Yashika Mat 124G Filter ?

wallrat · Dec 25, 2012

The spec sheet says it takes 30mm filters but all I see available anywhere are 30.5mm. Can someone with this camera confirm which it actually is?

-Bill

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Ken Nadvornick · Dec 25, 2012

The Yashica Mat 124G takes a 30mm bayonet type filter. Meaning it mounts with a partial twist and a click. These are also referred to as B30 or Bay-1 filters. Other TLR cameras taking this size include Rolleicords, some Rolleiflexes, and Autocords. There may be others as well. As would be expected, the lens hood is also a bayonet mount.

I own and use one of these cameras. Hope this helps.

Ken

wallrat · Dec 25, 2012

Ah, I just read it again and I see that now. I'll look at what is available. I only shoot bw so I don't need many. I'm seriously thinking of buying this canera tomorrow Thanks a bunch for the heads up!

-Bill

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Ken Nadvornick · Dec 25, 2012

Keep in mind that this camera requires a PX625 1.35-volt mercury cell to power its internal meter. That is, if it's still in working order. These cells are no longer available. This may or may not matter to you if you intend to use an external meter. It's not an issue for me as I have a lifetime supply of PX625s in deep freeze. But it's worth mentioning.

Ken

Marc B. · Dec 25, 2012

Instead of buying individual Bay-1 filters, you can also obtain Bay-1 - to screw mount filter adapters.
These adapters will allow you to use common screw mount filters that you may already have, and
with the use of step-up/step-down rings, you can fit just about any filter and rubber hood size you have.

An example of Bay-1 adapter-to-screw mount w/round hood:
http://forum.mflenses.com/userpix/271_IMG_7147_1.jpg
http://forum.mflenses.com/userpix/271_IMG_7148_1.jpg

Bay-1 to 30.5mm:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/746327-REG/Heliopan_700305_305_Adapter_Ring_Bay.html

Bay-1 to 46mm:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/230892668328?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

Bay-1 to 49mm:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/310526950651?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

Bay-1 to 52mm:
http://www.amazon.com/52mm-Adapter-Rollei-Rolleiflex-Yashica/dp/B0079QRP7Y
http://www.ebay.com/itm/230892668327?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

Marc

DWThomas · Dec 25, 2012

The one hazard with adapting to standard filters is that at some size point the filter and/or shade begins to obstruct the viewing lens. I've first hand experience, having adapted my 124 G to use a Series 7 89B IR filter that has been in my possession for decades (those are about 60 mm). The shade is more likely to be the problem in that scenario. Being so close to the lens, the interference is more ghost-like and wasn't too bad to deal with unless you had critical details in the bottom of the composition. There are some new plastic Bay-1 filters appearing on ePrey from time to time that seem to work OK. They are inexpensive - Authenticke Rollei filters show up too, but they tend to be a bit more dear.

Dan Daniel · Dec 25, 2012

DWThomas said:
The one hazard with adapting to standard filters is that at some size point the filter and/or shade begins to obstruct the viewing lens. I've first hand experience, having adapted my 124 G to use a Series 7 89B IR filter that has been in my possession for decades (those are about 60 mm)......

Along this issue, I will say that using a Bay I to 52mm adapter with a round metal hood, I didn't notice any shading or dimming of the viewfinder. I *did* get vignetting from the lens hood because the adapter and filter moved it further out than usual. I took the hood to a disk sander and removed a few mm to stop the vignetting.

wallrat · Dec 26, 2012

The battery is not an issue. My Olympus OM's require the same and 625 hearing aid batteries with an insulated wire as a spacer works well, especially givenue the crazy price for wein cells, at least imho since I see no benefit. My OM meters are all pretty spot on and the batteries are crazy cheap, especially Walgreens brand on sale. Since I mostly shoot LF and my prior RZ PRO-II didn't have a prism, using my 528 when on a tripod will be the norm anyway. For handheld the hearing aid battery will work great. I found some Rollei filters and will slowly build enough to cover my typical B&W work, which for this camera's purpose will bea few yellow to red along the 12 to 25 range and a light green. I will pick up an adapter to use my 67mm filters for tripod mounted cases where I don't care if it intrudes with the viewing lens. I plan to use this mostly as a "point n shoot" as most of my serious 6x work is done via graflock backs on my Chamonix.

