Yashica Yashinon 50mm f/1.8

Yashica Yashinon 50mm f/1.8

The Yashica Yashinon 50mm f/1.8 is a fast Japanese standard lens produced for the Yashica YF Leica screw-mount rangefinder. It was the earlier-marked version of the lens later sold as the Super-Yashinon 5cm f/1.8. Surviving examples are engraved Yashinon 1:1.8 f=5cm and use the Leica L39 / LTM / M39 screw mount with rangefinder coupling [1].

The lens uses a six-element, five-group optical construction with nine straight aperture blades. It focuses to approximately 1.05 metres, accepts 43mm filters and measures approximately 50mm in diameter by 41.5mm in length. A documented example weighs 246 grams [1]. CameraQuest similarly records an f/1.8 to f/22 aperture range, a close-focusing distance of approximately 3.5 feet and a 43mm filter fitting [2].

The Yashinon and Super-Yashinon should be separated for collector and price tracking because the engraving and observed serial-number periods differ. Current research indicates that the plain Yashinon name appeared first, followed later by Super-Yashinon branding. However, no confirmed optical redesign has been established. Both versions share the same documented 6/5 formula, nine-blade diaphragm, dimensions and external appearance [1].

Early observed Yashinon lenses use serial prefixes 595, 596 and most of the 597 sequence. The later Super-Yashinon name appears toward the end of the 597 sequence and throughout the 5910 and 5911 sequences. The exact transition point within the 597 prefix is not fully established, so the front-ring engraving remains the safest identification feature [1].

This entry covers lenses explicitly engraved Yashinon, including the photographed serial 5950288 example. Lenses engraved Super-Yashinon should remain connected to the separate Super-Yashinon 50mm f/1.8 entry. An L39-to-M adapter is an accessory and does not change the lens mount or model identity.

Optical qualities

Rendering

The Yashinon 50mm f/1.8 is a fast standard lens with classic late-1950s Japanese rangefinder rendering. Contemporary testing of the Yashica YF praised the lens for strong sharpness and low flare when stopped down, while noting mild softness at maximum aperture [3].

The six-element, five-group design is generally understood as a double-Gauss-derived arrangement. It provides a balance of speed, compactness and relatively smooth tonal transitions without the higher correction levels associated with later multicoated standard lenses.

Sharpness

At f/1.8, the lens can show reduced contrast and gentler fine-detail rendering. Central definition improves as the lens is stopped down, with stronger overall clarity at medium apertures.

Performance depends heavily on the condition of the individual lens. Haze, cleaning marks, coating wear, internal reflections and inaccurate rangefinder adjustment can significantly reduce sharpness and contrast.

Contrast and color

The lens uses amber-coloured coatings documented on both Yashinon and Super-Yashinon examples [1]. Clean examples can deliver good contrast for their period, although the coatings remain more susceptible to strong backlight than modern multicoated optics.

A 45mm slip-on hood was available and is useful for controlling side light and protecting the front element [1].

Bokeh and transitions

The 50mm focal length and f/1.8 maximum aperture allow moderate background separation at closer distances. The nine-blade diaphragm helps retain a rounded aperture shape through much of the aperture range.

Out-of-focus rendering depends on subject distance and background structure. The lens should be described as a vintage fast standard lens rather than as a specialist shallow-focus optic.

Distortion and vignetting

No reliable measured distortion figures were found. Some corner falloff can be expected at maximum aperture and should decrease after stopping down.

The symmetrical standard-lens construction generally avoids the more pronounced geometric distortion associated with compact wide-angle rangefinder lenses.

Handling

The lens has an infinity lock and a focusing lever, features typical of Leica screw-mount rangefinder lenses of the period. It focuses from approximately 1.05 metres to infinity and provides aperture settings from f/1.8 to f/22 [1] [2].

Its compact black and chrome barrel matches the styling of the Yashica YF. It can be mounted directly on Leica screw-mount cameras or fitted to Leica M bodies using an appropriate L39-to-M adapter.

Digital use

The lens can be adapted to Leica M digital cameras and mirrorless bodies. It has no six-bit coding or electronic communication.

On rangefinder cameras, coupling accuracy should be checked at f/1.8. Mirrorless live view provides a practical alternative when the lens or adapter is not perfectly calibrated.

History

Development and Launch

Yashica introduced the YF rangefinder in 1959 after acquiring Nicca Camera Company. The YF was a refined Leica screw-mount rangefinder and was commonly supplied with the 5cm f/1.8 Yashinon [3].

Period advertisements and testing indicate that the YF and f/1.8 lens were marketed internationally from late 1959 into 1960. The camera’s production run was brief as the market shifted rapidly toward 35mm SLR cameras [3].

Production Evolution

The earliest standard f/1.8 lenses were engraved Yashinon. Later examples were renamed Super-Yashinon, apparently during the second half of YF lens production [1].

Observed serial prefixes appear in the following approximate order:

• 595
• 596
• 597
• 5910
• 5911

Plain Yashinon branding dominates the 595, 596 and earlier 597 sequences. Super-Yashinon appears among the latest 597 examples and throughout the 5910 and 5911 sequences [1].

No firm evidence currently proves that the branding change introduced a new optical formula. Both versions are documented with six elements in five groups, nine straight aperture blades and the same dimensions [1].

Special Editions/Variants

No commemorative factory special edition is documented.

Collector-relevant variations include:

• Yashinon front-ring engraving, this entry.
• Super-Yashinon front-ring engraving, separate later entry.
• Feet-focused examples marked “Feet”.
• Less common metric-scale examples marked “Meter”.
• Variations in serial prefix and manufacturer wording.
• Complete sets with original YF camera, hood, filter, caps and case.

Collector Notes

The front-ring engraving is the most reliable way to distinguish this entry from the Super-Yashinon. A lens marked only Yashinon should remain here even when a seller incorrectly calls it Super-Yashinon.

Collectors should record the serial number, distance scale, filter thread, focusing lever and infinity lock. Important condition checks include haze, fungus, cleaning marks, coating damage, oily aperture blades, stiff focusing and rangefinder-coupling accuracy.

Special editions

No confirmed factory special edition is documented.

Known versions and related lenses include:

• Yashica Yashinon 50mm f/1.8, early engraved version, this entry.
• Yashica Super-Yashinon 50mm f/1.8, later renamed version, separate entry.
• Feet-scale Yashinon examples.
• Less common metric-scale Yashinon examples.
• Examples supplied with the Yashica YF rangefinder.
• Examples sold with an L39-to-M adapter, accessory only.
• Yashica Yashikor 50mm f/2, separate and much rarer standard lens.
• Yashica Yashikor 50mm f/2.8, slower and optically separate lens.

Sources

• [1] Leica Copies Japan. Yashica YE & YF Rangefinder Cameras, Standard YF 5cm f/1.8 Yashinon and Super-Yashinon Lenses. https://leica-copies-japan.com/YE%26YF.html
• [2] CameraQuest. Yashica YF. https://cameraquest.com/yashiyf.htm
• [3] Mike Eckman. Yashica YF, 1959. https://mikeeckman.com/2024/07/yashica-yf-1959/
• [4] The Lens DB. Yashica Yashinon 50mm f/1.8. https://thelensdb.com/lenses/yashica-yashinon-50mm-f18-1959
• [5] Lens-DB. Yashica Super-Yashinon 50mm f/1.8 LSM. https://lens-db.com/yashica-super-yashinon-50mm-f18-lsm-1959/