Yasuhara T-981

[Stephanie Brim]

I saw the price on the Lomography site and cringed. Granted, it's a pretty nice camera and that includes the lens, but I thought that they were cheaper than that originally. Can anyone tell me ANYTHING about this camera? I shot a PM to Stephen Gandy over on RFF to see if he could shed some light as to whether or not he has some left over.

 

[polaski]

The price is very much out of line

The research I did into the Yasuhara indicated that the man wanted to produce a Leica-type rangefinder, and let the design and production costs get seriously out of control.

Consina stole the guy's march by reengineering a cheap, proven SLR body into a rangefinder body. I have a CV Bessa R with Leica thread mount Cosina (CV) lenses and they all perform very well together at 1/3 to 1/4 the cost of equivilent used Leica equipment. (The word "equivilent" would upset Leica Forum members, but when I can get 85% of the quality for 35% of the price, it's a no brainer. Gandy goes into that in detail.)

Were the Lomography folks marketing the Asuhara? If so, he's running out of marketing channels.

 

[Stephanie Brim]

Yes.

If I'm going to get a Leica mount rangefinder it's going to be an actual Leica. This would have just been yet another body for my Russian lenses. But not at $600. I'm pondering saving for an M body now...seems to be the best way to go. Most likely an M3.

I'm a Leicaphile myself. I know the Voigtlander equipment is good, but when I can get an M3 for the same amount used as a new R2/3A, I don't really see why I shouldn't get the Leica.

 

[Paul Sorensen]

Keep in mind that the Lomography folks try to sell a color flash Holga for $70 when freestyle sells it for $35. (They do throw in a roll of film and two AA batteries for the extra $35) There might be a less expensive source out there.

 

[Stephanie Brim]

Asked Stephen Gandy and he hasn't seen anymore. He also says that they suffer from light leaks...maybe they *were* made for the Lomo crowd.

 

[Lachlan Young]

Asked Stephen Gandy and he hasn't seen anymore. He also says that they suffer from light leaks...maybe they *were* made for the Lomo crowd.

According to Stephen Gandy the Copal shutter on the Yasuhara is not entirely light tight - unlike the cosina voigtlander which uses a double shutter to ensure light tightness. Apparently this is a problem which only afflicts focal plane metal shutters - cloth Leica type shutters are unaffected. I would suggest buying a Voigtlander instead.

Hope this helps,
Lachlan

 

[Uncle Bill]

Stephanie,
At $600+Us I would just hold off save more money and get a Leica M3. Then again I am biased as I have an M3.

Bill