Yashica 50mm f/1.7 Auto Yashinon-DX M42 Screw Mount Lens Review

The Yashica 50mm f/1.7 Auto Yashinon-DX is a vintage M42 screw mount lens originally designed for film cameras in the 1960s and 70s. With its fast f/1.7 maximum aperture and classic manual focus operation, it represents a typical nifty fifty from the M42 era, a mount system that remains popular with adapters on modern mirrorless cameras. This particular lens is available on the used market through KEH at around $60, offered in condition grades ranging from bargain to excellent.

As a legacy optic, the Yashinon-DX appeals to shooters looking for vintage character on a budget, adaptable to Sony E-mount, Fujifilm X-mount, Micro Four Thirds, and other mirrorless systems with inexpensive M42 adapters. The 52mm filter thread is a standard size, making accessory compatibility straightforward. Build quality reflects mid-century Japanese manufacturing, typically all-metal construction with a smooth aperture ring and focus throw suited to deliberate manual work. Optical performance on modern sensors will depend heavily on condition and sample variation, common traits of any decades-old glass.