Yashica Mat 124 - Batt issue or meter is dead?

[thinkhardhard]

Hi, I bought a Yashica Mat 124 from ebay. it's in a very good condition cosmetically and mechanically, except maybe the light meter. The seller claims that the meter is working fine, but it doesn't seem to work. The needle does move when i try to change aperture/shutter speed, but the two needles just won't align. Am wondering is it because (1) meter is faulty; (2) battery is weak?

I'm currently using a Sekonic to meter, but would prefer using the built-in meter as it's more convenient. Do you guys suggest I get a new battery to test the meter out? Any idea if any shops in Singapore sell those replacement batt?

Thanks in advance.

[Dream Merchant]

Did you change the battery to a new one? Also, in some cameras, using the correct type of battery is important. I've known of built-in meters that get inaccurate or slowly go downhill if the wrong battery (even so called 'equivalent' replacement) or a weak battery is used.

Hope this helps.

[kiari04]

Originally Posted by thinkhardhard Hi, I bought a Yashica Mat 124 from ebay. it's in a very good condition cosmetically and mechanically, except maybe the light meter. The seller claims that the meter is working fine, but it doesn't seem to work. The needle does move when i try to change aperture/shutter speed, but the two needles just won't align. Am wondering is it because (1) meter is faulty; (2) battery is weak? I'm currently using a Sekonic to meter, but would prefer using the built-in meter as it's more convenient. Do you guys suggest I get a new battery to test the meter out? Any idea if any shops in Singapore sell those replacement batt? Thanks in advance.

For yashica 124G, u need to open the hood to check if the battery is working. Then to make the needles to align, try changing one parameters first - shutter, up or down till match. if not, the next parameter is the appeture.

hope this helps

Think the battery difficult to get ... been sourcing at NTUC & nearby shops all not selling

[Dream Merchant]

The problem is that many older cameras were designed to use Mercury batteries which were banned in the 80s. I've heard of a PZ625A being a possible replacement. No, you would have to try to see if Unicell in SLS has them, or can bring them in for you, or just buy from overseas.

A very easy fix to the whole situation is to simply use a handheld lightmeter.

Aside ...

To get a better idea oh how different chemistries work, go to http://www.photoethnography.com/Clas...html~mainFrame

flickr discussion on the batt for the 124: http://www.flickr.com/groups/yashica...57622352979123

Interesting page on the mat: http://mattdentonphoto.com/cameras/yashicamat_124.html

CHEERS!

p.s. Google Yashica 124 Mat batteries and you'll get tons of information as mat users around the world discuss this problem.

[thinkhardhard]

Yup, i know the Mat uses mercury cell that's why i said "replacement battery". will have to source for battery then. OOT, do you guys prefer using the built-in meter or hand held meter for your Mat 124?

[merelyok]

Originally Posted by thinkhardhard Yup, i know the Mat uses mercury cell that's why i said "replacement battery". will have to source for battery then. OOT, do you guys prefer using the built-in meter or hand held meter for your Mat 124?

I don't use a Mat 124 but a rolleiflex. It has a meter that doesn't need batteries and while it still works i don't use it. I use a hand held meter that i trust more.

[sweat100]

Have you tried to point it to a bright light source? Does the needle deflect? In a room light condition, the meter may not be sensitive to dim light.

I have experiences that sometimes the meter does not turn on when I open the hood. I open the hood and close the hood 10+ times then is back to work again. Worse come to worse, I unscrewed the top hood to check the contacts. Usually is that area give some problems. You may want to check on that as mentioned earlier.

Getting PX625 alkaline is not that hard but mercury is extremely hard. You can get it in sim lim or peninsular. The price is not that high, dont pay $6-8 for a PX 625 alkaline.

[thinkhardhard]

yup, i tried it outdoor in the day, doesn't work. you're saying i can get the mercury cell at sim lim (i thought its no longer in production), or is it PX625?

[sweat100]

Originally Posted by thinkhardhard yup, i tried it outdoor in the day, doesn't work. you're saying i can get the mercury cell at sim lim (i thought its no longer in production), or is it PX625?

Mercury PX625, cant find in sim lim. But you can find the alkaline 625 version.

[aquilaa]

Here is a link to a Chinese website regarding method of modified 1.55V
battery to 1.35V by a diode.

http://pop.6park.com/chan8/messages/53905.html

But it is practical only if someone has the skills, tools and resources.
It is complicated for me.

[thinkhardhard]

it does look complicated.... not something i would wanna try.

[0200903C]

Just get a cheap handheld meter, easy and fast too I don't think i would trust the camera's inbuilt selenium meter anyways, given their age and how the nature of selenium is.

[pipo999]

Originally Posted by thinkhardhard Yup, i know the Mat uses mercury cell that's why i said "replacement battery". will have to source for battery then. OOT, do you guys prefer using the built-in meter or hand held meter for your Mat 124?

My Rollei GX built in meter is dead on but for older TLR's it is recommended to use a hand held meter as the older they get, the less accurate they become. I have a Gossen F on the side. Why this model? Simple, it uses an ordinary 9 Volt battery instead of the indeed painstaking mercury ones.

Can you imagine? Old TLR, mercury cell. Old Gossen, another mercury cell. Then, you die ..