Yashica 50mm f/1.4 Auto Yashinon-DX M42 Screw Mount Lens [55]

This vintage Auto Yashinon-DX 50 mm prime lens features an M42 screw mount. The all-metal build has a 6-blade diaphragm and focal settings of 1.4, 2, 2.8,4, 5.6, 8, 11, and 16. The lens accepts 55mm filters. It was made in Japan during the 1960s to early 1970s for the Yashica Penta camera. The single coated glass was likely made by Tomioka Kogaku. The lens has a manual/auto switch. Some early Yashinon lenses use thorium glass, but this one does not and is not radioactive (tested). Included are the two vintage generic press on front and rear caps.

For adapting the lens to a digital camera, the available manual setting means the M42 adapter does not need an inner shelf to push in the lens aperture pin, and this lens will work with either a Type 1 or Type 2 M42 adapter. This lens is noted for the back element extending beyond the camera threads. For an M42 to EOS adapter, the rear element extends 2.6 mm beyond the base of the adapter. This is not a problem with either mirrorless or most DSLR cameras, including most ASP-C types, but you should research your particular DSLR camera. This lens was tested on a Canon t2i without issue.

This well-used lens was tested and inspected. This lens has no haze, fungus, or any major issues. The iris is snappy and oil free. It has the usual tiny specs of dust inside, and the front glass has very fine circular scratches from cleaning with a dirty cloth or ties. These are only apparent when looking from the rear at a very bright light and should not affect image quality. The housing has some wear, and there was a small ding to the nose ring, causing a little extra wear on the filter thread from use (see image with red arrow). Despite the small dent, it accepts 55mm filters with ease. The focus and focal distance turn smoothly. However, if the black Yashica nose ring is over-tightened (see photo where it is removed), there is some resistance turning the focal ring between 1.4 and 2.0.

The lens receives high marks on camera review sites. Wide open this lens provides a dreamy look but is quite sharp even at f/2. The image with the sun filtered through the tree canopy was taken at f/1.4 and shows a somewhat swirly bokeh and an orange flare. The composite of four ASP-C frames was taken at different f stops and had a working distance of 19 inches.