1 - ASA Film Speed Indicator 
 2 - ASA Film Speed Setting 
      Wheel 
 3 - Neckstrap Eyelet 
 4 - Exposure Counter 
 5 - Exposure Load Reminder 
      Window 
 6 - Aperture/Shutter Speed 
      indicator window 
 7 - Shutter Speed Control 
      Dial 
 8 - Film Wind Crank-Handle 
 9 - Shutter Locking Lever 
10 - Shutter Release Button 

 11 - Sportsfinder Frame 
 12 - Exposure Indicator 
       Window 
 13 - CdS Light Acceptor 
 14 - Flash Contact 
 15 - Viewing Lens 
 16 - Aperture Control Dial 
 17 - Taking Lens 
 18 - Back Cover Latch 

19 - Accessory Shoe  
20 - Spool Holder 
       Knob  
21 - Focusing Knob  
22 - MX Flash  
      Synchronizer  
      Selector 

23 - Battery  
      Compartment 
      Cover  
24 - Spool Holder 
       Knob  
25 - Self-Timer Lever

26 - Film Pressure 
        Plate (for both 
        12 and 24 
        exposures) 
27 - "Start" Mark 
        for 24 exposure 
        load 

28 - Spool Push 
        Spring 
29 - "Start" Mark for 
        12 exposure 
         load 

1 - Open the Battery Compartment Cover holding with finger and by turning it counter-clockwise. 
This camera uses a 1.3 V mercury battery to power its exposure meter. Use either Mallory PX-13B. Eveready EPX-13 or equivalent.

2 - Install a 1.3 V mercury battery to power the exposure meter, as illustrated.

1 - Turn the ASA Film Speed Setting Wheel until the figure denoting the ASA rating of the film in use aligns with the red indicator in the ASA Film Speed Indicator Window.

2 - Center the desired shutter speed in the Shutter Speed Indicator Window by turning the Shutter Speed Control Dial. The exposure meter pointer in the Exposure Indicator Window is coupled to the shutter mechanism and will shift in either direction when the shutter speed is adjusted.

3 - The exposure meter begins to function when the focusing hood is set upright by lifting it up gently with your fingertip.

*  When the camera is to be left unused, fold the focusing hood. This will switch off the meter and prevent draining of battery power.

4 - Turn the Aperture Control Dial and coincide the yellow follower needle (coupled to the aperture mechanism) with the red meter pointer (coupled to the shutter mechanism), both visible in the Exposure Indicator Window. 
* The correct combination of the shutter speed and lens aperture can be seen in the Shutter Speed and Aperture Indicator Windows.

* When the yellow follower needle (Y) perfectly coincides with the meter pointer (I), it signifies that THE CAMERA is set for correct exposure. The proper combination of the shutter speed and aperture is shown in the Shutter Speed and Aperture Indicator Windows. 

* If the yellow follower needle fails to align with the meter pointer, alter the shutter speed setting by turning the Shutter Speed Control Dial in either direction. If the two needles fail to match even when both the shutter speed and aperture settings are changed, it means that correct exposure cannot be obtained under the prevailing light condition.

ASA rating indicates the sensitivity of the emulsion of the film and is clearly imprinted on the box or instructions which come with the film.

ASA FILM SPEED SCALE  (MAT124G) 

Set desired shutter speed by turning shutter speed control dial.  To determine Aperture control dial and align yellow follower needle with the red meter pointer.

SHUTTER SPEED 
 

Die ASA-Zahl gibt die Empfindlichkeit der verwendeten Filmemulsion an. Sie ist auf den Filmpackungen angegeben.  Die nicht bezifferten Zwischenpunkte entsprechen den folgenden ASA - Werten :(Tabelle : ASA FILM SPEED SCALE) 

MAT124G

Man stelle zuerst die VerschluBzeit ein und justiere danach durch Blendenverstellung den gelben Nachfuhrzeiger.

VerschluBzeiten

The camera features a magnifying lens for critical focusing which springs up into position when the sportsfinder frame section of the Focusing Hood is pushed in slightly.

