What can I say but I love my Mat? I picked up my
Yashica Mat 124G from
Vintage Visuals in Calgary. I originally bought a
Yashica Mat EM, but it had shutter problems and I had to send it back. After it came back "repaired" and still didn't work, I made a deal with the manager to exchange it for a "mint"
124G. It took a while, but in the end it all worked out. And when they said mint, they really meant it -- the light meter works (and accurately as far as I can tell), the lenses are flawless; it literally looks and feels like it just came out of the factory. So despite the problems with the
EM, I'd still recommend
VV for any used/vintage equipment you want -- fast delivery, their prices are pretty decent, and most importantly (with vintage gear at least) they stand by their products.
Anyhow, the Mat is another camera I have a bit of sentimental attachment to. My dad used to shoot with one, and I remember admiring it even as a small child. I used to think it was the prettiest camera I ever saw. I still do in many ways. Of course, if you were to send me a free
Rolleiflex 2.8 GX, I might just change my mind... ;)
