Problem with Petri Color 35 Shutter Dial

[Robin Harrison]

I couldn't resit this one on *bay. Although the seller did mention the shutter dial was stiff, I've been after one of these for a while and so snapped it up.

The shutter dial is very, very, vert stiff. It only has six settings (250-15 + B), but moving between them is a real effort. The edge of the dial is toothed and the skin on my index finger is red raw only after a few minutes playing with the camera. In addition, the two settings at the end of the range (1/250 and B) are not really selectable - there is no definitive click into place. Something somewhere either needs much lubrication, or is bent out of shape somewhere.

Has anyone experienced similar problems?

Failing this, does anyone know of anywhere (esp. in the UK) who would be able to repair such a fault?

Many thanks in advance,
Robin.

[CleverName]

I can't speak to the stiff dial, but mine does click when you switch it to 250 or B.
I actually don't use mine much, I've only run a few rolls through it. I like the shutter and aperture dial setup, but hate the focus dial.

[Robin Harrison]

How did you find the results? Personally, I think the ergonomics of the camera are great (once you get over the fact that there is nothing to control on the barel of the lens, except for the ISO setting). Were you able to scale focus acurately?

But back to my original point - any Petri Color repair experiences, anyone?

[CleverName]

It's been a while since I used it. As I recall, the results were good but nothing spectacular. It's a tiny little camera and fun to use, I just never got the hang of zone focusing. That's probably why I don't use it more often. Funny, I often guess the focusing on my canonet (I shoot in available darkness), you would think a zone focus camera would be perfect for me.

[mongo141]

How did you find the results? Personally, I think the ergonomics of the camera are great (once you get over the fact that there is nothing to control on the barel of the lens, except for the ISO setting). Were you able to scale focus acurately?

But back to my original point - any Petri Color repair experiences, anyone?
Hi, Robin, www.essexcamera.com claims they can do a "Standard Repair" for approx $80 USD. I had the top off of mine to recalibrate the meter ckt for 1.5 v silver oxide batterys and there are a Lot of Little cams, gears, etc. down inside so I left it at that. Dave

[Doug]

Probably gummed up with ancient lube turned stiff as wax.

[Robin Harrison]

Hi, Robin, www.essexcamera.com claims they can do a "Standard Repair" for approx $80 USD. I had the top off of mine to recalibrate the meter ckt for 1.5 v silver oxide batterys and there are a Lot of Little cams, gears, etc. down inside so I left it at that. Dave

How much of a job was it to remove the top? I've not had much experience with repairing cameras, but I feel it's going to be one of those cases where the cost of a repait is going to be more than I paid for the camera in the first place! I think I might give it a go...

[mongo141]

Well if I remember correctly there was a cross point screw below the hand strap which had to come out, the rewind crank which is a ccw to remove, the focusing knob had to come off and at least one and mayeb all three screws in the hot shoe. Then it just lifted off installing the thing was the reverse but you had to carefully line up the engagement pins under the both the F stop and speed knobs. I think I put mine on F22 and B before removing the top. PM me if you wish anytime. Dave