Yashica ML 50mm 1:1.7

A couple of years ago I bought a Yashica FX-3 Super at the Parke County Covered Bridge Festival.  The FX-3 came with a Sakar 35-200mm lens which I wasn't real impressed by. So I had been hoping to find a Yashica lens in the C/Y mount.  I found one last fall at the same Covered Bridge Festival.  It came on a Yashica FX-2 for a price that I would have been happy to pay for the lens alone. Then for some reason I forgot about the purchase till a short time ago.  Once the Yashica ML 50 f/1.7 again came into my awareness I decided to give it a test. Now the snowy, cold conditions here in Illinois don't make it as pleasant to pop out and take some photos as it usually is.  For some reason I don't feel very creative when walking in a foot of snow with wind chills near zero. Probably the milder winters here in recent years have spoiled me.  Anyway my experience taking these photos has put me off doing any camera testing until the conditions outdoors improve.

One new thing that I did learn about this lens is that there may be two versions. The older version says "YASHICA LENS ML 50mm 1:1.7 YASHICA MADE IN JAPAN".  This version is probably a Yashica DSB lens.  The newer version says "YASHICA LENS ML 50mm 1:1.7 MADE IN JAPAN".  That lens is said to be made with a Zeiss design and glass.  Now these two versions might be the reason why there seems to be such a different in experience that people have with this lens.  It looks like my version is one of the older design.

The image above is the only one I was able to get with the lens wide-open.  It may not be as sharp as it could have been since I may have been shaking from the cold.  Despite the cold it does look like the Yashica ML 50mm f/1.7 is a competent lens.  I probably will use it again when the weather is fairer. I also think I will be on the look-out for one of the newer versions to make my own comparison.

Yashica FX-2

Thought this camera might be a good place to restart this blog.  I was at the Covered Bridge Festival in Parke County Indiana last week and bought this Yashica FX-2 for $9.  I happily would have paid that much just for the Yashica ML 50 1:1.7 lens.  Last fall I bought a Yashica FX-3 Super from the same dealer.  I liked the camera, however it came with a rather large lens, and for a while I looked for a standard lens to replace it.  By the time I saw this camera and lens I had forgotten about that search.  So I was glad to see the lens I wanted along with another Yashica camera to add to my collection.

The Yashica FX-2 was first made in 1976.  It is the second in a line of cameras that came about as the result of a partnership between Yashica and Zeiss.   As a result the FX-2 uses the Y/C bayonet mount.  This means that it can use both many excellent Yashica lenses along with the highly regarded Contax Y/C lenses. The Yashica ML 50mm 1:1.7 is highly regarded by some and seen as ordinary by others.  So far I have no actual experience with the lens, however based on previous experience with Yashica lenses I would expect it to be pretty good.  I have heard that the mixed experience that many have with some of these economy lenses of good design may have to do with quality control.  Having a lens checked out thoroughly is expensive so probably more clunkers get out the door in the economy lines then with the more thoroughly checked upscale lines.

As far as the FX-2 goes it is a typical of the all-mechanical cameras of its time.  The shutter speeds go from 1 to 1/1000 along with B.  There is a button for a depth of field preview.  Other than for the meter no battery is needed.  Unfortunately, the battery that is needed is one of the no longer made mercury batteries.  So when I use this camera it will likely be with a hand-held meter.  Still the first use this purchase will get will be when I put the lens on the FX-3 Super.  That camera uses modern batteries, and when I used it last I remember that the meter worked very well. 

I does seem like my purchases and use of film cameras has fallen off in the past few months.  I think that may be partly as a result of having reached the point where I have more cameras than I can find a place or use for.  At least right now all my camera drawers are full and many cameras are taking up space in places that I'd rather use for other things.  So that definitely has put a slow-down on my desire to add to the pile.  The FX-2 was too much of a good deal to pass up.  And with my liking for all things Yashica it will probably still be around when I thin the herd.

Yashica Auto Yashinon-DX 50mm f1.7

The Yashica Auto Yashinon DX 50mm f/1.7 lens was the standard lens for cameras like the Yashica TL Super.  It was made in the 1960s. The image here is actually of the DS version of the lens.  The DS was a later version. The lens design is the same, however the DS version lacks an auto/manual switch and at least in my opinion isn't as nicely made.  Both lenses are single-coated.  The last version of this lens is the DS-M.  It is the same as the DS except that it is multi-coated. I scanned a booklet I have with all the Auto Yashinon lenses offered by Yashica in the mid-70's.  You can see it in my Google Docs.

