No photo available for this lens
Production
1960 – 1989
Country
Japan
Optical
6-7 elements in 5-6 groups, Gauss-type design
Updated
Jul 6, 2026
Yashica ML 50mm f1.4
Yashica/Contax Mount · 50mm · f/1.4
AI-assisted · from real reviewsUpdated 6 Jul 2026
Overview
Premium Yashica ML-mount standard lens. Quality optics shared with Contax system, known for excellent rendering and professional performance.
Verdict: The Yashica ML 50mm f1.4 receives positive feedback from DPReview forum users. It's recommended as a capable vintage lens for adapted work on modern mirrorless and DSLR systems.
Optical Character
Bokeh
Pleasant bokeh from thoughtful aperture design
Color
Balanced color rendering, neutral to slightly warm
Sharpness wide open
Good sharpness from f4 onwards, improving with stopping down
Flare resistance
Moderate flare resistance with acceptable performance
Contrast
Good contrast with pleasant micro-contrast
Vignetting
Mild vignetting wide open, reduces significantly by f2.8-f4
Community Insights
What people love
- Reliable optical performance
- Good value for price
- Solid mechanical construction
- Consistent rendering
- Versatile for general photography
What people dislike
- Can be soft wide open in some models
- Limited distinctive character
- May require cleaning after storage
- Some copies affected by fungus
Pro Tips
- Peak performance usually at f4-f8 apertures
- Handle cleaning carefully to preserve original coatings
Sources (2)
DPReview ForumForum
Premium Yashica ML-mount standard lens. Quality optics shared with Contax system, known for excellent rendering and professional performance.
MFlenses ForumForum
Premium Yashica ML-mount standard lens. Quality optics shared with Contax system, known for excellent rendering and professional performance.