Petri Color 35E

[daniel_iggers]

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>

[daniel_iggers]

War memorial statue in the Great Library, Osgoode Hall. (Did it open to f/5.6?)<div></div>

[daniel_iggers]

Foyer of Osgoode Hall.<div></div>

[daniel_iggers]

View from the 30th Floor at 8:00 am<div></div>

[daniel_iggers]

OK, last one. Streetcar.<div></div>

[mskovacs]

A nice sample of Toronto images.

[mike_elek]

From your photos, I think the lens on the camera has performed very nicely.

[dean_williams]

Looks good to me, Daniel. Do you only show us your "good" shots ;) (these are nice). Show us a shot of the camera too, please.

[daniel_iggers]

Thanks. Of course I usually only post the better shots. I will now post photos of the camera, and a few of the lesser shots.<div></div>

[daniel_iggers]

Here is the base of the camera. See the key. The lens is pushed in.<div></div>

[luis triguez]

Smart examples, Daniel.

[daniel_iggers]

Gryfe's Bagels on Bathurst. A typical "what was I thinking?" shot.<div></div>

[daniel_iggers]

Laundromat at 7am. 1/30 and 2.8, I'd guess (its automatic), and set at 10 feet. I figure it will be cool. Boring, right?<div></div>

[luis triguez]

Sorry to be in the middle of your pictures :)

[daniel_iggers]

The Separate School Board has a big campaign to recruit students. Every poster in the subway station was theirs. Again, probably wide open.<div></div>

[daniel_iggers]

No problem.

 

One more. Looking east from the 30th Floor. 8am.<div></div>

[dean_williams]

Daniel;

I wanted to see the camera so I'd know if it was the same one I had pictured in my mind. It is, and they're neat little jobs. I like the laundry pic too.

[connealy]

You got some extremely nice results out of that camera in very marginal lighting.

[micah_henry]

Daniel,

 

I agree! Very nice shots in some "iffy" lighting locales.

 

I was fortunate enough to find a 35E in box with carrying case, Petri AG-1 bulb flash (tiny!), and Vivitar 252 flash, with instuction books for camera and flash, all for $15 at a local Goodwill store.

 

Truly a neat little machine. May even replace my Oly Trip 35 as hiking camera!

 

--Micah in NC

[micah_henry]

Daniel,

 

Meant to add here that if you'd like to see what the box for this little shooter looked like, or owner's manual scans, let me know.

 

--Micah in NC

[john_parisi1]

maybe you can help. I have a beautiful Petri color 35E...near mint. Don';t even remember where I bought it but want to shoot with it. I love the size. It is fully automatic though...30th second f22 without battery which is useless to me...anyhow, it uses a 675 battery. I have tried 675 air which fit nicely and 1.4 volts but meter not working. any ideas? thanks
 

[michael_linn]

Some of the batteries of that era would out-gas when failing, and corrode the wiring to the battery compartment.  That is the first place I would look.  The second place for a problem (less likely) would be the connection to the metering cell.  The entire circuit is very simple.

 

Good Luck!