The Rangefinder you NEVER Knew

[@DeeRosa]

The fact that Caleb makes this content for us while continuing to continue his VFX career and fight crime at night is astounding.

[@BadFlashes]

Hahaha fighting crime for sure 😝

[@doctormaps]

Love double release days! Do you and Jason hold hands while you click 'upload'?

[@BadFlashes]

Wouldn’t you like to know… 😝

[@chriszheng17]

An interesting thing about this camera: it's made in China. The story goes like this, after leaving Kyocera, Mr. Shin Yasuhara started designing his ideal camera.But when the design work was nearly completed, no japanese company willing to build a camera for him.And he didn't gave up his dream, eventually Mr. Shin Yasuhara found Phoenix ( Fenghuang ) Optical Company in Jiangxi, China. Phoenix Company was the largest camera manufacturer in China at the time. Phoenix agreed to build this camera. In 1999, Isshiki began shipping and has achieved steady sales in the Japanese domestic market. But sales were never high, and coupled with the impact of the digital camera trend in the 2000s, Mr. Shin Yasuhara plan to design a new generation of Isshiki came to nothing. In the end, 4,000 to 4,500 units were builded and discontinued production in 2001. There is a saying that although Isshiki didn't succeed in the market, both Konica and Voigtlander were inspired by Isshiki, especially the metal vertical travel focal plane shutter, these two manufacturers produced Hexar and Bessa lately.

[@BadFlashes]

100%

[@JasperBunschoten]

JCH did a feature on it 4 years ago! I did not expect to see it again on youtube! Lovely vid!

[@BadFlashes]

Hahaha exactly

[@japancamerahunter]

I did. Nice to see it getting some love.

[@BadFlashes]

Rangefinders!!!!! 🫶🏼

[@tobiwankenobi96]

I‘ll throw one Rangefinder name into the room: Canon 7. Very happy with this one and it wasn’t too expensive really

[@BadFlashes]

Oh yeah, I’ve always wanted to try a canon seven but never got around to it

[@johnnytoledo]

It's not bad but it not being M mount and not having a hot/cold shoe without a adapter really limits it. There are some good ltm lenses but for what they cost especially the Leica ones I just ended up moving over to a Leica M4 no reason to spend that much on a dead lens mount while M mount still gets lens releases to this day.

[@unpoulet6859]

@@johnnytoledothere’s the Canon 7s that has a hot shoe and honestly the build quality is so freaking good. Like top tier for sure. And there’s plenty of LTM lenses and voigtlander still makes new ones. Leica M lenses are really nice too but I can’t afford them.

[@KentTeffeteller]

@@BadFlashes Get you a Canon L1 or VL1. The best Leica Screw Mount shooter there is, or a P.

[@Francois_L_7933]

If you want to get a surprisingly good rangefinder for very little buck and don't mind a slightly dim viewfinder and a top speed of 1/500, get a Zorki 6. It's better in almost every way than a Leica III for a very small fraction of the price.

[@BadFlashes]

Z6 baby!!! Wait that’s a different camera haha

[@JChaytor86]

I love the Russian rangefinders, I had a Zorki 4K which had a 1/1000 shutter speed but I swapped it for the sleeker looking Fed 3. I really fancy trying a Kiev 4A

[@BadFlashes]

Maybe I should definitely look into these … if everyone is talking em up :)

[@JChaytor86]

@@BadFlashes yeah I'd love to see what the rangefinder daddy makes of them. They have quirks but they are cheeeeap 😂

[@BadFlashes]

😘🔥🤘🏼

[@AeromaticXD]

I’m an SLR person but fell deep into Rangefinders recently with the Olympus XA-2, I totally get it now. The Yasuhara T-981 looks cool too!

[@R._B._Victor_Hugo_Ashford]

the xa 2 isn't a rangefinder

[@AeromaticXD]

@ okay so after searching, found out it’s a scale focus camera. Functionally they’re not too too different - just don’t have the rangefinder focus patch in the XA 2, unlike the first one…

[@BadFlashes]

Rangefinders are the way hahahaa

[@AeromaticXD]

@@BadFlashes i’ve been seduced to the dark side!