Here is what the lens looks like on the camera that it came with.  The images here were made with a Canon digital SLR using an M42 adapter.  I started out doing that when testing these lenses and have stuck with it since it gives me a consistent basis for comparison. I tend to think that these Auto Yashinon standard lenses are one of the great bargains in lenses.  Usually you can pick one up on Ebay for between $20 and $30. 

The images below are all with the lens at f/1.7. 

Yashica TL Electro X

Made: 1968 to 1974
Shutter: Electronically controlled Copal Square SE. Metal focal plane type.
Shutter Speeds: Step-less from 2 to 1/1000 and B.
Type: SLR
Film: 35mm
Exposure: Cds TTL stop down meter.
Standard Lens: Yashica Auto Yashinon-DS 50mm 1:1.7
Weight: 983 g




The Yashica TL Electro X was the first SLR that I bought back in 1974.  I remember at the time it got some bad press because of its use of stop-down metering made it seem dated.  Still for what it cost then, which I seem to remember I paid slightly less than $200, it is an excellent camera. Amazingly the camera in the picture is the actual camera that I bought all those years ago.  I actually didn't didn't use it much as I bought a Canon F1 a few months later, however my brother used it for a few years.  After that it went into storage and wasn't used until a couple years ago when I got into film again. I found it when I went looking for any film stuff that I still had.  When I put a new battery in it the Yashica TL Electro X came back to life. And since then it has worked flawlessly. I should add that in the photo above I applied a filter for GAF 500 slide film.  Maybe some old-timers may remember that film.

I should say something about batteries here.  Some versions use 2.7 volts and others need 6 volts.  Mine uses 6 volts and a l1325 works fine.  If you get one of these and need to sort out battery issues a search on Google will turn up plenty of answers.

The Yashica TL Electro X was somewhat of a historic camera.  It was the first camera to use electronic lights in its exposure meter. Instead of the match needle meter that was common at the time, the Electro X used two lighted under and over lighted arrows. The Yashica TL Electro X also had the first electronically controlled step-less shutter.   So theoritically you can set the shutter speed to any speed between 2 seconds and 1/1000.  Although of course you won't know exactly what speed you have set unless you are on one of the marked shutter speeds.  The shutter will operate without a battery at one speed.  It seems like I remember that speed was 1/1000.  I do remember shooting some pictures with the assumption of that shutter speed before I got the new battery and they turned out fine.

The Yashica TL Electro X has a nice battery strength light. It also has mirror lock-up which isn't often found in an SLR of this price range. The lens mount is the of the M42 variety.  So it can use a lot of the great screw mount lenses.  And this is the camera that I use to test a lot of those lenses.

The Yashica TL Electro X seems to have most of the features that one could want. To me what makes it an excellent camera is the Yashica lenses.  Their sharpness and good contrast make them very good for b&w work. The one here is the Yashinon-DS 50mm 1:1.7.

I like the patterns that shadows make in the winter.  The Yashinon-DS 50mm 1:1.7 does well at capturing that.  The film in both images is the much lamented, by me at least, now departed Legacy Pro 100.


















The Yashica TL Electro X must have been a good seller. I have seen a lot of them on Ebay.  It looks like you can easily find one for between $20 and $40.  And in my opinion if you are looking for a capable M42 mount camera you can't do much better that the Yashica TL Electro X.

The last two pictures are with the Yashica Yashinon-DX 1:2.8 28mm lens.

On a foggy morning. 

Our red barn on the same foggy morning.

Yashica FX-3 Super

• Shutter metal focal plane
• Shutter speeds B, 1-1/1000
• Exposure meter shutter release activated CdS TTL with over/under LEDs
• Battery 2 x SR44/LR44 1.5v
• Hotshoe, but no PC sync 
• flash ready indicator in the finder. 
• Self-timer (Mirror Lock Up) 

 I found this Yashica FX-3 Super at the Covered Bridge Festival the same day that I found the Pentax K1000 that I wrote about earlier.  For $10 I got the camera along with a lens and a couple of flash units.  Introduced in 1984 the FX-3 Super was one of three models of the FX-3 made for Yashica by Cosina.  All were on the economy level, however since they use the Yashica/Contax lens mount they can use the many excellent lenses made for this mount.  And even if this was an economy model that doesn't mean that it isn't well-made.  In fact, other then the well-known problem in this brand of cameras with the leather covering, the FX-3 has proven to be a durable and dependable camera.  Of course in features there isn't a lot to talk about.  The whole story is in the list above. There isn't anything in this camera that would keep you always looking up info in the camera manual.  Much like the K1000 the FX-3 just gives you the basics.  It is funny to me that I should find two cameras of the same spirit on the same day.  Both the FX-3 and the K1000 are basic cameras elevated by their dependability and access to a great system of lenses.

