Color-Yashinon DX 35mm f1.8 Rangefinder Lens

The pictures in this article is made possible by the generosity of David of France, who sent it to me, along with other projection lenses for experiment. This lens has a very short flange. On my Yeenon 18-32mm focus helicoid, the usable focus distance I can get is about 2 feet from the front of the lens. It is possible to make it see further without the helicoid, which I have not done yet. All these pictures, except the lens picture, were made by holding the lens on the helicoid with one hand, because I couldn't get it held down on the helicoid without sacrificing the already short usable focus distance.

The pictures turn out to be interesting. If you think the square bokeh is weird, this lens trumps it. There were only two aperture blades in this lens, and the shape changes as you stop down. By f16, the opening of the aperture looks like a cat's eye. On larger apertures, the shape resembles a spaceship, but it reminds me the shape of a ghost; not that I have seen one before.

The lens is very nice and sharp, and definitely interesting. If I had a lathe, it's probably possibly to make it fit on a thin helicoid and it would be almost a pancake lens for the NEX.

Thanks again, David, for the very interesting lens.

Yashinon DX 35mm f1.8 Rangefinder lens. Click for larger size.

Spaceship bokeh - NEX-6 & Yashinon DX 35mm f1.8 @ f2.8. Click for larger.

"Normal" bokeh - NEX-6 & Yashinon DX 35mm f1.8 @ f2.8. Click for larger.

Nice as a close up lens - NEX-6 & Yashinon DX 35mm f1.8 @ f2.8. Click for larger.

More bokeh. Check the picture below. It was shot wide open and looks normal.

Normal Bokeh - NEX-6 & Yashinon DX 35mm f1.8 @ f2.8. Click for larger.