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[rec.photo.equipment.35mm,rec.answers] Yashica SLR FAQ


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Archive-name: rec-photo/yashica-slr-faq
Posting-Frequency: monthly
Last-modified: 27 Aug 1999 18:54:16 GMT
URL: http://www.cdegroot.com/photo/yashica/yashica-slr-faq.html
Maintainer: cg@evrl.xs4all.nl

See reader questions & answers on this topic! - Help others by sharing your knowledge
  Yashica SLR FAQ
  Cees de Groot <mailto:cg@cdegroot.com>

  ____________________________________________________________

  Table of Contents


  1. Introduction

     1.1 Acknowledgements
     1.2 Disclaimer, copyright

  2. General information

     2.1 What info about Yashica is available on the Web?
     2.2 Should I buy Yashica?
     2.3 The brand Yashica
     2.4 Yashica and Contax

  3. What Yashica 35mm SLR bodies are available?

     3.1 FR series
        3.1.1 FR-I
        3.1.2 FR
        3.1.3 FR-II
     3.2 FX series
        3.2.1 FX-D Quartz
        3.2.2 FX-3, FX-3 Super, FX-3 Super 2000, FX-7
        3.2.3 FX-1, FX-2
        3.2.4 FX-103 Program
        3.2.5 FX-D, FX-70
     3.3 107MP, 108MP, 109MP
     3.4 Dental Eye

  4. What lenses are available?

     4.1 What's the difference between Yashica DSB and Yashica ML lenses?
     4.2 How about YUS lenses?
     4.3 Known Yashica lenses.
     4.4 Wide-angle
     4.5 Normal
     4.6 Moderate telephoto
     4.7 Telephoto
     4.8 Macro
     4.9 Zoom

  5. And what about accessories?



  ______________________________________________________________________

  1.  Introduction

  Welcome to the Yashica SLR FAQ. This FAQ, a work in progress, is meant
  to collect knowledge on the range of 35mm SLR cameras, lenses and
  accessories made by Yashica. This is $Revision: 1.14 $ of the FAQ.

  This FAQ is available on the World Wide Web, in several formats:

  o  HTML format <http://www.cdegroot.com/photo/yashica/yashica-slr-
     faq.html>

  o  SGML format <http://www.cdegroot.com/photo/yashica/yashica-slr-
     faq.sgml>
  o  plain text <http://www.cdegroot.com/photo/yashica/yashica-slr-
     faq.txt>

  o  PostScript <http://www.cdegroot.com/photo/yashica/yashica-slr-
     faq.ps>

     If you have any problems, suggestions, or questions, please contact
     the maintainer, Cees de Groot <mailto:cg@cdegroot.com>.


  1.1.  Acknowledgements

  The only thing I knew about Yashica was that I own two bodies and a
  handful of lenses. So this FAQ couldn't have been written with the
  help of a number of net.users out there (even when my writing style
  made it look like I know it all - don't let that fool you!). My thanks
  go especially to Gary Schloss <mailto:schloss@datadepot.com> for a lot
  of information especially on bodies, and to Marcus Hanke
  <mailto:Marcus.Hanke@sbg.ac.at>, who single-handedly put together the
  lens overview and the FX series stuff.  Ezekiel Tan
  <mailto:ztan@ihug.co.nz>, Berry de Bruijn
  <mailto:berry.debruyn@mi.unimaas.nl> and Oliver Schmid
  <mailto:Schmid@kwic.com> also provided me with very useful
  information. David Foy <mailto:david.foy@shaw.wave.ca> gave me the
  details on the Pentamatic, the first Yashica SLR (he's looking for
  lenses and accessories).

  If I forgot someone please yell.


  1.2.  Disclaimer, copyright

  I've done everything in my power and limited time to make sure that
  the information in this FAQ is correct. However, neither I nor any
  contributors can be held responsible for the results of acting on this
  information or for any damages resulting from using the information in
  this document in any way.

