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on Mar 5, 2017 14:18:47 GMT
Posted: Mar 5, 2017 14:18:47 GMT
I have completely ignored the Yashica AF range as I have never taken to the very plastic appearance of the 230 AF with its dedicated flash attached. However, I feel I should overcome such a superficial prejudice and try the system but I'd appreciate some advice from users of the glass.
I see that there are 2 versions of the 35-70 f3.3-4.5 macro, a standard version and a C (presumably Compact) type; is there a build quality or performance advantage in one of them? Comments from experienced users would be welcomed.
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on Mar 5, 2017 14:35:48 GMT
Posted: Mar 5, 2017 14:35:48 GMT
Good idea! I've had a mind to open a thread on those AF lenses for quite some time, Graham, as at least some of them indeed deserve closer consideration. As to your question, I have no experience with the C version of the 35-70mm zoom. The normal kit-zoom version is a decent lens to my mind, no more, no less. The best Yashica AF zoom I've used so far is the 28-85mm -- a very good lens with a very useful range and distortion well controlled at both ends. The primes are superb lenses anyway, and all of them have a pleasantly solid feel to them -- quite different from the camera bodies... I guess you know the article by Ibraar Hussein on the Yashica AF system? linkMichael
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on Mar 5, 2017 15:07:52 GMT
Posted: Mar 5, 2017 15:07:52 GMT
Thank you Michael,
I only discovered Ibraar Hussein's article earlier today; it was kind of you to supply the link as I forgot to save it.
I've just bought the 35-70 standard version and the big 70-210 f4.5 but will be looking to grab some of the primes shortly - I've my eye on a couple but the 24mm and 60mm are the ones to hunt for I gather. I'm also curious to see how good the 75-300 and 80-200 are. I gather the best zoom is the 28-85 you mention though I've also seen a lot of positive comments about the 35-105. In terms of cameras, I understand the 230 is the only one to get; the other important acquisition would be the 1.6x Converter so ML lenses can also be used on the 230 AF.
Another Yashica learning experience coming up...
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on Mar 5, 2017 15:25:11 GMT
Last Edit: Mar 5, 2017 15:28:44 GMT by Deleted
Yes, absolutely -- and unfortunately so as the 270 and 300 look much nicer design-wise...
I happen to own this converter yet I am not totally convinced of its usefulness. On the one hand, it really works, and it is certainly fascinating to see, say, a Zeiss Planar operate in auto-focus mode!The downsides are, of course, the loss of speed and IQ and a gain in focal length that I find less than practical in most cases. Take the above-mentioned Planar 1.4/50 as an example; I haven't done any serious comparative testing, but I would assume that with the converter you'll get a portrait lens of average speed and good, but not outstanding quality which would not mean much of an improvement--if any--over Yashica's dedicated AF zooms.
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on Mar 5, 2017 18:34:02 GMT
Posted: Mar 5, 2017 18:34:02 GMT
Hmmm, thank you for the warning about the converter... Maybe I'll leave that to one side for the moment.
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on Mar 6, 2017 3:39:38 GMT
Posted: Mar 6, 2017 3:39:38 GMT
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on Mar 6, 2017 22:20:50 GMT
Posted: Mar 6, 2017 22:20:50 GMT
You got me all eager to use my 230-AF more often, guys! But I must confess that I simply have too many cameras, and too little time, to do that right now...
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on Mar 7, 2017 2:35:16 GMT
Posted: Mar 7, 2017 2:35:16 GMT
I've some to the conclusion that it's the favorites that get all the attention, and the other cams only come out to play when someone asks about them.
PF
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on Mar 13, 2017 22:11:08 GMT
Posted: Mar 13, 2017 22:11:08 GMT
That's true, PF. But often I am grateful to be reminded of those Cinderellas collecting dust somewhere on my shelf and take quite some pleasure in using them again.
@graham How's your research into the AF system going so far?
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on Mar 13, 2017 22:37:54 GMT
Last Edit: Mar 13, 2017 22:38:40 GMT by biggles3
Hi Michael,
Slow but steady... As of today, I have a 50mm, 28-85, 35-70, 35-70 C, 70-210 4.5, 75-300 and 2 AF 230 bodies as well as a couple of CS-250 flash units. On their way: 24mm, 28-70 Power Zoom, 70-210 Power Zoom, 80-200, 2 MA-8.5 Extension Tubes and an AF 300. I have yet to acquire the 60mm (low possibility), 28mm or the 35-105, although this lens is fairly easy to find. For the moment, I'm not contemplating buying the compact 28-70 and 70-210 lenses or the AF 200 and you have dissuaded me from targeting the 1.6x Converter.
Once fully assembled, I'll then start assessing their relative qualities. I'm quite liking the AF 230's handling although I have yet to run film through one. Given their age, the AF is pretty quick which has been a good surprise...
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on Mar 14, 2017 21:14:13 GMT
Posted: Mar 14, 2017 21:14:13 GMT
Well, we all have to start somewhere... I'm still waiting on the 24mm and the two Power Zooms. How long it may take to find a 60mm Macro heaven alone knows...
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on Mar 14, 2017 23:41:32 GMT
Posted: Mar 14, 2017 23:41:32 GMT
That's an impressive line-up! Let's see what is sitting on my shelves ... there's the 28mm and 50mm primes plus the converter, the f3.5-4.5 28-70mm, the 28-85mm macro, the f4.5 70-210mm, the f4-5.6 70-210 macro and the f4-4.8 80-200mm. According to olypedia, the f3.5-4.5 28-70mm was produced by Sigma. The 60mm macro is, of course, the holy grail. I once saw one on eBay but did not want to buy it at the price the seller demanded (round about 100 euros if I'm not mistaken). Given the fact that all of these lenses (except the converter) cost me next to nothing, this was a downright idiotic thing to do...
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on Mar 14, 2017 23:57:08 GMT
Posted: Mar 14, 2017 23:57:08 GMT
That's an impressive line-up! Let's see what is sitting on my shelves ... there's the 28mm and 50mm primes plus the converter, the f3.5-4.5 28-70mm, the 28-85mm macro, the f4.5 70-210mm, the f4-5.6 70-210 macro and the f4-4.8 80-200mm. According to olypedia, the f3.5-4.5 28-70mm was produced by Sigma. The 60mm macro is, of course, the holy grail. I once saw one on eBay but did not want to buy it at the price the seller demanded (round about 100 euros if I'm not mistaken). Given the fact that all of these lenses (except the converter) cost me next to nothing, this was a downright idiotic thing to do... It appears that you have an impressive selection of Yashica AF gear too!
How do you rate the 28mm? As I've now grabbed a 24mm, I was not intending to buy it but if it's a really good quality lens, I'll change my mind as there's one for sale near me for very little money.
100 Euros for the 60mm - a bit of a bargain I suspect... I sold a spare copy of the ancient Tomioka Yashinon 60mm Macro for 185 Euros last month and from reading, the AF 60mm is pretty close to the Tomioka legend in terms of image quality. I hope I eventually find one as I'm very curious to test it.
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on Mar 15, 2017 0:21:00 GMT
Posted: Mar 15, 2017 0:21:00 GMT
"For very little money"? - Get it. We only live once.
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on Mar 16, 2017 0:47:02 GMT
Posted: Mar 16, 2017 0:47:02 GMT
In lieu of the 60mm macro lens I just bought the MA-85 extension tube from a French eBay seller. It was the only one offered at a reasonable price. I'm anxious to see how well it works (and how much 'macro' it affords with the 1.8/50 lens). BTW shouldn't we rename this thread to match the more general direction it has taken (or rather, I have hi-jacked it to )?
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