To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1999, the Chinese camera maker Phenix, which has been contracted by Japan's Yasuhara Co. Ltd. to manufacture the Yasuhara T981 LTM camera, released the JG 50. As you can see from the linked page, the JG 50 is exactly the same camera as the T981, but with Chinese markings and red leather finish. Now that's Leica-style marketing with Chinese characteristics!

-- Hoyin Lee (leehoyin@hutchcity.com), December 31, 2001

Answers

If they were reasonable priced, I'd own one.

-- Josh Root (rootj@att.net), December 31, 2001.

The camera has a beautiful presentation in a red leather case.

Sometimes commies learn sth. from the West.

My question is, can this camera also be baught? And if so, at what price?

A reply would be welcome.

Al

-- Alfred H. Kayser (alkayser@arrakis.es), February 27, 2002.

"Sometimes commies learn sth. from the West. "

I'm not sure what sth. means, but that's quite an understatement with respect to China.

My IBM ThinkPad laptop, on which I am typing this, is Made in China.

IMHO, its only a matter of time before precision camera and lens manufacture migrates to China. They really are storming up the learning curve in terms of quality and modern manufacturing expertise.

-- Mani Sitaraman (bindumani@pacific.net.sg), February 27, 2002.

To all those interested in Chinese Rangefinder marketing:

Hmm, Alfred, that commies thing WAS a little out of date. Do you think everyone runs around here in Mao suits waving little red books? NO they run around in designer suits waving cell phones!

However, to the point, I live in NanChang (I'm a foriegn teacher here) which is the capital of Jiangxi province. Phenix are made by the Jiangxi Optical Instrument Factory (though in Shangrao, Jiangxi not Nanchang) and are well represented in NanChang camera shops. I have never, however, seen a JG50 in the flesh!

I have seen a gold plated Phenix 205 compact rangefinder together with a gold plated Shanghai Seagull TLR, more Leica like fripperies which, to my jaundiced eye, look tacky in extremus. At over 6000 yuan (US$750)each they are no bargain. The handsome little 205E (basicaly a crib on a Konica S2) is a snip at 350 to 438yuan. It is all silver with honey coloured leatherette trim. Mechanically crunchy and as about as reliable as a Trabant it is still fun to use and always raises comments from Chinese who are amazed it is still being made. They themselves have defected to more modern fare, including little Premier branded compacts sold in beautiful presentation boxes. Far from just learning this art from the west the Chinese are extremely caught up with presentation...sometimes to the detrement of function.

I could write much more about the Phenix (considered here to be superior in quality to the more venerable ShangaiSeagull brand) but won't bore you too much. Any questions about the 205E or other Phenix models (a Panflex/Phenix joint venture medium format swing lens panorama anyone?) will be happily fielded to the best of my abilities.

finally, an unsolicited plug, www.spellcheck.net have an excellent translator, very helpful for japanese and Chinese Rangefinder sites! Wish I was computer literate enough to discover it earlier!

Oh and a final comment, My 205E has wonderful heft and balance. If the Phenix/Yasuhara could be improved mechanically it would make a beautiful body for Cosina/Voigtlander glass.

regards, Mike.

-- Michael Toohey (bicycle_mike@veloemail.com), April 05, 2002.