The Yashica Mat 124G and Me

By Geoff Chaplin

28 April, 2024

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Medium & Large Format

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Medium Format TLR Yashica MAT 124G Yashica TLR

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It’s not the camera, it’s not because it’s square format, it’s me, or rather us, we just don’t click together. Years ago I used a Hasselblad for a long time, mostly happily, and took some decent photos. But it seems TLRs and I just don’t get on. I had the same problems with a Rolleiflex.

I used the camera with a UV or red filter and a lens hood, together with fresh HP5 and FP4 film stocks and Acros which was 12 years past expiry but refrigerated. I metered using a Sekonic Flashmate. Film was stand developed in Rodinal 100:1 and scanned on an Epson GT-X900.

I found the concept of pre-visualisation had vapourised in my head, I was fumbling with the controls, losing concentration and taking photos which are just not my sort of shots generally. I was disappointed – I was expecting great things from this camera but I was behaving like a rank amateur. I remember years ago I had compared 35mm, MF (Hassy) and 4×5 taking shots of a bookcase in my flat. I compared B&W prints 40cm length on the short side: there was a world of difference between 35mm and MF in tone separation, only subtle differences between MF and LF. I was hoping for a similar leap with the YMat over my Leica but it didn’t happen. Maybe I need to put 50 rolls through before I’d get comfortable with the camera. I was hand holding the camera, so maybe camera shake plays a part, using wide aperture when the light was anything my bright sunlight so mis-focussing and shallow depth of field play a part, camera tilt can be corrected in post but bad composition or boring shots are entirely down to me.

From five rolls I selected seven barely decent shots (a poor hit rate even for me). My first shot, in Brussels at night on HP5. I tried to support the camera on a bollard as best I could. I set the wrong shutter speed and forgot to focus (excuse – it’s exceptionally hard to see the image on the viewfinder at night). I had not even been drinking.

The next two shots are of Hotel Ravenstein (Brussels) and associated buildings – not a hotel but the remains of a former rambling palace – now used in part as a film archive. The entrance shot on Acros, the row of buildings on HP5.

Finally some shots in decent light both on Acros – we decided a few days in Lisbon to get some vitamin D would be a good idea. Former fort on the seafront (and a sculptured car), and a bridge over an inlet from the sea.

Hand-held shooting in bright light is a usable option, but under overcast skies a tripod or found support is necessary to enable greater depth-of-field. Be prepared to take time photographing with this camera, it doesn’t suit my style of photo-walks, put plenty of rolls of film through until you really get the hang of it. Even so I don’t think it will ever achieve a Leica-like transparency in use.

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About The Author

By Geoff Chaplin

Primarily a user of Leica film cameras and 8x10 for the past 30 years, recently a mix of film and digital. Interests are concept and series based art work. Professionally trained in astronomical photography, a scientist and mathematician.

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Comments

Jeffery Luhn on The Yashica Mat 124G and Me

Comment posted: 28/04/2024

Geoff, don't be so hard on yourself! Your shots look good to me. I've owned Hasselblads, Rolleis, Yashicas, Cambo 4x5s, etc, in the course of 50 years in commercial photography. 4x5 was my camera of choice for studio and architecture, so even though I used a Hass Superwide for architecture on occasion, my personal standards were set by 4x5 and a 65mm Super Angulon. Sometimes I'd fall into a slump and think my work didn't sparkle, but when I look at those shots now, they are really good. You need to 'shoot through' the doldrums. That Yashica is the perfect tool to attack a bad mood! Take that camera out and spank it!! Keep shooting, Brother!

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Geoff Chaplin replied:

Comment posted: 28/04/2024

Ha ha! Thanks Jeffrey, will do!

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Robert Gulley replied:

Comment posted: 28/04/2024

" You need to 'shoot through' the doldrums. That Yashica is the perfect tool to attack a bad mood! Take that camera out and spank it!!" Jeffery, I think that is good advice for us all!!! Cheers!

