Difference between revisions of "Kyocera"

From Camera-wiki.org
Jump to: navigation, search
(→‎APS: wikilink Acclaim 100)
(→‎Autofocus 35mm SLR: redlink 270 Autofocus)
 
(87 intermediate revisions by 11 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
−
== History ==
+
'''Kyocera''', originally a ceramics manufacturer, was founded in 1959 as Kyoto Ceramic Co. Ltd. (京都セラミツク株式会社). It changed its name to Kyocera (京セラ株式会社) in 1982, and became involved in camera production in October 1983, when it acquired [[Yashica]] Company Ltd. Initially, the company continued to produce evolutionary camera designs under the [[Yashica]] and [[Contax (Yashica/Kyocera)|Contax]] brands, such as the [[Yashica FX-3]] and Contax 159MM.  The manual-focus (MF) FX-103 Program, introduced in 1985, continued the ‘pairing’ tradition of Yashica [[SLR]] models with those of Contax (Contax 159mm), and featured [[TTL]] flash and full programmed exposure capabilities. Both brands continued to feature the same C/Y bayonet lens mount, allowing owners of less expensive Yashica cameras to use all of the [[Contax/Yashica lenses]], including the premium Contax Zeiss T* lenses.   
−
'''Kyocera''', originally a ceramics manufacturer, was founded in 1959 as Kyoto Ceramic Co. Ltd. (京都セラミツク株式会社). It changed its name to Kyocera (京セラ株式会社) in 1982, and became involved in camera production in October 1983, when it acquired [[Yashica]] Company Ltd. Initially, the company continued to produce evolutionary camera designs under the [[Yashica]] and [[Contax (Yashica/Kyocera)|Contax]] brands, such as the [[Yashica FX-3]] and Contax 159MM.  The manual-focus (MF) FX-103 Program, introduced in 1985, continued the ‘pairing’ tradition of Yashica [[SLR]] models with those of Contax (Contax 159mm), and featured [[TTL]] flash and full programmed exposure capabilities. Both brands continued to feature the same C/Y bayonet lens mount, allowing owners of less expensive Yashica cameras to use all of the [[Yashica / Contax lenses]], including the premium Contax Zeiss T* lenses.   
 
  
 
However, the 1985 introduction of [[Minolta 7000|Minolta's Maxxum/Dynax 7000]] autofocus (AF) camera was a huge success, and all camera makers scrambled to catch up. Kyocera decided to reposition the entire Yashica manual-focus SLR line as a ‘value-priced’ choice for entry-level photographers. Kyocera also began to offer various cameras with the Kyocera nameplate for buyers in Japan, while subsuming the old Yashica into its new corporate identity. The company also decided to manufacture an AF [[35mm]] SLR camera and a new series of AF lenses to compete with Minolta's revolutionary Maxxum/Dynax.  
 
However, the 1985 introduction of [[Minolta 7000|Minolta's Maxxum/Dynax 7000]] autofocus (AF) camera was a huge success, and all camera makers scrambled to catch up. Kyocera decided to reposition the entire Yashica manual-focus SLR line as a ‘value-priced’ choice for entry-level photographers. Kyocera also began to offer various cameras with the Kyocera nameplate for buyers in Japan, while subsuming the old Yashica into its new corporate identity. The company also decided to manufacture an AF [[35mm]] SLR camera and a new series of AF lenses to compete with Minolta's revolutionary Maxxum/Dynax.  
  
