemed rugged enough. The meters are surprisingly accurate and while I generally have a hand-held meter for a 6x17 or 5x4 camera it's reliable enough.

Ian

 

[Glenn Mathison]

Welcome to APUG from a fellow Aussie - we need more of us!

I have a yashicaMat LM - meter doesn't work but I have a hand-held meter so I don't care.

Have made fabulous portraits at 12x16 inches so the lens qauality is there. The camera cost me $100 here in Oz.

Buy one, shoot, have fun with it!

 

[WolfTales]

Grrrrrreat camera. Sharp little lens. Great lightmeter.

Started off in medium format using the 124G and never regretted it. I went far with that little guy. Got a Mamiya RZ67 now and luggin a brick wrapped around a pillow in a backpack makes me really appreciate the 124G.

 

[ic-racer]

Here is a nice Yashica TLR FAQ that explains all the models: Dead Link Removed

I got a 124G in 1975 and I still have it. It has been trouble free.

Yashica branded and aftermarket (Bay I) wide angle lenses are available. Also, tele lenses, but I found cropping to be superior to the tele.

 

[dougjgreen]

The latest 124 G units have a less robust winding mechanism than the earlier 124 G and 124 models. The cameras are functionally identical, but the camera was in production for nearly 2 decades, and by the end of it's run, the tooling that made the parts wore out. That was why the camera was eventually discontinued, and the latest ones produced had the most problems with the winder mechanism. IMHO, a fully working Mat 124 is the best one to buy.

 

[bagdad child]

The Yashica Mat LM is probably the best bargain. It has the excellent Yashinon lens and is for some reason overlooked in favour of the 124 models which cost a lot more. The light meter may well be inoperative on the LM however. I always use a hand held incident meter, if you do too it's not a problem.

 

[JRJacobs]

The best models to get are the Yashica 12, the Yashica 124, the EM, and the LM. All of these have the better Yashinon lens, and have metal geared construction. The 124G's do have a fragile plastic gearing that sounds very loud when you wind them. I have repaired a 124G and the construction is not pretty. The earlier models I mention are better built.

 

[michaelbsc]

The best models to get are the Yashica 12, the Yashica 124, the EM, and the LM. All of these have the better Yashinon lens, and have metal geared construction. The 124G's do have a fragile plastic gearing that sounds very loud when you wind them. I have repaired a 124G and the construction is not pretty. The earlier models I mention are better built.

I've got a Yashica 12 and a 124, and frankly both are superb. My bet would be that if you find a 12 it will need a service, which is smart if you plan to use the camera like a tool. But even with that it's probably cheaper than a 124 because of the internet chatter regarding the 124.

The 12 I have was refurbed by Eddy Smolov, search for his name if interested, and the work was excellent and extremely reasonable compared to some others.

The 124 I bought refurbed from a dealer, and while it is excellent (and years newer), it was $50 more expensive that the 12 and its subsequent refurb.

Over all I cannot identify negatives that are shot in one verses the other except by my notes. Both have the Yashinon lens, and both are mechanically sound.

It is true that the 124 can shoot 220 film, while the 12 cannot. That's not an issue for me, but may be for you. I also do not bother with the light meter in the 124, prefering my handheld instead. The 12 has no meter, so it's equal for me there. As others have pointed out, for general shooting the meter in the 124 is pretty darned good, but not as good as a handheld spot. But when I have used it, I will admit that it's a very good general scene meter.

I'm not familair with the LM or EM, but I hear good things about them.

MB

 

[dougjgreen]

I'm not familair with the LM or EM, but I hear good things about them.

MB

Basically, they are comparable to the plain Yashica Mat. The LM and EM each have selenium light meters, but those are likely to be broken. Any of the Mat LM, Mat EM, or Yashica Mat are likely to be excellent TLRs but without a working light meter, and without the ability to shoot 220 film. So, if you use only 120 film, and a hand held meter, any of those 3 will be the best choices, and working ones can probably be found for well under $80 with a high quality Yashinon (Tessar clone) lens.

 

[JRJacobs]

I've got a Yashica 12 and a 124, and frankly both are superb. My bet would be that if you find a 12 it will need a service, which is smart if you plan to use the camera like a tool.

Not much difference in age between the 12 and the 124 model - I think they are two years apart or less. They came out with the 12 and the 24 at the same time, then changed the back to handle both types of film and called it the 124.

Good to assume any of these old cameras might need a service. That being said, I had an OLD EM that was like brand new with accurate meter and all. I also purchased a 124 that was quite battered and beat up, and needed a full overhaul. It all depends on how they were treated.

 

[gregmacc]

Thanks all re Yashica Mat

Thanks one and all ... I now feel a lot more confident about going shopping ..."ic-racer", the link was most useful.

 

[michaelbsc]

Thanks one and all ... I now feel a lot more confident about going shopping ..."ic-racer", the link was most useful.

Good luck with them. Honestly, I think my TLRs are my favorite cameras.

 

[aldevo]

I've used both, but own a 124, alternative batteries are readily available, some people say the 124g is more plasticy but I never really noticed and the one I used seemed rugged enough. The meters are surprisingly accurate and while I generally have a hand-held meter for a 6x17 or 5x4 camera it's reliable enough.

Ian

The 124g isn't really more plasticky but the construction of the 124 is generally regarded as better. I have heard the reason for this is that the dies used to create the 124g body were the same as the 124's and began to wear out near the end of its production run. So, generally, a 124's body construction will be "tighter".

I own a 124g and have no problems with it. The construction of the 124 and 124g are considered quite good, with the most common failure being the film advance crank mechanism.

 

[Pumal]

Any Yashicamat in working condition is excelent and probably the best bang fot the buck.