Yashica ML 50mm 1:1.4 vs Yashica ML 50mm 1:1.9 – comparison

Published by Tony on 2021-06-132021-06-13

Yashica 50mm ML lenses comparison – Yashica ML 50mm 1:1.4 vs Yashica ML 50mm 1:1.9

• Yashica ML 50mm 1:1.4 (ML)
• Yashica ML 50mm 1:1.9 (ML)

Yashica has done a lot for the photography industry, this is one of the companies that should not be underestimated. We currently have two excellent lenses from this company in testing.

Both lenses for the test was provided by Egor Nikolaev (Егор Николаев) – many thanks and greetings.

This comparison is correct only for conditions and equipment used for tests. Test results can differ if any element is changed.

Tested lenses reviews

Yashica ML 50mm 1:1.4 vs Yashica ML 50mm 1:1.9 – comparison – sharpness/resolution

Long-distance test description

• Camera Sony A7II (24mpx, full frame) – RAW (ARW), tripod, A-mode, ISO 100, WB fixed, SteadyShot OFF, manual focus correction for every shot
• Targets (buildings) – fixed by gravity power on the distances in more than 200 meters
• ARW post-processing – Capture One, default settings, 100% crops 300×200 px

Scene preview

Test results

Short-distance test description

• Target: 10-15 cm picture, printed on glossy photo paper
• Distance: 1.7m
• Camera: Sony A7II (24mpx, full-frame, tripod, remote control). M-mode, ISO fixed, WB fixed, SteadyShot – OFF.
• The test was repeated for every F-stop on every focus position with manual focus adjustment for each shot. That is to avoid the effect of field curvature.
• RAW processing: Capture One, default settings. All quality settings – 100%. Crops – 300×200 px

Original target image (printed in horizontal orientation on 10cm X 15cm glossy photo paper)

Scene preview

Test results

Yashica ML 50mm 1:1.4 vs Yashica ML 50mm 1:1.9 – comparison – final conclusion

Firstly – both lenses became the same on F4. This result is quite standard for 50mm lenses. Also, we understand that F2 (or 1.9) – is an opened aperture for a 50/1.9 lens, and some leaks of resolution are possible. Usually, we can’t expect lenses to perform perfectly at full aperture (exclusions have existed but enough rare). But surprisingly 50/1.9 at this F2(1.9) aperture works to close the same as faster 50/1.4 – not so good in the middle position but better in the corner, so I would like to award a draw. At the last step, we are interested to sort it out with the F2.8 aperture. But on F2.8, the younger lens has no chance. Here, version 50/1.4 is gaining the same sharpness across the entire field of the frame. While the F1.9 version still has problems in the corners.

So the faster Yashica 50mm F1.4 wins. But not as much as one would expect from such different lenses.

By the way, the owner of these lenses told me that he chose this current ML 50/1.4 copy from the three available, and it was the sharpest one. I can’t vouch for it (didn’t see that tests), just think it’s worth mentioning it.