−
In December 1986, Kyocera introduced its new line of autofocus 35mm SLR cameras and lenses, all but one carrying the Yashica name for the international market.  Unfortunately, the new Yashica AF cameras were introduced rather late and had difficulty against more established competition, which also had a larger selection of compatible lenses. A little better success was achieved with the ''Samurai'' series of compact SLRs in camcorder design. These zoom cameras were optimized for one-hand operation. The Samurai Z was even available in a lefthanders' version (Samurai Z-L). Furthermore, the attractive range of Contax [[Carl Zeiss]] T* lenses was no longer an option, as there were no new Contax lenses in the new Yashica autofocus mount.  Kyocera attempted to encourage existing owners of Yashica manual-focus SLR cameras to move to autofocus by offering a 1.6x tele-converter adapter to mount Yashica or Contax MF lenses to the autofocus cameras, but without much success.  The Yashica autofocus SLR cameras continued in a progressively cheapened series of models until 1994, when the entire autofocus line was discontinued, reportedly after significant losses.  
+
In December 1986, Kyocera introduced its new line of autofocus 35mm SLR cameras and lenses, all but one carrying the Yashica name for the international market.  Unfortunately, the new Yashica AF cameras were introduced rather late and had difficulty against more established competition, which also had a larger selection of compatible lenses. A little better success was achieved with the ''Samurai'' series of compact SLRs in camcorder design. These zoom cameras were optimized for one-hand operation. The [[Yashica Samurai Z / Z-L / Z2|Samurai Z]] was even available in a lefthanders' version (Samurai Z-L). Furthermore, the attractive range of Contax [[Carl Zeiss]] T* lenses was no longer an option, as there were no new Contax lenses in the new Yashica autofocus mount.  Kyocera attempted to encourage existing owners of Yashica manual-focus SLR cameras to move to autofocus by offering a 1.6x tele-converter adapter to mount Yashica or Contax MF lenses to the autofocus cameras, but without much success.  The Yashica autofocus SLR cameras continued in a progressively cheapened series of models until 1994, when the entire autofocus line was discontinued, reportedly after significant losses.  
  
−
Kyocera also made a number of fairly successful autofocus point-and-shoot film cameras for the consumer market, culminating in 1992 with the Yashica T-4.  This compact camera was equipped with a high-quality 35mm/3.5 Carl Zeiss T* lens along with improved weather sealing, and proved very popular as a rugged travel camera.  Kyocera had also continued the process of repositioning Yashica SLR cameras, offshoring assembly to China and Hong Kong to reduce costs.  Kyocera's last series of 35mm Yashica SLRs, the 107/108/109MP line, was not a commercial success, though the old [[Yashica FX-3]] (now in Super 2000 form) sold well until its discontinuance in 2002.  
+
Kyocera also made a number of fairly successful autofocus point-and-shoot film cameras for the consumer market, culminating in 1992 with the [[Yashica T4]].  This compact camera was equipped with a high-quality 35mm/3.5 Carl Zeiss T* lens along with improved weather sealing, and proved very popular as a rugged travel camera.  Kyocera had also continued the process of repositioning Yashica SLR cameras, offshoring assembly to China and Hong Kong to reduce costs.  Kyocera's last series of 35mm Yashica SLRs, the [[Yashica 107 MP|107]]/[[Yashica 108 MP|108]]/[[Yashica 109 MP|109MP]] line, was not a commercial success, though the old [[Yashica FX-3]] (now in Super 2000 form) sold well until its discontinuance in 2002.  
  
 
Kyocera continued to make point-and-shoot film cameras under its own name and that of Yashica, as well as premium rangefinder and SLR models.  These include the 35mm [[Contax G]] and [[Contax G2]] rangefinders, and the Contax N-series of autofocus SLRs.  The company also entered the digital camera field in 1997 with Kyocera, Yashica, and Contax branded models. A new medium-format film camera, the [[Contax 645 AF]], appeared in 1999, along with several dedicated and interchangeable lenses.
 