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Lars W on The Yashica Mat 124G and Me

Comment posted: 28/04/2024

I agree, stop beating yourself up. My (brutally frank) EUR 0,25: Composition is decent and what might be missing I suspect is down to you not being comfy with the camera - which can be remedied. You have a good eye for motives. Exposure, process and other technicalities: Perfectly acceptable.
My tips: I scale-focused my way through military service with a 6x6 folder. I fully agree that TLR viewfinders can be murky in normal room lighting, outdoors at night sounds really challenging. Try the sports viewfinder instead? You probably know this but bear with me: At or near infinity you won´t have much parallax error anyway. Many of your shots are of the kind where you need to choose between the infinity, 20 m or 10 m mark. Practice estimating distance in broad daylight.
If I were you, I´d stick with 400ISO film for some time unless you know you´ll have plenty of daylight. It´s a smidge grainier but what you gain in smaller aperture and faster shutter speed more than makes up for it in terms of crispness. No personal experience, but a lens like this usually is OK fully open but works best at f/5,6 - 11-ish. There´s a neat trick to holding TLR's steady provided you have a neck strap. Let it hang from the neck strap, rest gently against chest and expose.

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Geoff Chaplin replied:

Comment posted: 28/04/2024

Thanks Lars. Yes you're right about zone focusing and aperture. I suppose one thing that puts me off is, unlike a Leica which I have on a wrist strap and nobody notices, the Mat is "oooh! whats that camera?" or "you can't take pictures with that toy" wherever I go. It attracts attention and I stop being at ease.

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Lars replied:

Comment posted: 28/04/2024

Aha! Now, that´s important. Some people like it for that very reason, they like the attention and that it makes people smile. But everybody´s taste and situation is different. I understand you, my go-to when I want to be super-discreet: Olympus XA3 and kodak ultra 400.

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Ian R on The Yashica Mat 124G and Me

Comment posted: 28/04/2024

Curious you should write this article Geoff. I too have a YashicaMat 124G and I am having trouble bonding with it. I think I'm a 35mm man through and through. I've tried for years to get to grips with this camera and I am still trying. Perhaps I should just stick with it rather than switching back to 35mm but I'm not convinced. At the moment, once my 120 film stock is gone I probably won't use it again. Kind of sad in a way but I feel its rational.

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Geoff Chaplin replied:

Comment posted: 28/04/2024

Thanks Ian. It can come up with some good shots, but more rubbish ones too. Is it worth it? Maybe an occasional challenge is a good idea.

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Gary Smith on The Yashica Mat 124G and Me

Comment posted: 28/04/2024

I suspect that we're allowed to have a "problem child" (or two) among our cameras. Having decided that I needed a Mamiya 645, I'm not sure that it will ever see more rolls through it than the current stock of 120 I have on hand. I'm put off by the weight and having to use a tripod and cable release to get images without camera shake. I guess we'll see if I get on any better with the Voigtländer Perkeo 2. The shots you included above work for me. I like the stonework on the bridge. I like the tonality of Brussels at night on HP5 - I don't think I'll be shooting a lot more of that film (although I haven't shot any at night).

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James Evidon replied:

Comment posted: 28/04/2024

You think you have a heavy problem child? I took a plunge and bought a fine used Mamaiya 67RB Pro because all the reviews just sang its praises. It turned out to be heavier and more cumbersome than even its critics wrote about. It's a camera that requires a tripod or a really good physiotherapist. Spectacular performer? Absolutely, but so is a circus elephant. Well it is gone from my collection and replaced by a really nice Horseman convertible with 6x7 and 6x9 backs. It takes excellent images, weighs about the same as a 35mm SLR and doesn't stress the body.

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Geoff Chaplin replied:

Comment posted: 28/04/2024

Thanks Gary. Needless to say the non-problematic child will get much more attention.

