Yashica A TLR camera

[Niner]

I got this one today. The Yashica A TLR was introduced in 1959. It was advertised at $29.85 back then. Not exactly high priced...but it was a good basic camera with decent optics and was the start of a line of Yashica TLR's that continued with some added bells and whistles but not thought to be substantially better image takers. The back red window to see the exposure numbers as you wound a knob on the A turned into a side counter and lever winder and the introduction of light meters working on selenium being further developments .

I just shot up a roll just to see what it would do. I was using Fujifilm Acros 100 B&W film. Various first time not paying attention things happened. Turned the film knob thinking I was turning the focus knob and advanced past the first frame. I managed to get one double exposure without intending to. And... the light meter, new Sekonic, seemed to be off by showing over exposure readings, so I started guessing and guessing worked as good as the meter.

At least this camera works, compared to the last two I got off ebay....and it cost less than a quarter of the first one I sent back that didn't work.

[DuncaninFrance]

I love my YASIKA MAT124, it has a fantastic lens.
I checked the light meter against my Weston and it is almost exactly the same readings so will go with it. There is a film in mine now but I have not had the chance to take any MF pics recently

This is an early shot of the 'collection' in our gîte. It has expanded somewhat since then.
Will post up to date image later..........

A more recent pic

A shot from it taken back in the 1990's

[Niner]

Good portrait, Duncan. Very professional looking.

The Mat 124G was the top of the line of the Yashica TLR production years from what I've researched. They still bring something near $200, and sometimes more, in working condition. In fact, all of the medium format cameras within a pretty wide swath of "hobbyist" medium format twin lens reflex cameras go for more money than an equal array of much more sophisticated 35mm SLR cameras. And this is probably because of the detail captured in the large film negative. Either that or the film hobbyist wants to be noticed more for using an oddball camera in public.

[Niner]

Played with it some today. Did a by guess and by God rather than the meter which either I am two dumb to use it to get a reading I think is reasonable or it needs a new battery.