To focus, turn the Focusing Knob while observing the image of your subject produced on the Focusing Screen. After focusing, compose your picture.

1 - The Back Cover will spring open when the Back Cover Locking Ring is turned in the direction of the "O" (Open). 
Note - The exposure counter resets automatically to "S" (Start) wwhen the Back Cover is opened.

2 - Pull out the Upper Spool Holder Knob and place the empty spool in the Take-Up Spool Chamber.  After the Take-Up Spool is set properly in the camera, return the Spool Holder Knob to its original position.

When loading a 120 film (12 exposures), hold the back cover with both hands and slide the Film Pressure Plate with your thumbs until it clicks into position and the sign 12 EX. (in green) appears in the window in the middle of the plate. When loading a 220 film (24 exposures) hold the back cover with both hands and slide the Film Pressure Plate with your thumbs until it clicks into position and the sign 24 EX. (in red) appears in the window in the middle of the plate. 
Cautions: 
When sliding the Film Pressure Plate from 12 EX. to 24 EX., or vice versa, use both hands and then check if the plate spring is working properly by depressing the plate once or twice. 
Uneven film feeding and poor focusing may result if the Film Pressure Plate is not properly positioned.

4 - Place the new roll of film in the lower film chamber while pulling out the Lower Spool Holder Knob. Also make sure that the Lower Spool Holder is returned to its original position after loading the film.

5 - Draw out the film leader gently and introduce its tip straight and amply into the slot on the spindleof the Take-up Spool. The film may fail to advance if the film leader is not inserted properly into the slot.

6 - After ascertaining that the trimmed edge of the film leader rests flush against the edge of the slot, turn the Film Wind Crank-handle gently in the direction of the arrow and check whether the film is advancing properly.

7 - Continue winding the film until the "start" mark on the film leader paper lines up with the GREEN triangular "start" mark for 120 film. 

OR - Continue winding the film until the "start" mark on the film leader paper lines up with the RED triangular "start" mark for 220 film.

8 - Then, close the Back Cover and turn the Back Cover Locking Ring toward "C" (close) while pressing the cover. (When closing the Back Cover, see that the lug on the body rests properly in the slot on the Back Cover Latch).

9 - The letter "S" appears in the Exposure Counter during the film loading operation. After closing the Back Cover, wind the Crank-handle until the figure "1" appears in the Exposure Counter Window.

1 - First, turn the Crank-handle all the way in a clockwise motion (toward "1"). 
2 - Then, wind it all the way in a counter-clockwise motion (toward "2") to charge the shutter. 
Caution : In case of slow shutter speeds ( 1 sec. to 1/50 sec.) make sure the shutter mechanism completes its function before winding the film.

When the back cover is closed, the exposure load reminder window will show "12 EX" (green) in case of 120 film, and "24 EX" (red) in case of 220 film, to check the exposure load of the film in use.

After loading the film, turn the Film Type Indicator as illustrated, so that the letters equivalent to the film type in use are indicated in the window.

...Reversal type color film for daylight

...Negative type color film for daylight

...Reversal type color film for tungsten lamp

...Black and White film

...When the film is not loaded in the camera, set the indicator to "EMPTY" 

1 - When the figure "12" appears in the exposure counter window, it signifies that the full length of the film has been exposed.  Another wind of the crankhandle will set the exposure counter between "12" and "13", but continue winding until the crank-handle turns freely without tension. 

OR - When the figure "24" appears in the exposure counter window, it signifies that the full length of the film has been exposed.  Another wind of the crank-handle will bring out the (circle?) mark in the window, but continue winding until the crankhandle turns freely without tension.

2 - Open the Back Cover by turning the Back Cover Locking Ring in the direction of "O" (open).

3 - Pull out the Upper Spool Holder Knob and take out the exposed film from the film chamber. Paste the seal to prevent recoiling and wrap the film in light-proof paper. 

* - To minimize the trouble in loading your next film, it is advisable to take out the empty spool from the lower film chamber and to set it in the upper chamber immediately after unloading the exposed film.

