the last of the FLRs?

[nikkortorokkor]

Are there any fixed lens rangefinder 35mm still being made?
I bought a Phenix 205E in China in 2003, but I've since learned that that particularly nasty chrome wrapped brick has finally been dropped by Phenix. Still, I suspect that it might have been the only manual focus fixed lens rangefinder to make it into the 21st Century. Can anyone correct me?

Here's an interesting timeline showing various 205s plus the rather amazing T981/JG50 (Phenix built the T981 & T012 for Mr Yashuhara).

www3.xitek.com/bingqiku/phenix/phenix-rf.htm

I see at least one Chinese online retailer is still selling the last model Phenix FLR, the 205E, as well as the uber-flashy 50th anniversary of the Revolution gold plated 205.

www.goso.com.cn/?gOo=Z29vZHNfc2VhcmNoX2xpc3QuZHd0&gcat=148


If you click on the thumb of the gold 205 you eventually get a lovely big picture of it. As Bette Midler would say 'Trash with Flash'.

[melek]

Hey, I bought one of those cameras in Shanghai in 2002. Mine had a strong petroleum-like odor that took nearly two years to dissipate.

I think you might be right. Maybe Lomo will add a rangefinder some day (probably notO).

[nikkortorokkor]

I wonder if the petroleum smell came from Benzine based glue? It's supposed to be banned, but many Chinese shoe and luggage manufacturers still use it.

I have opened my Phenix up to deal with a few issues (a rangefinder which bears no relationship with reality, a spot of fungus and so forth) - inside it resembles a 60s Japanese rangefinder in much the same way as a Kiev resembles a Hassy: all the parts are roughly in the same place but that's about it. The meter seems to be a particular piece of wishful thinking.

Phenix now make Lomos for lomography.com who also sell various Phenix products, including the Widepan/panflex panorama cameras and the Yashuhara interchangeable lens rangefinders, but not the humble old 205, it seems.