Yashica Profile Zoom 4000 IX

I've had this camera for years and love it. It's light and has created many great pictures through many backpacking trips.

Light, big zoom (equivalent to 160 or 170 on a 35mm)

Some of the control menus are confusing. You feel at times it's necessary to read the manual to learn to use a function.

35mm cameras.

I've never had a problem until now. It's dead I think (tried two batteries) and it's expensive ($40) to have the film taken out and to repair (~$100). APS is also dying out so I may go back to 35mm.

Great camera! User friendly and produces great pics. Would do with a lttle less bulk, but nevertheless a cool APS camera!

The best APS on the market. The only reason I am not using it now, is that I LOST IT! The reviewer woh panned this product should have been more honest in his rating. If this was his only experience in APS, then he should not have reviewed the camera, since it isn't the camera he has a problem with but the APS format. I loved the beautiful photos I got from it. I have gorgeous panaramic pictures of the Seattle Skyline and even pictures I took at a friends wedding, that they paid me for afterward! I love experiencing all forms of camera technology, and there are advantages and disadvantages to all, so it mostly depends on the user. So if you like APS, This is the camera to get. Yashica (and Contax) make the finest cameras out there.

Ergonomic hold, strap was comfortable to me, zoom was good, pictures were crisp. Finger placement allowed for natural zoom and shooting movements.

It is not made anymore.

Kodak APS, 35mm Yashica, Nikon, Pentax cameras.

At one point the camera would not power it on. My camera repair place sent it in for me, and I had it back in brand new condition in less than 2 weeks.

This camera is junk. Technically speaking, it works as advertised. The results are just terrible. I tested this camera side by side with the other 3 Samurai half-frame cameras that I own, as well as a Profile 4000 IX demo from the dealer, and the quality of the results from both of these cameras is so obviously inadequate. The half-frame negative is slightly smaller that the APS negative, but exposed in a good camera, the results are far superior to APS. Plus I get 72 exposures on a roll. For processing, I used Kodak for both 35mm and APS. Thank goodness Kodak still processes the half-frame format. All the Kodak hype about their Advantix film is just so much hot air. I''m completely at a loss to understand why they are pushing this crummy film on one hand, and no longer producing their outstanding Kodachrome 25 on the other hand. I used Kodak APS film (Advantix) in 100, 200 and 400 speeds and Kodak Gold 35mm film in 100 and 200 and Max in 400 for my test. Shooting the same subjects side by side, the results are incredibly different. My biggest complaints are with the grain and color saturation in all three Advantix films and the lousy focus with the Profile camera. I was really amazed that the Advantix film seemed to over-saturate the colors, particularly reds and blues. The Samurai X3.0, X4.0 and Z models were all right on in focus and exposure. If I didn''t know which film was exposed in each of these cameras, I would not have been able to distinguish which photo came from which camera. Too bad Yashica quit making the Samurai series. They quit making a winner to produce junk.

The physical design of the camera makes it quite easy to use, just like the earlier Samurai cameras. It will complete my collection of Samurai cameras. I can point to it and explain to my students how technology doesn''t necessarily make things better over time.

Specifically the APS format (inclusive of Kodak''s Advantix film, very poor focus and exposure control.

Yashica Samurai X3.0, X4.0, Z and ZL. I have not used any other APS camera -- and most definitely will not.

I am considering sending this camera to Yashica to see if there is some mechanical defect, but since my test involved using two of these cameras with the same poor results, I''m not sure.

Best darn camera I've ever had.

This is a great camera to carry always at the ready.

Pictures are clear and sharp in most all conditions in full auto mode.

Recommend hand strap not be adjusted too tight. Retaining pin spring for rear strap fastening broke.

Yashica and Canon

Hand strap fastening became loose. Sent to Kyocera service depot in NJ. Camera was returned in 10 days packaged like new. Prompt and courteous service.