The Shutter Locking Lever located on the base of the Shutter Release Button offers an effective provision against accidental tripping of the shutter. To lock the shutter, shift the Shutter Locking Lever and align it with "L" (Lock). 

Color Photography 
For best results in color photography, see that your subject receives the light directly from the front.  The even distribution of light over the entire subject area will assure better color balance. 
Shooting Open Scenes 
When shooting landscapes or other open scenes, the use of a lens hood is recommended to ward off extraneous reflected light. 
Shooting Backlighted Subjects 
The CdS exposure meter built into the camera is designed to make automatic compensation for exposure when shooting against light, therefore, take the exposure reading in the normal way. 
In case you wish to bring out your main subject brighter, approach your subject and set the exposure accordingly.

When shooting under blazing sunlight or photographing snow or beach scenes, the use of a filter is recommended to assure better overall effect. 
When using filter, make compensation for exposure according to the filter factor. (For instance, double the exposure when a Y2 filter is mounted over the taking lens).

In case the correct combination of shutter speed and aperture is 1/250 sec. and F8, turn the Aperture Control Dial and set the lens aperture to F5.6 when using the Y2 filter.

When using a conventional flash gun or electronic flash, mount it directly on the accessory shoe or with a bracket attached to the Tripod Socket of the camera. 
 
Plug the PC cord of the flash unit into the Flash Contact of the camera. 
 
Correct exposure in flash photography is determined by referring to the guide number of the flash bulb or electronic flash in use. The correct aperture is obtained by dividing the guide number for a specific ASA film speed rating by the camera-to-subject distance.

 
Photo taken with the Mat-124G using the CONTAX RTF540.

Always set the Flash Synchronizer Selector to "M" with M-class bulbs. 
 

Switch the Flash Synchronizer Selector to "X" when using F-class bulbs or electronic flash. 

The guide number is clearly indicated on the outer box or instructions which come with the flash bulbs or electronic flash.

When using the self-timer, always see to it that the Flash Synchronizer Selector is switched to "X" position. 

1 - Charge the shutter by winding the Crank-handle and then set the Self Timer by shifting the lever on the bottom of the lens barrel section in the direction of the arrow. 
2 - The Self Timer is activated through depression of the Shutter Release Button and trips the shutter after a delay of 6 to 15 seconds. 
When shooting with the aid of the self-timer, it is advisable to mount the camera on a tripod or set it on a firm surface. 

Caution: Avoid manipulating the Self-Timer Lever while the Flash Synchronizer Selector is set at "M" position, since it may cause damage to the Self-Timer mechanism.

At "B" (Bulb) setting, the shutter remains open over the duration the Shutter Release Button is depressed.  This setting is used for long exposures under subdued light conditions or in shooting fireworks, etc.

When shooting at 1/30 sec. or slower shutter speeds or making B (bulb) exposures, it is advisable to mount the camera on a tripod and to use a cable release to prevent erratic movement of the camera during exposure.  To mount the cable release, screw it into the Cable Release Socket on the Shutter Release Button.

The depth of field for a given aperture and camera-to-subject distance can be read off the depth-of-field scale around the Focusing Knob.  By checking this scale, you can easily determine before shooting the extent over which the objects will appear sharp and clear.

The Sportsfinder incorporated in the Focusing Hood comes in handy for snapshots or when shooting fast-moving subjects at eye-level. 

To set the Sportsfinder for action, press the Sportsfinder Frame Cover all the in until it clicks in place.

To close the Cover, push the Release Button on the back of the Focusing Hood.

Filter 

Available filters for black-and-white films are the UV, Y2 and O2.  They are mounted in front of the taking lens of the camera.  The exposure needs compensating when the Y2 or O2 filter is employed and so be sure to read through the instructions which come with the filter.

Lens hood 

This is used to stop extraneous light from entering the lens when taking pictures outdoors.  As with the filters, it is mounted in front of the taking lens of the camera.  It is recommended that this lens hood be used at all times in order to protect the lens.