  Copyright (C)1997 by Cees A. de Groot. This document may be
  distributed and reproduced without permission provided that it stays
  intact, including this copyright notice.


  2.  General information


  2.1.  What info about Yashica is available on the Web?

  Probably more than I'm aware of. Here's a list:

  o  I'm maintaining a mailing list, the Yashica/Contax SLR list. You
     can subscribe to the list by sending a mail to
     majordomo@evrl.xs4all.nl with in the body the line:

     subscribe yashicacontax-slr



  o  I've also dedicated a part of my homepage
     <http://www.cdegroot.com/photo/yashica> to the topic. Information
     on the mailing list and the FAQ is over there and more might be
     added in the future.

  o  On the Usenet, these newsgroups are relevant:


  o  rec.photo.equipment.35mm, about 35mm equipment in general. Lots of
     this is of course about the big brands, but you'll find something
     about Yashica as well, occasionally.

  o  rec.photo.marketplace, where buyers and sellers meet. Yashica stuff
     is regularly offered over here.


  o  Information about the current line of Yashica SLR products can be
     found on Yashica's corporate Website <http://www.yashica.com>.

  o  An awful lot of information on photography in general is available
     from the mother of all photo FAQs, Guide to rec.photo
     <http://www4.ncsu.edu/unity/users/j/jnweg/html/faq.html>. It is
     especially important to consult this listing of pointers for
     information on buying and selling via the newsgroups and by mail-
     order before plunging into uncertain deals.



  2.2.  Should I buy Yashica?

  As usual, it depends. I started with Yashica because I lend my fathers
  camera and I didn't want to spend a whole lot on new equipment.
  Actually, I did spend a whole lot on a Nikon camera a year ago, but I
  found that autofocus didn't really work with me and that I couldn't
  afford the Nikon glass I wanted anyway. So I sold that and bought a
  lot of Yashica stuff for the money.

  The great thing about Yashica is that it is completely underrated. The
  market is so small and demand is so low, that prices are way below
  what you pay for other brands, with comparable quality. Most people
  are quite positive about the quality Yashica delivers (both mechanical
  and optical).

  The bad thing about Yashica is that the market is so small and supply
  is so low, that it can be quite hard to find something you need. More
  often than not, you are stuck with the option of forgoing a particular
  accessory or buying something with Contax on it, which is a quite
  expensive brand.

  Mentioning Contax, that's the second great thing. The upgrade path is
  unique. You start with a Yashica body and Yashica glass, then upgrade
  to Carl Zeiss T* lenses, and finally upgrade to Contax bodies. In the
  meantime, you have your old Yashica stuff as a backup system,
  everything is completely interchangable.


  2.3.  The brand Yashica

  Yashica has been around since 1957, and some old camera's, especially
  the twin-reflex camera's for the medium format, are still quite
  popular. In the seventies, Yashica licensed the Contax brand from Carl
  Zeiss and started producing high-end camera bodies under that brand.

  Since the early eighties, Yashica is a part of Kyocera, and fills in
  the low half of the photo market for this corporation; Contax fills in
  the upper half. Contax bodies are made probably by the Yashica
  production facilities, Contax lenses are made by Carl Zeiss. For a
  nice history of Carl Zeiss and the Contax brand see History Of
  Contax/Carl Zeiss <http://www.contaxcameras.com/home/history.html>.

  Yashica has been making 35mm cameras for a long time; the current line
  started with the introduction in the 70's of the Yashica/Contax mount
  (which we'll call the Y/C mount from now on) that is still in use.
  Before switching to the Y/C bayonet mount, Yashica made a fairly
  extensive line of screw-mount SLRs (TL Electro) with a full complement
  of Yashinon interchangeable lenses. The screw-mounts were preceded by
  the Yashica Pentamatic, which came out in the very early 60's and was
  the first SLR by Yashica. It had a bayonet mount and was offered with
  an Auto Yashinon 55/1.8 lens, plus 35mm, 100mm and tele lenses.

