Yashima Precision Works was founded in 1945. Their first cameras were TLRs, Twin eyed Lens Reflex cameras. They changed name to Yashicas in 1957. During the 60s, Yashica was building a name as quality camera builders. In 1974, Yashica started
a cooperation with West-German Carl Zeiss company.
They took over production of the Contax cameras, and in 1975 introduced the Contax RTS. It was a success, especially as Yashica also was given the possibility of using and developing Carl Zeiss optics
for Contax and Yashica cameras. In 1983 the ceramic producer Kyocera took over Yashica/Contax and went on producing both brands. But during the 80s, sales were falling and Kyocera stopped producing Yashica PP SLRs in 1994. Kyocera/Contax would go on for another
11 years.