I own two of these cameras. I preferred 127 to 120 films simply because it is earlier to develop in house. The smaller size is an advantage in terms of handling. It is easy to scan. However, as you pointed out, the film can be expensive. I go through about four rolls a year. My Yashica 44 is not my primary camera but is fun to take out once a season. My suggestion is to understand these factors discussed in your video. The 127 camera is still supported at a price. The Yashica MAT family of 120 cameras is the preferred method for shooting medium.
I had a yashicha d about 20 years ago. It was so much fun and was a really well made camera. I managed to break it by ignoring advice so 20 years of humble pie
The 4x4 format saw a short burst in popularity back in the day because it was great for superslides - much larger image in the same sized slide holder as 35mm. Their popularity was short lived, partially because Kodak wasn't making kodachrome in 127 and they were promoting the heck out of it at the time. 35mm quickly took over the 127 format. I wrote a blogpost on my website about the Rollei 4x4, it's Yashica copy, and the demise of the format.
My intro to medium format 20 years back was the Yashica D. It's _so_ small. There are a number of popular 35mm SLRs and DSLRs that are heavier and more bulky. It used to be very cheap too - because everyone wanted the 124G. I don't know if that's still the case. It's a very capable little TLR but be warned the focussing screen is painfully dim. Focussing requires real care. My top TLR - which also used to be very cheap but probably isn't anymore - is the Mamiya C220. Not the C330 which is huge. But the C220 does pretty much everything the C330 does but in a more compact and lighter package. Easy to find the 80mm f2.8 lens for it.
I had a 127 film camera when I was a kid, but I have no idea what it was. This was probably between 1962 and 1966. I remember it being plastic. I think I remember a waste-level finder, but I could be wrong. I recall the viewfinder being terrible with lots of chromatic aberration, even though I didn't know what that was at the time. I wish I'd kept all those toys because now they could be valuable classics I could sell to hipsters and rich boomers.
@@RompingBronco I did a search after I wrote my comment, and I think it was just a Kodak Brownie, and not a TLR. I won't know for sure unless I can get this DeLorean working.
Shanghai GP3 sells fresh rolls of 127 for $14, Kodak Gold 127 is $19. I have a spool for the Jobo and the Patterson tank for it. The reason for shooting 127 is the Rolleiflex "Baby Gray", since they're way cheaper than a 120 Rolleiflex.
The Yashica LM is larger (duh!) and uses proper 120mm film. The lens is pretty sharp, very easy to use, has a 6x6 format (although it is slightly larger in practice), Comes with a light meter (mine is still working), a very clunky, but light tight film door, and an extremely bright and easy focusing system. Just as a comparison to the Yashica 44.
these are fun for shooting 35mm sometimes but other than that they're just worse versions of normal tlr's and you can also just shoot 35mm in a regular tlr soooo yeah lol
How often do us guys think that something is cute and sexy and then in the cold light of morning, after we sober up, we have regrets. It happens man, don't sweat it.
There were few 127 TLRs made, mostly in the late 1950s to mid -60s. Some were quite good construction and optics, but most were made for snapshooters with mediocre optics, like the Yashica 44. Their interest related to a preference for shooting slides at the time, because the 4x4cm slide can be mounted and projected in a normal 35mm projector, yet give a much larger image. Rollei started the 127 TLR idea with its Baby Rollei. Then Yashica, Topcon and Ricoh(?) hopped on the wagon. As color negative quality greatly improved, those buyers moved to 35mm SLRs, and the 127 TLR dropped dead even faster than the 120 TLR market. The Yashica 44 used a pretty foul triplet lens, and most were plain-jane models. The 44LM he has here is relatively rare, and it looks like his meter works. Unhappily, there is almost no 127 film available, and what is there is grossly overpriced. Some cut down 120 rolls. A more elegant solution might be to special order 127 size bulk film with the annual Ilford "odd format order" program, then roll your own with 127 spools and cut down 120 backing paper. (Topcon sold as Primo Jr or Sawyers Mark IV, probably the best of the bunch.) If you process your own film, note that 127 film reels for processing tanks are fairly rare. the multi-format size reels common today do not adjust for 127. So, if you go there, look for the rare 127 steel reel (Nikor), or buy an old Ansco tank from the 1950s-670s. Those old tanks commonly adjusted for 127, as it was a very popular film size. (Kodak made most of its cheap consumer box cameras in the 1950s in 127.)
I used to MINOX until they shut down film production and mail in processing. If I had a film slitter and a darkroom.......... Also had a Yashica C 120 format, fun camera.
I own two of these cameras. I preferred 127 to 120 films simply because it is earlier to develop in house. The smaller size is an advantage in terms of handling. It is easy to scan. However, as you pointed out, the film can be expensive. I go through about four rolls a year. My Yashica 44 is not my primary camera but is fun to take out once a season. My suggestion is to understand these factors discussed in your video. The 127 camera is still supported at a price. The Yashica MAT family of 120 cameras is the preferred method for shooting medium.
the 44 works great adapted to 35mm 👌👌
You can cut 120 spools into 127 with a cigar cutter, it takes a minite
I had a yashicha d about 20 years ago. It was so much fun and was a really well made camera. I managed to break it by ignoring advice so 20 years of humble pie
The 4x4 format saw a short burst in popularity back in the day because it was great for superslides - much larger image in the same sized slide holder as 35mm. Their popularity was short lived, partially because Kodak wasn't making kodachrome in 127 and they were promoting the heck out of it at the time. 35mm quickly took over the 127 format. I wrote a blogpost on my website about the Rollei 4x4, it's Yashica copy, and the demise of the format.
