Yashica ML 50mm, f1.4

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

A few days ago I bought a Yashica FR 35mm camera that came with a Yashica ML 50/1.4 lens and a 70s era suede camera bag full of junk (non-working Kako flash, Vivitar 2x lens, etc.) All for $26.

Of course, I was only really interested in the lens (unfortunately my hair is too short for me to look good carrying a suede camera bag.) The objective lens was protected by a stuck-on UV filter, which I eventually got off.

Here are a few handheld shots that I took with it and my Sony NEX-5N. I didn't record the aperture, but most were f2.8 or f4.0. The last one is f1.4 and a one-button b&w PhotoScape conversion.

!Karen · Joined: 20 Jul 2013 Posts: 836 Location: Belgium Baby

Looks lovely to me, very smooth!

Lloydy · Expire: 2022-01-01

I like my Yashica lenses ( I don't have the 50 / 1.4 - mine is 1.7 ) because they just do the job and they do it very well. Yashica lenses aren't flashy, they aren't expensive, they aren't different enough to be sought after. But they are very good.

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

very nice, I like mine too, impressive performance especially at the price

Lightshow · Joined: 04 Nov 2011 Posts: 3666 Location: Calgary

I'm trying to remember exactly what my ML 50/1.4 did that I didn't like, I think it was CA or flare, which was much worse than I expected, I had hopes it would produce the same color pop that the 50/2 ML does, sadly it's performance left me wanting, I'd rather use my SMC K 50/1.4

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

A few more with my Sony NEX-5N and Yashica ML 50/1.4:

On tripod at f8

Freelensed on an M42/NEX adapter

I had a 0.42x wide angle attachment on the lens. It was made for a video camera and didn't align optically, so I couldn't get it in focus. But I went for effect with a heavy saturation push.

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

Looks very good! Same results to its sibling the 50 f/1.7 that I playing with a few days ago.
Own a number of Yashinons, but only f/1.4 I have is an older DS version. A little softer at f/1.4, and color is different due to single-coated optics. ML is noticeably improved.