Yashica Lenses, DSL and ML

[blockend]

I've recently been purchasing Yashica lenses after a period buying Canon and Nikon. I believe ML are multi-coated and DSL single coated, however the DSL 50mm and 28mm give excellent results. Are any C/Y buffs familiar with how much better the ML lenses are before I spend money?

 

[BrianL]

I have a 50 version of each but not used them in years but from memory I never saw any difference that was noteworthy. But I did not use the camera for critical shooting, though. I'd not sweat it as I have shot with uncoated, single and multi-coated lenses and all can be very good. In a few instances, I actually preferred single coated over the multi-coated lenses and the maker said except for the coating the lenses were exactly the same in design, glass and construction. An example was some of the M42 Asahi lenses.

 

[Richard S. (rich815)]

Google the two types. I remember there is some sites that discuss the differences and the quality of some of the specific lenses. Some are great, some are dogs

 

[Jeff L]

The ML's are newer and thought to be better than the DSB's. The ML line has a very good reputation, the 21mm, 24mm and 55mm macro especially. I have a quite few ML's and find them all to be very good. I really like the 21mm.

 

[ic-racer]

The ML lenses have a different formula than the DSB lenses. Many of the ML lenses are pretty good. Some ML lenses came in two different optical formulas. The 28/2.8 and 35/2.8 in particular. ( http://www.yashicaforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=1441)

I recently got a bunch of these ML lenses as backup for my Zeiss lenses.

 

[blockend]

Thanks for the help. I'll do a comparison and see whether to invest in more MLs or stay with the DSBs.

 

[elcabezagrande]

I think that the DSB lenses are much like the earlier single-coated M42 mount DS lenses, only with the C/Y bayonet mount. I have had several DSB 50/1.9 lenses, and every one has had oily aperture blades. Watch for this, although in my experience, it did not affect the functionality of the lenses. I do find them a little finicky to focus, however. There are at least two versions of the DSB 28/2.8, one with a 55mm filter thread, which is not so great and also prone to oilyness, and an excellent (and very rare) version with a 58mm filter thread and an aspheric lens that is excellent and extraordinarily well-constructed. Good luck finding one, I wish that I had never sold mine because I have never seen another. There are also YUS (Yashica U S) lenses, which are similar or identical to the DSB lenses, I have found the YUS 135/2.8 to be a very nice lens and a good performer.

Often, you can find a Yashica FX-2 kit with three DSB or YUS lenses on ebay (the 50/1.9, the 28/2.8, and the DSB or YUS 135/135) on eBay for less than you will pay for the lenses separately.

The ML lenses have earned their good reputation. The ML 50/2 is one of my favorite lenses ever, it is a little gem and is one of the greatest bargains out there. The 50/1.7 is excellent as well, and the "kit" version, the 50/1.9, is also quite acceptable. I have also had good results from the ML Zoom 80~200/f4.

I have a short MC zoom that I have yet to try. The MC lenses are light-weight versions of the ML lenses, I believe.

 

[blockend]

The ML 50/2 is one of my favorite lenses ever, it is a little gem and is one of the greatest bargains out there.

I bought one of these recently and have been waiting to test it properly. The DSB 50mm 1.9 is a good performer so it will be interesting to see how they compare but I agree it's hard to focus. My enthusiasm for Yashica came from purchasing an FR, it's difficult to say why it's rapidly becoming my favourite SLR - the metal body, viewfinder readout, readily available batteries and the shutter perhaps. The frame counter is supposed to be a weakness but mine is still working. The ML lenses are rare compared to other makes and Contax glass is very expensive, so it might take a while to find what I'm looking for.