12 Months on Film 2025 - March with the Yashica Mat 124 G
A Barn in the Skagit Valley, Yashica Mat 124 G + Kodak Gold 200
There's a certain allure to vintage cameras, a tangible connection to photography's past that I find irresistible. When a near-mint Yashica Mat 124 G came up for sale in my local film group, it was a temptation I couldn't ignore. The twin-lens reflex, with its unique waist-level viewfinder, promised a different way of seeing, a slower, more deliberate process.
The Yashica Mat 124 G, paired with the classic warmth and rich tones of Kodak Gold 200, transported me to a place where time seemed to slow down. I decided right away to use this camera for my March installment of 12 Months on Film.
Shooting with the Yashica Mat 124 G demands a different pace. You compose through that waist-level finder, framing your shot carefully, considering every element. It's a tactile experience, a connection to the process that digital often lacks. And Kodak Gold 200 lends a gentle, almost nostalgic warmth to the scene, enhancing the vintage feel and adding a touch of golden hour glow, no matter the light.
These images, to me, are a testament to the beauty of imperfection. Moment frozen in times, captured with a camera that itself carries its own history. And it's a reminder of why I love film photography – its ability to capture a scene with a unique character and a timeless appeal.
I'm so glad I gave in to temptation and brought that Yashica Mat 124 G home. It's opened up a new chapter in my photography journey, and I can't wait to see what other stories it helps me tell.
Old Red Truck, Christianson's Nursery
A Timeless Scene, Christianson's Nursery
Winthrop Balloon Rally, Yashica Mat 124 G + Kodak Gold 200
The Magic of Shooting with a Twin Lens Reflex (TLR)
Stepping into medium format with a camera like the Yashica Mat 124 G forces a complete shift in how you approach a landscape. Here are a few things that I noticed this month:
The Waist-Level Viewfinder: Looking down into a giant, bright ground-glass screen completely changes your physical relationship with the landscape. It naturally lowers your shooting perspective, which is incredible for ground-level textures, sea oats, and low coastal angles.
Embracing the Square Format: Composing a 6x6 square frame requires a totally different mental grid than a standard 35mm or digital rectangle. It forces you to think about symmetry, central composition, and balance in a completely fresh way.
A Slower Creative Pace: With only 12 frames on a roll of 120 film, every single shutter click is a deliberate, mindful choice. You have to slow down, meter carefully, and fully commit to the scene before you step into the frame.
