Sound investment?

[urbanfreestyle]

As some of you know i recently lost my a6k and my lens so have ended up with a Fuji X-E1 and have been hunting out some lenses.
I have been offered the following:
Argus 135mm f/2.8
Yashica 50mm f/1.7
Auto Vivitar 35mm f/2.8

I mainly shoot street, animals and the odd bit of motorsports / automotive.

All these have been offered at a total cost of £30. From what i have read the Yashica is a really nice lens but not too sure on the other two?

[marcusBMG]

The vivitar might be good - what's its serial (37xx = tokina, 28xxx = komine)? I have the komine vivitar and it's good stopped down a bit. Worth twenty quid or so for sure - esp with a versatile (M42), or a dslr compatible (PK, Nik F) mount.
(A 22xxx kiron made 35mm also exists but it's rather uncommon).

[cooltouch]

Of the three lenses you mention, the only one I'm personally familiar with is the Yashica 50/1.7 in M42 mount. I bought it and a Helios 44-2 at the same time, and took the time to shoot identical subjects with the two lenses. Even though the Russian lens is highly regarded, the Yashica was the clear winner in terms of sharpness and contrast.

I'd agree with Marcus regarding the Vivitar. As for the Argus, who knows? I believe it was here at these forums that I once read a truism that nobody ever made a bad 135mm lens.

[Lloydy]

The Yashica ML 50 / 1.7 is a great lens, it's nicely made, sharp and renders nicely. It does seem to be 'cool' in it's colours - but maybe it's because I tend to use lenses that are 'warmer' such as my Minolta's. The truth is that probably the perfect colour lies somewhere between them, and anyway it's so easy to adjust with PP. It's a lens I'll certainly keep, and recommend.

[tb_a]

Is the Yashica a DX or ML lens? The ML lens would certainly be very good. It's one of the best fifties in this class of that time.
However, those 3 lenses for that price you can buy anyway and if they don't perform as expected you can easily sell them without big loss; i.e. your risk is within limits.

[Sciolist]

£10 a pop. And using apsc sensors, so immediately improving their performance. You're not being robbed, are you. If they come with caps and cases, you're on to a steal.

I can't honestly think of any range like that being built up individually for £30. It would probably cost you half that for postage.

With old manuals, you really have to forget getting the ultimate in pin sharpness, and work with them. Get satisfaction in making the most of them. That's easy for me as I find modern glass often doesn't produce images that look like I see with my own eyes. Too sharp and not enough vignette for example.

If you've ever shot with modern glass, then found yourself softening and introduced vignette in post, then you'll likely appreciate any old lens for what it is and work with it. If for example the 50/1.7 is a bit soft, then you might find you've got a good apsc portrait lens. And that's always a good investment.

Add in the cost of adaptors if you need to.

[jamaeolus]

I agree, its unlikely you will find coverage for that range at any better price.

[urbanfreestyle]

Thanks to all, gonna go for it. Worst case scenario i end up selling on / giving away to other MFL shooters