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on Apr 15, 2017 15:10:19 GMT
Posted: Apr 15, 2017 15:10:19 GMT
Hello all, Got a new toy from Ebay, a bag with Yashica 230-AF body, 3 zoom lenses and the original flash unit. I think the 35-70mm was part of the standard kit, a 70-210mm and a 35-105mm (do not understand the purpose for this one having the other two to cover the same range). I'm not much into auto focus but the low price was decisive, at least I could try it without an impact to my wallet. The camera is ulgy as hell, especially with the flash on, but it is ugly in a "80's style" way and that makes it kind of a beauty. All the buttons, levers and switches are in a crazy position, and the first impression is of a cheap plastic, maybe because the also strange blue-grey color. The lenses on the other side, have a heavy metalic feel, as well constructed, do not know much about the glass and I do not have any other similar zoom to compare results in the future. Tested the camera by improvising a Frankenstein battery using tin-foil, tape and a CR-P2 battery, and works OK in all exposure modes, shutter works and speeds sound accurate, and autofocus seems to work fine too with the 3 lenses. Loaded an old exposed 36 exp roll, automatic film advance and rewind work OK too. Now, while writing this I realize that forgot to test the self-timer.  After the Easter holydays I will buy a proper battery, load some film and do a field test. Any advices about using this camera? |
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on Apr 15, 2017 16:20:34 GMT
Posted: Apr 15, 2017 16:20:34 GMT
None in particular, ariel. Except testing the flash unit perhaps. Of course it cannot replace a proper flash, but it's sufficient to serve as a fill-in, which I find quite useful at times, especially in the summer.
I'd be especially interested in how the 35-105mm works as I would expect it to be the best of your set of lenses (just a hunch though).
Have fun with your new baby!
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on Apr 15, 2017 17:59:04 GMT
Posted: Apr 15, 2017 17:59:04 GMT
None in particular, ariel. Except testing the flash unit perhaps. Of course it cannot replace a proper flash, but it's sufficient to serve as a fill-in, which I find quite useful at times, especially in the summer. I'd be especially interested in how the 35-105mm works as I would expect it to be the best of your set of lenses (just a hunch though). Have fun with your new baby! Thanks gentlegiant, just few minutes ago installed again the battery and tested the self-timer and the flash unit, both work OK. As you, I think the 35-105mm is the best and most versatile lesn of the kit, let's wait and see the results.  |
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on Apr 15, 2017 19:52:13 GMT
Posted: Apr 15, 2017 19:52:13 GMT
I hope you have the instruction manual for the camera as it's quite a complex and versatile unit; if you don't have it, thankfully it's available online. It is worth studying to get the most out of the camera; another good thing about Ebay is that it's a good, low cost source for the 2CR5 battery needed for correct operation of the camera and lenses. Use of the flash will noticeably drain the battery so if you get the chance, grab a CS-240AF or CS-250AF flash as they're more powerful, don't drain the camera battery, and offer full Auto TTL flash-metering.
You are quite correct about it being ugly, especially with that CS-110AF flash attached, though it looks better in the darker, graphite version. gentlegiant is absolutely right about the 35-105 being the best of your lenses - you will find it's a real gem and very sharp; AF response is pretty good given the age of the system and its macro capability is pretty good too. If you enjoy the images your new kit produces, you might want to look at a couple of prime lenses - the 50 1.8 and 28 2.8 are both good performers - nice and snappy AF and pretty sharp. Sadly the two star lenses - the 24m and 60mm macro - are rare and now very expensive. There are two other star performers: the 28-85 and the 75-300 though with the latter, try to find one without zoom creep which is a common problem - it's an irritant though it doesn't stop the lens from producing excellent results. The 80-200 is a good lens too but don't buy the 2 Power Zooms as they offer no benefit to the 230AF user - they can only work in powered mode with the 300AF camera. Sigma also made a few lenses for the Yashica AF system and they include one missing prime - a long telephoto: the 400mm f5.6.
