New Chinese Rangefinder Cameras!

[Jocko]

Reading the post about the new Zeiss lenses inspired me to find out more about Phenix, the Chinese camera manufacturer -

Their on-line catalogue features two 35mm rangefinders - something I thought might interest other members -
http://supplier.tradeeasy.com/nf/p6911-27e5-142279-616447-12/Classic_Range_Finder.html

This one would seem to be the Yashuhara, apparently still available...

http://supplier.tradeeasy.com/nf/p6911-27e5-142279-616448-13/Classic_Range_Finder.html

 

[Stephanie Brim]

I'd be curious as to the price of that second camera.

 

[parks5920]

I'm going to ask my brother in law to check these out when he goes to China next month.

Thanks for the info.

Reading the post about the new Zeiss lenses inspired me to find out more about Phenix, the Chinese camera manufacturer -

Their on-line catalogue features two 35mm rangefinders - something I thought might interest other members -
http://supplier.tradeeasy.com/nf/p6911-27e5-142279-616447-12/Classic_Range_Finder.html

This one would seem to be the Yashuhara, apparently still available...

http://supplier.tradeeasy.com/nf/p6911-27e5-142279-616448-13/Classic_Range_Finder.html

 

[Frank Granovski]

The JG-50 looks nice, especially it's color. It beats black, that's for sure. I wonder if these are available in North America? 😎

 

[Stephanie Brim]

Most likely not. Importing can be a bi-otch.

 

[RML]

Cool! More cameras to collect. 😛

And they seem to have LTM Phenix lenses too.

 

[Stephan]

here's some more:

http://www.binocular.com.hk/detail.asp?id=261

 

[rover]

Yes, available in North America

http://www.cameraquest.com/yasuhara_phenix_jg50.htm

 

[pvdhaar]

Yes, there seem to be 2 available still at this moment, and they're not bad-looking at all, but at $999 a piece I'm afraid I can't afford one..

 

[ZeissFan]

I own the first camera, the 205E. It's a somewhat crudely finished camera, and I've misplaced the film that I shot with it. I think it cost me about $60 new, which is about right. The camera had an unpleasant petroleum-product odor that took nearly three years to dissipate.

It has a decent viewfinder. The focusing ring is at the base of the lens so your fingers rub against the front of the camera when you turn it.

Shutter speeds run from 1 sec. to 1/300 + B. There is a self-timer. Aperture range is from f/2.8-f/22, and it's stepless (no click stops). There is a color-coded depth of field scale on the lens barrel that correlates with the colors of the various apertures. It's difficult to discern the difference in anything but bright sunlight.

A single S-76/LR44 cell runs the meter, which uses three LEDs in the viewfinder -- one green with a red above and below on the right side of the viewfinder. The viewfinder also contains a frameline.

Not a bad camera overall.

 

[Andy K]

Yes, there seem to be 2 available still at this moment, and they're not bad-looking at all, but at $999 a piece I'm afraid I can't afford one..

I don't think that is the price of the standard camera. Those in the link are advertised as: '$999 in Red Presentation box with 50/2.8 Lens. OFFICAL Mis-Spelling !! Only 2 of 10 remain.'
So there may be a rarity value which has created an artificially high price.

 

[Stephanie Brim]

Well, he says that he may be able to get more...

Hey Mr. Gandy, mind stepping in and confirming? I'm interested as it would be a good way to get into the M system.

 

[Frank Granovski]

I thought it looked familar from Cameraquest. Sooo much reading and re-reading to do over there. 😎

 

[yossarian]

I posted a thread yesterday about the two Yasuharas (T981 & T1012) being available through lomography.com for $600 each. Sorry...black leatherette only.

 

[Andy K]

I posted a thread yesterday about the two Yasuharas (T981 & T1012) being available through lomography.com for $600 each. Sorry...black leatherette only.

If the Lomographic Society are selling them at $600 you can guarantee they are buying them in at $50 max. The LS has a history of massive price mark ups for cheap cameras.

 

[wlewisiii]

Email the company; you might be surprised and get a chance to buy one cheap.

William

 

[kbg32]

From the Cameraquest Site:

February 2004 UPDATE: Yasuhara Co. went out of business this month. This will probably increase demand of Yasuhara cameras as collectibles.

Now you know why Lomo is selling them for $600.

 

[Kin Lau]

There's an old thread around here on the Yasuhara's.... it's well made, not a cheapy.

 

[Jocko]

I've e-mailed for current prices.

 

[JoshRoot]

Lomo = rip off artists.

Still, I've got to give them kudos for creating a market where people are happy to pay through the nose for crap. Just because they think it's cool.