Opinions on Yashica ML 50mm lenses

wildlight images · Joined: 27 Aug 2013 Posts: 56

50 1.4's - Wide Open and Stopped Down compiled by Dr. Loui of Wash U STL from the [u]OLD[/u] Photodo site

http://www.cs.wustl.edu/~loui/photodobest.html

@ F1.4 and F8 below

@50mm: Leica M Summilux-M 50/1.4.....0.60...... 0.80
@50mm: Leica R Summilux-R 50/1.4......0.58...... 0.84
@50mm: Canon EF 50/1.4....................0.58...... 0.84
@50mm: Minolta AF 50/1.4...................0.51...... 0.83
@50mm: Nikkor/Nikon AF 50/1.4...........0.56...... 0.80
@50mm: Pentax SMC-FA 50/1.4.............0.50......0.82
@50mm: Pentax SMC-F 50/1.4...............0.52.......0.85
@50mm: Yashica ML 50/1.4...................0.53...... 0.83
@50mm: Contax Planar T* 50/1.4...........0.57......0.85

These were the top 9 measured at the time, the only point is how extremely close all 9 are
I think the only place where a visible difference could appear is with the Leica wide-open compared to the Minolta/Pentax/maybe the Yashica all wide-open
In other words, they are so close only preferences in color and contrast (personal taste) truly separate them ?

radissimo77 · Joined: 20 May 2011 Posts: 111 Location: Glasgow

In my head to head Nifty-Fifties battle- Yashica ML 50/1.4 won over Minolta-PG 50/1.4 (less glow sharper, better bokeh actually -which surprised me) ,but lost to C/Y Planar 50/1.4

ML 50/1.4 lens is great lens, fantastic build, 8 blades, pleasure to use. Razz

Lloydy · Expire: 2022-01-01

I'm very impressed with my ML 50 1.7 It delivers some of the truest colours of any lens I have.

wildlight images · Joined: 27 Aug 2013 Posts: 56

[quote="Lloydy"]I'm very impressed with my ML 50 1.7 It delivers some of the truest colours of any lens I have.[/quote]

iangreenhalgh1 · Expire: 2014-01-07

The Konica 1.7/50 is a far superior lens to either the 1.8/50 or 1.8/40. The 1.8s were made to a cheaper price point and it shows. The 1.7 is among the very finest 50s ever made.

doomed-forever · Joined: 09 Aug 2014 Posts: 239

I do own them, Minolta Rokkor PG 50/1.4, Yashica ML 50/1.4, 50/1.7 & 50/2, also Contax Zeiss 50/1.4 & 50/1.7, the 50/1.7 Zeiss does really have great 3D Pop, i never run a comparsion between all of them. But the 50/2 Yashica ML...sharp from F2.8 on, and was cheaper than 10 bucks for me, in great condition. For so little money its an steal.

kansalliskalaCafe · Posted: Sun Jan 31, 2016 8:35 am Post subject:

I had ML 50/2 for years but didn't use it much until bought a Samsung NX10. It makes a perfect really small short tele on a crop camera. With or without the beer.

WNG555 · Joined: 18 Dec 2014 Posts: 784 Location: Arrid-Zone-A, USA

A timely thread resurrection!

Been a fan of Yashicas ever since I discovered the performance from a Yashinon DS 50-f2. My affinity for nifty-fifties had me acquire each 50mm in their DS line.
Then added the DX in f1.7 and f2. A DS-M f1.7 soon followed. Of these, I found the the f1.7 were consistently stronger performers from wide open to stopped down. Their bokeh is better as well. The Thorium improvements are evident.

My first ML would be the f1.7, given how much better I liked their previous versions. Also to see just how much 'DNA' it shares with its Contax cousin the Planar.
The DS-M and the ML are supposedly the same multi-coating. Both appear very similar. But the ML was no longer radioactive. But given the above post and video, I'm very surprised. As I have the same early model with the silver edged treatment. (Looks similar to the DS-M body style)

Not a good thought, knowing this. I had a disassembled DX f1.7 and the ML near me everyday for a year! I guess my hair is going to fall out or my skin turn green!

