Review Auto Focal 1: 2.8 f = 135mm Japan

For the opportunity to write lens review Auto Focal 1: 2.8 f = 135mm Japan many thanks to Eugene P., who sent me a lens from another area

Review Yashica Auto Focal 1: 2.8 f = 135mm Japan

Review Yashica Auto Focal 1: 2.8 f = 135mm Japan

This is an old non-autofocus high-aperture telephoto lens from film cameras. The lens is interesting for its combination of focal length and aperture - 135mm f / 2.8. There are several Yashica 135 / 2,8 lenses, perhaps this is not Yashica at all, read your thoughts on this in the comments.

Enlightenment of the front and rear lenses of the lens

Enlightenment of the front and rear lenses of the lens

Yashica 135mm F / 2.8 is made well. Rubber focus ring, there are no backlashes - everything is 'Made in Japan'.

View on a modern camera

View on a modern camera

The focus ring rotates 180 degrees, while the front lens does not rotate, and the trunk lengthens slightly. Focusing is comfortable. MDF is 1.5 meters. The lens has a focus distance scale and a depth of field scale.

Aperture blades - total 6 piecesbut the petals are dull. Minimum aperture F / 22. The lens has aperture control mode switch - 'M A'. My lens has an M42 mounting thread.

How to use with modern cameras?

Lenses with mounting thread M42 (M42 X 1 / 45.5), such as the lens from this review, are very easy to use on almost any modern digital camera (both SLR and mirrorless), for this it is enough to choose the right adapter (adapter). You do not need to carry out any additional steps to modify the lens.

The cheapest adapters can be found at Aliexpress.com... There are adapters (adapters) with a chip that provide more convenience during shooting, usually chips are used to confirm focus and / or metering exposure, and form the correct EXIF. The chip does not affect the image quality in any way.

For some SLR cameras (for example, with the Nikon F-mount), you need to use adapters with a corrective lens, which allows you to focus correctly at all focusing distances. For any mirrorless cameras, such a lens is not needed, and the adapter is a simple decorated hollow metal tube with an appropriate mount.

For SLR cameras

  1. Canon: For cameras Canon EOS with bayonet mount EF / EF-S need an M42-Canon EOS adapter, such an adapter with a chip can be found herewithout chip here.
  2. NIKON: For cameras Nikon DX / FXas well as for cameras Fujifilm и Kodak with a Nikon F mount, you need an M42-Nikon F adapter, you can buy such an adapter without a lens and a chip here, with a lens without a chip herewith chip without lens here, with lens and chip here. Why a lens? Why chip?
  3. PENTAX: For Pentax cameras with K mount, you need an M42-Pentax K adapter, you can buy such an adapter here.
  4. SONY/MINOLTA: For cameras with a Sony / Minolta A mount, you need the M42-Sony A adapter, you can find such an adapter without a chip at this linkwith a chip at this link.
  5. OLYMPUS/PANASONIC/LEICA: For cameras with a 4/3 bayonet mount (not to be confused with Micro 4/3!) You need an M42-4 / 3 adapter, you can buy such an adapter here.

For mirrorless cameras

  1. SONY: For cameras with 'E'/'FE' mount series SonyNEX и Sony Alpha you need an adapter M42-Sony E (aka M42-Sony Nex), you can find it at this link. An autofocus adapter is also available for these cameras. Techart PRO Leica M - Sony E Autofocus Adapterwhich can be found at this link.
  2. OLYMPUS / PANASONIC / KODAK / XIAOMI: For cameras with a bayonet mount Micro 4/3 (Micro 4:3) you need an adapter M42-Micro 4/3, you can find it at this link.
  3. CANON M: For cameras with Canon EF-M mount need adapter M42-Canon M, it can be found at this link.
  4. CANON R and RF-S: For cameras with Canon RF mount need adapter M42-Canon R, it can be found at this link.
  5. Nikon 1: For cameras Nikon 1 Series need adapter M42-Nikon 1, you can find it at this link.
  6. Nikon Z: For cameras Nikon Z series (FX/DX) need an adapter M42-Nikon Z, it can be found at this link.
  7. FUJIFILM X: For cameras with mount X need an M42-Fuji X adapter, you can find it at this link.
  8. FUJIFILM GFX: For medium format cameras G-mount need M42-Fuji GFX adapter, you can find it at this link.
  9. SAMSUNG: For cameras with NX mount, you need an M42-Samsung NX adapter, you can find it at this link. There are no adapters for the NX mini camera yet.
  10. PENTAX: For Q-mount cameras, you need an M42-Pentax Q adapter, you can find it at this link.
  11. SIGMA / PANASONIC / LEICA: For cameras with L mount you need an M42-Leica L adapter, you can find it at this link.
  12. LEICA: For cameras with a bayonet mount Leica M need adapter M42-L / M, you can find it at this link.

If you have any questions on compatibility and adapters - ask in the comments (comments do not require any registration at all).

