Yashica's autofocus 35mm SLR system, introduced in 1987 simultaneously with the Canon EOS system. For a number of reasons, it failed to gain the same popularity and was discontinued already in the mid-1990s.
THE CAMERAS:
- 230-AF - a flagship model with electronically controlled focal-plane shutter with speeds ranging from 16 to 1/2000th of a second, three AF modes (Standard AF, Continuous AF, Trap Focus) plus manual focus, 9 exposure modes, dual selectable TTL metering (center-weighted or spot), an integrated AF autoflash unit, pentaprism viewfinder with 95% field of view / 0.82X magnification, auto loading, auto-wind/rewind, and a direct contact for data back;
- 200-AF - a simpler version of the 230-AF with 6 exposure modes, TTL center-weighted metering only, without an integrated autoflash unit (but the accessory CS-250 AF autoflash unit could be used);
- 210-AF - a variation of the 200-AF with an integrated CS-111 AF autoflash unit for the domestic Japanese market;
- 270 Auto Focus (aka 230-AF SUPER) - a variation of the 230-AF with 6 exposure modes, TTL center-weighted metering only, focusing range selector, built-in autoflash unit covering a 35mm wide-angle lens, and a built-in autofocus-assist light;
- 300 Auto Focus - a version of the 270 Auto Focus with penta-mirror finder with 90% field of view / 0.75X magnification, support for Power Zoom AF lenses and a panorama adapter.
In the global market, the cameras and lenses were sold under the YASHICA brand, while in the Japanese domestic market, the KYOCERA brand was used (KYOCERA merged with YASHICA in October 1983).
The design of camera bodies and lens barrels was clearly inspired by Minolta autofocus models. Moreover, the Minolta A and the Yashica MA bayonet mounts are very similar, even the number of electrical contacts is the same.
THE LENSES:
Since the Yashica AF cameras were clearly aimed at beginners or those seeking to step up to a SLR from a point-and-shoot compact 35mm camera, Yashica did not find it necessary to release a comprehensive line of optics, and perhaps this was one of the reasons for the commercial failure of the system.
For those, who had Contax/Yashica lenses, an optional Yashica AF Converter 1.6x allowed to use them (provided they had a maximum aperture of F/3.5 or faster) with Yashica AF cameras as if they were autofocus lenses.