Kyocera continued to make point-and-shoot film cameras under its own name and that of Yashica, as well as premium rangefinder and SLR models.  These include the 35mm [[Contax G]] and [[Contax G2]] rangefinders, and the Contax N-series of autofocus SLRs.  The company also entered the digital camera field in 1997 with Kyocera, Yashica, and Contax branded models. A new medium-format film camera, the [[Contax 645 AF]], appeared in 1999, along with several dedicated and interchangeable lenses.
Line 15: Line 14:
  
 
=== Manual focus SLR ===
 
=== Manual focus SLR ===
−
*[[Yashica FX-3|Yashica FX-3, FX-3Z, FX-3 Super, FX-3 Super 2000, FX-7]]
+
*[[Yashica FX-3|Yashica FX 3 Super]]
−
* Yashica FX-103 Program
+
*[[Yashica FX-3|Yashica FX 3 Super 2000]]
−
* Kyocera Yashica 107 Multi Program
+
*[[Yashica FX-3|Yashica FX 7 Super]]
−
* Kyocera Yashica 108 Multi Program
+
* [[Yashica 108 MP|Yashica FX-80]]
−
* Kyocera Yashica 109 Multi Program
+
* [[Yashica FX-103 Program]]
 +
* [[Yashica 107 MP|Kyocera Yashica 107 Multi Program]]
 +
* [[Yashica 108 MP|Kyocera Yashica 108 Multi Program]]
 +
* [[Yashica 109 MP|Kyocera Yashica 109 Multi Program]]
  
 
=== Autofocus 35mm SLR ===  
 
=== Autofocus 35mm SLR ===  
−
(Kyocera/Yashica AF mount):  
+
(Kyocera/Yashica AF mount): using [[Kyocera Yashica AF lens]]
 
* Kyocera/Yashica 200-AF (1987)
 
* Kyocera/Yashica 200-AF (1987)
 
* Kyocera 210-AF
 
* Kyocera 210-AF
−
* Kyocera/Yashica 230-AF (1987)
+
* [[Yashica 230-AF|Kyocera/Yashica 230-AF]] (1987)
−
* Kyocera/Yashica 270 Autofocus (1991) (US: 230-AF Super)
+
* [[Yashica 270 Autofocus| Kyocera/Yashica 270 Autofocus]] (1991) (US: 230-AF Super)
−
* Kyocera/Yashica 300 Autofocus (1993)
+
* [[Yashica 300 Auto Focus|Kyocera/Yashica 300 Autofocus]] (1993)
  
 
=== Half frame (17×24mm) autofocus SLR ===
 
=== Half frame (17×24mm) autofocus SLR ===
 
* [[Yashica Samurai X3.0]]
 
* [[Yashica Samurai X3.0]]
 
* [[Yashica Samurai X4.0]]
 
* [[Yashica Samurai X4.0]]
−
* Yashica Samurai Z / Z-L / Z2
+
* [[Yashica Samurai Z / Z-L / Z2]]
  
 
=== Compact [[35mm]] ===
 
=== Compact [[35mm]] ===
−
{{Flickr image
+
====Kyocera====
−
| image_source=http://www.flickr.com/photos/artysmokes/3624574670/in/pool-camerapedia
+
{|width=100%
−
| image=http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2443/3624574670_bb8497050f_t.jpg
+
||-
−
| image_align=right
+
|valign="top"|
−
| image_text=Microtec Zoom 70{{br}}<small>by Arty Smokes</small>.
+
* Kyocera J
−
}}
+
* [[Kyocera J Tele]]
 +
* Kyocera Motor J
 +
* [[Kyocera Season]]
 +
* [[Kyocera Twintec AF]]
 +
* [[Kyocera Lynx 90|Kyocera Zoom 90]]
 +
* [[Kyocera Campus 105|Kyocera Zoom 105 DM]]
 +
 
 +
'''Kyocera P. mini'''
 +
* [[Kyocera P-mini]]
 +
* [[Kyocera P. mini AF]]
 +
* [[Kyocera P. mini 2]]
 +
* [[Kyocera P. mini 3]] (AF)
 +
 
