Some time ago, I worked for a studio that supplied its wedding photographers with Yashica TLR cameras. From what I remember, it was the film advance mechanism that frequently failed in the highly used and abused cameras.
I own a Yashica Mat that I love. It has a badly scratched taking lens (I got it cheap) and STILL it takes great pictures. One day I'll upgrade and get one with a mint lens, but I just got a Rollei SL66, so that will keep me happy for a while. STILL, the Yashica Mat is such a great camera. I think the scratches on my lens must be only on the coating since the photos still come out crisp and clear.
Some time ago, I worked for a studio that supplied its wedding photographers with Yashica TLR cameras. From what I remember, it was the film advance mechanism that frequently failed in the highly used and abused cameras.
I once had a 124G and if I remember rightly (it's more than twenty years ago ) the film transport mechanism can be damaged by not folding the winding crank back down to the parked position after winding the film before firing the shutter.
My -mat will not fire the shutter unless the wind lever is rotated backwards to the start position, folding the lever does nothing. I assume that the 124G is similar.
Thanks for the offer Greg but the 124 G seems to be firing on all cylinders. I can't understand why the folks at Mark H. quoted me a repair/C.L.A price when I informed them the camera was working well.
Just finished a roll of Tri-X which I shall soup as soon as the lunch crowd vacates my lab (kitchen).
Another CLA option is Carol Miller at Flutot's Camera repair. She worked on my Yashica12 and it was a mess when I sent it to her. Actually it was two cameras that needed to somehow become one. She did a great job.
My -mat will not fire the shutter unless the wind lever is rotated backwards to the start position, folding the lever does nothing. I assume that the 124G is similar.
I believe that reversing the film advance lever sets the shutter to fire...
Menacing Tourist: "Another CLA option is Carol Miller at Flutot's Camera repair. She worked on my Yashica12 and it was a mess when I sent it to her. Actually it was two cameras that needed to somehow become one. She did a great job."
I second the endorsement of Carol Miller's work!!!