Misc. Yashica Comments

[Gary Schloss <schloss@datadepot.com>]

This is my first post to this list.

I'm basically an Olympus (and an occasional Nikon) user,
who got into Yashica/Contax gear purely on a spur of the
moment.

For a long time, one of my all-time favorite zooms was an
RMC Tokina 50-200/3.5-4.5, which I bought in Europe (sadly,
it didn't sell well in the US, and is quite scarce).

Several months ago, I saw the above zoom, like-new and
dirt-cheap, but in Y/C mount. Well, I bought it, and quickly
discovered that a fairly complete Yashica outfit can be
put together quickly, and very inexpensively.

I now own the FR-I, FX-103 Program, and FX-3 Super bodies,
as well as the following Yashica ML lenses: 28/2.8, 50/1.4,
50/2, 200/4 c, 35-70/3.5-4.8, 35-105/3.5-4.5, 70-210/4.5,
and 75-150/4. I also have a YUS 135/2.8 (YUS is a Yashica
off-brand), and have recently bought a Contax 137MA Quartz
body with a Zeiss T* 50/1.4 lens.

Obviously, much of the above gear is surplus, and will
be sold off or traded for other stuff I may want/need. In
the mean time, it's fun to experiment with all these toys.
I'm particularly pleased with the 28/2.8, 50/1.4, 200/4,
and 70-210 zoom. The rest of the lenses are very recent
purchases, so it's too soon for me to pass judgement.

Here are a couple of comments on the topics I saw mentioned
thus far. First, the DSB vs ML lenses: my understanding is
that the DSB lenses are single-coated, whereas the ML ones
are multicoated (ML = Multi-Layer). Some cheaper ML lenses
are mostly plastic, e.g. the 35-70 zoom and some slower
50mm lenses. However, most Yashica lenses are solidly made
and nicely finished, though their specs are hardly state of
the art. Btw, a 'c' on some lenses means: 'compact'.

Second, some people raised questions about 2X converters.
FYI, Yashica's own 2X is assembled in Hong Kong, and hence
is quite affordable.

Finally, a good source of information is a brochure named:
'Yashica Lenses' published in English by Kyocera USA (dunno
which year, but it isn't new: the 28-85 and 50/1.9 lenses
aren't there yet).

Cheers,

/Gary Schloss.
Studio City, CA
schloss@datadepot.com