Yashica ML 50mm 1.9 - often overlooked

pdccameras · Expire: 2014-08-11

HI all,

Hit the yardsales this morning. Picked up a Yashica ML 50mm f/1.9 along with the FR 2000 Super body and DSB 135 f/2.8 all for $25US. i've always heard good things about the f/1.7 and the f/1.4, so I thought this one might be worth a try - dented rim and all.

I slapped it on the 5D Mii this afternoon along with a small amount of extension tube to see how it rendered - I am quite pleased with the results. IMHO, it does a nice job with the out of focus highlights (bokeh) - swirly, but not what I would call nervous or disconcerting and it's no slouch in the sharpness area - at least where the very narrow results of my simple "garden" test are concerned. Some images definitely exhibits a glow which is some kind of aberration, but it is kind of plus for flower pics. I think it almost has a Helios kind of thing going, but not as extreme. The colors are also on the warm side.

I include a photo of the lens and a few sample photos - all made wide open and all on a #1 extension tube..

the lens:

#1

#2

#3

#4

Attila · Expire: 2025-11-18

Beautiful series!

pdccameras · Expire: 2014-08-11

Thanks, Attila,

This is a great time of year in the North East US for flower images!

Best,

Paul

Attila · Expire: 2025-11-18

Beautiful light well visible, makes most lens to sought after Smile

Oldhand · Posted: Sun Jun 07, 2015 3:06 am Post subject:

Very nicely captured.
The bokeh is splendid and the lighting beautiful
OH

pdccameras · Expire: 2014-08-11

Thanks Oldhand, it was one of great photography days, today - most cloudy with the sun peaking out every once in a while to light of the flora!

Best,

Paul

AstroZon · Joined: 13 Jul 2014 Posts: 172 Location: Colorado Springs

I'm a big fan of Yashica lenses. A few months ago, I bought a Yashica FX-103 just to get that lens. Mine is the DSB version and not the ML - but still a great lens (and I've no idea what the differenct is.)

Attila · Expire: 2025-11-18

Sometimes older is better I prefer 135mm DSB instead of 135mm ML , I still have Yashica 21 and 24mm lenses ML , both great!

sceptic · Joined: 01 Jun 2013 Posts: 255

The ML 50/1.9 does have some interesting bokeh. This image has been slightly processed to reveal the "character" of the bokeh more clearly (added slight sharpening and contrast):

Autumn silhouette by scepticswe, on Flickr