You might have noticed the lens that came with my FX-3.  It is a Sakar 35-200mm f3.5/4.8 Macro Zoom Lens. So far I haven't found much info on this lens.  I think I would be safe in guessing that it was an economy model.  Eventually I'd like to get a Yashica/Contax lens to try out.  Anyway here are a couple of images from the Sakar.

Yashica Half 17 Rapid

Introduced: 1965
Lens: Six element Yashinon 32mm f/1.7
Format: 35mm half frame. Uses rapid film system.













The Yashica Half 17 Rapid is one of Yashica's contributions to the half frame craze of the 1960's. It uses the Rapid Film System instead of a 35mm cassette. Yashica also made a version using standard 35mm called the Yashica Half 17.  Besides the difference in film systems the Rapid version has a different exposure system.  The 35mm is fully auto exposure while the Rapid version has a choice of aperture/shutter speed combinations that are selected with the help of a selenium match needle meter.  The aperture/shutter speed settings run from f/1.7,1/30 to f/16,1/800. The film speed is set automatically from a speed setting on the rapid cassette. Focusing is by distance.  The Focusing range is from 2.5 feet to infinity.

Of all my broken cameras this is the one I would like to see working the most.  At the moment it has a stuck shutter that has defeated my limited skills in fixing such things.  The selenium meter still seems to work and the camera is pretty good shape.  So hopefully one day I will get it figured out.

Auto Yashinon-DX 1:2.8 f = 28mm

M42 Screw Mount
f/2.8 - 16
8 elements in 7 groups
Filter size 62mm
Minimum focus 0.4 m
Weight 260 g













I got this lens with the Yashica TL Super in the photo.  I think it was made sometime in the late 1960's or early 1970's.  One thing that is nice about this lens on an APS camera is that the focal length becomes 45mm.  So you pretty much have a standard lens.  At least it is nice if you like a standard lens which I do.  One problem I have read that people have with this lens on a DSLR is sometimes the rear lens element protrudes into the mirror.  I haven't had a problem with that on Canon DSLR's.  Still if you are thinking about getting one of these lens you should check what people say about this issue for your camera model. 

In operation I find the Auto Yashinon-DX 1:2.8 very pleasant to use.  It is a solid well-made lens that focuses smoothly.  It also has half f stops.  Typical of most Yashica lenses that I have used this is a sharp one.  Sometimes I find the color a little muted, but accurate. Contrast is good.  I find Yashica lenses to be excellent with B&W film although it looks like I haven't tried it with this one.  That is all I can think to say about this lens.  Below is the gallery so you can see for yourself.
Auto Yashinon-DX 1:2.8 Gallery

Yashica Auto Focus Motor

Type: 35 mm programmed shutter EE camera with built in flash unit.
Lens: Yashica Lens 38 mm f/2.8: 4-element, three-lens group composition.
Shutter: Programmed electronic shutter. 1/8 to 1/500/.





I'd never heard of this camera until recently.  Having been introduced in 1980 it is from the same era as the better known Minolta AF, Canon AF35M, and the Nikon L35AF.  And like those cameras it seems to be a quality picture taker.  Pretty much if you are familiar with the other early auto focus point & shoots than the Yashica Auto Focus Motor will hold no surprises.  Its most unique feature is the yellow focus lock button on the front of the camera.  To use the focus lock you place the focus frame over your subject and then press the focus lock button.  You can then re-compose your image and your subject will still come out in focus.

Kirby Firestone in Urbana, Illinois.  I have taken quite a few pictures of this sign over the last few years.











