Re: Yashica SLR Digest V1 #6

[CharlesW99@aol.com]

In a message dated 97-09-14 13:32:44 EDT, you write:

<< 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.
(snip)
  >>

I bought an FR-2 with the Yashica 2/50 ML lens for something like $60 so I
could try out the Zeiss T* lens. McBrooms says the shutter on the Fr series
is the same as the Contax RTS. This surprises me as the Contax goes to
1/2000. There's quite a bit of third party lenses in the Contax/Yashica mount
that are marked way down. I often see Albinar zooms for around $20 still in
the box (although, Best, the chain store that had these has gone bankrupt).
When I checked the shutter out, I found all the speeds were accurate! This is
pretty amazing in my experience (most used Canon AE cameras, or Pentax
cameras I've seen show up used at a good price are bout 50% slow at the high
speed end).

I found the Zeiss 1.7/50 T* Planar to be sharper than the Yashica wide open,
but of course, little difference by f5.6 or 8.

The 80-200 Albinar 4.5-5.6 (yes, I actually bought this) disappointed me at
first, then I realized the infinity stop was not accurate. It turns out this
little zoom (made in Japan) when focused acurately, is quite sharp!

Also, I bought the FR-2 because it had the diagonal split rangefinder, which
I've always wanted to try. Well, having is different from wanting and a
horizontal split rangefinder (like on my Nikon FTn or Canon AE-1 Program) is
better for me.

Charlie