Originally posted by VellMerlot I'm trying to decide between a Yashica-24 and a Yashica-635, both pretty cheap, both in working state and near my house. The second one has more points, because it's focused with the right hand. I have more precision with the right hand, while I have a more steady left hand.
So...
The 24 is designed for 220 film, and it may or may not (they varied) allow the use of 120 film. That would be a deal-breaker for me--220 film is no longer available except for a few boxes in my freezer
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The 635 is more like the Rolleicord than the Rolleiflex. The lens is not the four-element Yashinon that is in a Mat 124 (and possibly a 24), but rather the three-element Yashikor that was also used as a viewing lens in the Mat. I had a 635 during my college years, and it makes good photographs. The shutter is not coupled to the film advance, so when you make an exposure, you have to push the button in the advance knob to release it, and then wind the knob until it stops. At least that's what I'm remembering after 40 years.
The 635 allowed a 35mm adapter, but it's unlikely that will be included with the camera, and, truth to tell, if I were wanting to use 35mm, there are zillions of 35mm cameras on the used market that would be better.
The 635 has no meter, and I used Sunny 16 (which I modified to Sunny 11 with negative film): F/16 with the shutter set to the film speed. So, with ISO 100 film, f/16 or f/11 at 125. That's in sunlight, which is when you'll want to use that camera.
Test the shutter at 1 second. If it is very slow (it will probably be a little slow), or especially if it hangs up during the timing, the shutter will need to be overhauled to be reliable. That will be difficult service to find, so keep looking until you find one that has a functioning slow-speed escapement.
Rick "who hasn't laid eyes on that 635 since four houses ago" Denney