Recently added the ML f1.4 and a f1.9 C. I found the f1.4 to be glowy and bloomy wide open. Hampering center sharpness. The f1.7 still better sharpness wide open. I found the f1.4 competitve with a Minolta MD Rokkor 50 f1.4 MD-I. The ML's color and contrast to be more to my liking, and the Rokkor cleaner overall and slightly sharper wide open. Stopped down both are neck and neck. Nod goes to ML due to truer colors and better contrast.

As for the 1.9 C, I decided to try this because it's an update to the f2, with improved edge-to-edge sharpness and nil errors. One reviewer stated it gave exceptional results with landscapes. The sample I got was a "C" version, which I assume stands for compact. The body is all plastic construction and the rim steps down from 52 to 49mm dia. filter threads. It's construction leaves a lot to be desired. As a matter of fact the face plate popped off, showing it was only glued on, not threaded. But at least the optics were top notch. The images were the best contrast, color and depth of all three ML 50s. The sharpness is uniform across the frame. There was no detectable problems that I could see. If it was razor sharp, it would be perfect.
If you should get one, look for the one with the f2 body style and avoid the C. The plastic build feels very cheap. The other body still had some aluminum.

I think it's superior to their DS 1.9, SMC Pentax-M f2, MD(III) f2, MD Rokkor 45mm f2, and Mamiya/Sekor f2.

While on topic about the 1.9, and also got handed a DSB 50-f1.9. The exterior resembles the DS-M style. Probably handed down after intro of ML line.
It needed cleaning of the blades. Disassembling it revealed the construction is noticeably cheapened compared to previous lines. The optics too. Some glued in place, simplified mounts. I haven't had the opportunity to shoot with it yet. Some say the DSB lenses aren't bad, just have to see.

glaebhoerl · Joined: 03 May 2014 Posts: 100 Location: Hungary

Are there both C and non-C versions of the ML 1.9? Or did they go straight from ML 2.0 to ML 1.9 C?

doomed-forever · Joined: 09 Aug 2014 Posts: 239

doomed-forever · Joined: 09 Aug 2014 Posts: 239

caledonia84 · Joined: 06 Feb 2013 Posts: 203 Location: Glasgow

I love the 50mm f1.4 picked up a mint boxed one and a yashica FRII for £25, use it for everything from indoor sports to flora and portraits

Scottish BJJ Open 2014 by Scott Hills, on Flickr

Griphouse BJJ by Scott Hills, on Flickr

Scottish BJJ Open 2014 by Scott Hills, on Flickr

Yashica ML 50mm f1.4 +ZLT II by Scott Hills, on Flickr

Stuart and Alana by Scott Hills, on Flickr

Botanics by Scott Hills, on Flickr

Sol by Scott Hills, on Flickr

Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh by Scott Hills, on Flickr

doomed-forever · Joined: 09 Aug 2014 Posts: 239

Fine pictures. Wink

Koen Nhz · Joined: 07 Jul 2011 Posts: 84 Location: Antwerp, Belgium

Very nice samples caledonia84, shows you don't need the most expensive or exclusive lens you can find!
The road sign looks a bit different than the rest, somehow a little bit swirly (but I like it!), guess that's just the different focus distance.

WNG555 · Joined: 18 Dec 2014 Posts: 784 Location: Arrid-Zone-A, USA

beeton · Joined: 03 Dec 2015 Posts: 7

Some clarity here.

The first Yashica y/c lenses were the Yashica YUS line (Yashica United States=YUS). Not good overall as they had low contrast and thin coatings plus were rough and heavy. These were the first Y/C to be available with the FX series which were the first Y/C mount Yashica bodies (FX1, FX2)

The Yashica ML was the premium line that coincided with the splendid FR series bodies. Except for issues with the self timer locking up and film counter gear cracking, these were fine brass bodied cameras.

