Yashica Mat-124G
The Yashica Mat-124G is a 6x6 TLR made by Yashica from 1971 to the mid-1980s.
The 124G has a four-element, 80mm F3.5 taking lens, of the better "Yashinon" variety. Focusing is via a ground glass screen, with a 3x diopter for critical focusing, as well as a sports finder. The Copal shutter features speeds 1 to 1/500 sec., plus B.
The 124 and 124G are largely identical, save for trim and electrical differences. The 124G pressure plate slides between 12-exposure and 24-exposure settings, while on the original 124 it pulls out and rotates. Before the 124 there were two separate models, the YashicaMat 12 (for 120 film) and the YashicaMat 24 (for 220 film). Both shared the characteristics of the later 124 and 124G.
The 124G also features a coupled match-needle exposure meter, although it uses now-discontinued 1.3v mercury cells. Suitable air-zinc replacements and adapters for modern alkaline or silver oxide batteries may be obtained at camera stores and on the internet.
The 124G can handle both 120 and 220 film, and is an excellent introduction to medium format photography. An artificially inflated demand for the 124G has raised the price somewhat in the used market.
All of these cameras accept Bay 1 accessories, such as those made for the Rolleiflex.
Links
General links
- Yashica Mat-124G tribute page, by Berry de Bruijn (web archive version of a page that is now offline)
- Yashica Mat-124G picture and sample photos at Tanya Clark's website
- Yashica Mat-124G at antjam65's Photo Page
- Yashica Mat-124G featured in the TLR on a budget guide at TheBokeh.com
- Yashica Mat-124G at Lights in the Box (Lumières en Boîte), with downloadable user manual
- Lionel's Yashica Mat 124 G overview at 35mm-compact.com
- Yashica TLR FAQ
Manuals and documentation
- A 1972 Yashica Sales Brochure (#72E1) featuring the 635, MAT-124G, MAT and D models, at Goodharbor's flickr space
- Yashica Mat-124G assembling charts at Alan Corey's Yashica Old SLR page
Photobloggers using the 124G
- PhotoRant (profile)
- Photographs taken with a 124G at groundglass.ca
- Blog by Pablo64
- seriouslyexcited.net
- Photos shot w/built in meter of Mat-124G and also sharp as a tack! (from the_fstop's Flickr space)