 +
'''Kyocera Campus'''
 +
* Kyocera Campus AF Big Finder
 +
* [[Yashica Electro 35 AF-mini|Kyocera Campus Mini AF]]
 +
* Kyocera Campus Zoom
 +
* [[Kyocera Campus 70]]
 +
* [[Kyocera Campus 105]]
 +
* [[Kyocera Campus Tele]]
 +
|valign="top"|
 +
'''Kyocera Lynx'''
 +
* [[Yashica Microtec Zoom 70|Kyocera Lynx 70]]
 +
* [[Kyocera Lynx 90]]
 +
* [[Kyocera Lynx 120]]
 +
* Kyocera Lynx Wide
 +
 
 +
'''Kyocera Zoomtec series'''
 +
* [[Kyocera Zoomtec 60]]
 +
* [[Kyocera Zoomtec 70]]
 +
* Kyocera Zoomtec 80
 +
* [[Kyocera Zoomtec 90]]
 +
* [[Kyocera Zoomtec 90s]]
 +
* Kyocera Zoomtec Wide
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
====Yashica====
 +
{|width=100%
 +
||-
 +
|valign="top"|
 +
* [[Yashica AF-M II]]
 +
* [[Yashica AF-M II D]]
 +
* [[Yashica Electro 35 AF-mini|Yashica AF Mini]]
 +
* [[Yashica AW-mini|Yashica AW-mini AF]]
 +
* Yashica Clearlook AF
 +
* Yashica Clearlook FF
 +
* [[Yashica DF-10]]
 +
* [[Yashica DF-100]]
 
* [[Yashica Electro 35 AF-mini]]
 
* [[Yashica Electro 35 AF-mini]]
−
* Yashica Elite Zoom/Campus 70
+
* Yashica Expression AF
−
* Yashica EZ Mate
+
* Yashica Expression AF Plus
−
* Yashica EZ Mate II
+
* Yashica Finesse Micro AF
 +
* Yashica Imagination Micro
 +
* [[Yashica L AF]]
 +
* Yashica MF-2 Super
 +
* [[Yashica MF-3]]
 +
* Yashica MF-3 Super
 +
* Yashica MG
 +
* Yashica MG-motor
 +
* Yashica MG-2
 +
* Yashica MG-3
 +
* Yashica Minitec
 +
* [[Yashica Minitec AF]]
 +
* Yashica Minitec Super
 +
* [[Yashica Partner AF]]
 +
* Yashica Patio (FF)
 +
* [[Yashica Twintec AF]]
 +
* Yashica YMII-D
 +
* Yashica YM-SD
 +
 
 +
'''Yashica Elite'''
 +
* Yashica Elite Zoom
 +
* [[Kyocera Campus 70|Yashica Elite 70 Zoom]]
 +
* [[Yashica Zoomate 80|Yashica Elite 80 Zoom]]
 +
* [[Kyocera Lynx 90|Yashica Elite 90 Zoom]]
 +
* [[Kyocera Campus 105|Yashica Elite 105 Zoom]]
 +
* Yashica Elite 115 Zoom
 +
* Yashica Elite 130 Zoom
 +
* Yashica Elite 135SE Zoom
 +
* Yashica Elite 140 Zoom
 +
 
 +
'''Yashica EZ series'''
 +
* [[Yashica EZ Dual 35]]
 +
* Yashica EZ Junior MK II
 +
* Yashica EZ Mate AF
 
* Yashica EZ View AF
 
* Yashica EZ View AF
−
* Yashica EZ Zoom 70
+
* Yashica EZ Zoom
−
* Yashica J (32mm f3.5)
+
* Yashica EZ Zoom 60
−
* Kyocera Lynx 120
+
* Yashica EZ Zoom 70 (35 to 70mm)
−
* Kyocera Yashica MG-2
+
* Yashica EZ Zoom 70 (38 to 70mm)
−
* Kyocera Yashica MG-3 (plastic body, fixed focus 34mm lens)
+
* [[Kyocera Zoomtec 90s|Yashica EZ Zoom 90]]
 +
* [[Yashica EZ Zoom 105]]
 +
* [[Kyocera Campus 70|Yashica EZS Zoom 70]]
 +
* [[Kyocera Campus 105|Yashica EZS Zoom 105]]
 +
 
