Yashica MAT-124G with Wolfman

The Yashica Mat-124G is my favorite TLR medium format cameras. It's super simple to use, I love the 6x6 ratio (square) & it has a working but simple light meter. It's build sturdy.

I took the Yashica out for the first time in quite a while. Covid-19 significantly dampened my film and street photography in 2020. However, I decided to start shooting film regularly starting this January. I have plenty of 120 film on hand both fresh and expired, but wanted to try a roll of Wolfman 120 purchased during a recent trip to Roberts Camera in downtown Indianapolis. The film is distributed by the Film Photography Project store. The film is rated ASA 100 so I needed a fairly bright day. Also, the battery for the light meter needed to be replaced. The camera takes a specialty-type battery (PX625). A downside is that this battery is air activated lasting only a few months. Literally, every time I take this camera out a new battery is needed. The upside is you don't need the battery for the camera to work ... only the meter. You can always use an external light meter, use Sunny 16 or just guess at the exposure.

I shot the roll on the near south side of Indianapolis on a bright but very overcast day. The camera only shoots 12 shots in 6x6 so it goes fast. I did also shoot a roll of Ilford Delta 100 while I was out.

I didn't have any of the developing chemicals recommended by the FPP for the Wolfman film so I learned online that the film could be developed like ORWO UN54. This film can be developed using Ilford Ilfotec DD-X (which I have) in a 1+4 ration for 9 minutes at 20C. That's what I used. I'm happy with the results. 

The film is crisp with lots of contrast with the day's conditions. Some shots

Loading a Yashica MAT-124G

I went out on Saturday to do a bit of street photography while my wife had a business meeting.  Yes, I know, I have an executive finance day job and even I DON'T have to take Saturday meetings.  So, while she was working I was doing my photography thing.

Decided to do a stop action video with my iPhone of loading my Yashica MAT-124G TLR.  I ran 2 rolls through it.  Super fun.

Yashica Mat 124G

The Yashica-Mat 124G is a groovy camera.  A classic TLR medium format camera.  I took it out during a recent photowalk.  My photowalk companion was using a digital Fujifilm X100s.  I decided however to go old-schoolie film.  Loaded with Ilford XP2-400 120 styled film.

This camera is super simple to use.  I basically just parked myself between 2 parked cars with the sun to my back.  I snapped a few shots while people walked into my field of view.  

Here is a shot where I focused on the wrong place or had the aperture to shallow.  The shadows are tack sharp, but the subjects are a bit out of focus.  

I'm going to take the camera out again shoot a couple more rolls.  

Street Photography - Various Film Cameras

OK, for fun I shoot street photography.  Most of this work is with film cameras.  Here are photos with various film cameras.

Canon A35F - In Los Angeles

Nikon FN - Plainfield, IN

Olympus MJU-1 - Indianapolis, IN

Olympus XA - Paris

Prinz Alternative - Plainfield, IN

Vivitar PZ3090 - Indianapolis

Yashica Mat124G - Cincinnati, OH

It's super fun to shoot street photography with film.  I forces you to slow down and think about your shot.

Photos I've Taken - Yashica Mat 124G

I bought my Yashica Mat 124G from Roberts Camera.  It's a classic TLR design taking 120 sized film.  I've been running a few rolls through it and will be writing a blog post on the camera soon.  In the meantime a bike shop in southern Indiana.

Photos I've Taken - Yashica MAT-124G

A photo of my backyard during a foggy morning using a mint Yashica MAT-124G that I purchased this summer at Roberts Camera's used section.  This is a classic designed TLR.  Very Vivian Maier-like camera.  This photo was taken using Ilford XP2 400 Super B&W film.

The camera takes some getting used to if you've never shot a TLR.  However, I've shot about 5 rolls through it and really digging it.

What I'm Shooting - Yashica & Minolta

I had a trip to Cincinnati the other day so I brought a few cameras for some street work.  2 of these were not stealthy, but except for one person I didn't get a second look.  I was shooting with my Yashica Electro 35 GSN rangefinder, a Yashica MAT-124 TLR & a Minolta Maxxum 700si, a mister SLR.  Not a single toy camera here.

Stuff I've Purchased - Ilford Film

Mmmm, tasty.  Purchased some yummy film yesterday both for my Yashica Mat-124G & one of my higher end 35mm cameras.  I normally shoot Ilford XP2 400 in my medium format cameras, but this time I'm going to try a roll of Ilford HP5.  Nice.  I also purchased a 35mm roll of Delta 3200 ASA.  This is the highest ASA film I've EVER purchased.  I'm looking forward to try this out with an lower light street photography shoot.  Not sure which camera I'll use it in yet.  I'll let you know.

Success With Old Cameras - Film Is Back

I stopped over at Roberts Camera today and picked up some film that was processed.  This is the camera store where I normally taking in my film for processing.  This time I had film in from my Yashica Mat-124G (a TLR), a Kodak Easy Load KE30 point & shoot and a Prinz Alternative EZ-200 point & shoot.  I'll write a post on each.

In the meantime all the cameras appeared to work.  There were some moderate light leaks with the Prinz, but the film I'm using is expired and I suspect wasn't stored in a refrig, so there's that.  More than likely however it's the camera.  Here's a photo from each

The Yashica Mat-124G:

Downtown Indianapolis from the top of a parking garage

The Prinz Alternative EZ-200 (in the "panorama" mode - oh yes, it does panorama also):

Outside my studio

The Kodak Easy Load KE30 (the infamous film eater):

On a sad note, I learned Roberts will stop processing 120 film in the very near future.  That was the last place in Indianapolis to process 120 that I'm aware of.  Yes, that's correct, one of the largest cities in the USA and there is no 120 film processing readily available.  Oh well either I have to do it myself (I'd prefer not...been there done that) or send it out someplace.  We'll see.

Yashica Mat-124G

Finally found a TLR, "Twin Lens Reflex" camera for my collection.  The Yashica Mat-124G.  I'm a fan of Yashica's rangefinders, so I wanted one versus a Rolliflex.  This camera is extremely clean and appears to be in outstanding working order.  Got it yesterday and will be reading the manual in detail & watching YouTube videos on the best way to use the camera.  I have a few cameras already loaded with film so they come first, but hope to run a roll of Ilford 400 B&W through it soon.

Stay tuned to this channel for a review.