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Status: Long, long time Contax and Yashica user; glad to be here and hope to contribute.
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on Nov 3, 2023 19:42:38 GMT
Posted: Nov 3, 2023 19:42:38 GMT
I'd not come across one of these before: the Yashica Imagination Micro-AF.  Imagination Micro-AFThere's not a huge amount to say about this plastic automatic P&S model. It has a 35mm f4.5 glass lens of indeterminate origin, a very efficient AF system, a 10s self-timer and an in-built flash with selectable red-eye reduction. Just like the Impression and Expression cameras, it carries no serial number, just some patent numbers and in this case Made in Hong Kong printed onto the base-plate. It was introduced in 1993 and this is the standard version without the date-back. One nice feature is that its battery compartment can use either a CR123A lithium cell or 2 AAA batteries; it arrived from Japan with the former and I can confirm that flash recycling is considerably faster with it than with the AAA batteries. There is also an Imagination Plus which uses a 28mm lens and has a panoramic function. |
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on Nov 4, 2023 11:12:19 GMT
Posted: Nov 4, 2023 11:12:19 GMT
Hi Graham .... just looked at my chart and noticed that I have a date of 1999 for the Imagination/Expression/Impression series .... did I get it wrong? I'd love to see any clues to the date, as a quick internet search just throws up some sketchy data. My original source for the 1999 date was www.yashica.com/pointshoot/imaginationafplus/imaginationafplus.htmlwhich no longer exists! |
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Group: Moderator
Post: 2,040 (563 liked)
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Status: Long, long time Contax and Yashica user; glad to be here and hope to contribute.
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on Nov 4, 2023 12:14:00 GMT
Posted: Nov 4, 2023 12:14:00 GMT
Hi Graham .... just looked at my chart and noticed that I have a date of 1999 for the Imagination/Expression/Impression series .... did I get it wrong? I'd love to see any clues to the date, as a quick internet search just throws up some sketchy data. My original source for the 1999 date was www.yashica.com/pointshoot/imaginationafplus/imaginationafplus.htmlwhich no longer exists! Hi Bob, While looking for clues as to how this camera differs from the Imagination, I came across a 1993 New York Times article concerning Yashica gear being introduced to the US market which made direct reference to the Imagination Micro-AF arriving alongside the Yashica 300AF. Like you, I had assumed that the Imagination was contemporary with the Expression and Impression as they're all much of a muchness. The article was about the 300AF but at the end is the relevant comment: 'Yashica also has five new pocket-size 35-millimeter cameras: the Imagination Micro AF ($145); the Sensation Plus ($165); the EZ Zoom (for 38 millimeters to 90 milimeters; $385); the EZ Zoom (for 35 millimeters to 70 millimeters; $315), and the Yashica J-Mini Super ($154).'It's rather nice to have the retail prices for those models. Of course, that doesn't exclude the possibility that different dates may have applied to different markets. Incidentally, I came across another s/h Yashica P&S with which I'm not familiar: the Micro Finesse. It's being sold by a UK retailer - but at £95 I'll give it a miss... |
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on Nov 4, 2023 12:42:13 GMT
Last Edit: Nov 4, 2023 13:45:36 GMT by bobblehat
Great information Graham! Now I have a little headache of a job ... shuffling those cameras around to the appropriate positions on the chart! I compiled the chart on a principal that wherever the camera was sold first is regarded as the introduction/production date. In fact if I found evidence that a fully working model was shown at a Camera Fair/Expo, then I took that date as the date for the chart.
I'll see if there are any other dates available for that series via the internet or elsewhere. It's a bit strange that I ended up using 1999, considering that my notes point towards that Yashica.com page as the source!
Edit: I meant if I found a slightly earlier date (than a sale date) shown at a Camera Fair/Expo .......... etc.
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Group: Moderator
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on Nov 4, 2023 13:17:18 GMT
Posted: Nov 4, 2023 13:17:18 GMT
Great information Graham! Now I have a little headache of a job ... shuffling those cameras around to the appropriate positions on the chart! I compiled the chart on a principal that wherever the camera was sold first is regarded as the introduction/production date. In fact if I found evidence that a fully working model was shown at a Camera Fair/Expo, then I took that date as the date for the chart. I'll see if there are any other dates available for that series via the internet or elsewhere. It's a bit strange that I ended up using 1999, considering that my notes point towards that Yashica.com page as the source! Sorry to be the cause of a major headache! I don't envy you the task of shuffling those cameras around... |
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on Nov 4, 2023 13:47:53 GMT
Posted: Nov 4, 2023 13:47:53 GMT
No! I'm grateful for any information that will correct errors/omissions etc .... no matter how much work it involves. Cheers!
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on Nov 18, 2023 12:47:36 GMT
Posted: Nov 18, 2023 12:47:36 GMT
Phew .... 11 cameras moved on the Yashica Family Tree chart from 1999 to 1993 positions. They were the Impression/Imagination/Expression/Sensation range plus 2 "Revue" clones. I decided to drop the Imagination Fixed Focus camera for which I never did find evidence of, just had a place holder with no picture. The Imagination Plus and Imagination Micro AF are still there.
Anyone can PM me with their email address if you'd like me to send an updated JPG (5+MB).
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