RE: [Leica] Yasuhara T-981

[Jem Kime <jem.kime@cwcom.net>]

Dan,
Just to make it clear, I wasn't relating a tale of dismay, I was never 
really disappointed with the camera. But compared to a Leica (which is our 
reference in this community) it was flimsy, had plastic parts, and sounded 
'clacky'.
And like Leicas, it also increased in value!

But you're dead right, with the Bessas about now, it's effectively been 
killed dead.
Which may well make it, as someone has already noted, (and I smugly 
suggested a few years ago) a collector's item no doubt.

Jem

- -----Original Message-----
From:	D Khong [SMTP:dkhong@pacific.net.sg]

Jem Kime wrote:

>Indeed, I had a Yasuhara as Joseph mentioned, though I had nowhere near 
the
>complaints that he suffered.
>
>In fact, it's hard to recall what disappointments I did have. It was
>flimsy, with plastic parts and the sound of the shutter was quite 
'clacky'.
>It held a distinguished position as the first screw mount rangefinder to 
be
>made in Japan since the mid 1960s. I eventually sold mine on to Stephen
>Gandy whose web site now contains pictures and some information about the
>camera.

I recall some years back when this camera was first announced. The demand
could not meet supply. Was was even more laughable (now) was that there was
a ballot to see who would get the chance to own the first batch of the
T-981 with appropriate early serial numbers.

I had thought that it was poor marketing and insufficient manufacturing
which killed interest in this camera. People lost interest and confidence
and less even want to put money in to order. Now we have owners who are
forthcoming in their tales of dismay about this camera. With better
alternatives like the Bessa R and the Hexar RF, the T-981 has no chance.

Dan K.

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          To handle a hard situation, try a soft answer.
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