Yashica Mat-124G?

This is the camera:
http://www.camerapedia.org/wiki/Yashica_...

So I'd like to get one of these but I had a couple questions about it. It says it has a coupled match-needle exposure meter....That means a light meter right?

also it says the batteries are no longer in production but there are different kinds and adapters...does anybody know where I can find some?

thanks!

If you can suggest a better TLR, feel free!
:)

For questions on the Yashica Mat 124, I would suggest that you contact www.markhama.com. He worked on the Yashica Mat line in Nagano for quite a while before being transferred to the US to manage the Yashica factory service. He can tell you what is involved in getting the correct batteries. Older cameras often have their batteries go out of production. I have had that happen on my older Olympus OM1 models, but there are ways around that. Mr. Hama would know.

The Yashica Mat 124s do have a light meter. My older Yashica EM, made in only 64-67, had a light meter. I will disagree with the dentist on the comparison of the camera to a Rollei, no one will know what the devil you shot the picture with. As for getting involved with a Mamiya C3, C330 type of camera, I would not go there. They are superb camera with outstanding optics, but they are all quite a bit heavier than the Yashica.

Twin lens photography is incredibly fun, you will enjoy it.

Good advice from Dr. Teeth.
Also the Mamiya C220 would be a step up from the 124G, but for much more money. There are air-cell equivalent batteries available for the 124G at normal battery prices and an adapter that cost $30+.
Cheap Yashica + hand-held meter = real fun

The Yashica-Mat's are fine cameras. They are not quite up to Rollei standards, but quite suitable as an "almost as good" camera. My dad had a Rolleiflex-T and my brother had a Yashica-Mat, although I forget the model. I do not think it had a light meter.

If you want to try TLR, go ahead and get the Yashica, but forget about the meter and buy a separate meter, like a used Gosen Luna Scout (for a semi-cheap meter) or a new Sekonic L-208, which is very much like the meter I grew up on and certainly better than the one in the Yashica anyhow. It's less than $100, too.

As far as a better TLR, maybe a Rolleiflex (various models) would be worth looking at, but I'm sure they will cost twice as much as the very adequate Yashica's.

I have a 124 and it is a fine camera. I haven't used the built-in needle match meter in almost 2 decades.

Invest in a hand-held meter and you never have to worry about such things again.


The next step up from the Yashica MAT is a big step. That Japanese lens is very good...you gotta go German to get better. Figure a 2.5 to 5x jump in price for a decent Rollei. Even more if you are looking for 2.8.

Yeah, it's a light meter, but the camera will work w/wo a battery. It calls for a 1.35 v. battery but there are adapters for 1.5 v. batts. A company named C.R.I.S. makes one. I had a few, and I think the pictures are real nice, but if I had my druthers, I'd stick with Rolleis. The pictures aren't better, but they are a little more contrasty.

I'd ditch the in-camera meter (reliability after all these years) and get a hand-held.

Sekonic's L-398 is fantastic and will set you back 100 bucks.

As for other TLRs, Rollei is probably the king with Mamiya trailing not far behind.

Mammy's interchangeable lenses are great but stick to "around normal" and "black".

Hope this helps.
V