Group: Member
Post: 60 (7 liked)
Join date: November 2020
Status: My first SLR was an FX-2 in 1979. I’ve been shooting and collecting Yashica/Contax gear ever since.
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on May 27, 2021 20:27:00 GMT
Last Edit: May 28, 2021 12:06:56 GMT by dalegreer
I finally was able to locate a copy of the little-known DSB 75-200mm f/4.5 Macro zoom. This odd lens has markings unlike any other Yashica lens, ML, MC, DX, DSB or YUS. Most noticeable are the depth-of-field markings on the barrel, which are blue. The engraved numerals also have a "square" look to them. You can see a photo here: flic.kr/p/2m2532MBesides the markings, this lens is identical in weight, shape and construction to the MC-series 75-200mm f/4.5 Macro. Both lenses were made in Hong Kong, most likely by the Kyocera subsidiary, Universal Optical Industries. The DSB version has "MADE IN HONGKONG" (sic) engraved into the rear of the metal barrel. Later MC lenses had that same descriptor applied to the lens barrel in a blue ink that flaked off at the slightest touch. (I think this was done on purpose so owners could remove it with the swipe of a finger nail. Japanese customers in particular used to be very picky about where their camera gear is made.) Perhaps this lens was an overrun that Kyocera made for another company (hence the unusual livery and colors), and Yashica slapped a DSB trim ring around the front element to move excess merchandise. Perhaps it was a test run of the MC lenses that came later, to see if they would be accepted by Yashica customers. At any rate, this lens is a strange one, and seldom seen in the wild. Dale
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Group: Moderator
Post: 2,033 (561 liked)
Join date: April 2014
Status: Long, long time Contax and Yashica user; glad to be here and hope to contribute.
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on Jun 2, 2021 15:46:45 GMT
Posted: Jun 2, 2021 15:46:45 GMT
A very interesting find! Although the lens features in our list of known Yashica lenses, I've never seen one. Fascinating - thank you for sharing it with us.
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Group: Administrator
Post: 770 (71 liked)
Join date: August 2016
Status:
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on Jun 2, 2021 18:09:07 GMT
Posted: Jun 2, 2021 18:09:07 GMT
A very nice looking lens -- and strangely familiar. It makes me wonder under what other brand names Universal Optical Industries' lenses were sold.
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Group: Administrator
Post: 1,369 (301 liked)
Join date: February 2017
Status: Failed treatment for L.B.A. and G.A.S,
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on Jun 2, 2021 21:28:56 GMT
Posted: Jun 2, 2021 21:28:56 GMT
A very nice looking lens -- and strangely familiar. It makes me wonder under what other brand names Universal Optical Industries' lenses were sold. A fragment of memory tells me there's a link to both CPC for 3rd Party lens distribution (ala', Vivitar) and some rebranding and/or budget lines for major makers under their OEM names. I'm leaning towards Minolta and Olympus, but I'll have to dig a bit to firm that idea up.
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Group: Administrator
Post: 770 (71 liked)
Join date: August 2016
Status:
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on Jun 2, 2021 22:53:51 GMT
Last Edit: Jun 3, 2021 12:33:11 GMT by xkaes
Toward the end of Minolta's manual-focus lens manufacturing, they had, at least, some zoom lenses made by Tokina (very nice) and Cosina (not as nice). At the time, Seagull in China was making the last of the Minolta SLR cameras, and also making at least the 50mm f1.7 lens. It's quite possible that much of Minolta's other manual-focus lenses of that time were made by Seagull as well -- and perhaps Universal and/or others.
It's easy to spot the Tokina & Cosina-made Minolta lenses because they were also sold under the Tokina & Cosina labels -- for Minolta and many other cameras, including C/Y. I've never tried to make the same sort of match-up with Seagull or Universal's lenses -- which perhaps could have been found under different names, such as Phoenix.
I'll keep my eye open.
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Group: Administrator
Post: 1,369 (301 liked)
Join date: February 2017
Status: Failed treatment for L.B.A. and G.A.S,
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on Jun 3, 2021 11:14:24 GMT
Posted: Jun 3, 2021 11:14:24 GMT
I was totally off the mark on any ties to CPC... they had a relationship to Pentax, and were reportedly own by them. The bits I've managed to pull together so far on Universal are in a separate thread.
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