I just got my first medium format camera!

Hi Folks,

After 6 months working with 35mm, I have decided to explore the medium
format world, and tonight I bought my first medium format camera - a
Yashicamat 124-G from eBay! Its in great condition, and comes with an
close-up lens set (No 2) manufactured by Aico and a Yashicamat lens hood.

I know people would probably have recommended a Rolleiflex such as a T,
but to defend my choice, I didn't want to spend more than £100 and its
very difficult to get a Rolleiflex for this price thats in a condition
like the Yashicamat. If I really like medium format I will sell on the
Yashicamat and get something like a Mamiya 645, and I probably won't
loose much on the Yashicamat so long as I keep it in good condition.
All together, the Yashicamat fits my needs perfectly.

I do have a few questions though, and I was hoping for some help from
people in here.

What sort of cable release do I need to get? I already have one that
works with my Nikon FM2n, will this work with the Yash?

I normally shoot 35mm with Ilford HP5+, I presume the Ilford HP5+ 120 is
exactly the same as what I normally use? Does development time differ?

Can anyone tell me about the Aico close up lens that comes with the camera?

Are there any other "must have" items for this camera?

I have a JOBO LPL 7700 enlarger with a Schneider 2.8/50mm lens, do I
need to get a different lens if I intend to do my own printing?

Thanks for the help in advance!

Andrew McCall
--
Check out my blog - http://www.h2o.demon.co.uk/

In article <cbvlgs$7g0$1$8300dec7@news.demon.co.uk>,
Andrew McCall <mccall.DeleteThis@h2o.demon.co.uk> wrote:

 > I normally shoot 35mm with Ilford HP5+, I presume the Ilford HP5+ 120 is
 > exactly the same as what I normally use? Does development time differ?
 >
 >
 > I have a JOBO LPL 7700 enlarger with a Schneider 2.8/50mm lens, do I
 > need to get a different lens if I intend to do my own printing?


First off let me say congradulations on your step up. I went directly
from 35mm to 4x5 then came back to MF cameras as I needed them for
certain types of work I regularly do.

You should notice right away that you can make much nicer "larger" prints.

I'll answer those questions I know the answers to.

HP5 should be the same film. If its slightly different judging from my experience
you not see a drastic difference. That stated the developers times are listed on the packaging for
the film or Ilfords website should have downloadable PDF's IIRC.


The lens for a 645 is typically a 65mm or 75mm in that range, you can use an 80mm lens
and it will cover 6x6 cm square, I have an 80mm for 6x6cm and I also use my 150 when I
want the enlarger to be higher whenmaking a smaller print, "in the case where burning and dodging
needs to be accomplished" on a smaller print. The longer focal length will inhibit the
maximum size enlargement you can through on to the enlarger base board.
--
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