Contax / Yashica Yashinon DX

The 50mm f/1.4 renders smoother-than-average bokeh but its 6-bladed aperture produces distinct hexagons when stopped down.

Color for the Yashinon-DX specifically is unknown.

Center is sharp wide open and tack sharp by f/2, but the corners never really sharpen even at f/4.

The 50mm f/1.4 is described as surprisingly flare resistant, attributed to its thorium elements.

Low/global contrast with a noted haze wide open, giving a dreamy look that improves on stopping down.

Vignetting is present on the 50mm f/1.4 wide open but not terrible for a fast standard.

• Exceptional mechanical quality — the 50mm f/1.4 is described as 'practically jewelry,' feeling like 'a precision made Swiss watch' with silky-smooth focus and an easy-to-operate aperture.
• Striking looks; the owner calls the chrome 50mm f/1.4 the most attractive lens in his entire collection.
• A dreamy, lower-contrast look wide open that becomes sharp when stopped down.
• Center sharpness that holds up well and, on the 50mm f/1.4, extends surprisingly far into the corners.
• Smoother-than-average bokeh on the f/1.4, and swirly, characterful bokeh (plus large close-up bokeh) on the related C/Y Yashica ML 50mm f/1.9.
• Surprising flare resistance on the f/1.4.

• The aperture value on the 50mm f/1.4 is hidden inside a cutout in the barrel rather than printed on the outside, making aperture changes fiddly.
• Larger and heavier than many vintage lenses (though still smaller than modern equivalents).
• Corners never really sharpen up even stopped down on the 50mm f/1.4.
• The 6-bladed aperture renders distinct hexagons rather than round highlights when stopped down.
• Rarity means it is harder to find and not necessarily better than more common alternatives like Takumars or Fujinons.

• Shoot the 50mm f/1.4 wide open when you want its low-contrast, dreamy look; stop down to about f/2 for tack-sharp central results.
• Don't expect the corners to sharpen up — even at f/4 they stay soft on the f/1.4, so compose with your subject toward the center.
• With the 6-bladed aperture, keep highlights in mind: wide open they render smoother, but stopping down turns background highlights into distinct hexagons.
• On the f/1.4, look directly into the aperture cutout window on the barrel when setting the aperture, since the value isn't printed externally.
• For the swirly-bokeh look of the related C/Y Yashica ML 50mm f/1.9, shoot wide open with a busy background; move in close (near its ~0.5m minimum focus) for the largest, most dramatic background blur.
• The f/1.4 is fairly flare resistant, so you can shoot toward bright light with less worry than typical single-coated vintage glass.

Standard · ฿325 · In stock

Standard · ฿325 · In stock

Standard · ฿325 · In stock

Standard · ฿540 · In stock

Standard · ฿540 · In stock

Standard · ฿540 · In stock

Standard · ฿540 · In stock

Standard · ฿1,250 · In stock

Standard · Out of stock

Standard · Out of stock