Thanks for the info! i didn’t look too far into the format but that is some really good information to have, thank you!
My intro to medium format 20 years back was the Yashica D. It's _so_ small. There are a number of popular 35mm SLRs and DSLRs that are heavier and more bulky. It used to be very cheap too - because everyone wanted the 124G. I don't know if that's still the case. It's a very capable little TLR but be warned the focussing screen is painfully dim. Focussing requires real care.
My top TLR - which also used to be very cheap but probably isn't anymore - is the Mamiya C220. Not the C330 which is huge. But the C220 does pretty much everything the C330 does but in a more compact and lighter package. Easy to find the 80mm f2.8 lens for it.
I had a 127 film camera when I was a kid, but I have no idea what it was. This was probably between 1962 and 1966. I remember it being plastic. I think I remember a waste-level finder, but I could be wrong. I recall the viewfinder being terrible with lots of chromatic aberration, even though I didn't know what that was at the time. I wish I'd kept all those toys because now they could be valuable classics I could sell to hipsters and rich boomers.
I’m all for exploiting the hipsters 😎 I’ve seen some odd plastic TLR toys, I’d love to hear what you had if it ever comes to mind!
@@RompingBronco I did a search after I wrote my comment, and I think it was just a Kodak Brownie, and not a TLR. I won't know for sure unless I can get this DeLorean working.
Shanghai GP3 sells fresh rolls of 127 for $14, Kodak Gold 127 is $19. I have a spool for the Jobo and the Patterson tank for it. The reason for shooting 127 is the Rolleiflex "Baby Gray", since they're way cheaper than a 120 Rolleiflex.
I have the LM 44. I buy ReraPan 400 b&w film from B&H ($14) and develop myself. My light meter is still functioning!!
I think 127 TLRs are lovely cameras, but as you say, not very practical.
This is exactly what i needed!
A regular Yashica-Mat would have been a better medium format option, accepting 120 roll film.
4x4 is almost twice the negative size of 35mm. THe stocks you mentioned are hand sliced, I believe so it has to be more expensive.
Problem with shooting 35mm would be how to rewind the film back into the cassette unless you manage to have it wind into a second cassette.
I bought one b/c it was less than the price of a gallon of gas at a flea market and the meter works lol
More power to you! The prices of these online are a little more than gas unfortunately
The Yashica LM is larger (duh!) and uses proper 120mm film. The lens is pretty sharp, very easy to use, has a 6x6 format (although it is slightly larger in practice), Comes with a light meter (mine is still working), a very clunky, but light tight film door, and an extremely bright and easy focusing system. Just as a comparison to the Yashica 44.
Shanghai gp3 makes fresh 127 and some other "dead" sizes in b&w
Small note. Shanghai is the name of the factory/company, GP3 is the name of the stock.
Camera made for making superslides
these are fun for shooting 35mm sometimes but other than that they're just worse versions of normal tlr's and you can also just shoot 35mm in a regular tlr soooo yeah lol
I’m going to stick with my Yashica LM that I just got for that exact reason
How often do us guys think that something is cute and sexy and then in the cold light of morning, after we sober up, we have regrets.
It happens man, don't sweat it.
There were few 127 TLRs made, mostly in the late 1950s to mid -60s. Some were quite good construction and optics, but most were made for snapshooters with mediocre optics, like the Yashica 44. Their interest related to a preference for shooting slides at the time, because the 4x4cm slide can be mounted and projected in a normal 35mm projector, yet give a much larger image. Rollei started the 127 TLR idea with its Baby Rollei. Then Yashica, Topcon and Ricoh(?) hopped on the wagon. As color negative quality greatly improved, those buyers moved to 35mm SLRs, and the 127 TLR dropped dead even faster than the 120 TLR market. The Yashica 44 used a pretty foul triplet lens, and most were plain-jane models. The 44LM he has here is relatively rare, and it looks like his meter works. Unhappily, there is almost no 127 film available, and what is there is grossly overpriced. Some cut down 120 rolls. A more elegant solution might be to special order 127 size bulk film with the annual Ilford "odd format order" program, then roll your own with 127 spools and cut down 120 backing paper. (Topcon sold as Primo Jr or Sawyers Mark IV, probably the best of the bunch.) If you process your own film, note that 127 film reels for processing tanks are fairly rare. the multi-format size reels common today do not adjust for 127. So, if you go there, look for the rare 127 steel reel (Nikor), or buy an old Ansco tank from the 1950s-670s. Those old tanks commonly adjusted for 127, as it was a very popular film size. (Kodak made most of its cheap consumer box cameras in the 1950s in 127.)
I would get a Holga 120 film camera before a 127 film camera.
I love my Lubitel.
I have a Brownie that's not fantastic, but it's easy to trim the spools on 120 to work with it.
I Love my Brownie Bullseye.
I used to MINOX until they shut down film production and mail in processing. If I had a film slitter and a darkroom.......... Also had a Yashica C 120 format, fun camera.
I have made the EXACT same mistake. And I bet the lightmeter on yours didn't work either
I just bought an ASP camera, I know the feeling….😒
It happens to the best of us, believe me
President Vance, that's what we have to be worried about
FFS.
I made the mistake of purchasing a 127 Rolafex on eBay
don't tell me what to do (I also bought it)
Me to myself every day