Yashica Mat-124G
Four element 80mm F3.5 taking lens, of the better "Yashinon" variety. Ground glass focusing with a 3x loupe for critical focusing and a sports finder. Copal shutter with speeds ranging from 1 to 1/500 and B.
The 124 and 124G are largely identical, save for trim and electrical differences. The 124G pressure plate slides between 12-exposre and 24-exposure settings, which 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 features a coupled match-needle exposure meter, although it relies upon now-illegal 1.3v mercury cells. Legal replacements and adapters for modern batteries are easily obtained at camera stores and on the net.
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 accesories, such as those made for the Rolleiflex.
Links
- User Manual in PDF
- 124G tribute page.
- 124G Info
Photobloggers Using the 124G
- PhotoRant (profile)
- Photographs taken with a 124G at groundglass.ca
