Looking for a 135mm for Contax/Yashica

[Il suonatore Jones]

Hi there, I signed up today this forum. It is a nice place.

I bought a couple of film cameras a few weeks ago, a Contax 139 and a Yashica FX-3 Super 2000. I also bought 3 lenses: 28mm f2.8 RMC Tokina, 50mm f1.9 Yashica ML and 80-200 f4 RMC Tokina. I only need a lens for indoor portrait, I thought something like a 135mm, a cheap one, I can spend about 40-50€. Could you recommend some (almost) good lenses for that price, please? I read some (almost) good review of Soligor and Hanimex. Did you ever try these ones?

Many thanks!

[Lightshow]

The Yashica ML 135/2.8 seems good, not as good as the Contax, but that is $1000+ lens.
The Yashica DSB is cheaper, likely not as good as the ML.
Then there is the Yashica YUS, the pics I see from it are not great, I'd pick the DSB before it.

Actually, now that I think of it, I did have a DSB version of the 135/2.8, I never used it, it's now sold.

[Lloydy]

I agree, the ML 135 2.8 is a very good lens. I sold a DSB version, which wasn't 'bad' - it just wasn't as good as the ML.

I like all my ML lenses, I think that although they might not be exceptional lenses, they are above average. They are the top of the range Ford compared to a base model BMW.

[Il suonatore Jones]

Thank you for answering.

I have been searching on eBay for that Yashica ML 135, but it is more expensive than 50€, from 90€ to up. Here in Europe, at least. Just some alternative lenses fit to my budget: Soligor C/D, Hanimex MC, Hoya HMC and a Paragon.

[visualopsins]

[calvin83]

Tamron Adaptall 2 135/2.5 (03B) with CY mount.

[vroger]

Perhaps a Jupiter 11 135mm F4? Never owned one but reviews are not to bad and I beleive the price is fairly low.

[barryreid]

You should be able to get a Yashica ML on eBay for that sort of money. Here's an example on eBay UK; http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/301549449580

[ManualFocus-G]

Pentacon 135/2.8 with an M42 adapter

[kansalliskala]

Jupiter 37A with adapter .. or

[Lloydy]

If you are asking about lenses to use with the Contax 139 and the Yashica FX-3 Super 2000, then the Yashica 135 2.8 has to be the obvious choice. I have a lot, actually all, of the other lenses recommended and they are very good lenses indeed, I wouldn't part with my Pentacon or Jupiter 135's.
Are they better? maybe? They are certainly different, they are multi bladed old school lenses that deliver extraordinary results. The Yashica is much more modern and delivers excellent results. I think it's a fine line between 'extraordinary' and 'excellent' - and does "taking into account the age of the Pentagon and the Jupiter" make that difference?

[Pancolart]

Yashica ML 135mm and Tokina RMC are most probably the same lens. Hoya could be SUN but nevertheless good lens model. DSB 135mm is not weaker lens then ML, i tried and compared.
You can also take Soligor C/D (SUN made lens). Pick any of those you find cheap, healthy and clean.

[Excalibur]

Well I too have the ML 135 and it's a good lens but nothing stood out from other good 135mms I have, and ignoring the argument about what's razor sharp or not....the lenses I like for my film cameras (for different reasons) are:- Meyer 135mm bokeh monster, Vivitar 135mm f2.8 (Komine), M42 Pentax 135mm and M42 CZJ Sonnar 135mm...and they will all work on a Contax 139 as I have that camera too (well assuming you can get the Vivitar in Yashica\Contax mount).

[Aanything]

I'd buy the Jupiter 37: it's adaptable, cheap, relatively compact, and I love sonnars.
The yashica ml is good too, and a very natural choice for a contax 139.