 +
'''Yashica J series'''
 +
* [[Yashica AF-J]]
 +
* [[Yashica AF-J2]]
 +
* Yashica AF-J3
 +
* [[Yashica J-mini]]
 +
* Yashica J-mini super
 +
* Yashica Motor J
 +
 
 +
'''Yashica MicroElite series'''
 +
* [[Yashica Micro Elite AF]]
 +
* [[Yashica Microtec Zoom 70|Yashica MicroElite Zoom 70]]
 +
* [[Kyocera Lynx 90|Yashica MicroElite Zoom 90]]
 +
* [[Kyocera Lynx 120|Yashica MicroElite Zoom 120]]
 +
|valign="top"|
 +
'''Yashica Microtec'''
 +
* [[Yashica Microtec AF-Super]]
 
* [[Yashica Microtec Zoom 70]]
 
* [[Yashica Microtec Zoom 70]]
−
* Yashica Microtec Zoom 90
+
* [[Kyocera Lynx 90|Yashica Microtec Zoom 90]]
−
* Yashica Microtec Zoom 120
+
* [[Kyocera Lynx 120|Yashica Microtec Zoom 120]]
−
* Yashica TAF (Kyocera TAF, first in the T* series)
 
−
* [[Yashica T2]] (Kyocera T)
 
−
* [[Yashica T3]] (Kyocera T Scope)
 
−
* Yashica T3 Super
 
−
* [[Yashica T4]] (Kyocera Slim T)
 
−
* [[Yashica T4 Super]] (aka "T Proof" and T5)
 
−
* Yashica T4 Zoom
 
−
* Yashica Zoom Image 70SE
 
−
* Yashica Zoom Image 90
 
−
* Yashica Zoomate 80 (38-80)
 
−
* Yashica Zoomate 105 (38-105)
 
−
* [[Yashica Zoomate 110W]] (28-110)
 
−
* Yashica Zoomate 135
 
−
* Yashica Zoomate 140
 
−
* Yashica Zoomate 165
 
  
−
=== APS ===
+
'''Yashica Ninja Star'''
−
* [[Yashica Acclaim/Ultima 100]]
+
* [[Yashica AF-J|Yashica Ninja Star]]
−
* Yashica Acclaim/Ultima 200
+
* [[Yashica Ninja Star II]]
−
* Yashica Acclaim/Ultima 300
+
* [[Yashica Ninja Star Tele Wide|Yashica Ninja Star AF Tele-Wide]]
−
* Yashica Acclaim/Profile AF
+
 
−
* Yashica Acclaim FF/ Profile FF
+
'''Yashica Sensation'''
−
* Yashica Acclaim Zoom 300
+
* Yashica Sensation AF
−
* Yashica Profile 4000iX
+
* Yashica Sensation Plus AF
 +
* [[Yashica Sensation Zoom 70]]
 +
* [[Kyocera Zoomtec 90s|Yashica Sensation Zoom 90]]
 +
 
 +
'''Yashica Zoom Image series'''
 +
* [[Yashica Zoom Image 70]]
 +
* [[Yashica Zoom Image 70SE]]
 +
* [[Yashica Zoom Image 90]]
 +
* [[Kyocera Zoomtec 90s|Yashica Zoom Image 90 Super]]
 +
 
