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. 

Meyer-Optik Görlitz Primoplan 58mm f/1.9

I was fortunate enough recently to have been given the cameras that were once used by my old high schools photo club.  Looks like there will be a lot of fun stuff to play with.  One of the first things that came to mind was to test out this Primoplan lens on my digital adapter. The Primoplan was on a Praktica SLR that was first made in 1949.  Since the Primoplan was one of the standard lenses for this camera it probably is of similar vintage.

The Primoplan is known for its swirly bokeh.  It has an amazing 14 aperture blades.  Wide-open it also seems pretty sharp to me.  My experience with the Primoplan plan does make me curious about what kind of results I will get from it on the Praktica.  Hopefully the weather will get warm enough here soon that I will test it out.  The following images were all taken at f/1.9.

Industar 61 L/D f/2.8 55mm

I wondered what the FED 2 that I talked about last week would be like with a lens that was more pleasant to use that the Industar 10 with it problematic aperture tabs.  So I borrowed an Industar 61 that I had on a FED 3.  The one I have was made in 1983 so the US and the USSR were still going at it.  The L  in the L/D part on the lens means it is Lanthanum coated while the D means it is for a 39mm mount.  

Taken with the Industar 61 at 2.8.


The Russians got a lot of equipment, and plans from the Germans after WWII.  And it appears that they made good use of it.  Many of these lenses are excellent and cost little.  The Industar 61 L/D is supposed to be one of the best.  

Actual click stops for the aperture setting on the Industar 61 is an advantage over the Industar 10. Still the collapsible Industar 10 makes it easy for the FED 2 to be a pocket camera.  

Another one wide-open. 

A hot summer for sitting on park benches. 













INDUSTAR 61L/D F2.8 55MM at Matt's Classic Cameras.


Industar 55mm f/2.8 N-61 L/D at Ken Rockwells.  I offer this link mostly because his lens is from the same year as mine.   

M42 lens mount - Auto Cosinon 50mm f/1.8

If you have been around photography for a while you will be familiar with the M42 lens mount.  Back when I first encountered it in the 70's it was most commonly called the Pentax mount since it was used on the prominent Pentax cameras of the 60's to the mid-70's.  M42 lenses screwed into the camera rather than use some form of bayonet mount.  The M42 mount was not owned by any one camera company so it can be found on many of the cameras made in the 60's and 70's.  Here is more info on the M42 mount if you are interested.

One great thing about the M42 mount is that there were a lot of lenses made for it.  First there was the companies who made these lenses for their own cameras, and then there were the third-party lens makers.  So today there are vast numbers of these lenses and they are mostly affordable.  Now since they were originally made to use with film cameras that may not seem like a big deal in this time of digital dominance.  However it is easy to use this vast supply of often very good quality lenses with almost any digital camera that that can use interchangeable lenses. And with the prices of these lenses still being fairly low it is easy to get a nice assortment of M42 lenses for the same amount of money that a new lens for you digital camera would cost.  At least I know that is the case with the Canon EF lenses.

So if you want to try these lenses it is easy to get started.  First you need to find an adapter that works for your camera.  There are lots of these on Ebay that usually sell somewhere between $10 and $20.  Then find a lens.  Ebay again is one good place to look.  Yard sales, thrift shops, and antique shops are another source.  

The Auto Cosinon f/1.8 50mm was one of the standard lenses offered with the Argus/Cosina STL 1000.










The Argus/Cosina STL 1000 is one of my favorite classic all mechanical SLRs. So I was interested to seen how its lens would work with a digital camera. For the most part I was pleased by the results and will let the images speak to that issue.

The lens at f/1.8

Again at 1.8

I like the way this lens handles color.











If at this point you would like to see more here is a gallery.  The Auto Cosinon f/1.8 50mm is one of the least expensive of what I think are the good quality standard M42 lenses.  They still often sell on Ebay for less than $20.  Although since people have discovered the usability of old lenses with the new digital cameras many of these lenses are seeing a rise in price.