  Furthermore, from early 60's and untill mid-80's Yashica designed and
  manufactured an extensive and highly successful line of 35mm full-
  frame (and half-frame?) rangefinders.



  2.4.  Yashica and Contax

  Contax is, from a marketing point of view, an entirely different
  brand.  Manufacturing quality is better, too. However, rumours are
  that lots of engineering is in fact shared between Contax and Yashica,
  and lots of people combine the best value from both brands.  I have a
  page on Contax equipment as well, at
  http://www.cdegroot.com/photo/contax.


  3.  What Yashica 35mm SLR bodies are available?

  Most Yashica bodies are manual focus, except for the 200AF and 230AF
  which come with a small range of lenses (and as they don't appear on
  the Yashica corporate Website anymore, I take it they discontinued
  it).


  3.1.  FR series


  3.1.1.  FR-I

  I own an FR-I, so I'll start with that one first (it is also the most
  versatile of the FR series, another reason to start with it). It's a
  body with an electronic shutter and TTL metering put onto the market
  together with the Contax RTS, with which it can share most accesories
  (so go shopping and put a 5fps Professional Motor Drive and a 250
  exposure back on it - can't do that with a Nikon N90x ;-)).

  The FR-I is a very nice classic body, with an aperture-priority mode
  and manual modes with shutter speeds from 1/1000th to 1 second and
  bulb.  Exposure compensation is possible +2 to -2 in full stops, film
  sensitivity can be set from 12 to 3200 ASA. The front of the body
  sports an X-sync socket, the self-timer and a depth-of-field preview
  button. The rear has a button to activate the meter, which can be
  locked by the film winding lever. Next to the meter is the socket for
  the remote control cord. The 92% viewfinder shows diafragm, metered
  shutter speed and a manual mode indicator. You can attach an FR (or
  RTS) winder to the bottom and replace the back with a databack (or any
  RTS back). At its time, it competed with classics like the Nikon EM,
  Minolta XG-1 and Canon AV-1, and it compares very favourably with them
  (more features, less money).


  3.1.2.  FR

  The FR is basically the same box, but without the automatic (aperture
  priority mode). It was introduced around '76 as the first of the FR
  series and, apart from the fully manual operation it mainly differed
  by the fact that it had a CdS-based metering system with LED
  indicators.


  3.1.3.  FR-II

  The FR-II is fully automatic, with auto, flash and bulb settings and
  shutter speeds ranging from 4 to 1/1000th. The viewfinder only shows
  time information (no aperture) and the X-sync socket is missing, too.
  The FR-II is only available in chrome.


  3.2.  FX series

  The FX series (at least the FX-D) was an offspring of the Contax 139
  and was designated to replace the FR series.


  3.2.1.  FX-D Quartz

  The FX-D Quartz is a scaled-down version of the Contax 139 with
  reduced compatibility (though it can use the Contax 139 winder which
  gives 2 fps). Compared to the FR-I, several advances were made:
  exposure time measuring with quartz oscillator, a flash-ready function
  and 1/100th flash sync, a larger time range in automatic mode (11 to
  1/1000th), a vertical metal shutter, and auto-exposure lock. Apart
  from this, it wasn't a lot better than the FR-I, on the contrary: the
  material quality was inferior, and a lot of small features were
  missing. The viewfinder didn't give aperture information, the x-sync
  socket was gone, as was depth-of-field preview button. You couldn't
  change backs, and exposure compensation was done by changing the ASA
  setting (on the FR-I, the ASA setting is locked). The ASA range was
  smaller, too: 25-1600 vs. 12-3200 on the FR).

  In the beginning, Yashica didn't offer a special winder for the FX-D,
  so you had to buy the expensive Contax 139 winder. Later on, Yashica
  made this up with a dedicated FX winder which misses the vertical
  release button featured on the Contax version. The body was available
  in black, but a FX-D SE (special edition) was in chrome and sold as a
  set with a zoom lens.


