Rare Chinese Phenix JG 50  

As reviewed in Jason Schneider's "Camera Collector" column,  Popular Photography November 2002

The JG 50 commemorates the 50th Anniversary of the People's Republic of China 1949-1999.   Only 500 JG 50 were produced. It is a special version of the famous Yasuhara T981-- the camera which started the new rangefinder renaissance in 1999.  This is one of the rarest Leica copies. The finder is fairly good, with a 50mm brightline and a 1:1 viewing size.  The shutter is the standard Copal shutter -- which is not entirely light tight.  Keep the lens cap on when you are not shooting.    The original Yasuhara T981 was discontinued in 2001 after about 4,000 were produced. 

OFFICAL JG-50 Mis-spelling

Factory Direct, the back of this JG-50's top plate proclaims "OFFICAL USA EXPORT."  Mis-engravings of any sort are rare, and generally increase the value of the camera to collectors.  Only TEN were made with this engraving.

The new JG50 arrives in its NAILED SHUT wooden box, gold outer box with red ribbon, red satin lined inner box, body and lens caps, 50/2.8 Collapsible Tessar type lens with matching serial number to body, special red camera strap, and JG50 instruction book in Chinese.  Although I am now sold out, I should be able to get more.   For more info visit   Yasuhara T981 Intro  T981 Hands ON

The collapsible 50/2.8 looks much like the old 50/2 collapsible Summicron, even down to the infinity lock. Leica screw mount.   There were no Yasuhara T981 lenses. The Phenix 50/2.8 was only made for the JG-50.  

 Phenix 50/2.8 lens collapsible for JG 50, New $250 

 

Tom Abrahamsson of Rapidwinder.com fame, Offical photographer of Vancouver's historic Chinatown, photo by Banarck C.

Revised: March 16, 2020 .  Copyright © 2004 Stephen Gandy. All rights reserved.    This means you may NOT copy and re-use the text or the pictures in ANY other internet or printed publication of ANY kind.  Information in this document is subject to change without notice.  Other products and companies referred to herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies or mark holders.