So, if you enjoy the system, with 2 more purchases you can cover the range from 28mm to 300mm without a serious outlay of cash; to cover the maximum range of 24mm to 400mm will probably cost quite a bit though. As for the 60mm Macro, well, you might get lucky but be prepared to pay a lot for it; a cheaper though lesser option is to find the MA-85 Extension Tube and if you can, grab more than one! You can piggy-back them to give you greater magnification without slowing the AF and the TTL flash will still work although you might be wise to pick up a Contax TLA Extension Cable to permit off-camera flash use for macro work.
So to sum up, the camera: ugly - yes but a very good build quality and very versatile. The lenses - a full range from 24mm to 400mm available in the AF mount - and a few real crackers in there. Apart from their aesthetics, what's not to like?! |
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on Apr 16, 2017 3:21:39 GMT
Last Edit: Apr 16, 2017 3:23:04 GMT by ridgeblue99
With the CS-110AF attached, I always think it looks like one of those plastic-fantastic "Optical Glass Lens" cameras with the non-focusing single meniscus lens, and fake pentaprism. In fact, I did see one of those knock-offs that looked quite a bit like the 230AF.
But if you can get beyond that, it is a well made camera. The only functional one I've gotten though is a different matter, but it led a rough life before coming to me. I got the 270 to replace the 230, as it has a more modern looking body. But if I had a decent 230, I'd definitely lose the CS-110AF, and mount one of the other flashes. Have fun with it, Ariel. The 35-105 will quickly become your main lens.
PF
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on Apr 16, 2017 19:05:20 GMT
Posted: Apr 16, 2017 19:05:20 GMT
biggles3 , thanks for such detailed explanation and information, I'm taking notes . I have the manual, already read it and there are a lot of options and configurations with this camera, will take some time and practice to take advantage of all its functions. Regarding the prime lenses, I will wait to see if I find myself confortable using this system before thinking about prime lenses, but for sure here is the first time I read about the 60mm one, not even saw it available on Ebay, the most popular are the zooms, the 50mm and the 28mm. For sure the only thing I do not like at all of this camera is the change of the mount, making imposible to use the traditional C/Y mount prime lenses that I already have. ridgeblue99 , one advantage of the the CS-110AF is the size and no need for extra battery, easy to carry and useful as fill-in flash as gentlegiant commented before. After all the comments about the 35-105mm now I can't wait to go out there and test it.
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on Apr 16, 2017 23:19:30 GMT
Posted: Apr 16, 2017 23:19:30 GMT
Well, ariel, as you may have gathered from the manual, there is actually a converter/adapter unit for C/Y lenses, but I'm somewhat doubtful as to the image quality it may provide since it involves a 1.6-fold extension of the lenses' focal range, plus extra glass, plus the resulting loss of two f-stops. I intend to test it with film one of these days but, frankly, I don't expect too much from it--I'd be very glad if I was proved wrong, of course.
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on Apr 18, 2017 19:13:41 GMT
Posted: Apr 18, 2017 19:13:41 GMT
Well, ariel, as you may have gathered from the manual, there is actually a converter/adapter unit for C/Y lenses, but I'm somewhat doubtful as to the image quality it may provide since it involves a 1.6-fold extension of the lenses' focal range, plus extra glass, plus the resulting loss of two f-stops. I intend to test it with film one of these days but, frankly, I don't expect too much from it--I'd be very glad if I was proved wrong, of course. Thanks for the info, I was aware of the adapter, but I would like know the excuse used to justify the change of mount system (something very common in the AF era), for sure was not because some technical issue with the old mount or an improvement, proof of that was Nikon keeping the same mount system in despite of the new AF technology. |
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on Apr 19, 2017 2:08:28 GMT
Posted: Apr 19, 2017 2:08:28 GMT
Well, ariel, as you may have gathered from the manual, there is actually a converter/adapter unit for C/Y lenses, but I'm somewhat doubtful as to the image quality it may provide since it involves a 1.6-fold extension of the lenses' focal range, plus extra glass, plus the resulting loss of two f-stops. I intend to test it with film one of these days but, frankly, I don't expect too much from it--I'd be very glad if I was proved wrong, of course. Thanks for the info, I was aware of the adapter, but I would like know the excuse used to justify the change of mount system (something very common in the AF era), for sure was not because some technical issue with the old mount or an improvement, proof of that was Nikon keeping the same mount system in despite of the new AF technology. It usually had to do with the new AF system not being able to fit within the confines of the original mount. Nikon and Pentax took the most logical steps toward fitting theirs. The others had to come up with something different, though you could always make the argument that Canon, Minolta, and Yashica are quite similar in execution of design, with the latter two being almost interchangeable. Still, it meant the throat of the camera had to be made wider. PF |
