Yashica Mat-124G

Rolleiflex-inspired twin lens reflex from Japan.

A Japanese alternative to the Rolleiflex

The Yashica Mat is a twin lens reflex (TLR). Its design is derivative, based on the Rolleiflex. It has an 80mm f/3.5 Yashinon lens which, like the Tessar, has four elements in three groups (source: camera manual).

The Yashica Mat’s lens has been described as having ‘outstanding mid-aperture (i.e., f/8 or thereabouts) performance’ (Matanle, 1986). I think it works great at any aperture.

**Sunrise at Angkor Wat** Cambodia Yashica Mat-124G, 80mm f/3.5 Yashinon, FP4+, year 2000. Ansel Adams (1963) wrote, ‘Dawn is the most magnificent light of all…’ and while his context was Death Valley, it is equally true at Angkor Wat.

**Guangdong Province, China** Yashica Mat-124G, 80mm f/3.5 Yashinon, Tri-X, year 2000.

**Busan, South Korea** Yashica Mat-124G, 80mm f/3.5 Yashinon, Tri-X, early 2000s.

Compared to my Rolleiflex MX

Both have f/3.5 lenses with four elements in three groups.
The Yashica Mat has a brighter focus screen.
The Rolleiflex has a solid, machined feel; the Yashica Mat is lighter with a stamped sheet metal vibe.
The Yashica Mat lacks the automatic film starting feature of the Rolleiflex. Instead, you line up the start of the film manually. I don’t see this as a disadvantage.
The shutter lock on the Rolleiflex is more elegant and easier to use.

There are other differences but those are the main ones.

**Brookside Garders** Wheaton, Md. Yashica Mat-124G, 80mm f/3.5 Yashinon, Tri-X, 1998.

**Department store shopping** Bethesda, Md. Yashica Mat-124G, 80mm f/3.5 Yashinon, HP5+, mid-2000s.

**Yashica Mat-124G** — the bright waist level finder makes framing and focusing quick and accurate.

f/3.5 v. f/2.8 lenses

The Yashica Mat lens is an 80mm f/3.5 and there was no option for a faster f/2.8 lens as with some Rolleiflex models. Usually I like fast lenses. However, f/2.8 Rolleiflexes are surprisingly bulkier and heavier, so I prefer the f/3.5 versions.

**New Jeans** Roppongi, Tokyo Yashica Mat-124G, 80mm f/3.5 Yashinon, Verichrome Pan, 2004.

**Dinner party** Wheaton, Md. Yashica Mat-124G, 80mm f/3.5 Yashinon, Tri-X, mid-2000s.

Maintenance and repair

I used my Yashica Mat for years, on many trips and I put a lot of film through it. It’s a really good camera. Recently, however, the shutter gave out and will require a repair.

**Artomatic** Washington, D.C. Yashica Mat-124G, 80mm f/3.5 Yashinon, Tri-X, 2024.

References / further reading

Camera manual: orphancameras.com

More references:

Adams, A., N. Newhall, R. Kirk, and E. Hamlin. 1963. Death Valley, 3rd ed.. San Francisco: 5 Associates.

Hunt, B. 2024. Film Camera Zen: A Guide to Finding the Perfect Film Camera. Los Angeles: Chronicle Chroma.

pp. 178-179: The Yashica Mat-124G is ‘extremely capable’ and performs ‘the same way as a Rolleiflex for a fraction of the price’.

Matanle, I. 1986. Collecting and Using Classic Cameras. London: Thames and Hudson.

McKeown, J.M. and J.C. 1996. McKeown’s Price Guide to Antique and Classic Cameras, 1997-1998. Grantsburg, Wis.: Centennial Photo.