Test Photos with the Yashica Auto Yashinon-DS 50mm f1:1.9 Lens

The Yashica Auto Yashinon-DS 50mm f/1.9 lens is a fast, manual (35mm) full-frame standard prime lens, made of all metal components, that was produced by Yashica, a Japanese company known for its high-quality cameras and lenses. [The actual manufacturer of these lenses was Tomioka Optical Works, one of the largest and most reputable lens manufacturers in Japan. The relationship between Tomioka and Yashica began already in 1953, and in August 1968 the company was acquired by Yashica.] (Source: Yashica M42 system | LENS-DB.COM)

The designation "Yashinon" was used by Yashica Co., Ltd. to signify a higher-quality line of lenses. This design was known for producing sharp images with good contrast with minimal chromatic aberration.

This lens features an M42 screw mount, which dates this lens prior to 1975 when the Yashica/Contax partnership created a technical alliance with the Carl Zeiss optical company and established the c/y bayonet mount.  This mount was designed for use with both Contax and Yashica cameras at that time and as with all camera's today, makes changing lenses simple and quick.  Thus the M42 mount for this lens suggests its manufacture to either the late 1960's or early 1970's.  

The closest focusing distance for this lens is 0.50m. Filter size id 52mm. It has 6-aperture blades. This Yashinon (DS) lens series is single coated. It has 6-aperture blades.

The Auto Yashinon-DS 50mm f/1.9 lens has 6-elements in 5-groups known as the 'Double Gauss Derivative". The classic double Gauss lens, patented by Alvan Graham Clark in 1888, consists of two symmetrical achromatic doublets with a positive meniscus lens on the object side and a negative meniscus lens on the image side. Derivatives of this design incorporate one or more additional elements and are the basis for many (ultra) fast standard lenses and standard macro lenses produced in the 20th century (Source: Yashica Yashinon-DS Auto 50mm F/1.9 | LENS-DB.COM)

 

This lens was adapted to my Samsung NX1 digital camera by utilizing a M42 -to-NX mount adapter.

All photos below are 'as-photographed' with the exception of a couple of images that were slightly cropped.  No in-camera effects or filters were employed for these photographs.

My first impression of this lens is that it's very sharp, when compared to other vintage lenses of the period. 

Above: Landscape details stand-out with this optic.  

As I looked at these first images, the 'character of the lens emerged as 'realistic'.  Realistic being that the resultant image appears true-to-life.  Good for photography; but from a filmmaking standpoint, the lens may seem to produce images that are too 'clinical', meaning not providing a style or a cinematic texture.

Above: I opened up the aperture to reveal the lens' background 'bokeh", which is uninspiring, when compared to other lenses manufactured in this period.  However, in the case of the above photo the bokeh is very pleasing, with the background separation looking 'painterly' and directional natural light adding to the composition.  

Above: Nice light adding to this scenic capture.

Below: 200%-crop zoom  

Overall, first impression is one of 'sense of quality' for this 50-year old lens.  Operationally, due to a longer focus throw, there is an ease to precisely set manual focus, using 'focus peaking' on a modern digital camera.

I would take this lens out for street photography, but for filmmaking, I think I have other lens options that better lend themselves to producing a visual texture that appeals to me from a filmic point of view.  

Switching perspectives, let's look at this same lens with cityscape photographs taken in monochrome with the Samsung NX1.

I just took a late afternoon walk to and looked for opportunities downtown Phoenix, Arizona.  I wanted to get a sense of the lens's 

imaging with bright light and dark shadows with the sun only about 30-degrees above the horizon.  

I like the sharpness and deep contrast of this lens.