  3.2.2.  FX-3, FX-3 Super, FX-3 Super 2000, FX-7

  A fully mechanical body with a simple metering system. I have never
  seen a more basic body: you can set shutter time and film speed, there
  is a button to switch on the TTL LED meter (which shows a plus, a
  minus or a zero in the viewfinder to indicate its opinion of the
  current settings), a film wind lever, the shutter release, a timer
  lever, and a lens unlock button. That's all there is. Nice points:
  it's very compact and light-weight, you have mirror lock-up with the
  timer, and it doesn't need batteries to operate. And it does have all
  the necessities of life: split-image focusing, hot shoe, a vertical
  metallic shutter (so flash sync is at 1/125th), etcetera. I like this
  box a lot.

  The FX-3 Super is mostly the same as the FX-3, but activating the
  meter is not via a separate button, but by pressing the shutter
  release button lightly. That's generally a sound ergonomic
  improvement, but especially left-eyed shooters will benefit from this.

  The FX-3 Super 2000 has an added shutter speed of 1/2000th. Full specs
  on the FX-3 Super 2000 are on Yashica's website under
  http://www.yashica.com/yashica/slr/fx3super2000/fx3super2000.html.
  Other differences: flash ready display in viewfinder and a built-in
  hand grip.

  Later, a version of the FX-3 called FX-7 was marketed. It is a chrome
  body which was sold in a set with two DSB lenses and a hardbag.

  3.2.3.  FX-1, FX-2

  Predecessors to the FX-3 were the FX-1 and the FX-2, which had an all-
  metal construction. The FX-3 is mostly plastic.

  The FX-2 has a fully mechanical shutter, needle-match metering,
  horizontal cloth shutter (flash sync at 1/60), and DOF preview button
  (missing from FX-3!). I'm not sure about split-image focusing. The
  FX-1 is like FX-2, but it has an electronic shutter, so there is an
  aperture priority AE mode in addition to manual. I've heard about a
  battery problem with the FX-1 that would influence metering, but no
  confirmations yet (with fresh batteries or after prolongued off-time,
  the battery output voltage was reported to be too high).


  3.2.4.  FX-103 Program

  The FX-103 Program was an addition to the FX series after the Contax
  159MM had been released. More or less identical to the FX-D, it
  featured TTL flash control and two program modes (a standard mode and
  a high speed mode). Contrary to the 159MM, though, it did not made
  special use of the MM lenses, which have special light aperture blades
  made to be controlled by camera electronics. The Yashica Program
  bodies (up to the current 109MP) are all the same in this respect and
  therefore can use all Yashica and Zeiss lenses in program mode.


  3.2.5.  FX-D, FX-70

  Some other bodies that were mentioned, more information on them is
  welcome.



  3.3.  107MP, 108MP, 109MP

  The 109MP is a body with a built-in motorwinder. As full details can
  be found on Yashica's website under
  http://www.yashica.com/yashica/slr/109multi/109multi.html, I won't
  repeat them here (as long as above link stays intact).

  The next paragraphs are verbatim copies of mails I received on these
  bodies. I'll edit them when I have time...

  Marcus Hanke: Unfortunately the next Yashica SLR I have more detailed
  informations about is the 109 Multi Program: Its aperture-priority
  mode ranges from 16-1/2000 sec., flash sync 1/90, manual 1-1/2000
  (strange, isn't it: the 1/1000 sec- FX-D had a flash sync faster than
  the 1/2000-109!); again standard and HP-program mode (see FX-103); DX-
  coding (no manual override possible); no real exposure compensation
  (only a +1.5-button), AE-lock; viewfinder information: Only four LED-
  symbols for over/under and correct exposure, flash; integrated winder
  (1.3fps) with motorized film rewinding (the previous F-108 had manual
  rewind), back interchangeable for databack.

