Yashica ML 75-150 lens

[pondphotos]

Hello, I'm considering purchasing this particular model of Yashica lens, which I plan to use with a Pentax K1000. I've read good things about some of the models in the "ML" series, and am wondering if anyone has any experience with the 75-150 in particular that they'd like to share. Thanks very much in advance for any information. Best regards, Michael.

[Poolhall]

I dont think it will fit a K1000, as far as I know the ML series are all Yashica Contax fit, and although its close to a Pentax K mount they are not interchangeable without major surgery, nor are adapters available. If its M42 then it should be no prob fitting it to a K1000 with an m42-Pentax K adapter

[pondphotos]

Thanks very much - I appreciate you saving me from a mistake!

[Poolhall]

No problem at all! Its only because I have some Pentax and Yashica stuff and I've been trying for years to fit them together, without a dremel amd a welder !

[alex]

Poolhall is right, you won't get a PK/CY adapter. It's not the registration distances (they're almost identical) so much as the lens mount throat differences. The only people I know of who've been able to fit CY lenses to Pentax K bodies are those who modified the mount on the camera body itself, which isn't of course what you want to do, as you'd be stuffed for mounting your PK lenses.

It's a pity, from that perspective, as the 75-150 ML is a nice little zoom, like most in the ML range. A Yashica body to fit it, however, could be an inexpensive option if you wanted to have a play with it.

[Poolhall]

An FX-3 is probably as near to a Pentax K1000 as you can get, specs are nearly identical and they are not dear, I've had one for a long time never goes wrong

[naplam]

I have a 75-150 ML, but it has fungus and it really impacts picture quality, I tried only a couple of shots and it showed :/ Ithought about opening it up for cleaning but gave up. i think i would probably screw up anyway.

[alex]

As the lens is already 'lost', it might just be a learning opportunity.

It's a pity, though, as my 75-150 is a very pleasing performer. It seems to be rarer on the market than the 70-210, but the 70-210 is at least as good, and covers the same range and more with barely an ounce extra weight, it's worth seeking out the latter, if you can (and feel the need) to replace the fungus-ridden lens.

[Obi-Wan]

I also have a copy of this lens that I got by buying out the entire stock of manual lenses from a pawn shop for $11. Is there any way to tell when this lens was made? What years was it manufactured, and what was the range of serial numbers from start to end? I'm at work now, and don't remember off hand what my S/N is.

[edit: I guess the reason I can't remember my serial number is because there isn't one printed on the lens. I'd still love to know the range of years when this lens was manufactured, though.]

I'm about to buy a C/Y to EOS adapter so I can use this lens on my Canon 400D. I'm curious to see how it does.

[Poolhall]

Mattias uses c/y lenses on his Canon and has some great results so it should be fine, can't help with the serials I'm afraid