The Yashica Yashinon-DX 21mm f3.3 is an ultra-wide-angle lens with an M42 mount, made in Japan. The lens features a protruding rear end, designed for use with single-lens reflex cameras where the mirror is raised and focusing is done manually. Its slightly brighter aperture compared to the Leica Super Angulon-R 21mm f3.4 might reflect a competitive edge.
At full aperture, the lens exhibits noticeable peripheral softness and distortion. To achieve better results, it's advisable to focus on enhancing the central area of the image. As you stop down the aperture, the peripheral softness diminishes, and stopping down to f16 yields a sharp image from edge to edge. The color rendition is also good.
I tested it around the store with a Leica M11, and there was no noticeable color cast in the periphery, resulting in very good overall performance.
The M42 screw mount shows slight paint wear, but the lens itself is in pristine condition with minimal signs of use. It's a very beautiful piece.
All functions operate normally. The helical focusing mechanism is slightly stiff, but this should not affect its practical use as an ultra-wide-angle lens (we can offer a servicing option for an additional fee if desired).
The glass shows only minor coating wear, visible only under strong LED light. There are no cleaning marks or fogging that would affect image quality. The test shots were very good.
The lens comes with its matching original box, leather case, viewfinder, front and rear caps, and a cleaning cloth. The included viewfinder is also very clear. It's a great addition to any collection.
