The Yashica ML 50mm f/1.9 lens is part of the Yashica ML series, pro-line multicoated lenses developed and produced by Yashica (Kyocera) to bridge the gap between their consumer-grade DSB line and the state-of-the-art Zeiss T* lenses built for the Contax/Yashica system.
Generally, the ML series is well known for its sharp images, contrasty colors, beautiful color rendering, and, given the right aperture opening, swirly bokeh. The 50mm f/1.9, individually, is said to be tack-sharp at f/8.
The Yashica ML 35mm f/2.8, which can be a rare find among the selection of Yashica ML lenses, is a series of multicoated pro-line lenses developed and produced by Yashica (Kyocera). This series was designed to fill the gap between Yashica's own consumer-grade DSB lens line and the state-of-the-art Contax/Yashica Zeiss T*, all of which were built at their manufacturing facility in Japan.
The series is also acknowledged as an excellent performer, even at a wide-open aperture when adapted to crop-sensor digital bodies. Looks like the ML 35mm f/2.8 as well, as can be seen from these images posted here, is no exception. To top off the accolades, this unit is sometimes referred to as the 'poor man's Zeiss', and in passing, is compared equally or even better than the Distagons.
From what is available on the Net, while there is not too much of it, the ML 35mm f/2.8 was produced in two versions, an earlier version with 7 elements in 6-groups, identified by the diamond knobs on its rubber grip, and a later with 6-elements in 5-groups which comes with square knobs./p>
An anomaly I found is with the copy of the lens that I have. The lens has a fairly large pin protruding out of the backplate of the lens mount assembly. This configuration will not let me mount the lens to either the Yashica FX-3 Super 2000 or a Contax RTS II, both of which I have in my collection. The lens, however, can be mounted to the M4/3 FX/CY adapter without any problem.
An excellent lens by any standards, the Yashica ML 28mm f/2.8 lens is part of the Yashica ML series, pro-line multicoated lenses developed and produced by Yashica (Kyocera) to bridge between their consumer-grade DSB line and the state-of-the-art Zeiss T* within the Contax/Yashica system.
These lenses were made in Japan, at the same factory where the legendary Zeiss Contax T* lenses were made. Finished with a different coating, while image rendition is slightly less contrasty, colors and contrast are great. While not of Zeiss standards, these lenses do have their moments, with acknowledgment of being of high quality.
