Petri

[puderse]

Coulden't pass up a nice Petri 1.9 for $10! Can anyone tell me if it is worth the price of film and developing to test with film. If the lens/camera combination sucks why bother? The camera looks nice! My other rangefinder is a Record III w/solinar.

[Mauro]

Dear Puderse,
I know that camera because a friend of mine owned it several years ago.
We travelled together all over Europe during Summer 1984: I used a Fujica STX1 and he had that Petri Rangefinder. The results were really good.
In short: I would buy it immediately, at that price is a very good bargain!
Hope it helps.

Ciao

[dazedgonebye]

I'm not familiar with that camera. Any links?

[charjohncarter]

I have a soft spot for Petri, I had one in 1963. And one of the slide I took with it got some kind of an award from Kodak attached to the box when the processing came back. Back then we didn't think about sharpness so much, but I'll bet you will be happy (I would be).

[charjohncarter]

I decided to post a Petri photo 1963, LA. Ethyl is 31.9 cents

[Steve Bellayr]

You did not over pay according to McKeown's. Not much on that camera. If you do the testing you will be the one to inform us.

[Steve Bellayr]

Just returned from the local camera store. They had a used Petri 7s for $125.00. I think you did okay.

[ChrisPlatt]

The only Petri I'd pay $100 for is a nice Color 35.
It's a terrific little camera!

Chris

[thetooth]

my uncle gave me a nice petri that i have enjoyed for the past few years . it has a fairly sharp and good contrasty45mm 1.9 lens . hope it works out for you . note i have payed $10.00 for a broken camera to sit on the shelf . i think you did good .

[Doug]

The f/1.9 lens is the more desirable "fast" model, the other option being f/2.8. I have my Dad's Petri 7S with the 45mm f/1.9; the lens is pretty good, but otherwise the construction quality is somewhat below average for its type, I think.

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/../photopost/data/500/040622-11bigger.jpg

[dmr]

Just returned from the local camera store. They had a used Petri 7s for $125.00. I think you did okay.

Back years ago when I was looking for my first real camera, I remember the 7S was one I looked at. IIRC, it was only $40-ish new. It was one I was considering, but when I was able to buy the used Mamiya SD I kinda jumped on that.

[Harlee]

I had one of these when I lived in Japan quite a few years back. It went with me on my frequent motorcycle trips and I still have some good shots taken with it. The meter on mine was very accurate, and I eventually sold it to a US Navy guy. It's solid, well built, and I had no complaints with it. Shoot a 12X roll to see what it'll do. Harlee

[csxcnj]

Just returned from the local camera store. They had a used Petri 7s for $125.00. I think you did okay.


If that camera store was in Falls Church I looked at that one and it has, or maybe by now had, a stuck shutter leaf :(

[JoeFriday]

I had a 7s about a year ago that didn't see much use, only because I had too many cameras and not enough sense.. but from the times I did use it, the photos were great.. especially considering it had a battery-less meter.. the lens was very sharp, too.. I sold it to Alex in France for him to give to his very young son.. hopefully it'll be given a new life by the protege of his dad

[john_van_v]

I just got a Petri 7s.. and its broken. Has anybody ever taken one apart ???

The lens barrel is loose so it only cocks properly when I push it against the body... (heh)

And the shutter leaves are sticky...

OH what should I do ???

[john_van_v]

This camera is pretty cool, the light meter is dead on. nice feel, good ker-chunk --

heavy too, nice after the plastic SLR I use. Dang, I hope I can fix it.

I have a Lynx 14 coming in the mail; I hope that one works better. I need it for night photography on Times Sq / 42nd St

[puderse]

This puppy is a 'PETRI F1.9 COLOR CORRECTED SUPER' Heavy and substantial feeling but small. Has what might be a nice lens, 4.5 cm ORIKKOR with red 'A.C.'. Coated? Very stiff focus even after lighter fluid and hair dryer treatment. Rangefinder patch very dim. I can see why later models had the green over the rangefinder window. Don't think I can CLA like the rangefinder on an Isolette or Speedex. Don't see any way in without dissassembly. absolutly perfect otherwise. Must have spent the last 40 years in the ever ready case.

Came with WA and Tele Aux. lenses with finder and nifty case but they are for 7s and don't fit. Perhaps I can sell them on a well known internet auction site and have the camera for nothing!

[dryice66]

I just received my Petri 7S in the post today. Pay $10 on the 'bay. Has a f1.8 /45mm lense on mine - not the f1.9 folks are mentioning.
Seems to work fine - just loaded up first film for testing - should be good for low light work.

It appears to be a nicely designed camera and a good heft to it. Light meter seems to be working - but can't be sure as to its accuracy yet. Anyone know how long these selenium cells last?


cheers

[Wimpler]

I have two petri7s, with slower lenses. One has a working meter, one does not (haven't made an efoort to get it working yet). One has a nice and bright rangefinder, the other not.

There is also a tele/wide converter package with the two lenses and a seperate viewfinder available for teh 7s, I have it :D

[dryice66]

I have two petri7s, with slower lenses. One has a working meter, one does not (haven't made an efoort to get it working yet). One has a nice and bright rangefinder, the other not.

There is also a tele/wide converter package with the two lenses and a seperate viewfinder available for teh 7s, I have it :D

Sounds cool... if my first test roll comes out ok, I will look out for one! :)

I think the meter is working - needle seems to adjust. Any idea how long these things go for before they degrade and fade into oblivion?

[puderse]

Several treatments with lighter fluid dribbled into where I think the focus helix should be did not change the very stiff focus. There are three tiny screws that become visible when the focus is moved to minimum. Can anyone tell me how to access the grease on the helix, send me to a site that will shed some light on the subject, or tell me about their experience with removal of these three tiny screws in the lens barrel?

This appears to be a heavy, well made camera but I would rather use it than send it into a life sentance in a dark closet.

[Welsh_Italian]

There is a repair manual for the Petri 7s available:

http://www.kyphoto.com/classics/repairmanuals.html

along with manuals for one or two other cameras!

Enjoy

[puderse]

This camera is not a 7s, I got a nice 7s aux lens set in the deal. References to a 7s repair manual are like refering to a F3 repair manual when one is on a quest for information about an SP!:bang:

[JLANTZ]

Does anyone know what the approximate focal length of the wide and tele aux lenses are? The shoe mount view site could be used on one of my russian RFs

[Bill58]

The only Petri I'd pay $100 for is a nice Color 35.
It's a terrific little camera!

Chris

If you pay $100 for a Color 35, you'll steal it. They go for at least $150 in exc. condition.

[btgc]

In case any lucky 7s owner is annoyed by clunky-old-like-o-spring sound when releasing, remove bottom cover and look for (surprise here!) long spring which slightly touches body when releasing shutter. I put under it slice of paper (sure there are better solutions) to isolate from body. That sound somehow distracted me from using 7s with very nice VF.
Selenium cell isn't useful other than in daylight when it does job. Speeds ring is yet OK, but aperture ring isn't so nice like on Lynxes or even Electros. Don't putting out pics 'cause most are personal. Last time took 7s w/ old flash to sauna and thrilled half naked friends with "real vintage camera" - and pics were just fine.

[re_visible]

If you pay $100 for a Color 35, you'll steal it. They go for at least $150 in exc. condition.


Hej, and i still own at least two of them, just collecting dust on the shelf...

Have to inspect them, maybe soon these will appear in the classifieds...

[Kapa]

I've had a couple of Petri 7's but prefer the smaller and groovy looking "Petri Racer". I think they had more or less the same lens....