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on Apr 29, 2017 20:26:48 GMT
Posted: Apr 29, 2017 20:26:48 GMT
Well, I went for a field test with the 35-105mm and the 70-210mm and here the results: Album 35-105mmAlbum 70-210mmI'm very satisfied with the results and with the camera, easy to handle and use, autofocus has its advantages, the 35-105mm is very versatile and the 70-210mm is sharper than expected. |
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on Apr 29, 2017 22:52:30 GMT
Last Edit: May 1, 2017 1:21:42 GMT by Deleted
I'm very satisfied with the results (...) ...and rightfully so, Ariel, these are fine shots! That 70-210 indeed seems quite capable (too bad it doesn't allow close focusing). Tomorrow I shall do some scans from the 230-AF too (with the 28-85mm mostly) but I don't expect too much from them as the complete slide film came out over-exposed by one or two f-stops, plus, I didn't manage to get one sharp image from the 1.8/50mm + extension ring combo...  I've got another 230-AF body and will give it another try... <sigh!> |
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on May 1, 2017 0:43:40 GMT
Posted: May 1, 2017 0:43:40 GMT
Very nice results, Ariel.
PF
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on May 1, 2017 7:40:02 GMT
Posted: May 1, 2017 7:40:02 GMT
...That 70-210 indeed seems quite capable (too bad it doesn't allow close focusing). Yes, the 70-210 was a nice surprise, usually zooms are not so sharp, or at least in my experience so far, and because the size it is no so comfortable to wear hanging from the neck, but the size and weight helps for a firm grip and to stabilize when shooting. ...Tomorrow I shall do some scans from the 230-AF too (with the 28-85mm mostly) but I don't expect too much from them as the complete slide film came out over-exposed by one or two f-stops, plus, I didn't manage to get one sharp image from the 1.8/50mm + extension ring combo... I've got another 230-AF body and will give it another try... <sigh!> Well, you can always use your box of tricks and do some corrections in the darkroom, or with the digital postprocess. What was exactly the problem with the extension ring? Very nice results, Ariel. PF Thanks, all the merits to the camera and lenses, now the next test will be with the 35-70mm. |
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on May 1, 2017 11:44:06 GMT
Posted: May 1, 2017 11:44:06 GMT
I used slide film, Ariel, so there are not too many tricks in my box.  Initially I thought I had somehow accidentally gotten the camera into spot-metering mode, but that's not very likely. On closer inspection I get the impression that DOF on those slides is rather shallow so I strongly suspect that the diaphragm did not close fast enough. I had this problem with some non-AF lenses with oily aperture blades already. Sounds like bad news because I like the 28-85mm lens a lot. As to the screwed-up macros I guess the issue was camera shake, plain and simple. My fault, should have used a tripod or a monopod at least. Michael |
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on Oct 3, 2017 8:35:51 GMT
Posted: Oct 3, 2017 8:35:51 GMT
Damn Guys, because of Michael and Alex, i couldn't resist! Yesterday evening, i was into the basement, and you know what? I've found the 35-70, and 28-70 AF Yashica Lenses. But no Body to test it. So, today, i have pulled the trigger. I got myself the 50/1.8 AF, the 70-210/4.5 AF, and will also (for my Icarex 35S) get new Film from fotoimpex.de (Germany's best & finest Film Ressource btw - if they don't have it, you possible won't get it anywhere)..and would look, how the Pictures come out then...i must admit, even i have had that Yashica 230 AF before into ca. 90-93 (yes, it came out into 1987, i do know this quite well - but at this time, i've had a FR and few ML lenses ...i was depressed about the abysmal haptics & design of the Body, and used it perhaps only a couple times...i must admit, i haven't known that the "Cyclop" like FlashUnit onto the 230 AF was detachable...so, because i never use flash, only natural light...the Body looks albeit way boxy, way better now for me... thanks Michael & Alex, and you Guys here....i would give it a run again..when it's being here. ;-) I'd update you in some couple months, promised! |
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