Good lens with macro function? The ML 35-105?..

misterv

A quick take on the 50mm f/2... Depending on your luck of the draw, that lens might end up to being a stunner. Not every copy will be one, but many of them are as sharp and as contrasty, and capable of great color renditions, as anything else made by Yashica - and - can rival the Zeiss glass of the same length. They may be plentiful and cheap, but they can be outstanding too when you get a good sample. A little 'swirly' sometimes, but nice optics overall.

As for the 35-105 question...

At roughly $35 (USD), that sounds like a reasonable enough price. A caveat of course, is that it's mechanically and optically functional.

There was an earlier thread about alternatives to the rare-er and often too-expensive 35-70mm f/3.5, and I posted about the 35-105mm as a possible candidate. That thread is here if you'd want to have a read and take a look at the pics. They were all taken on a Sony NEX-F3, with its 16.4MP APS-C sensor, so that would match your setup. They were all shot hand-held, with no stabilization, and easily handled. If memory serves, the focus peaking wasn't very strong as an indicator that the focus can be a bit soft overall. However, it's also possible to sharpen in post to be acceptable if you shoot RAW and have the software capable of doing it.

When it comes to the macro side of things, there's something to note when it comes to how the zooms handle focusing. This applies to every Yashica made macro zoom I have. The focus clarity will change if you set it and then modify the zoom length. If you zoom in or out at all, you'll usually need to refocus a bit. I'd hesitate to compare it to something like the C/Y Zeiss 35-70mm f/3.4 Vario-Sonnar, since that one requires it to be extended out to the 35mm zoom setting before you can even engage the macro function. Otherwise I'd call the Yashica versions as vario-focal-ish. The Yashica zooms using macro capabilities don't have the wide-end lock like the Zeiss, so you can engage the macro at any focal length. That means it can get a bit fidgety when you need to be hyper-critical about the focus at extremely close range and deal with a push-pull, one-touch lens.

Having said all that, it's possible to get some fairly nice results if you're patient and have deft fingers - and you're not limited to only one macro zoom. The 28-85mm ML is also macro capable, as well as the 35-70mm ML f/3.5-4.8, if you'd want to try the lowest end of the line, as-made by Cosina (IMHO... I'd pass on that one).

One point worth mentioning is the haze issue. It's probably better known with the 28-85, but both it and the 35-105 are constructed in a similar way. They aren't well sealed and can 'pump' air into the inner cavity between lens groups. This can agitate lubricants into off-gassing and contaminating the elements on both sides of that cavity. Three of the four 28-85's I've owned has had the haze issue to some extent. I've cleaned them all, but not everyone is comfortable in doing a tear-down for cleaning. [My write-up on tear-down/cleanup] One of three of the 35-105's I've owned had haze, but not severe enough that it required cleaning.

If your ultimate aim is in doing macros, there are a number of Yashica primes too. The 55mm ML f/2.8 and/or the 100mm ML f/4 are great. Although it's a pricier alternative, the Zeiss 35-70mm is another macro zoom alternative that's fantastic at the macro end. There's also the possibility of using macro tubes or bellows and/or a reversing ring with any lens you will/already have.

Other notable C/Y lenses on the wide side...

Average priced: Yashica 28mm ML 2.8, pricier: Yashica 24mm ML 2.8 or ML 35mm 2.8, even pricier: Zeiss Distagon 28mm 2.8, even higher $: Yashica 21mm ML f/4, or $$: is the Distagon 28mm f/2 (Hollywood). There are ultra-wide (rectilinear) and fisheye primes from both Yashica a Zeiss, but they'll usually be in the higher-dollar range of $600-750, up to several thousand.


An alternative ultra-wide zoom might be a C/Y Sigma 21-35mm f/3.5-4.2 - but - be prepared to clean up a (usually) sticky barrel with its degraded silicone coating, or getting a cleaned one with no barrel markings at all.

A few alternative sources for gear... posted here.

As this thread appears to be the most recent concerning the ML 35-105, I thought I'd place this unusual image here.





ML 35-105 special cap



Nothing odd about the lens or case but as you can see, the front cap is of a type I've not seen before although this is from Japan and many Yashica/Contax items were exclusive to that territory. I also note that the rear cap is non-standard.

Has anyone here got front caps that carry the same Contax/Zeiss logo for a Yashica ML lens?