[@R._B._Victor_Hugo_Ashford]

@@AeromaticXD yeah but the patch is part of what makes it work so well. the big thing is keeping both eyes open so the framelines are superimposed on what you're looking at. That way you can see what's not in the frame and adjust accordingly. It's an interesting trade off with slrs, losing a little accuracy in framing in exchange for better overall perception of the scene. I'm pretty keen to pick up a Nikon SP at some point. WBU?

[@SoSaMin1]

Loved hearing about your experience with this camera 🙂So entertaining🙂Have you tried the Contarex 1 (Cyclops or Bullseye) Camera?🙂

[@BadFlashes]

Oh thanks!!! And no I haven’t.

[@Windowserrorsong]

Honestly, I enjoy my HiMatic 7S. Lovely rangefinder that feels good enough for me! I feel that people also love the Canonet QL cameras. So many cheap options for old rangefinders. 🤷‍♂️ but I’ve also never held a Leica so who knows.

[@BadFlashes]

I feel ya … if you don’t wanna pay that Leica tax … stay away 😝

[@tombu4484]

Light leak on the T981 is well documented and the reason I skipped it for other rangefinders, which is unfortunate. Yasuhara suggests keeping the lens cap on to minimize the issue but it's ultimately a hit and miss. While both the T981 and Bessas use Copal shutters, IIRC the latter has some special construction changes to mitigate this issue completely, but the T981 lacked because it was the pioneer.

[@BadFlashes]

Yeah, that’s totally true. I do, however think in this case it has a lot to do with the Aurora film since I get a lot of those same issues with other cameras using that film.

[@rbatbaptista]

Hey Caleb. Please see the Nicca 3L (IIIL) and the Yashica YF two beautiful gems from the 50's. These are super rare cameras, just few units were made.

[@BadFlashes]

I know. I almost went for those instead. :) I might still who know lol

[@czelendzerii3985]

I think you should try a Rollei 35! Very fun to use (if its enough light to stop down, if not its a little guess focus nightmare)

[@BadFlashes]

Hahaha that’s the nightmare I don’t want lol 😝

[@czelendzerii3985]

​​@@BadFlashesNevermind the camera its always amazing

[@ejorbe]

That is a cool looking camera! I have two range finder the Nikon SP for 35mm film and the Mamiya 6 Model P for 120mm. The Mamiya is very cool as it is a folding camera…..from 1956! It still works amazingly!!!

[@BadFlashes]

That’s amazing!!!!!!😻

[@ejorbe]

@@BadFlashes if you are ever in NYC again and want to take one for a spin let me know!

[@BadFlashes]

🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼 coooooooooo

[@brianmckeever5280]

Nice images,. Love the colors from that film. Looks like a terrific venue and event!

[@BadFlashes]

It was! 🥰

[@grainfinity]

this camera was actually produced by phenix optics in china, and they made a rebaging edition of the 一式

[@BadFlashes]

Yeah that’s who Shin got to manufacture the camera.

[@tedphillips2951]

I second the Canon 7. Except for the lugs in the wrong place it is a great rangefinder.

[@BadFlashes]

Hahaha totally

[@zacharyrivera5418]

I love my Yasuhara t981, I have the same setup with the cannon Serenar 1.8, Its a quirky camera with its interesting flaws

[@BadFlashes]

Aw nice. I’m glad you like it. Does your advance lover have that same type of feeling?