The ML line was metal bodied.
The DSB line was a less expensive version of the ML lenses, having slightly inferior coatings.

So, ML 50 1.7, ML 50 1.4, ML 55 1.2 (kicked myself for not buying that one), ML 50 f2.0, DSB 50 f1.9 being the common ones.
Add the 55mm f2.8 and 4.0 macros (or were they 50?) to the "normal" focal length group.

The 50 F1.4 was an excellent performer.

I am not surprised that people tend to underrate the ML line as Yashica was never a premium camera but having sold many, many Canon, Nikon and Minolta when I was selling ca,eras decades back, I had a chance to try many out and went for the Yashica line.

If you can get your hands on one, the 55 Dental and 100mm Medical are super sharp as well. I have converted mine for my A6000 (Sony NEX) body and really enjoy the sharp and vivid images. Although stop down can be a bit annoying as I have to stop down and maintain my focus, the EVF compensates nicely for composition.

Instructions elsewhere i this forum.

doomed-forever · Joined: 09 Aug 2014 Posts: 239

Some clarity here too, the YUS line was only avialable into the US, not into the rest of the world, into other words: meh, and therefore unimportant...same for the DSB series, or DS-M, which was Yashicas cheap consumer series...only the ML series truely shines, and still performs great. Nothing knew here, know this for decades. no offence. Wink

Love my ML lenses much more then Konica AR or Minolta MD/MC lenses...

beeton · Joined: 03 Dec 2015 Posts: 7

True but with this border-less buying and selling world we live in, a buyer from your area may consider a "dsb" or "yus" as it is a Yashica product but not know the differences. Information is good.

doomed-forever · Joined: 09 Aug 2014 Posts: 239

just right, it wasn't bad meant anyway. Wink

ebay & others are global today, so it's nice for sharing information about different lenses.

caledonia84 · Joined: 06 Feb 2013 Posts: 203 Location: Glasgow

WNG555 · Joined: 18 Dec 2014 Posts: 784 Location: Arrid-Zone-A, USA

A correction to one statement above regarding the DS-M line.
It was not a consumer 'cheap' line similar to the DSB line that came later to supplement the C/Y mount lines.

DS-M replaced their DS line of lenses. M stood for multi-coated, as the DS were single-coated like their predecessor the DX.
The M coating used is said to be the same applied to the ML lenses.

I have a DS-M 50 f/1.7, and I don't think it's cheaply made. With a f/1.7 from each line (except the DSB), I have the opportunity to compare each against the other. The ML is simply the progression of refinement of design over the decades. The previous lines were far from mediocre quality.
Although there seem to be critics of Yashinon prevailing. At least it keeps the prices lower.

As for YUS, it seemed to be born from some legal/marketing agreement. Some of the product looks like DSB models.

davidblue1984 · Joined: 29 Dec 2013 Posts: 68

I believe I shot one roll of film on a yashica electro camera using a yashinon 50mm f1.7 lens . It def had great character .

caledonia84 · Joined: 06 Feb 2013 Posts: 203 Location: Glasgow

doomed-forever · Joined: 09 Aug 2014 Posts: 239

Kimble · Joined: 22 Aug 2016 Posts: 18 Location: Finland

I just used my ML 50mm f/1.9 for the first time in months last week. What I cannot figure out is why I don't use this lens more often. This photo is taken with Canon EOS 700D and ML 50mm f/1.9. It has not been edited in any way (except for resizing).

ISO 100, f/8, shutter 1/640:

As you can see, the colors are quite good. This lens also has a very nice bokeh, and it is sharp enough at least for me. True, it could be faster and that is why I have been thinking of buying ML 50mm f/1.4, but probably I should get Planar 50mm f/1.4 instead... After all, it's not that much more expensive.

Yashica ML 50mm lenses are without a doubt great lenses, that I can recommend to anyone if the price isn't too high. I paid 10 Euros for my copy of ML 50mm f/1.9.