Yashica T3 Review: The Underrated 35mm Compact Film Camera That Surprised Me

If you're deep into 35mm film photography, you've definitely heard whispers (or full-on shouts) about the Yashica T4. But what about its older, bulkier sibling—the Yashica T3?

In this post, we’re diving into a full review of the Yashica T3 35mm point-and-shoot film camera, complete with real-world test photos shot on Lomography 800 film, some road trip madness in the California desert, and a few sweaty opinions. This is part travel log, part compact camera review—but fully focused on helping you decide if the T3 deserves a spot in your camera bag.

Why the Yashica T3?

The Yashica T3 is a 1988 35mm compact camera made by Kyocera—yep, the same company that would go on to make the famous T4 and T5 cameras beloved by street photographers, fashion shooters, and celebrities like Terry Richardson (gross). The T3 often gets overlooked due to its size, but don’t count it out.

This compact shooter features a Carl Zeiss T 35mm f/2.8 Tessar lens*, a huge leap from the f/3.5 found on both the T2 and T4. And that fast aperture makes a difference.

Quick Specs: Yashica T3

• Lens: Carl Zeiss Tessar 35mm f/2.8 (T* coating)

• Shutter Speeds: 1 sec to 1/630 sec

• DX Coding: ISO 64 to 1600

• Flash: Built-in with auto, forced on, and off

• Viewfinder: Includes the quirky “N.A. Scope” for waist-level shooting

• Battery: 1x 2CR5 lithium

• Price (2024): ~$200 USD

Shooting with the T3: A Field Test in the Desert

My buddy Jason and I hit the road to test this camera in real-world conditions: weird light, abandoned gas stations, motel signs, BBQ-induced food comas, and the glorious colors of Lomography 800.

We stopped at a beat-up gas station at blue hour—my favorite time to shoot color film—and while the interior was sadly boarded up, the T3 paired with Lomo 800 delivered rich, saturated images. This camera loves light and gives back serious vibrancy. I also gave the flash a whirl under a neon motel sign, and yeah… it’s strong. Not subtle. But it works.

Performance Breakdown of the Yashica T3

✅ Size & Build

Let’s be real—this is not a slim camera. It’s bigger than the T4, thicker than the Olympus MJU II, and almost chunky next to the Ricoh GR1. But it’s lightweight and surprisingly ergonomic. The grip feels secure, and it doesn’t feel fragile.

Not jeans-pocket friendly unless you're rocking vintage JNCOs or cargo shorts, but it does fit in a jacket pocket or bag.

✅ Image Quality

This is where the T3 shines. The Carl Zeiss lens is razor sharp with gorgeous contrast and rich color rendition—especially with film like Lomography 800 or Kodak Portra. In side-by-side comparisons, the images from the T3 honestly rival (and sometimes beat) those from my beloved Ricoh GR1.

There’s minor vignetting, but nothing distracting. Some shots even had a lovely depth due to the lens stopping down in bright conditions—great for landscape or texture-heavy scenes.

✅ Autofocus Hit Rate

Surprisingly solid. I didn’t miss many shots—even on quick focus-and-recompose attempts. Compared to the notorious inconsistency of something like the Olympus MJU II, the T3 nails focus reliably.

✅ Startup & Shooting Speed

Fast. Faster than my Ricoh GR1. It’s ready to go almost instantly, which matters when you're trying to shoot candid street scenes or fleeting light.

So… Should You Buy the Yashica T3?

If you're looking for a reliable, sharp, and affordable 35mm film camera, the Yashica T3 is a sleeper pick. It’s not the slimmest or sexiest compact film camera, but it’s got heart—and glass. And honestly? It might just outperform the more famous T4.

✅ Pros:

• Exceptional image quality

• Carl Zeiss T* 35mm f/2.8 lens

• Great autofocus and quick startup

• Cheaper than the T4

⚠️ Cons:

• Larger than most point-and-shoots

• Flash resets after each shot

• N.A. Scope is cool but not super accurate

Watch the Full Review on YouTube

Want to see this camera in action, including the full road trip vibes and photo results? Check out my full review on the Bad Flashes YouTube channel →