Sorry, late to the thread, actually to all of RFF for a long time, due to many reasons. But for the original poster or others who might view the thread, I will give some of my experiences. I got my first SLR in 1970. I really didn't know anything about different brands, or RF over SLR, or bayonet vs screw mount, as I had been using a Welta Welti and thought it was a very good camera, and it was. I looked through the PX catalog and narrowed it down to Nikon or Yashica. Money mostly made the decision for me. I got the Yashica TL Super which I think was mentioned above, it was a good camera for many years. I later got the Fujica ST 901, 50mm, f/1.4 lens, silicon blue cell for metering, shutter speed led lights in the viewfinder, EV -3 to +18 spec's, but actually a little more on mine. I don't know how well everyone's have held up over the years, but mine still works. I am not sure how many photos I have taken, but it has to be in the 10 to 15 thousands at least. The ST 801 has a meter that works without stop down, and a 1/2000 shutter speed, as if most users need that kind of speed. Mine still works when I take it out to exercise it, but haven't used it for film and a very long time.
The Yashica lenses of that time were Yashinons and Yashikors. Forget the Yashikors and go for the Yashinon lenses. They can compete with pretty much any other lens as they were made by Tomioka, which Yashica bought out for themselves. If possible, it seemed to me that the Fujica lenses where a little better. But over the years, I have bought lenses that most would have shunned, and found they worked quite acceptably well for me. Maybe I am not as discerning as I should be. But it has been my observation that a lot of the "cheap" lenses from that time did surprisingly well. Would they compete with Nikons, Canons, or Rokors? Maybe not one for one, but surprisingly close. And how good do they have to be? I have an 18mm lens whose name I can't even recall, that fits all my M42 cameras and gives me shots I couldn't get otherwise, that are actually nice. In an extreme wide angle, there is so much to see, most people don't think about sharpness unless it is a really bad lens. If you can afford a more expensive lens, that is probably only a little better, go for it. But look for some of cheaper lenses that are still good, and certainly good enough.
Sorry for rambling on, and going against the grain on lenses. Mind you I have been fortunate to have acquired Yashinons, Fujinons, and Contax C/Y mount lenses in a variety of focal lengths that I am not giving up. But any other brand that will give me good/acceptable photos, isn't going away either. BTW, most Sun lenses I have seen from the 70's have been good too.
Good luck in your quest.
EDIT: I have my flame retardant vest on so anyone feel free to disagree with me. 😀