Sauli Särkkä
Member
We've all heard of Petri rangefinders, many have even owned one or more of them. I thought it'd be nice to collect experiences, recommendations, things to watch for and other specifics on these curious little photographic machines.
I've only just gotten started with Petri cameras and my first one, a Petri 7S (f/2.8 version), arrived a while back. I ran a roll through it and all seems to function per spec. The only problems with the unit are a dent on the filter ring and missing labels on the ISO/ASA ring. I compared the same scene with my Nikon D200 to get the exposure meter into the correct neighborhood and it seemed to do the trick.
Yesterday, I received another Petri 7S (f/1.8 version), but it was sadly battered by the postal service. It left the seller in great condition (I have before and after pictures..
), but it arrived with a large dent on the filter ring and even the leather case the camera was in was broken in a way that explains the camera damage simulatenously. Even the shutter seemed to have taken a hit -- perhaps due to deformation of the lens barrel. Oh well, I got a refund and all's well -- so far.
I do, however, have a Petri 7S II on the way (should arrive within a week). as well as an offer on a Petri Racer on eBay waiting to go through (or not) to give me a more general feel of Petri cameras. It'd also be nice to get my hands on a Petri Color 35, as well as the different versions of Petri Color Corrected Super.
Enough with introductions and on with the program.
The Petri 7S seems like a nice camera. The images I shot came out nice and contrasty; wide open, the lens could be a tad sharper, but the softness is negligible in smaller prints (10x15 cm or 4"x6"). The bokeh of the f/2.8 lense is nice. Mechanically, the camera seems to be fairly robust and learning to use it is a snap, since all controls are on the lens barrel and their positions are quickly learned. The match needle metering works like a charm for me, with the top meter being helpful in pre-metering areas/scenes and the viewfinder meter just showing me that conditions are still fine to shoot.
Cons? Perhaps it could be a little smaller. (That's why I'm also keen on getting an Olympus RC to compare to the Petri range.)
For some reason, the feeling that one gets when using an older rangefinder is so different to when one shoots with a modern DSLR, it most certainly affects the kind of pictures I take -- even if I were using the same focal length, FOV, DOF, etc. I don't know why that is. Anyone have similar findings?
-Sale
I've only just gotten started with Petri cameras and my first one, a Petri 7S (f/2.8 version), arrived a while back. I ran a roll through it and all seems to function per spec. The only problems with the unit are a dent on the filter ring and missing labels on the ISO/ASA ring. I compared the same scene with my Nikon D200 to get the exposure meter into the correct neighborhood and it seemed to do the trick.
Yesterday, I received another Petri 7S (f/1.8 version), but it was sadly battered by the postal service. It left the seller in great condition (I have before and after pictures..
), but it arrived with a large dent on the filter ring and even the leather case the camera was in was broken in a way that explains the camera damage simulatenously. Even the shutter seemed to have taken a hit -- perhaps due to deformation of the lens barrel. Oh well, I got a refund and all's well -- so far.I do, however, have a Petri 7S II on the way (should arrive within a week). as well as an offer on a Petri Racer on eBay waiting to go through (or not) to give me a more general feel of Petri cameras. It'd also be nice to get my hands on a Petri Color 35, as well as the different versions of Petri Color Corrected Super.
Enough with introductions and on with the program.
The Petri 7S seems like a nice camera. The images I shot came out nice and contrasty; wide open, the lens could be a tad sharper, but the softness is negligible in smaller prints (10x15 cm or 4"x6"). The bokeh of the f/2.8 lense is nice. Mechanically, the camera seems to be fairly robust and learning to use it is a snap, since all controls are on the lens barrel and their positions are quickly learned. The match needle metering works like a charm for me, with the top meter being helpful in pre-metering areas/scenes and the viewfinder meter just showing me that conditions are still fine to shoot.
Cons? Perhaps it could be a little smaller. (That's why I'm also keen on getting an Olympus RC to compare to the Petri range.)
For some reason, the feeling that one gets when using an older rangefinder is so different to when one shoots with a modern DSLR, it most certainly affects the kind of pictures I take -- even if I were using the same focal length, FOV, DOF, etc. I don't know why that is. Anyone have similar findings?
-Sale
john341
camera user
Petri cameras
Petri cameras
Wow where do you find all these Petris?? I am after a Petri half frame camera. My cousin had a Petri years ago and loved it, and I would like to try one. I should look for a website which lists the different models. Good luck with your next one!!
Petri cameras
Wow where do you find all these Petris?? I am after a Petri half frame camera. My cousin had a Petri years ago and loved it, and I would like to try one. I should look for a website which lists the different models. Good luck with your next one!!
charjohncarter
Veteran
I have the 7s. It works great. What I really like about this camera is the viewfinder meter AND a meter of the top of the camera. Just set the needle match on the top and if things change a little while viewing; a half click does it. It also has the quietest shutter release ever, but advancing the film is loud. The lens is very good (not a priority with me). Loading, rewinding, focusing, are all on a par with other RFs of this period. Here is mine and a photo from it along with a blowup.
for the blowup click on this:
http://rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=46662
for the blowup click on this:
http://rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=46662
John Robertson
Well-known
I also loved my 7s but sadly the wind on shutter cocking link proved fragile, very sharp lens on mine. Lovely soft shutter release.
David Murphy
Veteran
I've owned a few of them and from my experience they are like Petri SLR's: very cute, with pretty design and attractive engravings and metal work, but not very reliable. I'd recommend them as an offbeat thing to collect, but not for anything more than light use.
FallisPhoto
Veteran
Robust? Are you sure it's a Petri? The Petris I've seen could hardly be described as robust. I've been avoiding them because they tended to break down, or just wear out, under ordinary use.
Edit: Both of the two Petris I had came with worn gears that sounded like they came out of a cement mixer -- assuming they didn't come from the factory that way.
Edit: Both of the two Petris I had came with worn gears that sounded like they came out of a cement mixer -- assuming they didn't come from the factory that way.
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My third camera and first SLR was a Petriflex V, and I followed it up with a Petri Half-7, a cute half-frame camera with scale focusing. I loaned the Half-7 to a friend who lost it in the Philippines, and traded the Petriflex on a Pentax H2. My dad had bought a Petri 7S with the wide/tele kit on a trip to Japan, and I have that one now. This one has the f/1.8 lens, plenty sharp, but the meter isn't accurate. I wonder if Quality Light Metric could install a new cell...
Mattikk
Well-known
My couple of 7S's (read and see more pictures here).
It's a Petri 7S in my avatar too. My first rangefinder. I like the ergonomics and that they don't need batteries. The other one's advance lever gets stuck sometimes, but the other one is working fine and the lens is really really nice and sharp for a camera that cheap (5-15 euros).
This was taken with the Petri 7S last summer:
Click here for more photos taken with the Petri 7S.
It's a funny coincidence that happened with the Petri 7S last summer. The skateboarder in those pictures is now dating my sister.
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M4cr0s
Back In Black
Just curious, what's your experience with the Petri SLRs? Like for instance the FT or the FT II? From what I've heard, seen and handled they seem just as robust as Nikkormats and similar from the same period. I've read some accounts from professional stating something like "I had to CLA my Nikons every now and then, but my backup Petri FT just keept clicking, through burning desserts and wet jungles."
Oh, I'm not trying to defent the Petris or anything, I've just got the impression that they were not subpar to the other (cheap?) Japanese brands around 1970. I recently aquired an FT1000 (nostalgia, not planing to use it heavily) myself that's still going strong and my da's got an FT from '67 or '68 that's truly seen it's share of abuse.
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