Yashica T4 Compact 35mm Camera w/ Zoom Kit
by Kyocera Optics Inc.

Our Price: $500.00
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Category: Digital Camera
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Digital Photo Product Details

• 28-70mm Carl Zeiss Tessar f4.5-8T* Lens ? Exclusive T* multi-layer coating suppresses multiple internal reflections
• Passive 5 point multi AF / Spot AF
• Tough aluminum front cover protects and beautifies the camera
• Programmed electronic high speed shutter (2 sec. ? 1/300 sec.) with Auto Exposure
• Exposure Compensation - +1.5EV/-1.5EV

• Corel PaintShop Photo Pro X3 [OLD VERSION]
• Corel Photo & Video Pro X3 Bundle [Old Version]
• FujiFilm Super HQ 200 Speed 48 exp Film (2 Pack)

Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Yashica T4 Compact 35mm Camera w/ Zoom Kit

Customer Review: Superior Camera for the same money as Nikon, Canon & Co.
Summary: 5 Stars

Compact dimensions
Sharp lens
Robust
Value for money
Good zoom lens range.

First off I had to decide where I stood on the Digital vs Film camera debate. This was fairly easily resolved as it is clear that Digital cameras are still some years away in terms of image resolution and cost. My view then is that my new camera would be film-based and if it lasted until Digital overtook then that would work out quite neatly. In other words I'm expecting this to be the last film camera I will buy.

Then I had a look at the available film options and the field narrowed down very quickly. In this sector of the market the quality brands are Leica, Contax and Rollei by virtue of superior optics. Nikon, Canon, Minolta, Olympus and Pentax are in the next group; don't get too carried away by these names - even though they make superb SLR cameras they tend to out-source the production of their compact cameras to China, Malaysia etc. fair enough but don't expect the high level optics the SLRs give. Compact cameras are generally sold on features (length of zoom etc.) not quality of lens. People only find out about this after purchase so it's not a key sales driver. It is however the most important aspect of getting good pictures which is what this is largely about(!)

Taking the three quality brands then: Contax cameras use Carl Zeiss lenses which are generally regarded by many pros as the best in the world, prices however are high. Rollei models seemed expensive with a lesser reputation than Contax for optics. The styling on the Leicas (C1, C2 and C3)is very "clunky" - they're trying for a retro look and failing but the optics are highly regarded. Downsides all round and not an easy decision to make. I was edging towards the Leica C3 (worth checking out despite styling issues) when a helpful sales assistant pointed out the Yashica. This was interesting for the following reasons:

The lens is a Carl Zeiss T* lens as in the Contax range (Contax, Yashica and Carl Zeiss are all owned by Kyocera Corp.). *This is just about the highest quality lens which can be bought regardless of money*. As well as pin-sharp precision it is also a faster lens that many others including the Leica.
The zoom on the lens starts at 28mm which means you get a full wide-angle range. More useful that the more common 35mm.
The camera is compact and nicely styled. Controls are well designed.
The price far undercuts all of the other models.

While not having quite the cachet of Leica or Contax this camera is in the same league of quality. The results I have had from this camera are better than I had hoped and make the pictures from my old Pentax look rather second rate. My dealer also informs me that many pros use this camera for fast, spontaneous shots and the results are indistinguishable from SLR quality.

Highly recommended.

Description of Yashica T4 Compact 35mm Camera w/ Zoom Kit

35mm Compact Cameras

• Camera & Photo > Film Cameras > Point & Shoot Film Cameras