Just bought a Yashica MAT-124G at a camera swap. Looks to be in mint condition. I am not familiar with medium format cameras. Loaded some Kodak TMAX 100, 120 format into the camera following the instructions. Took 12 pics. Developed the film in standard TMAX 1:4 developer etc. When I removed the film from the tank, it was completely blank. Completely transparent. Any ideas?

-- Jeff Headley (jheadley@cinci.rr.com), March 23, 2002

Answers

If I remember correctly the Yashica Mat 124G is a twin lens reflex, when you bought it did you make sure the lens shutter was opening? just because you see an image on the focusing lens does not mean the shutter is opening. It has to be a problem with exposeure or erroneous loading. If you saw the end of the 120 roll where it said tape over this flap, then the roll went through the transport ok and has to be an exposure/shutter fault. Unless you loaded the roll inside out!

-- Jorge Gasteazoro (rossorabbit@hotmail.com), March 23, 2002.

I did my 1st roll film inside out! You should still have edge markings (numbers), otherwise the processing was cactus!

-- Nigel Smith (nlandgl@unite.com.au), March 24, 2002.

Gentlemen, I discovered my error. I didn't mention in my original posting that I was using the camera in my studio with a PC sync cord to my lights. I apparently left the Flash Synchronizer Selector on the Yashica on the "M" setting instead of the "X" setting. The "X" setting is for electronic flashes.

I made the switch on a roll this morning and all is well! Thanks for your help.

-- Jeff Headley (jheadley@cinci.rr.com), March 24, 2002.

Good to hear you figured it out, that is a nice camera. Mine is the Yashica 12, very similar. One nice thing, since it has a leaf shutter, it will synch to flash at any shutter speed.

-- Steve Gangi (sgangi@hotmail.com), March 24, 2002.

Had the same problem with my Rolleiflex. The "M" setting is for old fashion flashes where something actually burns. Hence, the shutter is slightly delayed on the "M" setting to give it a chance to light up.

-- John Pyles (johnp@u.washington.edu), March 24, 2002.