What about the Minister D lens?

[frank_a._bridges]

I read about the Lynx series of yashica rangefinders as being the

poor mans Leica. What about the Minister 2.8? Is this lens inferior

to the Lynx ? I know it is slower, but what about the quality?

[cenelsonfoto]

Frank, you should find plenty of enjoyment in a Minister D. I'll be looking to add one to my stable soon enough. Yashica Guy raves about the Minister D.

[bueh]

I have the Minister-D. The camera is well built and quite sturdy. I love the elegance and quality of the Yashica rangefinder cameras. Smooth operation and parallax-corrected viewfinder and RF are big plusses. I use the camera with a handheld lightmeter, so I can't comment on the uncoupled CdS exposure meter. And mine was a real bargain that I do not regret.

<p>

The lens might be slow, but like all Yashinons its excellent reputation is richly deserved. It handles even difficult back lighting quite well, and is contrasty and very sharp in most normal situations. I don't have a Lynx, but I guess the results couldn't be noticably better (but I am still looking for a Lynx 14).

<p>

Back lighting example: f/2.8, 1/125th second, hand-held. Not cropped, not manipulated. Flatbed scan.<div></div>