Servicing a Yashica MAT 124 G

Nicolas Petit from the Capteur Argentique channel sent me his Yashica MAT 124 G because its winding mechanism was behaving erratically. I took the opportunity to give it a full service. A study in 2 parts…

Part 1 — Winding mechanism

Part 2 — Self-timer, optics and light seals

The Yashica MAT 124G is a good camera, but it has unfortunately become a fashion victim: at the time of writing, its price has been rising towards that of entry-level Rolleiflex cameras. Some sellers are asking as much as €400 for an unserviced body… Mechanically very simple apart from the shutter, it can be serviced by anyone who follows a detailed guide.

• Manufactured by Yashica from 1970 to 1985
• Copal-SV leaf shutter, 1/500 s to 1 s plus Bulb, X and M flash synchronization, self-timer
• Taking lens: 80mm f/3.5 (4 elements in 3 groups)
• Weight: 1100 g.