 +
'''Yashica Zoomate series'''<ref>In Italy this series was released by [https://www.fowa.it/ fowa] with the "Brava Yashica Zoomate" name. [https://www.flickr.com/groups/1618922@N23/discuss/72157721917802337 "Brava Yashica", Camera-wiki.org group on Flickr]</ref>
 +
* [[Kyocera Campus 70|Yashica Zoomate 70]]
 +
* [[Yashica Zoomate 70Z]]
 +
* [[Yashica Zoomate 80]]
 +
* Yashica Zoomate 90W
 +
* [[Kyocera Campus 105|Yashica Zoomate 105]]
 +
* Yashica Zoomate 105SE
 +
* [[Yashica Zoomate 110W]]
 +
* Yashica Zoomate 115
 +
* Yashica Zoomate 115GRF
 +
* Yashica Zoomate 120SE
 +
* [[Yashica Zoomate 140]]
 +
* Yashica Zoomate 140GRF
 +
* Yashica Zoomate 140SE
 +
* Yashica Zoomate 140LE
 +
* Yashica Zoomate 150EF
 +
* Yashica Zoomate 165EF
 +
* Yashica Zoomate 165SE
 +
 
 +
'''Yashica Zoomtec series'''
 +
* Yashica Zoomtec
 +
* [[Yashica Zoomtec QD]]
 +
* Yashica Zoomtec Mini
 +
* [[Yashica Zoomtec 60]]
 +
* [[Yashica Zoomtec 70]]
 +
* [[Yashica Zoomtec 90]]
 +
* [[Kyocera Zoomtec 90s|Yashica Zoomtec 90 Super]]
 +
* Yashica Zoomtec 105
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
====T* series====
 +
{| border="1" cellpadding="2" style="margin: 0.5em 2em; border-collapse: collapse;"
 +
|-
 +
| '''Kyocera''' || '''Yashica'''
 +
|-
 +
| [[Yashica T AF|Kyocera T AF]] || [[Yashica T AF]]
 +
|-
 +
| [[Yashica T2|Kyocera T]] || [[Yashica T2]]
 +
|-
 +
| [[Yashica T3|Kyocera T Scope]] || [[Yashica T3]]
 +
|-
 +
| Kyocera T Scope 2 || Yashica T3 Super D
 +
|-
 +
| [[Yashica T4|Kyocera Slim T]] || [[Yashica T4]]
 +
|-
 +
| [[Yashica T4 Super|Kyocera T Proof]] || [[Yashica T4 Super]]<br>[[Yashica T4 Super|Yashica T5]]
 +
|-
 +
| Kyocera T Zoom|| [[Yashica T Zoom]]<br>[[Yashica T Zoom|Yashica T4 Zoom]]
 +
|-
 +
|}
  
−
== Medium Format Film ==
+
== Medium-format film ==
 
* [[Contax 645 AF]]
 
* [[Contax 645 AF]]
  
−
== [[APS|APS film]] ==
+
== [[APS film]] ==
 +
* [[Yashica Acclaim/Ultima 100|Kyocera Ultima 100 / Yashica Acclaim 100]]
 +
* Kyocera Ultima 200 / Yashica Acclaim Zoom 200
 +
* Kyocera Ultima 300 / Yashica Acclaim Zoom 300
 +
* Yashica Acclaim / Yashica Profile AF
 +
* Yashica Acclaim FF/ Profile FF
 +
* Yashica Acclaim Zoom 65
 
* [[Yashica Samurai 4000iX]] (4&times;zoom camera in camcorder design)
 
* [[Yashica Samurai 4000iX]] (4&times;zoom camera in camcorder design)
 
* Yashica Profile 4000iX 30-120mm Zoom (similar camcorder design)
 
* Yashica Profile 4000iX 30-120mm Zoom (similar camcorder design)
−
* Yashica Acclaim 100
 
−
* Yashica Acclaim 200
 
 
* [[Kyocera Socius|Kyocera Socius/Yashica Socius]]
 
* [[Kyocera Socius|Kyocera Socius/Yashica Socius]]
 
* [[Contax Tix]]
 
* [[Contax Tix]]
  