[@SDLearmonth]

I just heard of this camera the other week from a comment on Reddit! Really quirky design

[@BadFlashes]

No way lol

[@AardvarkAdventure]

That "there is another" shot is one of the best in movies, everrrrr

[@BadFlashes]

🥰🥰🥰🥰

[@watermelon.2415]

Ayyyyee Caleb In my recommend

[@BadFlashes]

😍😍😍😍😍😍

[@vmcamposCameraClub]

Great video, as usual! It certainly looked like you were about to review a '50s/'60s camera. I was surprised to learn it was from 1999. Oh, hey, the Lafayette. I live in San Diego, so I know it! Also, I just used your Freestyle Photo link to buy three rolls of Lomo Orca 100 for my 110 cameras. Yes, I own more than one! Also, also when are you reviewing a 110 film camera; like a really bad no-name brand? 😆

[@BadFlashes]

Ahhhh thanks alll on those levels 😍 Hope you get some great bangers from the film 🎞️

[@nolankphotography]

I had one for about 3 months.... used it once and then sold it again. it was cool, but something about it wasn't for me. I also sold my M3 and M2 after s few rolls.... idk too perfect?

[@BadFlashes]

SLR Shooter???

[@merlinmendoza5177]

Since you're stuck at 50 mm anyway might as well get a Konica iiia. It's a fixed lens but it's going to do the job well enough. With an amazing lens and half the price

[@BadFlashes]

love Half the price

[@y2ktube]

Video @ 5:10 "M3'esk film rewind" - Sorry Caleb, that would be a typical rewind knob/handle (many 35mm cameras have this design). The M3 had a milled (knurled) knob. The M4 and M6 models had a roughly 45 degree slant to their knob/handle...😎

[@BadFlashes]

🤦😭😭😭😭 How will you ever forgive me 😝🫶🏼

[@danienelphoto]

Next, try a Neoca 2S. If you like this, the Neoca is also cheap for a rangefinder. I did a video over on my channel on it.

[@BadFlashes]

Oh yeah. I almost picked that one up hahaha

[@lonerangefinder3974]

I had this camera but sold it when I sold off my ltm lenses. They also made a lens for it.

[@BadFlashes]

did you like it? Did this video hit the nail on the head? lol

[@nobodyneedsthis]

I looked in to buying one of these years ago but didn’t. I also passed on a Bessa R for $200 so my decision making skills are . . . uh . . . bad. But nice to know it was a good call now.

[@BadFlashes]

Yeah … Bessa as Miss. T981 … right decision At least you’re 50 / 50

[@amplifierheadache]

I did look at one of these a couple of years ago when I had a brief moment of windfall and after sitting on it, I ended up just buying a Leitz Minolta CL with a busted meter instead. Oh and an M5.... That doesn't count though.

[@BadFlashes]

Hahaha Definitely better cameras. 📷

[@Theirrelephant]

Thanks for another review, Daddy.

[@BadFlashes]

🥰🥰🥰

[@carlhale5405]

Fun to watch. 🎉

[@BadFlashes]

yay

[@musa7606]

I looked into buying one of these. Spent more for the M3 and its M mount.

[@musa7606]

That said... Maybe look into Nikon Rangefinders sometime... I was seriously looking at one of the 2K reissues...

[@BadFlashes]

They look sexy for sure. But yeah M3 and is the way to go

[@quite1enough]

try Konica IIIA maybe c:

[@BadFlashes]

🙌🏼

[@czelendzerii3985]

Apparently you have to use a lens cap all the time or else the shutter will leak light

[@sk8crtn]

You’ll burn a hole through the shutter in the sun

[@czelendzerii3985]

@sk8crtn It has a metal vertical shutter cmon

[@BadFlashes]

Yep :/

[@theothertonydutch]

Kinda tired of people having the feel of a camera being the thing that turns them off. If the thing shoots reliably, that's really the only thing that should matter. The Canon 7 is a great Leica alternative. I've started shooting one and I am saving up for a second one a bit.

