Yashica's T5 — cult fixed-lens 35mm compact, Zeiss Tessar T* 35/3.5, 1997.
The Yashica T5 is a fixed-lens 35mm autofocus compact from 1997, the last of Yashica's cult T series built around a Carl Zeiss Tessar T* lens. Sold as the T4 Super in some markets, it added a waist-level finder to the earlier design and is among the most sought-after point-and-shoot cameras, with high used prices reflecting demand for the Zeiss lens.
The T5 is a fixed-lens autofocus compact with a 35mm f/3.5 Carl Zeiss Tessar T* lens, framing through a direct optical viewfinder plus a supplementary top-mounted waist-level finder. It focuses automatically, uses program automatic exposure with a coupled meter and has a built-in flash; the leaf shutter is in the lens and the camera runs on battery power. The Zeiss Tessar T* lens is its defining verifiable feature.
It suits street, documentary and travel photographers who want a sharp Zeiss lens in a pocketable, weather-resistant automatic camera. The top waist-level finder allows discreet low or hip-level shooting, useful for candid reportage. It is bought for image quality and portability rather than manual control.
Because values are high, inspect closely. Check the film-door light seals, confirm the autofocus locks accurately, and inspect the Zeiss lens for haze, fungus and coating marks. Verify the LCD shows all segments without bleed, test the flash, the waist-level finder and the film advance and rewind motor, and look for corrosion around the battery door.