Yashica ML 50mm f2

Now, imagine you could have swirly bokeh, great colors and contrast, multi coating, the sharpness of the famous Auto Yashinon 5cm f2, modern handling, all in a tiny and light package for nearly nothing. Impossible? No.

The Yashica ML 50mm f2 is possibly the most underrated 50mm lens in the vintage optics world.

It is beyond me how this optic is not as talked about as much as the usual suspects, because I find it more interesting than some digital lenses comparable in sharpness. This lens surprises me every time I use it for how easy it is to handle and manually focus with.

Perhaps the plastic top is what deceives a lot of people, because the optical quality of this lens is up there with the best, it is almost a more modern version of the Yashinon 5cm f2 without the limitations but with all the quirky traits, even though the lens colors cannot be compared to those of the Yashinon 5cm f2.

The flares have an orange color and they are well controlled thanks to the lens multi coating.

The Yashica ML 50mm f2 is also one the most compact vintage 50mm lenses around.

Why use the Yashica ML 50mm f2:

1) Superior sharpness

2) Colors and contrast

3) Beautiful rendering in both color and black and white

4) "Swirly" bokeh

5) Compact and light

6) Multi coated

7) Bright enough aperture for low light shooting situations

Weaknesses:

Average minimum focusing distance of 0.5m