I haven't posted much on APUG due to limited time. I spend most of what little free time i have on lfpf. I greatly appreciate the tips and feedback guys, it seems as if I'm good to go on this one. Aside from those mentioned, anyone have any other gotchas I should know about on this camera? I hear a lot of positive feedback on it.

-Bill

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Dan Daniel · Dec 26, 2012

Wind the film somewhat slowly all in all. The gears are known to strip out.

Use a lens hood. Every time.

Flock the interior for contrast increase.
http://www.flickr.com/groups/yashica_tlr/discuss/72157622734630140/

Mark Hama in Georgia is the best US guy for repairs. Essex Camera in NJ is another good place.

Jon Goodman sells light seal replacement kits for these cameras. Great material, great kits, great guy.

DO NOT do anything with the self-timer if the flash sync is set to M. NOT A THING!!! Seriously, the number one way to trash the shutter mechanism (assuming the 124G has an M setting).

StoneNYC · Dec 26, 2012

Ken Nadvornick said:
Keep in mind that this camera requires a PX625 1.35-volt mercury cell to power its internal meter. That is, if it's still in working order. These cells are no longer available. This may or may not matter to you if you intend to use an external meter. It's not an issue for me as I have a lifetime supply of PX625s in deep freeze. But it's worth mentioning.

Ken

Deep freeze?

Do mercury cells work differently? I thought past a certain cold freeze you kill the internal battery chemistry?

~Stone

The Noteworthy Ones - Mamiya: 7 II, RZ67 Pro II / Canon: 1V, AE-1 / Kodak: No 1 Pocket Autographic, No 1A Pocket Autographic

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artobest · Dec 26, 2012

Dan Daniel said:
Flock the interior for contrast increase.

Not necessary with the 124G.

Great camera - go for it!

Paul Howell · Dec 26, 2012

I just use silcon adhesive to fix a SVI push on adaptors to my Ds, can take both a filter and lens hood. It will pell right off so no damage to the camera.

rolleiman · Dec 26, 2012

Check the taking lens for dust, fungus etc., by setting shutter to "B" opening the back and looking through the lens. If it is clear, then fine, but some Yashicamats seem prone to "disintegrating lens coating" problems, which will almost certainly result in loss of contrast.

Salem · Dec 27, 2012

When you're shopping for hood, remember to pick one that fits the outside bay not the inside (filter) bay. If you buy anything other than the original Yashica metal hood it's worth checking. I bought a plastic one few years back that fits on the inside bay and I couldn't mount filters on so it's either filter or shade and those TLR's are useless without proper shade. I had to pay for an original yashica hood to have both the hood and a filter mounted on.

DWThomas · Dec 27, 2012

Salem said:
When you're shopping for hood, remember to pick one that fits the outside bay not the inside (filter) bay. If you buy anything other than the original Yashica metal hood it's worth checking. I bought a plastic one few years back that fits on the inside bay and I couldn't mount filters on so it's either filter or shade and those TLR's are useless without proper shade. I had to pay for an original yashica hood to have both the hood and a filter mounted on.

This is an excellent point. I started with one of those cheap plastic ones, which are OK without a filter, but then ...

About two years back I snagged a metal Yashica shade off ePrey for about $16 -- it looked like it had traveled quite a lot, but was mechanically good and I touched up the paint chips a bit.

dpt2014 · Dec 27, 2012

I just use Rollei Bay I accessories with my 124G - hood, filters, and Rolleinars.

Ken Nadvornick · Dec 27, 2012

StoneNYC said:
Deep freeze?

Do mercury cells work differently? I thought past a certain cold freeze you kill the internal battery chemistry?

I dunno. Seems to work OK for me. Deep freeze is actually a kitchen freezer at about 5F/-15C. I started out with 20 new PX625 mercury cells. Thawed out and put a new one into my 124G in January, 2004. I use that camera lightly. That cell is still good today. (Kept with the camera in a film canister at room temperature until it's actually needed.) At this rate I may only use 3-4 cells out of the 20 before I croak.

I'm not a chemist (that's PE's department), but I don't believe battery chemistry is "killed" by cold temperatures. Reactions are just slowed way down. At least no problems with these cells so far...

Ken

StoneNYC · Dec 27, 2012

Good to know...

~Stone

The Noteworthy Ones - Mamiya: 7 II, RZ67 Pro II / Canon: 1V, AE-1 / Kodak: No 1 Pocket Autographic, No 1A Pocket Autographic

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Yashika Mat 124G Filter ?

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