yashica/contax 50mm lenses

[FrankS]

on a whim, i bought a contax rts slr body on ebay for $55. i started looking at zeiss 50mm lenses and realized i would have to make due with a yashica branded lens instead. i understand that the ml versions have better coatings than the dsb versions. yashica ml 50mm lenses come in various max f-stops in my price range (f1.2 and f1.4 are too dear). is there a version that is considered superior in the following range? f1.7, f1.9, f2

 

[ZeissFan]

I would save your money and get a Planar. It's superior to the Yashica. You saw what Rose did with hers on nelsonfoto.

 

[former member]

The 55mm F2.8 Macro from Yashica is quite good.

 

[FrankS]

i bought a ml 50f2 yashica lens for $17. i'm just playing around with this rts, not planning on getting into another whole system.

zeissfan, i haven't seen Rosa's work with a zeiss. can you link to it.

 

[oftheherd]

I haven't checked ebay lately, but I don't think the 50mm f/1.7 were selling for to much. Worth a check to see if they are outside your current budget. They are also a good lens.

 

[FrankS]

this site mentions swirly bokeh for the ml 50f2. 🙂

http://www.retrocamera.net/2008/11/review-of-yashica-ml-50mm2/#more-377

 

[ZeissFan]

Here are Rose's photos with the Yashica + Planar.

Here are my photos with the Contax 139 + Planar.

 

[FrankS]

thanks, mike! good stuff. don't get me wrong, i'd love to have a zeiss 50, but like i said, this contax rts is just a fling, and it has to be minimal expense.

 

[Austintatious]

Frank,
I have the f2, f1.7, and the f1.4 Yashica 50's. The f2 is really a nice lens for the $$. I was able to pick up the 1.7 for under $20 without any caps or anything. It is also a good lens.
The 1.4 will be close to a C note as they are in demand. That f2 is underrated for sure.
I think you can get some very acceptable images with it.

 

[Rico]

I have three Yashica ML lenses: 24, 50/2 and 200. The 50 was modestly priced ($15) from KEH, has excellent build, nice DOF scale, and excellent optical performance. It makes a compact combo with my Contax 159.