−
== Digital Cameras ==
+
==Still video==
 +
*[[Yashica Samurai V-70]]
 +
 
 +
== Digital cameras ==
 
* Kyocera DA-1 (1996)
 
* Kyocera DA-1 (1996)
−
* Kyocera DR-350 (1997)
+
* [[Kyocera DR-350|Kyocera DR-350 / Yashica KC 600]] (1997)
 
* Kyocera Finecam 3300
 
* Kyocera Finecam 3300
 
* Kyocera Finecam L3V
 
* Kyocera Finecam L3V
Line 98: Line 251:
 
* Kyocera Finecam L30
 
* Kyocera Finecam L30
 
* Kyocera Finecam M400R
 
* Kyocera Finecam M400R
−
* Kyocera Finecam M410R
+
* [[Kyocera Finecam M410R]]
 
* Kyocera Finecam S3
 
* Kyocera Finecam S3
 
* Kyocera Finecam S3L
 
* Kyocera Finecam S3L
Line 110: Line 263:
 
* Yashica Samurai DG 1300
 
* Yashica Samurai DG 1300
 
* Yashica Samurai DG 2100
 
* Yashica Samurai DG 2100
 +
 +
==Notes==
 +
<references />
  
 
== Links ==
 
== Links ==
−
* [http://www.cdegroot.com/cgi-bin/photowiki/YashicaEquipment/ Yashica SLR Pages]
+
* [http://cdegroot.com/photo-yashica/yashica-slr-faq.html Yashica SLR Pages]
−
* [http://www.cdegroot.com/cgi-bin/photowiki/ContaxEquipment/ Contax SLR Pages]
+
* [http://cdegroot.com/photo-contax/ Contax SLR Pages]
−
* [http://global.kyocera.com/company/history.html Kyocera's official history page in English] and [http://www.kyocera.co.jp/company/history.html in Japanese]
+
* [http://global.kyocera.com/company/history.html Kyocera's official history page in English] and [https://www.kyocera.co.jp/company/summary/history/until1979.html in Japanese]
  
−
[[Category: Japanese camera makers]]
+
[[Category:Japanese camera makers]]

Latest revision as of 00:02, 28 April 2023

Kyocera, originally a ceramics manufacturer, was founded in 1959 as Kyoto Ceramic Co. Ltd. (京都セラミツク株式会社). It changed its name to Kyocera (京セラ株式会社) in 1982, and became involved in camera production in October 1983, when it acquired Yashica Company Ltd. Initially, the company continued to produce evolutionary camera designs under the Yashica and Contax brands, such as the Yashica FX-3 and Contax 159MM. The manual-focus (MF) FX-103 Program, introduced in 1985, continued the ‘pairing’ tradition of Yashica SLR models with those of Contax (Contax 159mm), and featured TTL flash and full programmed exposure capabilities. Both brands continued to feature the same C/Y bayonet lens mount, allowing owners of less expensive Yashica cameras to use all of the Contax/Yashica lenses, including the premium Contax Zeiss T* lenses.

However, the 1985 introduction of Minolta's Maxxum/Dynax 7000 autofocus (AF) camera was a huge success, and all camera makers scrambled to catch up. Kyocera decided to reposition the entire Yashica manual-focus SLR line as a ‘value-priced’ choice for entry-level photographers. Kyocera also began to offer various cameras with the Kyocera nameplate for buyers in Japan, while subsuming the old Yashica into its new corporate identity. The company also decided to manufacture an AF 35mm SLR camera and a new series of AF lenses to compete with Minolta's revolutionary Maxxum/Dynax.

