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Reviews (1)
16 July 2012
A retro camera with beautiful results that will open a new world up to you
The Yashica TLR line of cameras have been used by my family since the early sixties. I was born into the digital world and the film world seemed one that I need not enter, a thing of the past as it was. My world changed when I started to use my father's old Yashica, and I have not picked up my digital camera in quite some time. It certainly requires more work and patients to get the right shot, but the results are very rewarding. The medium format film this camera uses produces just as high a quality result as my digital camera when scanned, and its always exciting to see what the different film choices produce. Granted, the Yashicas European counterpart may have finer glass, but you can get just as good results at a much more affordable price. When you start to find the different lenses, flashes, filters, and other extras, you will realize all you can do with this camera. All in all, I absolutely love this camera and the retro classic and high quality shots it produces. You can see photos taken with this and other Yashica TLR models on Flickr, go there and search Yashica Mat-124G groups and see for yourself. Thousands of Flickr members use this camera and film format. I would also point out that this is in no way an intimidating camera to use. Once you know the controls, which are very basic, you realize the simplicity and genius in its design. They really designed it for anyone at any level of experience to use. This all translates into a very enjoyable camera to use, and to mention, a great conversation piece. I have to add that the only draw back to using this camera is in the developing of the film. I am lucky to have a great local company who does an amazing job at development, but comes at a slightly pricey cost. Between $8 to $25 dollars a roll, but again the quality of prints and scans makes it worthwhile. Give this camera a shot, and I guarantee you'll be bitten by the medium format twin lens reflex bug. Long live film!