I have the Mat-124 and Mat-124G TLRs, they are both fun to use. One thing that I really like about the aforementioned cameras is that I will take it with me into areas where I will not take my more expensive medium format camera. Long story short, I get more photos from the Yashica. Great video, Thank You for sharing.
They say the best camera is the one you have with you. I actually carry my more expensive Rolleiflex TLR everywhere I go but I don’t think many people know its value.
Another really helpful review/comparison - thanks for putting it together and posting it. I'd love to have a Rolleiflex but the Yashica provides a well priced starting point for those new to TLR cameras.
Glad it was helpful! I am almost certain you wouldn’t feel disappointed with a Yashica. Sure, Rolleiflex has more prestige surrounding the name and history, but in purely photographic terms, there’s very little between them.
Great review! I have always wanted one of these for 40 years and no time like now to finally get one. You convinced me I need to have more fun with 120/220. Hopefully Shanghai film will be available in North America. Note:Wein makes the PX625 replacement battery. Zinc air so they don’t last, and very expensive per battery, but it’s out there.
Thanks for commenting. It's always great to hear that I've inspired someone to shoot more with these fantastic cameras. I guarantee you will enjoy the experience! Please do let me know where I can see your photos.
@@StreetPhotographyChina and my bad luck - I went to purchase the pristine copy I had seen at the local camera store and I missed it by 1 day. I will be looking for another 🙂
lovely looking camera I've never tried the Yashica, I have a couple of TLRs the Aireflex, and the Lubitel 2 they're fun to shoot. Great review as always Peter cheers. Nice sample images too,
Hi Paul yes they’re all fairly similar in terms of shooting experience. I remember seeing your Airflex review. Good stuff. I need to shoot more with my Yashica as I have tended to teach for the Rolleiflex more often. Thanks again for watching.
@@StreetPhotographyChina agreed mate, similar experience just different quality, the lubitel is ok but the airesflex is a step up not quite Rollei tho haha
I still have a Yashica 124G in storage somewhere, I really enjoyed using it, but I also owned a Seagull 4B and preferred the swirly bokeh of the lens in the Seagull. The Yashica was without doubt sharper though.
I had a Rolli 2.8E but an internal mechanism was damaged, I bought a Yashica Mat 124 g, it's like new but the photometer doesn't work, I bought alternative batteries and nothing. What photometer do you recommend?
I actually never use any meter that's on old cameras. I use a Sekonic L-308 a bit like this one amzn.to/3WTEkbs but there are also a lot of apps you can download and just use your phone as a meter, or even use the sunny 16 rule if you have to.
I’m sold on the 124G 😅What’s your scanning setup? That’s the one aspect that’s holding me back from medium format. Dedicated MF are very expensive, the flat beds only give similar quality to a well scanned 35mm and DSLR scanning setup seems like a hassle
Yes scanning is indeed an issue. I use a lab for development and scanning. In China it’s affordable but when I’m in London it’s very expensive unless you opt for low res scans.
