Zenzanon 80/2.8 vs Yashinon 80/3.5

<p>Hello!<br>

I can't choose between Bronica sq-a with Zenzanon 80/2.8 and Yashica mat 124g with Yashinon 80/3.5.<br>

I compared some images. Zenzanon looks much sharperer that the Yashinon. But there'is something in Yashinon image.<br>

Help me please to make decision.</p>

<p>I had both, and sold both.<br>

The Bronica is a big camera and quite heavy, the zenzanon is sharp indeed, but I don't think it's sharper than the Yashinon.<br>

The most important is how you feel handling the camera, one is a slr, the other, a TLR, the difference between the two cameras is much more important than the sharpness of those very good lenses.<br>

I sold the Yashica and the Bronica to buy a Rolleiflex 3.5 F. I prefer the TLR feel.</p>

<p>I had both, and sold both.<br>

The Bronica is a big camera and quite heavy, the zenzanon is sharp indeed, but I don't think it's sharper than the Yashinon.<br>

The most important is how you feel handling the camera, one is a slr, the other, a TLR, the difference between the two cameras is much more important than the sharpness of those very good lenses.<br>

I sold the Yashica and the Bronica to buy a Rolleiflex 3.5 F. I prefer the TLR feel.</p>

<p>I holded both and I loved both!<br>

But I don't have enoght money for both and I think I don't need both! :)</p>

<p>There are differences between these cameras that are far more important than any small differences between the lenses. </p>

<p>I've owned both too. Three Zenzanon PG's for the GS-1 and the Mat 124G. All are exceptionally sharp when used properly. I also noticed the character of the Yashinon lens, very robust contrast, I liked that camera a lot.<br>

What I did notice was the Yashinon couldn't hold up, especially in the corners, when using any of the wide or tele converters. If you foresee yourself shooting different focal lengths, you would probably be better served selecting the Bronica or any other 'system' camera with dedicated lenses.<br>

Good luck with your decision.</p>

 

<p>Oops, double post.</p>

<p>Well, since you can't fit the Yashinon lens onto a Bronica, nor the Zenzanon lens onto a 124G, shouldn't this really come down to which camera you prefer? They represent two completely different ways of working. The Bronnie will definitely be happier on a tripod than being handheld, while the Yashi is equally at home in the hand or on a 'pod. The Bronnie will take a prism and interchangeable lenses, while with the 124G what you see is what you get.</p>

<p>Personally I think the 124G is vastly overrated. I had one for about a month, didn't like the lens and found the built-in meter to be totally inaccurate. Sold it and haven't lost a moments sleep over it. I still have an old Yashicamat that I inherited and think the 50 year old Lumaxar lens it has is noticeably sharper than the Yashinon. I don't want to damn all Yashinon lenses on my one sample, but there certainly seems to be a lot of variation in the reported quality of Yashica's lenses.</p>

<p>Hi Ilya,<br>

I haven't used the SQ-a. But I do have the Bronica ETR with the Zenzanon 75/2.8 (PE and MC versions.) I also have a Yashica Mat LM, and have previously owned another LM, a Yashica 12 (predecessor to the 124/g) and a Rollei 2.8F Planar.<br>

My favourite of the bunch is the Yashinon 3.5 on the Yashica Mat LM. It delivers the best combination of sharpness, contrast and colour rendition. It also rejects flare very well. The Zenzanon 75/2.8 is a close second, also with excellent sharpness and contrast (though I don't like the colour quite as much as the Yashinon.) The Yashinon on the Yashica 12 just wasn't as sharp as the Yashinons on the LM. I don't know if it's sample to sample variation or if something changed in the design or coatings. I still rate the Yashica 12 Yashinon in third place however. Worst of the bunch, to my eye, was the famous Zeiss Planar 2.8 on the Rolleiflex. In the capture of resolution, the Planar was the best, but it had lacklustre contrast, suffered badly from flare when the sun was anything but directly behind the camera, and still didn't match the colour rendering of the Yashinon.<br>

To me the bigger choice between your options (Yashica or Bronica) comes down to a choice between TLR and SLR. Obviously, if you need a system-camera and multiple lenses, then there is no choice at all. But given just the 80mm lens, the distinguishing differences will be based on viewing system (waist level finder only, or choice of waist level and prism finders) and the vibration from mirror slap. I believe my handheld shots with the Yashica Mat are a bit sharper because they do not suffer from mirror vibration. When I put my Bronica ETR on a heavy tripod, it is as sharp as the Yashica.</p>

<p>I love my Bronica sq-a. I use it hand held, with a grip, all the time.</p>

<p>I had a 124G in High School and college (1970s). The Yashinon was indeed very sharp. The problem was that the camera was not very mechanically robust. The meter in the 124G was not inaccurate. It simply wasn't a spot or limited area type. In backlight situations it was sometimes useful to tilt the camera down for a reading. I have three SQ-As and both versions of the 80/2.8 Zenzanon. They are equally good and are at least as sharp as the Yashinon. If you can carry a TLR with a standard lens and a waist level finder then you can carry an SLR with a standard lens, a back and a waist level finder. Both will give you a laterally reversed image so you are even there. the SLR will allow you to use different lenses, teleconverters, extension tubes, a prism finder and a winder/grip. Even using close-up lenses is easier with the SLR becxause parallax error isn't a problem. If you still want to use a TLR but have a limited budget then I will suggest a camera like a Rolleicord IV. It has the same lens as the later and more expensive V. Have the camera serviced by someone competent and you will have an instrument which will be reliable and give you many years of use. With a 124G you are just waiting for a mechanical problem to crop up, no matter how good the lens is. </p>

<p>For one big difference... INTERCHANGEABLE LENSES!<br>

Butt....<br>

I'd rather the Yashica for light weight n pretty much the same 6x6 the heeavy SLR has to offer.<br>

.</p>

<p> </p>

<p>I'm kinda like Kent and the opposite of Yann (I have both and don't plan on selling either), that is I own both a Bronica, albeit an ETRSi with its 75mm f/2.8, and a Yashica Mat 124 with its 80mm f/3.5 Yashinon. For reasons that Jeff mentions, I prefer the Mat 124 over the Mat 124G. The Mat 124 is obviously more robust. I've had mine apart before and its internals look plenty durable to me.</p>

<p>I find both lenses to be very sharp and I enjoy shooting both color and B&W with either one. In fact, usually when I'm using one, I'm also using the other, although loaded with different film -- sort of a medium format outing, if you will. Usually, but not always, I'll load my ETRSi up with color film, either Portra 160 or Fuji Provia, and the Yashica Mat with Tri-X. But they both do a great job vice versa too.</p>

<p>The Bronica with Portra 160NC:<br /> <img src="http://michaelmcbroom.com/images/strandharleysetrsi3.jpg" alt="" width="900" height="668" /></p>

<p>The Yashica with Tri-X Professional:<br /> <img src="http://michaelmcbroom.com/images/strandharleys4a.jpg" alt="" /></p>