3.5 Rangefinders: EBAY $39.34

[charjohncarter]

Of course the shipping, was $32.50. But anyway, I say 3.5 because one is an Olympus Trip 35 which is only half a rangefinder. The Trip 35; $7.49 good condition. The Olympus 35RC; $21.00 good condition with a broken counter. The Konica C35; $ 0.99 rotten condition. And the prize of the four; Petri7s $9.95 excellent condition.

The Petri7s is a real surprise not only excellent condition, but a very very easy camera to use. Steve Gandy should have another look at this one for the classic section on his website. It has a big bright finder with an excellent yellow image match. On top of the camera is an easy to read needle match, so you don't have to look in the viewfinder to match the needle (which you can also do). The f stop ring is not notched so with one finger (which is to get to) you slide the ring for exposure. It also has the most effortless shutter release. No camera movement here.

Here are the four, and an image from the Petri7s with a blown up section.

 

[Didier]

I got a chrome Petri Color 35 for CHF 2.00 and a black Ricoh 500 GX for CHF 1.00 (total $2.50), both in the neighbourhood through a local internet auction site (Ricardo). The Petri had a corroded battery cap which I finally could open with some penetrating oil. The Petri meters seems accurate, not shure about the Ricoh meter.

 

[charjohncarter]

Steve Gandy loves the Petri Color 35. I'm sure I would too. These are a lot of fun for the money (almost disposable). The Petri was not suppose to be a very good camera, but I've had two and both are acceptably sharp, and very easy to use. I have to say I like the Petri7s much better than the Olympus 35 RC that everybody is so crazy about. Good luck with the Petri Color 35; put some pictures up.

 

[Didier]

Still have the first roll in the Petri. It's ergonomy, especially the distance markings in the finder, is better than the Rollei 35, the mechanics and the built quality are on par, but I guess the lens can't match the 2.8 Sonnar.

As for the Ricoh I'll cameraleatherize it one day, but it's ergonomy is on a very low level for the manual modes. Definitely not a shooter.

How does the Konica C35 feel? I've always lusted for such one.

 

[blw]

Hey charjohncarter,

Glad to see someone else who likes the 7s! I've had one for a year or two now & have run quite a few rolls through it. The selenium meter on mine still seems to be pretty good. The top mounted meter needle is very handy on the street.

The only thing I don't like about it is the lack of depth of field scale on the lens barrell.

I'll see if I can find a pic or two from this camera on this computer.

 

[charjohncarter]

Didier, the lust for a Konica C35 is real. I now have two, the 99 cent one was for parts if I ever need them. I've had the other one from new. It was with me in South and Central America in the early 70's and I wasn't to careful with it. It still works great but has some dings. I'll tell you one thing, you or someone else, as in my case, can throw it across a room. It is small and mine works great. Here is a photo from it. http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=61345&ppuser=8685

I did have a light leak with it, but easily fixed.

Carter

 

[charjohncarter]

blw, great I'd like to see those photos. I've only done one roll. I agree about the depth of field gauge, but the other things make it wonderful.