Provenance & certification
ML
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Condition assessed 11/7/2026
How we gradeInspector’s condition notes
This lens shows light cosmetic wear only. The barrel and rings are clean, with crisp markings and no dents or significant paint loss visible. There is minor scuffing on the mount area and a small spot of oxidation near one screw.
How this lens renders
Compared to 50mm lenses of the same spec from the same era, the standout of this Yashica ML f/2 is its sharpness straight from wide open — no need to stop down to capture detail beautifully in the focal plane. Stop down to f/2.8 and the sharpness tightens up even more, peaking around f/8. Contrast is excellent for a vintage lens — it holds up well even in harsh light. Colors are clean and pleasing, with no shift under different lighting conditions. The bokeh melts the background away smoothly, though at certain distances the background can appear slightly busy. I'd recommend keeping some distance to the background to preserve that creamy rendering. Another plus is excellent vignetting control — the image edges stay clean even on a large medium format sensor. Great for anyone who wants that Zeiss character at an accessible price. A practical choice that deserves a spot in any collection.
In the box
Honest disclosure
Contax / Yashica ML
The Yashica ML 50mm is the affordable, characterful sibling to Contax Zeiss glass, with an f/1.9 version noted for Helios-comparable Swirly Bokeh and an f/2 version praised for sharpness wide open and clean color.
What this lens can do
Example photos of this lens model, gathered from around the web — not shots of this exact copy.