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Gary Smith replied:

Comment posted: 28/04/2024

I'm hoping the Perkeo will be more manageable.

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Geoff Chaplin replied:

Comment posted: 28/04/2024

Yes, I too feel more comfortable with my 4x5 than the Mat.

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adrian cullen replied:

Comment posted: 28/04/2024

I think your TLR shots look fine. I find even the best TLRs can be a challenge to see the viewfinder clearly especially in bright outdoor light. The sports finder is your friend in that situation. I have Perkeo I & II and they are terrific simple folders. Just so small at around 500g IIRC. The Kontur accessory finder is a boon for composing (both eyes open). I tend to just zone focus rather than use a separate RF accessory

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Geoff Chaplin replied:

Comment posted: 28/04/2024

There's definitely a common thread appearing here. Thanks for the comment.

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Alan on The Yashica Mat 124G and Me

Comment posted: 28/04/2024

"the concept of pre-visualisation had vapourised in my head, I was fumbling with the controls, losing concentration and taking photos which are just not my sort of shots generally" Ha-ha.. yes, I can relate to this so well! The 124g can feel somewhat awkward to use and especially, compose with, particularly when switching from an intutive 35mm Leica. I often feel like a rank amateur when I pick it up again after a long break. Despite this, it has a certain magic when things come good, and I've taken some of my best photos with it. But there have been a lot of fumbling dud ones too. Here's an example of a good one: https://www.flickr.com/photos/154248583@N08/53685773230/in/dateposted-public/

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Geoff Chaplin replied:

Comment posted: 28/04/2024

Thanks Alan. Yes, I agree,but it never feels right somehow. Great shot BTW.

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Marco Andrés on The Yashica Mat 124G and Me

Comment posted: 29/04/2024

Your images hold up. In fact they are quite good. You have an “eye”. it seems that you’re being far too critical of yourself. While the camera is not second nature like your Leica, you've certainly put it through its paces, and you as well. The two of you just need to bond, for the movements to become second nature. Using a TLR is not the same as using a Leica; the cameras have different affordances [and aspect ratios]. Both are tools in a repertoire. Different affordances. Different use-cases.

Perhaps it is too soon to part ways with the tool. One practical accessory would help: consider attaching a spirit level to the accessory shoe [and using the wireframe view finder]. There are brighter screens [brightscreen] that pop in for improved focusing.

As for the images … The night images are so evocative.Everything that needs to be sharp is. Blurred movement is inevitable. Surely the title of the image of Grand-Place framed by a heart is not “tacky”. Well-composed. And more importantly it speaks, at least to me. Graffiti.

Worth repeating. You have an eye, no doubt about that. “Pleas, sir.", as Oliver would have said, "I want some more."

.

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Geoff Chaplin replied:

Comment posted: 29/04/2024

Marco, many thanks. Indeed we have not parted. More will come someday.

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Simon Foale on The Yashica Mat 124G and Me

Comment posted: 29/04/2024

Great pics Geoff. For night time and other slow shutter speed situations I sometimes carry around a sock with a cup of rice in it as my cheapo 'bean bag'. More portable than a tripod, and works pretty well.

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Geoff Chaplin replied:

Comment posted: 29/04/2024

Thanks Simon. Do you eat the rice afterwards and wear the sock? ;-)

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Jeffery Luhn on The Yashica Mat 124G and Me

Comment posted: 29/04/2024

Geoff, your article certainly brought lots of good comments out of the woodwork!!! My first serious camera, which I got at age 15, was a TLR Rollei and I bonded with that format. As a wedding shooter in my early days, I ran across other photographers doing substandard work in 35mm or struggling with the RB67, which was designed by the devil. I carried the Rollei and two Yashicas to avoid missing moments. 50 years later I recently bought a Mamiya 330 with various lenses.... but if somebody has a good clean working Yashica that I can carry around in my car, I'd like to buy it! BTW, I am enjoying shooting my Zeiss 6x9 folder, but it's slow.

