Yashicamat 124G Tripod Mounting

I have decided to purchase a Yashicamat 124G as my first medium format

camera. My current tripod has the small screw size for 35mm cameras (I

have a Canon AE-1). Is this the same screw size on the Yashicamat 124G

or does it have the larger screw size as found on my Manfroto

Professional Monopod (with a sleve for the smaller screw size)? If the

Yashicamat 124G has this larger screw size, is there any way to adapt

my tripod (or the Yashicamat 124G)?

 

<p>

 

Thanks,

Weldon Bonnell

wbonnell@morgan.ucs.mun.ca

It's a standard 1/4" thread. Where you will have fun is that the

YashicaMat camera back incorporates the base too, so you can't change

film on a tripod. That's the price of the 'L' shaped film path and the

camera compactness.

=====

You can get 3/8" inserts to shift down to 1/4". It's going the

other way that is awkward.

I had a hexagonal quick release plate to mount my Rollieflex on

my tripod. The plate was just big enough that it covered the

film door latch on the camera --- I had to remove the QR plate

to open the camera and load and unload film --- a real pain. I

used a hacksaw to cut a notch in the qr plate at the point it

overlapped the film door latch, being careful not to cut away so

much that it no longer was gripped by the jaws of the quick

release tripod head. There was just enough room to get my

finger in there to open up the film door latch. The Yashicamat

has a similar film door.

<p>If you find unloading and loading your Yashicamat to be

inconvenient when it is on the tripod, you may want to consider

getting a QR system. I adapted my existing system for which I

had extra QR plates; one could also obtain a QR system with

smaller plates that would not cover up the film door latch.

<p>best of luck

<p>stefan

Hello. Consider using a dedicated tripod for the Mat's!!! For a number of years I have been using an Ambico 553 tripod for my EM's. They are lite enough to "drag" all over the country, relativly cheap so your retirement pension does not go Enron if you break it (I'm at 2 now) and when you put your camera bag (or the wifes purse) on the bottom hook, it will support movement free negs even at 30mph+ winds and 1/4 second exposures. I purchased two extra release shoes with the first one, so now have 5 shoes to put on any 35mm gear that comes along for the ride. Enjoy, Bill

Once you get the thread issue figured out Weldon, another option for the 'Mat is the TiltAll tripod. I've been using them (I have one older version, which is heavier, and a new one too, still very nice) for years. The built-in tilt and pan feature is very handy for use with the 6x6 size. Make composing your subject a snap.