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on Jan 8, 2020 22:01:30 GMT
Last Edit: Jan 8, 2020 22:04:59 GMT by Deleted
This camera came up on my radar recently. All the indications were that it was based on a Yashica FX-3 Super 2000 and I had to check that out. It was made from 1998 by the Phenix Company in China for the Yasuhara Company. Yasuhara was a company set up by an ex Kyocera engineer who wanted to manufacturer his own rangefinder. Maybe not surprising then that he went to Phenix and used a Super 2000 as a starting point. I've completely dismantled the camera and there's no doubt it uses a modified FX-3 chassis, film advance mechanism and shutter but with no mirror box and a rangefinder mounted on top. I've seen it said the rangefinder comes from a Seagull 205 but can't comment on that. The camera's well made. Nearly everything is metal - even parts that would be plastic on a FX-3 have, mostly, been made from metal. The top and bottom plates are solid brass. On reassembly, I decided to add a grip from a FX-3 as the camera is quite heavy and I thought the grip would help. I also thought I'd try some new covers. There is/was a version sold exclusively in China as the JG-50 which had red covers so I thought, why not. The camera came with a collapsible 50/2.8 lens which looks like the one normally found on the JG-50. A non-collapsible lens was the more usual one supplied with the T981. My lens has no serial number or makers name. I've yet to see how good it is. Rarely found outside of China or Japan, I found my T981 in an Austrian dealer. There was, apparently, around 4500 made but mine has a serial of 5008.
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on Jan 9, 2020 4:20:51 GMT
Posted: Jan 9, 2020 4:20:51 GMT
And I thought the YF was expensive. Bet it's nice to have the assurance you won't burn a hole in, or break a shutter curtain. Nice job on the recover and grip, Peter.
PF
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Status: Failed treatment for L.B.A. and G.A.S,
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on Jan 9, 2020 8:37:05 GMT
Posted: Jan 9, 2020 8:37:05 GMT
This has a quirky look that I appreciate. After reading a few more articles after your post, this little gem could take credit for reigniting the rangefinder marketplace in the late 90's. There's several mentions that it was the likely inspiration for Konica's Hexar and Voigtlander's Bessa line being introduced. I'm sure I'm not the only one to have a soft spot for LTM/L39 rangefinders. The camera may be out of production - and hard to find - but the Kyocera engineer behind it is still in business and primarily producing photographic lenses. There's also a manual for both of the "T" cameras on his company website. Great work on the camera too, Peter. Looks factory new, and the grip seems like a logical addition.
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on Jan 9, 2020 14:51:45 GMT
Posted: Jan 9, 2020 14:51:45 GMT
Thanks guys. The grip is definitely an improvement. The red leather...? I just happened to have it so went with it but I think a slightly less attention grabbing colour might be better.
Yasuhara-san also wrote a book about the T981. I have a copy coming but it's all in Japanese so Google Lens will be my friend. If there's anything interesting I'll add it here.
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Status: Long, long time Contax and Yashica user; glad to be here and hope to contribute.
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on Jan 13, 2020 14:25:26 GMT
Posted: Jan 13, 2020 14:25:26 GMT
What a superb find. And very nice work on re-covering the camera.
One question if you don't mind: with the grip in place, does the self-timer still travel to its maximum extent?
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on Jan 13, 2020 16:14:31 GMT
Posted: Jan 13, 2020 16:14:31 GMT
One question if you don't mind: with the grip in place, does the self-timer still travel to its maximum extent? Yes it does. Though I was tempted to remove it as I never use the self timer but it would have been a non-reversible modification so I decided to leave it.
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on Jan 13, 2020 22:19:40 GMT
Posted: Jan 13, 2020 22:19:40 GMT
Fascinating bit of kit, kind of a so ugly it's cool look.
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