Two fixed telephoto

Two fixed telephoto

Sample photos:

All photos taken on Nikon D40. When using adapter without lens on CZK Nikon focus on infinity is lost. Photos without processing. White Balance у Nikon D40 strongly 'lies':


Comments on this post do not require registration. Anyone can leave a comment. Many different photographic equipment can be found on AliExpress.

Conclusions:

The Auto Focal 1: 2.8 f = 135mm Japan is a good fast prime. Perfect for portraits. I rarely encounter bad 135mm lenses, basically all 135mm prime lenses are good lenses. Yashica from this review is no exception. It should be noted that my specimen has good bokeh.

Material prepared Arkady Shapoval. Training/Consultations | Youtube | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Telegram

Add a comment: nukemall

 

 

Comments: 29, on the topic: Review Auto Focal 1: 2.8 f = 135mm Japan

  • Aniiiiichka

    The first photo with poppies is super!

  • Alexander

    I’ve been reading your blog for more than six months already) many thanks for your work)

  • nukemall

    Which side is he Yashica from? The Focal brand belonged to the American supermarket chain K-Mart, like, for example, Elenberg from Eldorado. The lenses were ordered from various Japanese ODM manufacturers (that is, the firms that developed the lenses and produced them with whatever inscription they pay for), basically on the basis of the principle “the cheaper, the better”. This particular Focal 135 / 2.8, judging by the focusing distance mark in the form of a hollow diamond, was developed and released by the Japanese company Cima Kogaku. There were other Focal Auto 135 / 2.8s from other manufacturers.

    And Yashica is a trademark of a Japanese camera manufacturer of the same name, which was later purchased by Kyocera. Their lenses were under the brands “Yashinon”, “Yashikor”, “Yashinon DSB” and “Yashica ML”. Those. there were no “just Yashica” lenses at all.

    • jerichosb

      Quote: “Ie. there were no “just Yashica” lenses at all. ”

      Just Yashica lens DSB 135 mm 1: 2.8 Made in Japan

  • nukemall

    There were also “Super Yashinon-R” and “YUS Automatic” brands. The latter brand was invented by American distributors "Yashica USA" and applied to exactly two lenses - Yashinon DSB 28 / 2.8 and Yashinon DSB 135 / 2.8, and only on those that were sold with the camera - such a set was cheaper than the lenses separately , and they did not come up with the idea of ​​“crushing the whales” yesterday, distributors tried to fight against it by changing the brand.

  • Flick

    View on a modern camera
    Zenit-V

  • Eugene

    Arkady, thanks for the lens review! As always, your information is presented in an “accessible language” for beginners, informative and interesting. But after reading the comment by nukemall, I was a little upset, because I thought it was Yashica. I bought it with this name ...

  • Alex

    I completely agree with the words of nukemall and add a little.
    The Focal brand belonged to the American supermarket chain K-Mart, such as, for example, Elenberg from Eldorado and other retail companies.
    The lenses were ordered from various Japanese ODM manufacturers (that is, companies that developed lenses from scratch and produced them at their production facilities with any inscription (trademark) for which they would pay), mainly on the principle of “the cheaper - the better” , although sometimes the price factor faded into the background, as they compared with other similar products that sold well and had excellent ones. indicators.
    In addition to the Focal trademark, there was the trademark Sears, Manon, which were absorbed by Tasco, who were actively selling photo lenses of Japanese, Hong Kong production under the ODM agreement on the American market in the 60-80s.

    • nukemall

      Americans have spawned the abyss of all brands. Beston, Eagle, Galaxy, Underground, Titamatic, Kalogon, Ozunon ... have you heard of these? And it's good if the hundredth part.
      Sears is a fairly well-known brand and at certain times is decent, under it not only Samyangov's horror stories were sold, but also quite decent things like the Tomiokovsky 55 / 1.4 along with Chinon cameras (also bearing the inscription “Sears”) ... as well as Kozinov's 55 / 1.4 with cameras Ricoh and the same lenses ordered directly.

      • Alex

        Not only heard, but also used.
        It’s exactly that the hundredth part, since in the 60s American salespeople just did that they flew to Japan, Hong Kong, Korea to agree on the supply of goods to the territory. USA. In principle, they raised the retail of optics in the United States. In parallel with them, Japanese and European brands entered the American market.
        By the way, we are now observing a similar situation in the CIS that occurred in the USA in the 60-80s.
        It was an interesting time, I talked with an American photographer who earned his bread from photography in the 60s and 80s, so the Nikon-Canon-Olympus-Pentax whales were very expensive at that time, only with the transfer of production in the 80s d Hong Kong and Korea products of these brands have become more accessible. Zeiss Lake and other Europeans were very expensive and sold very hard.
        Therefore, as you correctly wrote, Chinon, as well as Soligor, Miranda, Ansco, Vivitar, Summit, etc. were very affordable for the masses.

        I am very glad that I met a colleague from Russia who knows very well the history of cooperation between Japanese optics manufacturers and American salespeople.