  Andrew: I now know something of that Yashica TR-7000 I mentioned to
  you before...   In desperation I called Yashica in New Jersey and
  asked.  The Camera is in fact the European version of the FX-107, and
  it is very similiar to the Yashica FX-109MP.  Based upon my
  conversation with Yashica about the only difference I could determine
  is that it has a NON-metered Manual mode in addition to the Program
  mode. The lack of a manual light meter is in fact probably the reason
  for it's early demise and subsequent replacement by the FX-109MP.
  When you get around to upgrading the FAQ you may want to include some
  of this info in it.  I will also send off a slightly edited version
  this E-mail to your Digest so others can read it.
  Bob: I have a Yashica TR7000 and as far as I can tell, it's the same
  camera as the MP107, and I may want to sell it (new condition) as I
  don't use it.  Mine came with a 50mm f2.0 lens.

  The button near the shutter release is the self timer switch.  The
  camera has three program modes (normal, slow, and high speed) as well
  as manual mode.  In the manual mode, there is no metering.  The button
  on the side of the lens mount is for back light compensation.  The
  lens mount is metal while a lot of the body is plastic.

  It's very similar to the MP109, but the film rewind is manual instead
  of motorized.  A manual is available from John Craig.

  Andrew: Copied and Edited From the Yashica 1996 Catalogue

  108 Multi-Program, Motor-Driven SLR, Multi-mode LED display - DX film
  setting (ISO 25-3200) Normal program mode, high speed program mode,
  aperture priority AE mode, manual exposure mode, manual flash mode CPU
  controlled timing precision with a maximum 1/2000 sec. shutter speed.
  Built-in auto-winding with auto load/automatic film advancing to the
  first frame.  Exposure compensation for back-fit subjects.

  109 Multi-Program, Motor-Driven SLR, Multi-mode LED display - DX film
  setting (ISO 25-3200) Normal program mode, high speed program mode,
  aperture priority AE mode, manual exposure mode, manual flash mode
  Automatic film rewind CPU controlled timing precision with a maximum
  1/2000 sec. shutter speed.  Built-in auto- winding with auto
  load/automatic film advancing to the first frame Exposure compensation
  for back-lit subjects.

  Lenses Currently Available (As of 1996)

  MC      75- 200mm Macro
  MC      28-80mm
  MC      35-70mm
  ML       50mm 1.9 Lens
  FX Series Case
  Case for 108 & 107
  Case for 109
  CS-15 Electronic Flash,
  CS-140 Flash
  CS-220 Auto Flash



  Neal Zondlo: I have a Yashica 108MP, and can tell you that there is
  really only 1 difference as far as I can tell between the 108MP I have
  and the description of the 109MP on the Yashica website. Whereas the
  109MP has motorized film rewind, the 108MP has a crank for manual film
  rewind. Everything else (1/90 flash sync, manual 1 - 1/2000 s
  exposure, +1.5 EV backlight compensation, auto 16s - 1/2000 s
  exposure, bulb, 1/90, aperture-priority, program and high-speed
  program exposure modes, motorized film advance, hot shoe, electronic
  cable release attachment, auto DX sensing ISO 25-3200 in full stop
  increments, 10s self-timer, TTL metering light display) seems
  identical between their description of the MP109 and the reality of my
  MP108.


  3.4.  Dental Eye

  For some reason, Yashica has a system consisting of what looks like a
  modified 109MP body, a macro lens and a ring flash especially for
  medical use. It's horrendously expensive, like everything made for
  dentists. The current version is documented on Yashica's website under
  http://www.yashica.com/yashica/dental.
  4.  What lenses are available?

  Yashica shares its mount with Contax, which means that you can use
  Contax Zeiss T* lenses, which are rated most of the time somewhere
  between Nikon and Leica (or above Leica). Furthermore, most
  aftermarket brands support the Y/C mount so you can add Tamron,
  Tokina, Vivitar and Sigma lenses to your system. I've seen lots of
  lenses by Sun, a now-gone aftermarket producer; my Sun 135/2.5MC seems
  to perform well. The Big Four aftermarket brands are in various states
  of ending their MF offerings, inform for yourself.