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Geoff Chaplin replied:

Comment posted: 29/04/2024

Thanks again. Yes the Mat is capable of superb images ... in the right hands!

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Jack on The Yashica Mat 124G and Me

Comment posted: 30/04/2024

Hi Geoff, your feelings about the Yashica Mat 124G really resonate with me having owned a couple of these cameras (one inherited) over the years and disposed of both of them. There is something about them that made them "not for me". Other 6x6 cameras I have used being SLRs worked just fine for me but for some reason the 124G never did despite my really best endeavours. I think you might be right maybe it was the TLR thing? Anyway I admire what you have been able to squeeze out yours in the way of lovely pictures. My thought is though, if the camera keeps getting in the way of your photography then just bin it, life's too short and there's lots of lovely other bits of kit out there just waiting to be discovered by you .

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Geoff Chaplin replied:

Comment posted: 30/04/2024

Thanks Jack. I tend to agree - apart from the GAS bit at the end!

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Ibraar Hussain on The Yashica Mat 124G and Me

Comment posted: 30/04/2024

What an interesting article which hits some really important points.
I’ve had the same issue with some cameras - or rather they’ve had an issue with me. I’ve had too many uninspiring boring shots which has turned me into a boring mundane snapper and I can’t remember the last time I took a photo which I’m proud of. Bar a couple which have sentimental reasons

I really like all of your work here - so as others are saying - don’t beat yourself up - you’ve done better than I or many others would’ve been able to.

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Geoff Chaplin replied:

Comment posted: 30/04/2024

Thanks very much Ibraar - and you are being more than hard on yourself: you've shown many excellent photos! I did take some better images after I had put about 20 rolls through the Mat (a few in "Contre Jour" and "Cascais" articles) but I feel more by luck than after pre-planned visualisation.

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Paul Quellin on The Yashica Mat 124G and Me

Comment posted: 30/04/2024

This was interesting for me Geoff as I don't especially like confessing I can't seem to consistently produce what I hope for from my Mamiya C220 either. I actually enjoy the process, but I miss too many shots somehow, despite taking a lot of care. I picked up on your '50 rolls' comment and that is how I have begun to view my TLR. I have questioned whether I just sell it, or keep going gradually maybe producing one more usable shot than last time from each roll. Does that mean after 12 rolls I get good? Seems like a gamble. I loved the waist level finder on my Bronica decades ago and I like the one on my Ihagee now, but I can't seem to get on with the finder in the same way with the TLR. I do think your Yashica looks lovely though and somehow I still want one.

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Geoff Chaplin replied:

Comment posted: 30/04/2024

Many thanks Paul. And that reminded me I had a C330 many many years ago and very quickly gave up on it. I think you hit the nail on the head - is it worth struggling with a camera that is obviously problematic for you or is it better to move to something where you have a much better hit rate?

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Jeffery Luhn on The Yashica Mat 124G and Me

Comment posted: 03/06/2024

To TLR or not to TLR? That is the question. When I shoot portraits with strobes with my Mamiya C330 the results are stellar. Nothing beats slow film and strobes. But the focusing is difficult because of the dim screen. Of course the Yashica or Rollei is a much better street camera than Mamiya, based upon weight. If you want to try a medium format camera that feels more like a 35mm, try the Pentax 645N. Heavy and loud, but intuitive and super sharp. Because of the heft and mirror padding, I'm able to handhold at 1/60 with sharp results. But... you're a 35mm guy and I'm a confirmed medium format fellow.

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Geoff Chaplin replied:

Comment posted: 03/06/2024

So for 20 years or more I was primarily an 8x10 and Hassy user, and the superb 903, but nowadays weight and convenience rank high. I agree if I was going the other way the 645N might be a good option, but I'm more likely heading in the sub-miniature spy camera direction! Well, maybe not, but as you say the Yashica Mat is a decent street camera out of TLRs, I just need to get used to it.

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