Kyocera terminate Contax business and Carl Zeiss Cooperation

Information from Kyocera Yashica UK Limited

Kyocera Corporation has decided to terminate Contax - branded camera business.

Although Carl Zeiss and Kyocera have entered into a long term co-operation regarding the development, production and sale of Contax-branded cameras, Kyocera has decided to terminate such business due to difficulties in catching up with the recent rapid market changes.

Consequently, Kyocera will terminate the shipment of Contax-branded cameras, and the exclusive lenses and accessories in September 2005, except for the Contax 645 camera system, the shipment of which to some markets will come to an end in December, 2005.

Kyocera will continue to provide after-sales services to its customers for their Contax -branded cameras, and the exclusive lenses and accessories over the maximum period of ten years within the specified time of each model.

Yashica Kyocera Samourai 2100DG

Yashica Announces the Kyocera Samurai 2100DG, World's First 2 Mega-Pixel Digital Camera With 4x Optical Zoom

Yashica's new Samurai 2100DG digital camera is the world’s first high-quality, 2-million-pixel class digital camera to feature a 4X optical zoom lens. The Kyocera Samurai 2100DG takes crisp, sharp images that rival the quality of conventional photographs while offering all of the conveniences of an advanced digital device. The camera boasts a full line-up of functions, including automatic exposure control, automatic white balancing, various shooting modes and versatile playback functions. All settings are fully automatic for the ultimate in picture-taking ease.

The ergonomic shape of the Kyocera Samourai 2100DG allows the user to enclose the body of the camera with their hand, making the camera easier to hold and offering enhanced stability that reduces the possibility of blurring due to accidental shaking of the camera. All of the essential controls, including the shutter button, zoom control, and selectors for photography mode and image quality, can be operated easily while holding the camera and using only the right hand.

The key to the superior image quality of the Kyocera Samurai 2100DG is its Charge Coupled Device (CCD). The high-definition 2.14 million pixel CCD, the image capture element for the 2100DG, is coupled with a high-resolution zoom lens that has a center resolution of over 200 lines/mm. The result is imaging quality that is on par with that of photographs taken with conventional 35mm film cameras.

The lens supports a wide range of focal lengths from a 6.6mm wide-angle through a 26.4mm telephoto (equal to 35mm to 140mm in a 35mm camera) allowing the photographer to shoot a wide array of subjects including landscapes, group photos, and portrait photos. In addition, the 4x optical zoom capability can be combined with a 4x digital zoom function when displaying images, resulting in a maximum zoom magnification of 16x (super fine or fine image quality mode, display only).

"We are extremely proud and excited to have the world's first digital camera with 4x optical zoom, as it offers a significantly better image quality than cameras that only have digital zoom," said Kyocera Optics, Inc. President, Bill Heuer. He went on to say, "While a digital zoom merely enlarges and crops the picture, thus degrading the image, the optical zoom works like a high quality lens on a traditional film camera. With the 2100DG, our customers are not only getting the finest in Yashica lenses, but Kyocera's expertise in electronics as well."

In addition to a conventional video feedback auto-focus function that relies on the CCD, the Kyocera Samurai 2100DG is also equipped with a newly developed focusing system employing an infrared active auto-focus function. Combined, these two systems result in focusing performance that is both quick and accurate. All lenses are made of optical-quality glass.

The Kyocera Samurai 2100DG has been developed with a large memory capacity, and its image processing speed has been increased substantially over prior models to allow for faster storing and displaying of images. The wait time between shots has been reduced to about one second in the fastest mode -- significantly faster than with older digital cameras. This extra speed increases the opportunities for capturing great shots and reduces the chance of missing a shot when your camera is not ready. Using the included 8MB CompactFlash card, the user can store 84 exposures in normal mode, 20 in Fine mode, and six in Super Fine mode.

The Kyocera Samurai 2100DG has both a built-in optical real image zoom viewfinder and a 1.8" color LCD monitor. The optical viewfinder zooms along with the lens to provide concise, accurate framing. After taking a picture, you can quickly and easily view the image on the built-in 1.8", high contrast, high definition TFT LCD monitor. Additionally, you can playback images on the LCD in several different ways: single-image advance, automatic advance, quick thumbnail display, multi-image display, and rotate. Images can also be zoomed in on the LCD while in the playback mode, a great way of proofing your pictures or checking for small details.

