Newbie says Hello

Kopite64 · Mar 16, 2007

Ladies and Gents

First post just wanted to say hello I can see already I am on a steep but very friendly learning curve!

Several months ago I decided I would like to take up photography as a principal hobby again after remembering the pleasure I got from my first 35mm SLR system (2xCanon A1's and a range of lenses). So having decided it had to be film or nothing I have been scouring all possible sources for something manual, quality and in nice condition.

Last week I saw a listing for a Yashica Mat 124G in "mint unused" condition. I decided to take a look even though I was feeling a little sceptical. It turns out it was absolutely untouched, as new, never had a single roll through it. I picked it up for £90 about $175. It is so nice even the wife said don't use it just put it in the display cabinet. Maybe she senses a bit of absenteeism on my part!

Well I have already aquired a light meter and some B/W Rollei filters B1 fitting are on the way from Germany. I am really looking foraward to using the camera I have been told Yashica Mats are a little soft at maxium apperture then at F8 they are fine is that right? Is the softness at F3.5 usable and effective in portraiture? I realise that the answer to my next question may already be on the forum but I am going out to buy stock in the morning what would be your reccomendation for a natural colour negative film for portraiture and a black and white film suitable for portraits using studio flash but equally suited to fine grain landscape work.

Thanks for your time looking forward to furthering my knowledge and sharing the journey.

Drew B. · Mar 16, 2007

Welcome from New England! I don't know much about that camera...but I'm sure someone here does.

copake_ham · Mar 16, 2007

Welcome from (tonight at least) upstate New York where we are getting a hopefully finally wintry blast of snow. About 15 inches on the ground and still falling!

Congrats on the new-to-you Yashicamat and welcome back to film photography. Explain to your wife that cameras are made to be used and then use it to take a portrait of her. After all, any wife that would actually suggest just displaying a nice piece of gear (meaning you have to then get a "user" camera) is a "keeper"!

Peter Black · Mar 16, 2007

Hi Paul

The Yashicamat is a great camera and so small and light (for an MF) that you'll never have an excuse for not carrying it! B&W recommendation would be Ilford and either Delta 100/400 or many prefer the look of FP4+/HP5 at similar speeds. Generally speaking, 2-3 stops down from max aperture should put you in the best performance area. Have fun getting used to that reversed image!

papagene · Mar 16, 2007

Welcome to APUG Paul. I had a Yashica Mat124g a few years ago. It will be a fun camera to use and learn on.

gene

paul ron · Mar 16, 2007

Man you are in for a real treat. The first time I ran a roll of film through my Yashikamat I felt so uncertain if it actually even took the photo because the shutter is so quiet. It's a slight metalic zit then you crank and wonder if it even saw the light of day. BUTTT..... then you get your film souped and WOW! just overwhelms ya. That ear to ear grin hits ya big time and you just mutter under your breath, "that is one heck of a camera."

Before you take it out for a walk, just dry fire it to be sure it hasn't seized up from sitting on the shelf for so many years.

Have fun with it.

Kopite64 · Mar 17, 2007

Cheers Guys

I have ordered 20 rolls of ilford delta 100 today and 10 of ilford HP5. I have picked up a Weston Master V at a very reasonable price. Just itching to get out there now. Will post my first efforts soon.

Roger Hicks · Mar 17, 2007

Kopite64 said:
Cheers Guys

I have ordered 20 rolls of ilford delta 100 today and 10 of ilford HP5. I have picked up a Weston Master V at a very reasonable price. Just itching to get out there now. Will post my first efforts soon.

Dear Paul,

Best of luck & a belated welcome.

Do you read Amateur Photographer?

Cheers,

R.

Kopite64 · Mar 17, 2007

Roger thanks for the welcome and I have just picked up the latest AP this morning and placed a regular order with my newsagent.

I have to agree with your sentiments (AP 17/3/07) on the importance of the physical existence of a photograph compared to images held in cyberspace. It is of course much easier to hit a delete button than to physically destroy something don't you think?

My challenge is going to be to flatter my four little darlings, so they treasure the images I present them and hopefully preserve and then ultimately pass them on.

Regards

MikeM1977 · Mar 17, 2007

Hi Paul,

Welcome!

Start with the HP5. That film is foolproof! Are you developing yourself? If not, consider doing so as it is easy and gives better results. Do consider getting yourself an enlarger as well! It opens up a whole new world. My laundry room functions as my darkroom.