[@BadFlashes]

I have to disagree-there are so many great cameras out there that essentially do the same thing. So, at the end of the day, what matters most to me is how a camera feels in my hands. That’s a tangible difference between cameras that perform similarly. For example, I own both a Nikon FA and a Nikon F3. Objectively, the FA is the better camera, but the F3 just feels better to use, so I reach for it far more often. In the end, it’s all subjective-what works for me might not work for you, and that’s perfectly fine. 🤘🏼

[@milanovevlogy]

Thanks, i have my Zorki 6 :)

[@BadFlashes]

🤘🏼🤘🏼🤘🏼

[@tvthegreek]

My dawg

[@BadFlashes]

Yeahhhhh????? 🪄

[@gewglesux]

I spied a Taylor!!!🥰😍🤩

[@BadFlashes]

😳🥰😝

[@czelendzerii3985]

Someone overslept their morning alarm again lol

[@BadFlashes]

I didn’t lol

[@Minolta_Gal]

Nah to pricey, nice photos as always. But I did drop some green over at Freestyle. 😊😎 And nah it’s too cold & windy. 🥶

[@BadFlashes]

I totally get that :) And I hope you got some good stufff

[@Minolta_Gal]

I did loaded up with some Kodak ProImage 100 for my trip to Greece in September, and some goodies for my Emulsive Santa!

[@gewglesux]

I see them on Greed bay for $500

[@quite1enough]

ebl in this camera not good :(

[@BadFlashes]

:(

[@quite1enough]

@@BadFlashes it's just I used t giant ebl in my Kiev-4a but it's a rather erm simple camera 😅

[@BadFlashes]

Abhhhhhhhh

[@czelendzerii3985]

Good morning Caleb. I think its time for a new video

[@BadFlashes]

Hope you enjoy

[@gewglesux]

Good thing you're not a Kardashian... otherwise the 981 would 2x's the price tomorrow... they're currently reasonable on Greed bay.

[@BadFlashes]

Or maybe I should be lol

[@gewglesux]

@@BadFlashes hahahha

[@spagettysnaps]

Its a great day! Why? New Video by Caleb.

[@BadFlashes]

GREAT DAYSSSSSSSS

[@spagettysnaps]

@ yes indeed!

[@vorteco7692]

Great, now the cheap Japanese rangefinders I've been buying are going to go up. LOL I hope not. The US ones have went through the roof! Take your favorite model and search with cm instead of mm and you'll likely find an overseas model at a much cheaper price.

[@BadFlashes]

Life hack!!!!!

[@chesterpan7344]

Not aiishiki but esshiki

[@BadFlashes]

🤷😝

[@chesterpan7344]

@ I know…. I’m an ass

[@DLivingston]

oh wow. s'cute. I had a Kieve rangefinder last year and it really was enjoyable to use. Not sure I am a fan of Rangefinders the more I used them though.

[@BadFlashes]

That’s fair. I get that lol

[@emrhyssstead]

I like your videos uwu ☺️👉👈

[@BadFlashes]

😘😘😘

[@johnhenselmeier7851]

oh hi

[@BadFlashes]

hey

[@dylan.thissen]

Hey Caleb, love to see a video on this niche camera! Just wanted to state that the light leaks you had might be due to the shutter curtains being conceived for SLR cameras and therefore not light tight because of the mirror preventing light from reaching the shutter. It was cheaper to reuse these components but unfortunately means you can sometimes get lightleaks with the Yasuhara! Great video!

[@BadFlashes]

Yeah that totally could be the problem… it could also be the aurora but or even both!!!

[@dnyc_]

All that Wikipedia reading and no awareness of this camera’s biggest flaw, no second curtain. Which is probably what led to your light leak.

[@BadFlashes]

Are I didn’t mention that one detail… but I also stated there were a ton of other issues with that camera that I didn’t mention … that being one of them

[@erikjohnson4876]

Since Caleb wants to support cool, indie, camera startups, why not review a Pixii? Digital, sure. But different, fun, and begging for some recognition. Make an exception to analog to highlight someone taking a chance in a mature industry.

[@BadFlashes]

I would love to support them and totally do. I just can’t justify that price at the moment. But trust me. I want to try that camera!