The LCD monitor is also an ideal way to compose any Macro photos. In addition to the macro mode, which allows close-ups of objects as close as 3.9" from the lens (so you can fill the screen with an image of something as small as a business card), the Samurai 2100DG features a wide array of photography functions. The camera has four flash modes (automatic flash, automatic red-eye reduction flash, fill-flash, and flash-off), a landscape mode, two monochrome photography modes (sepia and black-and-white), and three white balance settings (auto, daylight, and tungsten lamp).

The Kyocera Samourai 2100DG also offers, what has become to many, a necessary security feature. When hooked up to a monitor or VCR, the camera doubles as security camera, allowing the user to tape, or monitor in real-time, actions taking place outside of their vantage point. While the 2100DG will not record sound, the images alone can be enough to give the security-conscious consumer peace of mind.

The Kyocera Samurai 2100DG includes an environmentally friendly, rechargeable, lithium-ion battery and charger. Approximately 200 shots, using the flash 50% of the time, can be taken with the battery. An AC Adapter is also included. As a bonus, each Samurai 2100DG comes with a special offer for a free one-year premium account on PhotoLoft.com. Through the use of the PhotoLoft.com coupon, Yashica customers can use advanced viewing technology to zoom in on or pan their images, as well as print photo-finish quality images at standard photographic sizes, ranging from wallet to 8"x10". PhotoLoft.com is the fastest growing photo-sharing community on the Internet that allows users to view, share and print photo-finish quality images.

Additional information can be obtained through the Yashica Web site: www.yashica.com

Yashica Acclaim 100 & Zoom 200 APS Compact Vameras

Yashica Acclaim 100 and Yashica Acclaim Zoom 200 APS Compact Cameras

Yashica Acclaim 100 APS Compact camera

© Yashica Optical Division / Kyocera

Yashica Acclaim Zoom 200 APS Compact camera

© Yashica Optical Division / Kyocera

Yashica enters the APS (Advanced Photo System) market in early 1996, with the introduction of its new Yashica Acclaim 100 and Yashica Acclaim Zoom 200 cameras at the 1996 Photo Marketing Association (PMA) Exposition, February 22-25 at Las Vegas Convention Center. 

Both new APS Lens Shutter compact cameras are specifically designed for use with the new APS format, which provides photographers with a higher level of flexibility and convenience other types of film.

Focal length is the differentiating factor on the new cameras. The Yashica Acclaim 100 has a 25mm (three elements in three groups) super-sharp, coated, wide angle glass lens. The Acclaim Yashica Zoom 200 has a 30-60mm (five elements in five groups) power zoom lens that makes it easy to go from wide angle to telephoto at the touch of a button.

Both the Yashica Acclaim 100 and Yashica Acclaim Zoom 200 are equipped with a switch that takes advantage of the flexibility of APS technology, making it possible to mix three different sizes of prints on the same roll of film. The three print size options include C ("Classic" 4"x6" format), P (4" x 12") format and H (which conforms to the format of HDTV or wide-screen television 4"x7"). Both new cameras have a Real Image Viewfinder that changes according to which print size is selected.

Other features shared by the Yashica Acclaim 100 and Yashica Acclaim Zoom 200 include a built-in active infrared auto-focus system; a 10 second self-timer; an automatic exposure system; and a five-mode flash system with red eye reduction). The digital information center on both cameras displays the film counter, flash mode, self-timer, low battery waming and date and time.

In addition, the Yashica Acclaim Zoom 200 also offers an infinity lock mode to ensure perfectly focused pictures when shooting through glass. When infinity mode is selected, it is indicated in the viewfinder.

Both new Yashica/APS cameras utilize basic Print Quality Improvement (PQl) technology whereby the camera "communicates" with the film via a magnetic coating on the surface of the film. PQI records scene and status information on the magnetic strip. Information is then transferred from the film to the processor, resulting in improved picture quality.

Additionally, both cameras will make photographic record keeping more convenient than ever before. Date or time will be automatically printed on the back of the processed prints. With the prints, developed film will be returned, uncut in its original protective cassette with an index print that makes it very easy to order reprints or enlargements.

YASHICA OPTICAL DIVISION

www.yashica.com

Updated Post