  This FAQ will only discuss Yashica lenses.


  4.1.  What's the difference between Yashica DSB and Yashica ML lenses?

  Yashica DSB lenses are single coated, ML lenses are multi coated (ML
  stands for Multi Layer). As usual, a marketing department messed
  things thoroughly up by introducing another designator, MC for Multi
  Coated, for later multi coated lenses. Contrary to the quality jump
  from DSB to ML, there is no distinguishable quality difference between
  ML and MC lenses. For quite some time, Yashica offered both DSB and ML
  lenses; later on, DSB lenses were sold in package deals with bodies
  (like the FX-D Quartz SE and the FX-7).


  4.2.  How about YUS lenses?

  YUS stands for Yashica US. This "brand" is now gone, and from
  comparisons it seems that they were the same as the DSB lenses sold
  elsewhere.


  4.3.  Known Yashica lenses.

  The following is a list of lenses we know off. If I have performance
  data, I'll give them a note, ranging from 1 (``this really is a Sigma
  lens in disguise'') to 3 (``average Yashica stuff'') to 5 (``why
  didn't they stamp Carl Zeiss T* on this one?''). Completely
  subjective, of course, give feedback if you disagree and give notes
  where I didn't do it. Don't forget that this notes are not necessarily
  my own opinion - a lot of it is based on hearsay (especially when I
  don't own the lenses myself :-)).

  In order to save space, I skimped on the table headers. Here is an
  explanation:

     Desc
        Description: focal length/largest aperture/coating.

     L-G
        Lenses/groups.

     Amin
        Smallest aperture.

     Dmin
        Shortest focusing distance (m).

     Filt
        Filter thread diameter (mm).

     Size
        Phyiscal size: diameter x length.


     Wght
        Weight (g).

     Q  Subjective quality assessment.

     Cmt
        Comments, numbers refer to list below table.

  Note that Yashica designates their stuff as ``ML 2,0/50'', whereas I
  use ``50/2,0ML''. I think this makes it easier to quickly find a lens
  you are looking for.



  4.4.  Wide-angle


  Desc          L-G      Amin     Dmin     Filt     Size          Wght     Q     Cmt
  15/2.8ML      10/7       16      0.3        -     75x70.5        445     4     1
  21/3.5ML      12/8       16      0.3       72     75x54          370     4     2
  24/2.8ML      9/8        16      0.3       62     65x48.5        285     4
  28/2.8DSB     6/6        16      0.3       52     61x42.5        240     2
  28/2.8YUS     ?          22     0.35       55     63.5x44        260
  28/2.8ML      7/6        16      0.3       52     61.5x41.5      250           3
  35/2.8ML      6/5        16      0.3       52     61.5x41.5      230




  1. Fisheye lens with 170 degrees angle of view. Built-in filters
     (skylight, yellow, orange). Good quality.

  2. Renowned for its quality.

  3. Still available.


  4.5.  Normal


  Desc          L-G     Amin     Dmin     Filt     Size        Wght     Q     Cmt
  50/1.9DSB     6/4       16      0.5       52     62x40        215
  50/2.0ML      6/4       16      0.5       52     61x32        140     3     1
  50/1.9ML      6/5       16      0.5       52     61x32        145           4
  50/1.7ML      6/5       16      0.5       52     61.5x40      240     4     2
  50/1.4ML      7/6       16      0.5       52     61.5x42      295     ?     3
  55/2.0DSB     6/4       16      0.5       52     63x39.5      200
  55/1.2ML      7/6       16      0.5       55     66.5x50      410




  1. I have one to go with my FX-3, which makes up for a very nice and
     lightweight system. I use it near swimming pools, on the beach, and
     other places where I don't want to lug around (and put at risk) my
     ``real'' gear.