Like most cameras of this sort it seems to do best with 400 ISO films. I used Fuji 400 for the color images in the gallery.  The black & white are with Arista.Edu Premium 400. I can't think of a lot more to say about this camera other then I am impressed enough with it that it will get some regular use as a walking around camera.
Yashica Auto Focus Motor Gallery

Yashica 44 LM and 127 film

Type: Twin-lens Reflex
Introduced: 1959
Lens: 4-element Tessar-type 60mm f/3.5 Yashinon
Shutter speeds: 1 second to 1/500
Film: Takes 12 exposures of 4x4 cm on 127 film. 

















I have had this camera for about a year now, however I haven't done much with it until recently.  The lack of use was mostly because it uses 127 film, which is limited in selection and more expensive than most film.  When I sent my last batch of film off I had finally finished a roll of Kodak Portra 160 which I first put in the Yashica 44 LM last summer.  The results I got back got me to thinking that I should give this camera a more serious look.

Taken using Kodak Portra 160.  I got this film in a 100 foot bulk roll and reloaded it on the backing paper from a roll of Efke 127 film.












I didn't get all 12 exposures with this roll because I messed up on the film advancing.  It probably does help to read the manual when you are using a unfamiliar camera.  The film advances by a winder on the side which requires that you push a button first.  However if you hold the button down too long it will advance more than one exposure. When the film is loaded you advance it to where the first exposure is visible in the red window on back of the camera.  After that there is a film counter so no more looking at the red window. 

The LM in Yashica 44 LM stands for "light meter".  On mine there is an uncoupled selenium meter that still works and actually seems accurate.  Kinda amazing after 50 years.  I don't use it because the numbers are hard for me to see and using my hand held meter is just about as convenient. Still it is good to know it is there in case I got caught without my handheld.

The Yashica 44 LM is certainly one of those cameras that forces me to slow down.  Having to look down to compose an image and to mentally compensate for the image in the viewfinder being reversed does not make for quick shooting.  Although I imagine that if I did it all the time that it would come to seem more natural.  One nice thing about this camera is that it is smaller than most TLR's and fits in my hands nicely.  Still if it wasn't for that this camera appears to have the potential for some excellent results it wouldn't be worth the trouble to me.  Although it is a nice camera to look at so even without pictures I probably would enjoy having it around. If you would like to see the rest of the pictures they are in the Yashica 44 LM Gallery.

My solution to the 127 film problem involves some work.  I bought a 100 foot roll of bulk 46mm Kodak Portra for around $40.  I figure that is enough film to make 40 to 45 rolls depending on how error free my re-spooling goes. So that could work out to around a dollar per roll.  For my first try at this I cut a string the length required for the 127 roll and used that to guide the length to cut off the bulk roll.  I put a piece of tape on the backing paper to mark where the film should start and used that to tape the film to the paper.  After that if was just a matter of rolling up the film.  Of course I did all this in a dark room.  And while it sounds simple the addition of darkness does add a challenge.  I imagine something like this could be done in a changing bag also.  There is actually a fair amount of discussion on how to do this that you can find with a Google search.

I realize that for a lot of people this would be too much trouble.  Especially if you only rarely use 127.  I have several 127 cameras so the effort seems worth it to me.  I figure that for $40 I can potentially get a number of rolls of film that would have cost over $400 otherwise. 46mm Kodak Portra seems to show up on Ebay regularly.  It usually sells for between $30 to $45. 

Another option would be to buy or make a film slitter to cut 120 film down to 127 size.  Since there is still a lot of types of film made for 120 that would increase the options a lot. 

If you would like to read some more about the Yashica 44 LM here are some links that I thought had good information.

Lots of interesting stuff at this site. 
Yashica 44 LM by Karen Nakamura

Yashica 44LM

Yashica 44 Series

Images from Yashica Samurai

I wanted to test the Samurai that I got recently to make sure that it worked while I was within the time range to return it.  The weather here hasn't been ideal for taking pictures, however I did manage to run some Arista.Edu 400 through it.  The camera was surprisingly easy to use once I got used to it.  The viewfinder is fairly large and bright.  And being an SLR the view though the viewfinder is pretty much what you will get in the image.  It is easy to adjust the zoom and shot the picture without taking your eye off the viewfinder.  The auto-focus is pretty fast.  Overall the I found the Samurai to be pleasant to use.  The pictures also satisfied me at least.  Here is the gallery. 

For anyone that is interested I plan to make posts on Monday,Wednesday, and Friday from now on.  I wanted to start off posting daily to help me get a feel for doing a blog.  Now that I have done a few posts three days a week seems like the best fit for me.