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on Jan 23, 2017 11:34:09 GMT
Last Edit: Jan 23, 2017 13:50:46 GMT by biggles3
Although the DS-M 55 1.2 remains beyond my reach (and my pocket - to buy the DS-M 55 1.2, I'd have to sell two of my MLs!), I managed to grab this f1.4 gem a few days ago.
I'll post some outdoor shots taken through it soon but I've taken some equipment reference photos indoors with it wide open and it's amazingly sharp and full of contrast. Looking at the lens, I'm strongly reminded of the 50 1.4 ML and I now suspect the DS-M multi-coating is virtually the same as the ML - it is superior to the DSB and I only just discovered that the somewhat limited DS-M range was still being produced as the ML lenses were introduced. Indeed, in 1976, Yashica was marketing both M42 and C/Y cameras at the same time - I'll upload some scans in the SLR section later.
I managed to check some 1976 UK photo magazines and found some fascinating advertisements which showed the prices of the lenses being sold with the TL Electro - the 55 1.2 (DS rather than DS-M) was only around £60 with the 1.4 about £42. The f1.2 would have been a pretty good investment.... Here's one of a large number of retailer ads for some Yashica M42 gear:
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on Jan 28, 2017 20:00:31 GMT
Posted: Jan 28, 2017 20:00:31 GMT
> the DS 55 1.2
Did anybody actually _see_ this DS 55/1.2 or even own it? Never came across one of these, only the DS-M version
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on Jan 29, 2017 1:18:27 GMT
Posted: Jan 29, 2017 1:18:27 GMT
Lenses are made to be used, not to invest in.... They are tools, which one can enjoy.
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on Jan 29, 2017 12:59:06 GMT
Posted: Jan 29, 2017 12:59:06 GMT
> the DS 55 1.2 Did anybody actually _see_ this DS 55/1.2 or even own it? Never came across one of these, only the DS-M version You are quite correct; the DS never did exist and it's anyone's guess on proper reflection whether the advertisement refers to the DS-M or what is commonly referred to as the DX. Having said that, although there are innumerable references on the internet to a Tomioka Auto Yashinon DX 55 1.2, that lens never existed either! Our lens list is correct in identifying two Yashinon-branded 55 1.2s - the Tomioka Auto Yashinon and the Tomioka Auto Yashinon DS-M; interestingly, the ML was the first and only Yashica-branded version.
As a side note, for those who rate Tomioka very highly it should be pointed out that 55 1.2 lenses with the same optical formula sold under the brands of Chinon, Revuenon and Cosinon are not universally made by Tomioka; only if the lens carries the Tomioka name is it genuine Tomioka manufactured glass. Those branded Tominon are all Tomioka-made as that was their own brand. I have often seen lenses being advertised as 'Tomioka', the provenance for which is doubtful at best.
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on Jan 31, 2017 14:20:58 GMT
Posted: Jan 31, 2017 14:20:58 GMT
This is very well said, but I feel obliged to add that some Tomioka-licensed glass can suprise you with it's quality. Even the often badly reputed Porst 55 1.2 is occasionally known to be tac-sharp. I gues Tomioka's sample variation is much smaller though.
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on Feb 15, 2017 15:24:27 GMT
Last Edit: Feb 15, 2017 15:28:57 GMT by lenslover
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on Feb 15, 2017 17:03:08 GMT
Last Edit: Feb 15, 2017 17:03:49 GMT by biggles3
Hi lenslover,
Thanks for the Ebay listings; that DS-M version has been in my Watch List for the last 2 months as it was the only multi-coated Yashinon version of the lens but the seller is demanding top, top money; post-Brexit, it's got about 15% more costly along with all other non-UK purchases!
There are quite a few Tomioka-made 55mm f1.2s available for about 60% of the DS-M's price but I need the DS-M for a direct comparison with my ML as I've read somewhere that the DS-M coating on the f1.2 is identical to the ML version.
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on Feb 16, 2017 18:45:12 GMT
Last Edit: Feb 16, 2017 18:50:04 GMT by lenslover
I'd wish for having a Yashica ML 55/1.2 someday, but i'm getting old w/o i can afford it...and the prices are ridiculous, for sure. A Minolta MC Rokkor 58/1.2 would be cheaper, and does also have it's very own kind of rendering images.
At some stage of being produced, the DS-M 55/1.2 production line faded out, whileas the ML 55/1.2 was being introduced/forced, so i'd say it's being ordinary, that into the transition time, besides the Lens Body/Front Ring the Lenses at least from a MC Coating point of view, could be quite sure being the same, to reduce costs into the production workflow.
For instance, i've bought back a very long time ago, a Minolta SRT-101 with a Rokkor PF 55/1.4 being used...that lens is around ~40-45 years old, can be had way cheap these days, but it's also different from rendering style like a usual, tack-sharp nifty-fifty lens...and i do like it.
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on Feb 17, 2017 10:06:29 GMT
Posted: Feb 17, 2017 10:06:29 GMT
Hi lenslover,
I'm not familiar with the PF 55mm f1.4 though I have seen a 58mm version. The MC Rokkor 58mm f1.2 you mention has quite a fan base and is an affordable route to trying a very fast lens that is of top quality; I've never owned or used one but I do have their 50mm f1.2 which renders almost identically to the Yashica ML.
I remain in hope, though not expectation, that one day someone will place a DS-M 55/1.2 for auction which will finally give us the real market value for the lens...
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