Contax vs. Yashica Arbitrage for C/Y Mount

[ColSebastianMoran]

The old wisdom went something like this, "The Yashica SLRs give you an easier entry to the great Zeiss lenses; the Yashica bodies are pretty good and way less expensive than Contax bodies."

Just recently, I've been lured into doing the arbitrage in the opposite direction: Yashica ML lenses are very good, available, and cheap. So, I decided to give them a try. But, now I find Contax SLR bodies so cheap, I just have to give them a try. I've been able to buy the Contax Aria and 159MM bodies for $100 each. They seem to be terrific cameras.

Anyone else doing this? Yashica lenses on Contax bodies?

 

[Michael Markey]

Yes I use them.
I was given a Yashica FX D with a big Hoya zoom and a 28 Yashica ML which is a lovely lens.
The FX D body broke down so I bought a Contax 139 and a Zeiss 50 Planar.
Eighteen months ago I bought a Zeiss 85/1.4 from a friend of RFFer Kuvvy.

 

[Greyscale]

I am actually looking for a Contax body for my ML lenses. I have gone that route in the past, with a 137MD body with ML and YUS lenses. There is not a thing wrong with the Yashica lenses, the ML 50/2 is the best bargain in lens-land, since it is so often ignored in favor of the 1.7 and 1.4 versions.

 

[ColSebastianMoran]

Thanks for the comments. What are your experiences with the Contax bodies? I'm using the Aria and 159MM in Aperture preferred mode.

 

[Austintatious]

No Contax bodies yet.... but I do have some nice Yashica glass. I still use a Super 2000
Yashica SLR since new,over twenty years now. The 135 mm f2.8 is a great lens.

img012 by carlosyashinon, on Flickr

Charles

 

[Rico]

I'm using the Aria and 159MM in Aperture preferred mode.

Both are great, small SLRs. I have a large collection of Contax bodies and CZ lenses, but Yashica lenses have great build and fill certain gaps: my favorites are the 24/2.8 ML and 55/2.8 ML macro.

 

[viggi]

I'm not quite sure which way I'm going... started with Yashica FX 70, with an ML 50/2, and then added FX 3 in very good nick. Meant to pick up Zeiss lenses but am now building up a small collection of Yashica glass (sorta slow-burning GAS). Got 28/2.8, 35/2.8, and picking up 24mm and 135mm this week. But in between I picked up a decently priced zeiss 50/1.7 and a 45 tessar (the latter from fleabay, from a seller in Paris), and 167MT body. Plan is now to get an Aria or 159, and then figure out which to cameras to take with me on a couple of walkabouts I'm planning in France and Kerala. FX3 is on the menu as it is light, pretty sturdy, and small with the tessar.

I can see it happening... Aria, RX, 159, and a handful of ML glass. That Yashica 21mm is not cheap though.

 

[rbelyell]

ive not used yashica bodies, but have used both MLs and classic zeiss on several contax bodies, as well as digital. for the price, MLs are wonderful, and the 24/2.8 is absolutely stellar compared to any similar lens. however, my experience is that the zeiss 50/1.4, 85/1.4 and 135 are noticeably better than than the ML line. the distagons 28/2.0 and 35/1.4 are two of the best IQ lenses ever made, imo. whether its worth the extra cost is subjective, it was to me, may not be to others. the contax zeiss are truly special lenses.
tony

 

[KoNickon]

Yeah, nothing at all wrong with the Yashica lenses. And I like the look and handling of the Contax bodies (I have an RTS and a 139). One Yashinon lens I look askance at is the 43-75/3.5-4.5 -- slow, very short range zoom. Why did they make this?

 

[viggi]

The 24mm seems to be highly rated, based on posts/comments on the net. I received mine today; prices on fleabay are quite high but used camera dealers had lower prices (I found 2 in the UK, and one was snapped up immediately for £69). But in a group test on 16-9.net, the yashica didn't show that well - a fine enough lens but past it's prime.

This is probably an excuse for not blowing money on fine Zeiss glassware, but I want decent, cheapish lenses and cameras when I travel as I may lose them. In that sense, unless Contax cameras are considerably more reliable (as far as it goes with old equipment), I might as well just stick with yashica cameras for my outings. Cheap and cheerful.

 

[Rico]

The 24mm seems to be highly rated, based on posts/comments on the net. I received mine today; prices on fleabay are quite high but used camera dealers had lower prices (I found 2 in the UK, and one was snapped up immediately for £69). But in a group test on 16-9.net, the yashica didn't show that well - a fine enough lens but past it's prime.

Corners never come together: common enough for lens this wide. The real strengths are near-perfect linearity (no 2% Distagon nonsense from this Yashica), the small size, and the ergos. I just love the distance/DOF scales, in particular.