Be sure your light meter is reasonably accurate. Compare against your 35mm SLR (if you still have it). Also I find that the older handheld light meters are sensitive to the angle when outdoors. Point it slightly down so that the brighter sky doesn't skew the reading. Shouldn't be a problem for anything indoors.

You YashicaMat will take fine pictures. I wouldn't worry to much about shooting wide open at f3.5. I started with a Yashica D...now my medium-format kit is a Mamiya C220 TLR.

Cheers!

Mike

Mike Té · Mar 18, 2007

Welcome, Paul.

You're doing it right, jumping right into medium format. If anyone gives you the gears about why you're "retro-grading" to analog, remind them of the megapixel-equivalent of a 6x6 negative.

Cheers.

PatTrent · Mar 19, 2007

Hello Paul:

You are really going to have some fun with the Yashica TLR.

Sounds like you are off to a good start already. Let us hear how you're getting along.

Pat

Kopite64 · Mar 19, 2007

Just subscribed and itching to get out there.

Dear all

thanks for the very warm welcome. I have just read the history of the site and the tireless work that goes into its maintenance for that and the incredible resource it provides I have just become a subscriber

To be honest when you see what is available on this site why wouldn't you?

Well quick equipment update 3 mint Rollei B1 filters turned up today a yellow a green and a blue (lot of red hair and ruddy complexions in the wifes family! )

30 rolls of film 10 Ilford Delta 100, 10 ILford HP5 and 10 Kodak 160VC. Should keep me busy for a while.

I had a hiccup with my light meter I bought a Weston master V which appeared in great condition however while it was sitting on my desk I noticed it had a little "live" problem there where a handful of little invaders crawling around inside it! Managed to get a refund and an apology, so have decided that as I am planning a mixture of projects including landscape and indoor portraiture I have ordered a Sekonic L-358 which will give me my incident and flash readings in one.

Having a glass of wine with the good lady last night and she mentioned "I suppose you will need that three legged thing out the attic"? I had complete forgotten I had a pefectly serviceable tripod up in the attic. So thats now cleaned, lubed and ready to go.

Very heavy week in work this week unfortunately, we have a major Fire audit and our Environmental Recertification audit. So I am planning my first trip into the field on Saturday. The one thing that has really suprised me is I am now automatically looking at my surroundings for potential images and have already mentally recorded several sites I will be visiting. It's as if dormant, well if I am honest, supressed creativity has been switched back on and I am really excited.

Once again thanks for your kind comments will post my efforts real soon.

Regards

jsfyfe · Apr 12, 2007

New Member - Yashicamat User for Many Years

Hi Paul,

I just joined APUG yesterday and am very impresssed with the community and the fine photographs. I've started to post a few photographs in the gallery and I think some of my best were made with the Yashicamat 124. It's a great camera, easy to use, and will provide you with excellent negatives. Cheers.

ricksplace · Apr 12, 2007

Hi from a fellow Yashica user. ("D" with Yashinons, and an "A" with Yashikors). I use a Rolleiflex now, but I still have the Yashicas and use them occasionally. They are great cameras.

Sam2nd · Apr 13, 2007

Welcome from Spain.
Welcome to the Medium Format
Enjoy with your new toy.
Regards

Silverhead · Apr 13, 2007

Hello Paul,

Greetings from Southern California, home to thousands of British expats who heard that there actually is such a thing as the sun and wanted to see for themselves

I think your purchase of the Sekonic meter was a very smart thing to do. Sekonic makes great meters and you should get many years of accurate readings out of yours. I also think that going straight to medium format was a very wise move. I got myself a Mamiya 645 Pro many years ago and it still cranks out wonderfully sharp pictures.

Good luck in your image-making endeavors.

roteague · Apr 13, 2007

Hi Paul,

Welcome from Hawaii. I used to own a Mat 124G, great camera. I would love to find one in mint condition.

jrydberg · Apr 16, 2007

Hello Paul,

I'm also a newbie. I bought a RB67 with four backs (two film, and two polaroid) for a few hundred dollars. It seems like a nice camera, and so far I'm more than pleased with the resulting negs.

I've also started to develop my own b&w film. Now my bathroom smells like bathroom should.

Cheers,
Johan

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