  2. I had to take it apart in order to clean the aperture blades (the
     blades stuck because some grease had gotten onto them).  This
     inside look left me with a good impression of the lens innards - I
     couldn't discover any significant parts in plastic, everything was
     metal and looked well-built. I can't complain about its sharpness,
     I think it is a very fine lens.

  3. Some say tests shown much worse performance than the Zeiss 50/1.4,
     others say it was almost as good. In any case, this is quite an
     expensive piece of glass, almost as expensive as the Zeiss version
     - I'd opt for the latter if I was going to spend a lot of money on
     a 50mm...

  4. Still available.


  4.6.  Moderate telephoto

  A warning about telephotos: Yashica came with better designs for the
  135, 200 and 300 lenses (less weight, more compact, better optical
  quality) relatively quick after the introduction of the original
  lenses. As long as both variants were available, the newer ones were
  marked with a C (for compact). However, as soon as the old lenses were
  sold out, they dropped the C. Therefore, when buying a telephoto
  without the C, you either have a very old one or a recent one (and you
  really want the latter). The best advise is to use this list and check
  the measurements when buying second-hand telephotos.


  Desc          L-G     Amin     Dmin     Filt     Size          Wght     Q     Cmt
  135/2.8DSB    5/4       22      1.8       55     64x72          420     2
  135/2.8ML     5/4       22      1.5       55     65.5x92.5      540           1
  135/2.8MLC    5/4       22      1.5       52     63x75          420           2




  1. Old version.

  2. New compact version.


  4.7.  Telephoto

  See the warning about design enhancements in the previous section.


  Desc          L-G     Amin     Dmin     Filt     Size         Wght     Q     Cmt
  200/4.0ML     5/4       22      2.5       55     62x150        615           1
  200/4.0MLC    5/4       22      2.5       58     64x113.5      535     4     2,3
  300/5.6ML     5/4       22      4.5        ?     65x210        880           1,4
  300/5.6MLC    6/3       22      4.5       58     66x148        645     4     2,5
  500/8.0       6/5        -        4        -     88x120.5      865           1,4,6,7,8
  500/8.0ML     8/6        -      2.5        -     78x87.5       470           2,5,6,7,9
  1000/11.0     6/5        -        8        -     118x220      2330           4,6,8,10




  1. Old version.

  2. New compact version.

  3. A nice piece of glass. It's not very big, it feels rugged, and I
     think the lens is quite sharp. I've made great hand-held shots
     wide-open, which look tack sharp on Delta100 and 8x10 prints and
     show a very pleasing ``bokeh'' (bokeh is how the out-of-focus stuff
     looks like, in short). As usual, it is dead cheap. I love it.

  4. Tripod collar.

  5. Lacks tripod collar.

  6. Mirror reflex.

  7. Slide-in filters.

  8. Single coated.

  9. Still available.

  10.
     Filters built-in in revolver grip.


  4.8.  Macro


  Desc          L-G     Amin     Dmin     Filt     Size          Wght     Q     Cmt
  55/4.0ML      4/3       22     0.25       52     61.5x55        305           1
  55/2.8ML      6/4       22     0.25       52     61.5x56.5      305     4     1,2
  100/3.5ML     6/4       22     0.44       55     67x77          430     4     3
  100/4.0ML     5/3       22     0.147    35.5     94.5x155.5    1000           4
  100/4.0MLB    5/3       32        ?       52     60x32          190           4




  1. Ratio 1:2, with 27mm extension tube 1:1.

  2. Better correction for infinity than the f/4.0 version.

  3. Ratio 1:2, with 27+20mm extension tube 1:1. Hard-to-find, very good
     quality lens.

  4. This is the ``Medical'' macro (now called ``Dental Eye''). In
     current versions, it has been permanently integrated with the body
     but older versions had a standard Y/C coupling. It has a built-in
     ringflash (GN 5.6m) and a composing lamp. Maximal focusing distance
     1.5m. Flash and aperture are coupled to the repro ratio which is
     1:1 with 2:1 with an extra add-on lens. A number of options are
     available, like a foot switch, a mains adapter and a reflector set.

