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.

 

A Rare, Odd Branded Lens - The AMCAM 28mm f2.8

I found this vintage AMCAM 28mm,  f2.8, multi-coated lens SN 102900 in a thrift store in Santa Fe, New Mexico on vacation for $25.  I used a Nikon-to-NX adapter by K&F Concept to mount to my Samsung NX1.

I could find nothing on the Internet about this lens, so I assume it is a 'branded' lens manufactured by a Japanese company.  I compared this lens with other vintage of 28mm focal length and the closest I can find in build/looks was a 28mm, f2.8 from Cosina .  Probably manufactured in the very early 80's.

Note: This 28mm lens has an equivalent of a 42mm focal length equivalent on the NX1's APSC crop sensor.

All photographs in this post are 'as-photographed' with all camera filters and picture effects turned off, with the exception of any black and white photo, where the camera was set to 'Monochrome'.

Conclusion after taking these initial photos:  This is a sharp lens that produces crisp photos in bright light, nicely saturated colors and warm textures.  I really like this 28mm lens.  

                             AMCAM 28mm f2.8 for Nikon mount adapted to Samsung NX1
 

                                           Monochrome setting. f8, 1/180-sec, ISO100 EV-1

               Open aperture at f2.8 to show background bokeh  f2.8, 1/1000-sec, ISO100, EV 0

 

       Extreme closeup of background in photo above, showing a pleasant soft bokeh creating an artistic image.

                  Changing Phoenix city landscape: Old and new    f8, 1/125-sec ISO100, EV0

                                   Interior, lamp light only  f5.6, ISO1600, 1/30-sec, EV0

                                              Downtown Phoenix: f8, ISO100 1/125-sec EV0

                                    f5.6, I/100-sec, ISO 100, EV0 (See 'close-up detail below)

    Close-up detail showing sharp detail - Tire serial number marking are readable for the most part.       

        You wouldn't think that is possible looking at the full photo. Impressive for a vintage lens.

                       Downtown Phoenix neighborhood home f11, 160-sec, ISO100, EV0

Street after dark with an adapted vintage Konica Hexanon AR 40 mm f/1.8 Lens

I chose the 70's-vintage Konica Hexanon AR 40mm F1.8 lens to undertake some nighttime street photography along Congress Street area of downtown Tucson, Arizona.  

Knowing the location and time, I was looking to chose a fast prime with the photography being at night.  

I adapted the Konica lens to the Samsung NX1, photographed most images at the full-open aperture of f1.8, in the NX1's 'Monochrome' setting.

For the images posted below, they are presented 'as-photographed' meaning no adjustments to the images with the exception that some images may have been cropped to achieve an optimized visual for artistic intent.

CLICK ON ANY IMAGE TO ENLARGE

 

Photo of camera by Adam Ray

Tucson, Arizona

Database resources for this lens can be found by exploring the following links:

https://www.buhla.de/Foto/Konica/Objektive/e40_18.html

https://allphotolenses.com/lenses/item/c_425.html

  

Konica Hexanon AR 40 mm f/1.8 Lens

Pentax Super Takumar 50mm f1.4

I was gifted this excellent condition Pentax Super Takumar 50mm f1.4 SN3869894 manufactured by the Asahi Optical Company (Japan).  This is the 7-blade configuration, that contains a radioactive lens element.

The lens was mounted to the NX1 using a Fotsay M42 Mount Adapter.  The lens came off a Honeywell Pentax Spotmatic 35mm film camera.

 

The following hand-held photos are presented 'as-photographed' (JPEG's). No post adjustments and no in-camera (filter) effects settings were employed.  For the black and white photographs, the NX1 was set to 'Monochrome'.

Saturday morning walk downtown Phoenix, Arizona

CLICK ON ANY IMAGE TO ENLARGE