Under the radar Yashica 35mm P&S compact film camera – Yashica Zoomate 150EF

November 18, 2022November 18, 2022Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Kyocera Zoom Lens – 10 elements in 8 groups, coated, dual aspherical optics.

PRESS RELEASE

February 9, 2001

KYOCERA RELEASES SECOND COMPACT ZOOM

CAMERA WITH THE YASHICA ZOOMATE 150EF

Somerset, NJ—Following in the wake of its successful launch of the Yashica Zoomate

165EF compact zoom camera, Kyocera Optics now unveils the latest offering in its line

of “Super Flash” cameras—the Yashica Zoomate 150EF.

Like its sister camera, the Zoomate 150EF is fully loaded with the features and

performance photographers demand in a compact 35mm camera. Fully automatic, the

camera provides auto focus, auto exposure, and five built-in flash modes. A precise, five-point

passive focusing system locks your subject in focus for exceptionally sharp

photographs with every shot. The 38mm-150mm lens glides to the setting of your choice

with the touch of a button. With its programmed auto exposure, the camera insures the

best color and contrast under a range of lighting conditions. Five flash options—

including fill flash and red-eye reduction—allow the photographer to select the flash

strength desired to properly illuminate his subject: Backlit objects are brightened,

daytime shadows are eliminated and intimate portraits can be created using only natural

light.

Constructed of ten elements in eight groups, the lens system in the Zoomate 150EF

provides astonishing color and clarity. Brilliant colors pop off each photo, whether the

subject is a Cape Cod sunset or a family reunion. The sharpness of the images perfectly

complements the color. Thanks to the camera’s coated dual aspherical lens, crisp,

detailed photos are created shot after shot.

The Zoomate 150EF boasts an array of other key features as well. Standard features

include automatic film load/advance/rewind, mid-roll manual rewind, a top shutter speed

of 1/300 second, Infinity Lock, and a built-in panoramic switch. For users with

eyeglasses, the camera offers a built-in adjustable diopter (+1 – -3). For photographers who demand excellent optics,

outstanding flash functionality and fully automatic features in a compact, lightweight

camera, the Yashica Zoomate 150EF is the perfect combination of power and

performance.

The Zoomate 150EF is manufactured by Kyocera Optics, Inc., a division of Kyocera

International, Inc.

Just in time for Christmas, I’ve added this to my online camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com… Thanks for stopping by, Chris

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Comments are always welcomed as I’ve learned quite a bit from reader feedback. As always, thanks for stopping by, and while you’re at it, feel free to visit my camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com (CC Design Studios hosted by Etsy). – Chris Whelan

Please respect that all content, including photos and text, is this blog’s property and its owner, Yashica Pentamatic Fanatic, Yashica Sailor Boy, Yashica Chris, Chasing Classic Cameras with Chris.

Crazy hard to find Yashica J-3

April 26, 2022April 26, 2022Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Yashica J-3 with Auto Yashinon 5cm f2 lens (and Yashica’s ‘Sailor Boy’).

One of the hardest cameras in Yashica’s line-up by far is the J-3 in pro-black with a matching all-black lens. Released in 1962 in limited quantities this was Yashica’s first-ever all-black 35mm SLR. As best as I’ve been able to find out, Yashica never advertised the black model or even acknowledged it in any brochure or catalog. I currently have two and I sold the one pictured here in this post a few years back (I kept the lens, hood, and cap).

Both of my cameras are in fully working condition right down to the meters. The meters aren’t accurate but they’re not TTL meters anyway so no big deal. Currently, there are two black J-3 cameras for sale on eBay but neither one is in collector condition from what I can see.

That’s my classic camera fix for today. Thanks for stopping by and if you happen to have one of these classics consider yourself lucky. – Chris

Yashica’s First 35mm Cameras – 1958-59

October 18, 2018October 18, 2018Chris and Carol 2 Comments

From a rather hard to find (OK, kinda rare) sales brochure (above) from late 1960 or early 1961.

IMG_20181017_0009 logo

The Yashica 35 YK (identified here simply as the “K type”) is the least expensive of the cameras and was produced in large numbers starting in June 1959. The camera is marked with the “YK” on the front right of the body in gold while the top has Yashica engraved in it next to the serial number (pictured below).

Yashica 35 K type – aka the YK

The Yashica 35 (above) was the first 35mm rangefinder camera from Yashica. In this brochure, the marketing department has added an “S” as part of the description of the camera (f2.8 lens). It appears from my translation that the “S” may have to do with something about the lens – either a new coating or some other design feature(s) which makes it new. Of course, it may be simple marketing hype as the 35 was getting on in years by this time.

The Yashica 35 Fair-Way (YF) is the only one in this series that was given a name that I’m aware of. It’s also the only one marked Yashica and Nicca. It was a transition camera as Yashica had just acquired Nicca in 1958. It’s one of the most expensive in this series to acquire as sellers recognize the relative rarity of the model especially in mint or excellent condition.

Yashica’s first interchangeable lens 35mm rangefinder camera – basically a Nicca in Yashica cladding.

The Yashica 35 E type (above) is also known as the Yashica YE which is engraved in the top plate. Here again, it’s a case of the marketing department manipulating the name of the camera – either to make it appear as a new model of it may be that the Japanese market tends to simplify the names of cameras. I believe that the unifying theme here is that Yashica wanted each of these cameras to feel connected to one another. By using the common name Yashica 35 “X” type the cameras couldn’t be mistaken for anything but a 35mm camera from a company known for TLRs and 8mm movie cameras.

My one and only Yashica YE

DSCF6186

Thanks for stopping by and be sure to visit my shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com for some classic collectible cameras and photo gear. – Chris

Please respect that all content, including photos and text, are the property of this blog and its owner, Yashica Pentamatic Fanatic, Yashica Sailor Boy, Yashica Chris.

Chasing Classic Cameras with Chris

Yashica cameras and so much more!

Tag Yashica 35mm Cameras

Under the radar Yashica 35mm P&S compact film camera – Yashica Zoomate 150EF

Crazy hard to find Yashica J-3

Yashica’s First 35mm Cameras – 1958-59