Yashica/Kyocera Samurai [1987]: The Concept and Campaign
![Yashica/Kyocera Samurai [1987]: The Concept and Campaign](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57825361440243db4a4b7830/1643460518593-XAMFF5PLY2QNF88EW8ZS/yashica-Samurai-review-1-of-26.jpeg)
The Samurai line of cameras was introduced in 1987 by the Kyocera company.
With design language that resembles more of a camcorder rather than a traditional camera, the Yashica/Kyocera Samurai is a true SLR camera that shoots in half-frame, and doing it while completely turning the traditional design language of cameras on its head. As the technology suggests, a half-frame essentially separates one exposure of film into two halves allowing you to get up to 72 pictures in a standard roll of 35mm. While it does mean that the pictures will come out in slightly unusual dimensions, the fact that you can essentially squeeze two shots on a single exposure opens up another level of possibilities on how you want your pictures to look like.
There were several iterations of the Samurai line, including the original Samurai X3.0, the follow-up X4.0 model, along with the Samurai Z and Z2 [and their left-handed ‘Z-L / Z2-L’ variants] and the Samurai 4000ix.
Another interesting note about the Samurai is that Ryuichi Sakamoto was quite heavily involved in ad campaigns for the camera back in the day. There was even a special edition EP that he released as promotional material for the Samurai.