In December 1986, Kyocera introduced its new line of autofocus 35mm SLR cameras and lenses, all but one carrying the Yashica name for the international market. Unfortunately, the new Yashica AF cameras were introduced rather late and had difficulty against more established competition, which also had a larger selection of compatible lenses. A little better success was achieved with the Samurai series of compact SLRs in camcorder design. These zoom cameras were optimized for one-hand operation. The Samurai Z was even available in a lefthanders' version (Samurai Z-L). Furthermore, the attractive range of Contax Carl Zeiss T* lenses was no longer an option, as there were no new Contax lenses in the new Yashica autofocus mount. Kyocera attempted to encourage existing owners of Yashica manual-focus SLR cameras to move to autofocus by offering a 1.6x tele-converter adapter to mount Yashica or Contax MF lenses to the autofocus cameras, but without much success. The Yashica autofocus SLR cameras continued in a progressively cheapened series of models until 1994, when the entire autofocus line was discontinued, reportedly after significant losses.

Kyocera also made a number of fairly successful autofocus point-and-shoot film cameras for the consumer market, culminating in 1992 with the Yashica T4. This compact camera was equipped with a high-quality 35mm/3.5 Carl Zeiss T* lens along with improved weather sealing, and proved very popular as a rugged travel camera. Kyocera had also continued the process of repositioning Yashica SLR cameras, offshoring assembly to China and Hong Kong to reduce costs. Kyocera's last series of 35mm Yashica SLRs, the 107/108/109MP line, was not a commercial success, though the old Yashica FX-3 (now in Super 2000 form) sold well until its discontinuance in 2002.

Kyocera continued to make point-and-shoot film cameras under its own name and that of Yashica, as well as premium rangefinder and SLR models. These include the 35mm Contax G and Contax G2 rangefinders, and the Contax N-series of autofocus SLRs. The company also entered the digital camera field in 1997 with Kyocera, Yashica, and Contax branded models. A new medium-format film camera, the Contax 645 AF, appeared in 1999, along with several dedicated and interchangeable lenses.

In 2005, Kyocera announced it would cease production of all Yashica, Kyocera, and Contax cameras.

35mm film

Manual focus SLR

Autofocus 35mm SLR

(Kyocera/Yashica AF mount): using Kyocera Yashica AF lens

Half frame (17×24mm) autofocus SLR

Compact 35mm

Kyocera

-

Kyocera P. mini

Kyocera Campus

Kyocera Lynx

Kyocera Zoomtec series

Yashica

-

Yashica Elite

Yashica EZ series

Yashica J series

Yashica MicroElite series

Yashica Microtec

Yashica Ninja Star

Yashica Sensation

Yashica Zoom Image series

Yashica Zoomate series[1]

Yashica Zoomtec series

T* series

Kyocera Yashica
Kyocera T AF Yashica T AF
Kyocera T Yashica T2
Kyocera T Scope Yashica T3
Kyocera T Scope 2 Yashica T3 Super D
Kyocera Slim T Yashica T4
Kyocera T Proof Yashica T4 Super
Yashica T5
Kyocera T Zoom Yashica T Zoom
Yashica T4 Zoom

Medium-format film

APS film

Still video

Digital cameras

  • Kyocera DA-1 (1996)
  • Kyocera DR-350 / Yashica KC 600 (1997)
  • Kyocera Finecam 3300
  • Kyocera Finecam L3V
  • Kyocera Finecam L4V
  • Kyocera Finecam L30
  • Kyocera Finecam M400R
  • Kyocera Finecam M410R
  • Kyocera Finecam S3
  • Kyocera Finecam S3L
  • Kyocera Finecam S3R
  • Kyocera Finecam S3X
  • Kyocera Finecam S4
  • Kyocera Finecam S5
  • Kyocera Finecam S5R
  • Kyocera Finecam SL300R
  • Kyocera Finecam SL400R
  • Yashica Samurai DG 1300
  • Yashica Samurai DG 2100

Notes

  1. ↑ In Italy this series was released by fowa with the "Brava Yashica Zoomate" name. "Brava Yashica", Camera-wiki.org group on Flickr

Links

Retrieved from "http://camera-wiki.org/index.php?title=Kyocera&oldid=223338"