        Read at your leisure about greedy algorithms (Huffman, Kraskal, Prim, Lin-Kernig and Rado-Edmonds), as a rule, all American companies used these algorithms to succeed and sometimes spit on the quality of products sold.

        Good luck to you!

      • anonym

        So Underground 135 / 2.8 can be released by anyone and the difference in the “picture” is also different or are there options?

      • anonym

        Can you say something about Underground 135 / 2.8?

      • Sky

        Can you say something about Underground 135 / 2.8?

  • Eugene

    I sell this lens, an excellent “soft” portrait lens! Perfect condition, price 800gr. bargain! I will send it across Ukraine. Yes, this is not Yashica, just standing on the Yashica camera.

    • anonym

      And you can show examples of photos, like taking photos on a person, for example

  • Eugene

    Hello, I'm a beginner .. I've been walking for more than a year with the Canon D550 lens EF-S 18-55 IS II Kit, but even to me it already doesn't seem very good ... =)) especially when photographing people indoors ... .. it's better to buy Fast yashica DSB 135 /2.8 ?? and your EF-S 18-55 IS II Kit can be safely thrown away right ??? =))

  • anonym

    here is the option to buy Aperture yashica DSB 135 / 2.8 please tell me, the equipment for my D550 WILL BE NORMAL? and at a price normally 6500 offer ??
    Announcement of sale: Aperture portrait lens.

    Bayonet Contax / Yashica C / Y Lenses are clean, focusing works smoothly.

    In perfect, almost new condition.

    Set: adapter for EOS, hood, UV filter. price 6500 rub. and how much can I sell for? =) thanks. =)

  • Eugene

    I also have a SPEEDLITE 550EX II flashlight for my d430, which I also do not use successfully because I don’t understand .. why I bought it .. please help me figure it out .. the previous comment (anonymous) is also mine… about “here is the option to buy High-aperture yashica DSB 135 / 2.8 please tell me, will my D550 package be OK? and at a price normally 6500 offer ??
    Announcement of sale: Aperture portrait lens.

    Bayonet Contax / Yashica C / Y Lenses are clean, focusing works smoothly.

    In perfect, almost new condition.

    Kit: EOS adapter, hood, UV filter. price 6500 rub. and how much can I sell mine for? =) thanks. =) "

  • Andrii

    In Іtalії on the flea market Auto Focal 1: 2.8 f = 135mm Japan - 40 Euro.
    Am I right about rosimy, why on the D5100 win not focus on infinity?

    • Arkady Shapoval

      With the usual lensless adapter will not)

  • Maksim

    cool blog, thanks.

  • Mario

    The 135 DC has a control for all of this. This is why Nikon has the patent on it. You can adjust the lens from normal to super bokeh to soft focus if you push it too far. You'll notice that dedicated soft-focus lenses have no separate defocus control; they are fixed one way and the only control you have is your shooting aperture.

  • Ernest

    It is very nice to read your reviews, though I’m a teapot, but with your help I started to understand something))) thanks !!!!

  • Arkady

    Maybe someone will answer me: What is the difference between the MINOLTA MD 50 / 1.4 lens and the MINOLTA ROKKOR-X 50 / 1.4 lens? I use both lenses through an adapter with the D90 camera. I don't see the difference in the pictures. And yet, which one is better ??? I would be very grateful for your answer. I can sell VIVITAR MF 135 / 2.8 - NIKON F and CANON FD 135 / 2.5 mount without adapter. Both are in very good condition.

    • Sky

      MINOLTA MD 50 / 1.4 were produced since 81 for X-700, and ROKKOR-X 50 / 1.4 from 73 to 81 for SRT-102, XE or XD series, you need to look at the focusing ring: if there are 3 grooves then SRT-102, XE ( 73-77yy), if 2 then HD (77-81). The “X” mark and orange color indicates that for the US market (you need to test with a dosimeter, sometimes they are radioactive - thanks for Hiroshima). There are many opinions which are better: the first say that it is better than Rokkora - there the glasses are better, they are sharper. Others, like Minolta - these were released later, the enlightenment is better, more contrast. I can argue about the sharpness, but agree about the contrast. Minolta has more plastic, it is lighter and more convenient (for me), Rokkor is heavier and more metal :) They also have a difference in optical schemes - it depends on the year of manufacture: 73-79 = 7/5 (55mm filter), 79-81 = 7/6 (49mm filter). The bokeh should be different.
      In general, you need to look at them, then I’ll say for sure.

  • Oleg

    You’ll laugh, but this type is even with the name Helios Auto 135 2.8)
    Screen from YouTube

  • Andrei

    And if the mount of the contact box, then it will fit on the Canon EOS EF?

    • B, R, P.

      Through an adapter.

Add a comment

Copyright © Radojuva.com. Blog author - Photographer in Kiev Arkady Shapoval. 2009-2023

English-version of this article https://radojuva.com/en/2013/06/yashica-auto-focal-2-8-135mm/?replytocom=31345

Versión en español de este artículo https://radojuva.com/es/2013/06/yashica-auto-focal-2-8-135mm/?replytocom=31345