Rummaging through one of my OCSS (Old Camera Storage System)
Rubbermaid bins recently, I came upon a Petri Color 35E that I'd
forgotten about. I'd remembered my (alas) "silver" Petri Color 35,
but I'd totally forgotten about the E.
The E is arguably ineligible for discussion in this Forum, as its
initial year of production probably was 1970.
The E shares many features with the earlier and unarguably
classic "non-E", which according to Steven Gandy (I think) can be
regarded as a designer's exercise in improving on the Rollei 35.
The "chassis" is pretty much the same for both the Color 35 and the
Color 35E - heavy, made of metal, similar in size to the Rollei 35,
with a removeable back that is locked with a key in the base, a
hinged pressure plate and a retractable lens. Unlike the Rollei, the
Petris have a hot shoe on top.
The largest difference between the Rollei and the Petris is in the
glass: The Rollei f/3.5 40mm Tessar is renowned as a fabulous lens.
The faster f/2.8 40mm lens on the Petri (the same on both models, I
think) is a four-element Tessar design, but is no Rollei / Zeiss
Tessar.
The Petri Color 35 is a classy item, and is easier to use than the
Rollei. More ergonomic, I guess one might say. If I recall correcly,
turning a wheel on the back of the camera moves the lens barrel in
or out. The shutter speeds and apertures can all be set manually.
The 35E has been derided as a much cheapened model. True. No longer
fully manual, it has "program automatic". The lens barrel no longer
extends or retracts at the turn of a screw, but instead pulls in and
out, and the barrel is now black plastic (I don't have the Color 35
with me). Worst, the small numbers and symbols on the lens barrel
(for zone focusing) are painted in gaudy colors and style
reminiscent of Mardi Gras trinkets. Not Rollei at all. Like a
classic Rolls Royce with a plastic chicken as a hood ornament.
How is it to use?
Very nice, once you get over the easthetic shortcomings. Its easy to
set the zone focus, and it seems to take a decent photo.
Samples follow. [200 asa Agfa. Mostly probably at the low end of the
range: 1/30 and f/2.8]<div></div>
