Yashica MC Zoom 35-70mm F3.5-4.5 (MF) Yashica / Contax mount.

The Yashica MC Zoom 35-70mm f/3.5-4.5 is a vintage, manual-focus standard zoom lens from the analogue film era. It features the classic Contax/Yashica (C/Y) bayonet mount. The lens covers a highly versatile range, moving from a subtle wide-angle to a short portrait telephoto.

Note: While often referred to simply as an “f/3.5” lens, the MC variant actually features a variable maximum aperture of f/3.5 to f/4.5.

Focal Length: 35-70mm (standard zoom range)

Maximum Aperture: f/3.5 (at 35mm) to f/4.5 (at 70mm)

Optical Construction: 11 lens elements arranged in 8 groups

Aperture Blades: 6

Minimum Focus Distance: 1.4 meters (approx. 5 feet)

Filter Thread Size: 52mm

Physical Dimensions: Around 70 x 62 mm; weighs roughly 330 grams

Coating: Multi-Coated (MC) to enhance contrast and reduce lens flare

Image Performance and Character

This lens is valued today for its distinct vintage rendering. It does not deliver the clinical sharpness of modern digital lenses, nor does it match the high-end performance of the legendary Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar C/Y lenses. The MC line was originally positioned as a budget-friendly consumer series (often manufactured by Cosina) below Yashica’s premium “ML” line. It yields warm colour tones, soft rendering, and a nostalgic character highly sought after by creative photographers and videographers.

Adapting to Modern Cameras

You can easily mount this lens onto modern mirrorless cameras (such as Sony E, Fujifilm X, Canon RF, or Nikon Z) using a simple, affordable C/Y-to-[Your Camera Mount] adapter (from brands like K&F Concept or Fotodiox).

Full-Frame Sensors: Functions natively as a 35-70mm lens.

APS-C (Crop) Sensors: Due to the crop factor, it behaves like a highly capable portrait zoom of roughly 50-105mm.