Yashica Film Cameras

About Yashica

Yashica is a Japanese camera brand beloved by photography bugs and collectors. Its history is tightly linked to the history of the Japanese camera. Two models in particular are legendary in their respective classes and are still prized today: the Yashica Mat 124G Twin Lens Reflex (TLR) and the compact 35mm Yashica/Kyocera T4. Yashica started making TLRs in 1953, and in 1957 started producing the Yashica Mat TLR line, which proved to be one of the bestselling and most admired TLRs. The Mat was one of the first crank-advance TLRs; it includes a light meter, and is solid and easy to use. It is completely mechanical, and requires absolutely no electronics, not even the light meter. The line culminated in the Mat 124G in 1970; you can still find many of these today. Fast forward to 1993, and Yashica?by then acquired by Kyocera?released the T4 compact 35mm point-and-shoot model. At first glance, it looks like a basic point-and-shoot consumer camera; however, it includes Zeiss lenses, zoom, and active motorized autofocus, yielding stunning professional results and an avid following. Add one of these legendary cameras to your collection and it just may become your favorite. Find several to choose from online at eBay. One final caution, though: Kyocera stopped making cameras in 2005 and the Yashica brand is now property of a Hong Kong manufacturer of inexpensive tech gadgets.