The image above is of a Yashica-Mat LM and the Yashica Mat – 124G model. These are the only twin lens medium format cameras I have in my collection.
The following paragraph with quotation marks is copied from a web site discussing the history of the Yashica twin lens cameras. It is include for information only.
“The Yashica-Mat LM has a 4-element Yashinon lenses (Tessar formula). This is the same lens used on the D, the 635, and all later models. The Yashica-Mat is basically a Rollei copy, with a few of the more expensive features left out, but the ergonomics left in. It actually appeared before the Model D and the 635, and I’ve heard that Rollei wanted to sue because the design was so close (don’t know if that’s really true, though) Crank wind, combined film wind-shutter cock, Rollei bayonet 1 mount for filters. Until I owned a Rollei, I thought there was little difference between this and a meter less Rollei. I was wrong. If you’ve owned both, you know– there **is** a difference. But between the Yashica-Mat and the Rolleis with 3.5 Tessar or Xenar lenses, IMHO the difference is mostly in build quality and the neat little details, not in optical quality. Somebody moving up from 35mm should get better pictures from a properly adjusted Yashica-Mat than from just about any 35mm camera (keeping in mind the limitations ot a waist-level finder, fixed f3.5 80mm lens, etc.)”
The Yashica Mat – 124G was the last version made. It has increased in value because it is the newest with a lot of the latest features. I don’t remember what I paid for it but I bought it used so it wasn’t much and it would have been over 24 years ago.
There was a professional photographer in town and he shot almost exclusively with a Rollei twin lens. He swore by them and I got to be friends with him. So I suspect that was one of the reasons I purchased it. It was also a cheap way to shoot medium format with a 2 ¼ X 2 ¼ negative. But with a fixed lens it didn’t have much flexibility and so I didn’t shoot that much with it. Maybe a dozen rolls of film tops.
Yesterday I started my 365 photo project. One photo each day for a whole year. I thought a lot about doing this and I still wonder if it is possible to take a picture every day no matter what.
I suspect there will be some real losers in the lot but perhaps a winner or two as well. If you’re interested you can follow it here. I have also posted a link on the right side of this blog.
Thanks for stopping by Enjoy your day and be careful
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