  5. ``Bellows''. Can only used with bellows, ratio 1.4:1.


  4.9.  Zoom


  Desc                 L-G      Amin     Dmin     Filt     Size          Wght     Q     Cmt
  28-80/3.9-4.9MC      13/9       22      0.5       58     75x87.5        550           1,6,7
  28-50/3.5ML          10/8       22        1       72     75x74.5        475           2
  35-70/3.5ML          8/8        22        1       62     69x79          475           1
  35-70/4.0ML          7/7        22      0.6       55     67x71          390           2
  35-70/3.5-4.5MC      11/8       22      0.5       58     69.5x63.5      330           1,5
  35-105/3.5-4.5ML     15/11      22      1.5       55     65x84.5        470           1
  35-105/3.8-4.8DSB    15/14      22      1.4       55     64.5x82.5      460           9
  38-90/3.5DSB         12/11      22      1.5       67     70x110.5       685           1,3
  42-75/3.5-4.5ML      7/7        22      1.2       55     61x57          315     2     1,4
  70-210/4.0DSB        14/10      22      2.5       58     65x165         690           2
  75-150/4.0ML         12/9       22      1.5       52     63.5x115.5     485           1
  70-210/4.5ML         12/9       22      1.5       55     65x128.5       525     4     5
  75-200/4.5MC         13/9       22      1.2       55     73x79          420           1,6,7
  80-200/4.0ML         12/9       22      1.9       55     65x133         610     4     1
  100-300/5.6ML        13/10      32      1.5       58     68.5x192.5     850     4     1




  1. 1-ring zoom.

  2. 2-ring zoom.

  3. Ratio 1:4 in macro setting with a minimal focusing distance of
     0.3m.

  4. Mostly sold as a set (FX-D Zoom, FX-7 Zoom).

  5. Successor of the 80-200/4.0 zoom. According to Fotomagazin almost
     as good as the Zeiss 70-210/3.5. A very compact zoom with macro
     setting.  Ratio 1:4 in macro setting with a minimal focusing
     distance of 1.1m.

  6. Currently available.

  7. Ratio 1:4 in macro setting

  8. Ratio 1:4.7 in macro setting.

  9. Minimum distance 0.7 in macro setting.


  5.  And what about accessories?

  To be setup. Could probably mention the components of the Yashica
  Dental system, remote control cords, flashes, teleconverters,
  extension rings, etcetera. Any information is welcome.


     Macro extension rings
        I recently acquired a set of macro extension rings, 13mm, 20mm
        and 27mm for around US$55. Still have to see how my normal
        primes perform with them.  They look well-built and that's all
        there is to say about extension rings.

     FR Winder
        Winder that fits all FR bodies. Does 2 frames per second, has a
        couple of connectors (one looks like an external power connector
        and one like a remote control connector), and eats 6 AA
        batteries.  A big disadvantage is that your tripod screw
        location moves way left (as usual with these battery packs). If
        2fps is too slow for you, go shop for the Contax RTS motordrive.

        With the winder, your FR-I will weigh 1090g (1340g with a
        50/1.7) and gets a serious, professional look (people with Nikon
        F50's and an aftermarket zoom will feel very uneasy with you in
        the neighbourhood ;-)). It saved me from abandoning the FR-I
        because I'm a left-eye photographer and thus can't operate the
        film wind lever and keep composing at the same time.  I still
        should train myself to switch to the right eye, though.

















-- 
Cees de Groot               http://www.cdegroot.com     <cg@cdegroot.com>
   Yashica/Contax SLR List: http://www.cdegroot.com/photo/yashica
GnuPG 1024D/E0989E8B 0016 F679 F38D 5946 4ECD  1986 F303 937F E098 9E8B

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Last Update March 27 2014 @ 02:12 PM