Yashica Mat-124 6x6 Twin Lens Reflex Camera
The Yashica 124 is a film camera from Yashica — known for its 6x6 Medium Format Negatives and Twin-Lens Reflex Design. Used copies start from $159.82 on GearFocus, with buyer protection on every purchase.
Yashica Mat-124 6x6 Twin Lens Reflex Camera
Used Yashica 124 Listings on GearFocus
Camera Overview — Yashica 124
Key Features — Yashica 124
6x6 Medium Format Negatives: Produces 56x56mm square negatives on 120 or 220 film, offering significantly more detail and tonal range than 35mm formats.
Twin-Lens Reflex Design: Separate viewing and taking lenses allow waist-level composition through a bright ground glass screen without disrupting the exposure.
120 and 220 Film Compatible: Accepts both 120 and 220 roll film stocks, giving shooters the choice of 12 or 24 exposures per roll.
Leaf Shutter in Lens: Built-in leaf shutter syncs with flash at all shutter speeds, making it straightforward to use off-camera flash outdoors.
Fixed Yashinon Taking Lens: Fitted with an 80mm f/3.5 Yashinon lens, a well-regarded optic that delivers sharp results across a wide aperture range.
Manual Focus Operation: Focus is controlled via a front-mounted knob that moves both lenses together, offering a deliberate and tactile shooting experience.
Camera Specifications — Yashica 124
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Use Cases | Portrait, Landscape, Street, Creative Effects |
| Hot Shoe | Cold Shoe (No Contacts) |
Description — Yashica 124
The Yashica Mat-124 is a twin-lens reflex (TLR) medium format camera produced during the 1960s, built around the 120 film format and generating 6x6 cm square negatives. It also accepts 220 film, giving shooters the option of more exposures per roll when that stock is available. The fixed lens configuration is integral to the TLR design — two matched lenses handle viewing and exposure respectively, with manual focus being the sole focusing method.
The leaf shutter sits within the lens assembly, a hallmark of TLR cameras that brings practical benefits for flash work. Speaking of flash, the Mat-124 offers both a cold shoe and a PC sync port, accommodating a range of external lighting setups without electronic TTL dependency. At 1,120g, the camera has the reassuring heft of a well-built mechanical instrument from its era.
For photographers drawn to medium format film, the waist-level TLR experience, or the aesthetic and discipline of vintage photographic tools, the Yashica Mat-124 presents a capable and historically significant option.
Pros — Yashica 124
- ✓Dual film compatibility — accepts both 120 and 220 film stocks for flexible shooting sessions
- ✓6x6 medium format negatives deliver large film area compared to 35mm formats
- ✓Leaf shutter design enables full flash sync across all shutter speeds
Cons — Yashica 124
- ✗Fixed lens system means no option to swap optics for different focal lengths or apertures
- ✗At 1,120g, the camera is relatively heavy for a film body, especially for extended handheld use
- ✗Manual focus only — no autofocus option for faster-paced shooting situations
Videos — Yashica 124
Yashica Mat-124G Review - One of my favourite medium format cameras — Kyle McDougall






