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Driving the Petri Racer


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<p>Wow! Many thanks to you all for your kind words; I feel a little humbled. I've had a sort of six-month sabbatical while I wound down some business interests, and put in train a few changes for the near future, such as designing a new home, purpose-built for a contributor to Photo.net, so in the interim time and facilities may become a little rationed.</p>

<p>I'm pleased you enjoyed the post, <strong>Ralf</strong>, and thanks for your Racer tale, much "racier" than mine...<strong>Peter</strong>,<em> I</em> had trouble getting past "pretty", so let's just agree that it is, and thanks for your perceptive comments. <strong>Louis</strong>, what can I say? Praise from a fellow practioner is always deeply felt, and your words both touched me and affirmed the value of these posts. Thank you..</p>

<p><strong>Kayam</strong>, even in the good ol' days, that would have been quite a pile of you-know-what...Thanks, and keep those posts of yours coming. Good point, <strong>JDM</strong>; I think there should be a term for this style and era of design, something a little more specific that "Retro". "Moderne", I like....<strong>Marc</strong>, you've done it again; this post was sort of assembled before I thought of advising you, but you came up with the goods, anyway. Fascinating...</p>

<p> </p>

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<p>Camera meter may have a bridge circuit which allows it to function correctly with non mercury batteries. Or it may just read "close enough" for wide latitude modern films. The real test would be with Kodachrome--but of course that's no longer possible.<br>

Fantastic images!!</p>

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<p>Thanks, <strong>Marcel</strong> and <strong>James</strong>, I'm pleased you liked the post. <strong>Mike</strong>, I've been looking around for a Petri Color 35 for ages but they get snapped up at high prices. I don't know if their cult following is quite justified...Thanks, <strong>Wayne</strong>; the meter read about a half-stop different from my benchmark meters, quite adequate for color neg, as you say.</p>
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Well Rick I love your work and have often commented on the hight quality content of both the content and the great product shots! I couldn't agree more with what Louis and Kayam said. I am inspired to go out and try to do my best and your appreciation and enthusiasm for classics is comparable to my own fire. I love your photo aesthetic. Here Crop and Apple tree are outstanding!! My hat is off to you Rick ..I too have noted the Petri Color and wish I had nabbed one when they were around five bucks!!
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  • 4 weeks later...
  • 3 months later...

<p>Rick,<br>

I collect old film cameras and shoot them. I've been doing it for about a year now. I've learned enough to check out old cameras, load them with film, and test them. So my enjoyment with cameras comes in the areas of both the machinery, the user "interface", and taking decent photos.<br>

Just wanted you to know that I'm looking at a Petri Racer for sale and that your photos were dazzling. So dazzling in fact that I want to learn how to make my photos as gorgeous. It's just amazing how some people like yourself can take old cameras and take wonderful photos with them.<br>

Thanks for the inspiration. Keep up the great work.</p>

 

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<p>Thanks, <strong>Richard</strong>, it's always nice when someone discovers an old thread and expresses their appreciation! I'm pleased you approve of the images; to me these cameras are not really "old" since I've been using them most of my life, but it's great to keep the film aspects of photography alive. Good to hear you're into the old cameras; how about posting some of your work on the Forum? They're such a nice group of people...</p>
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  • 4 years later...

<p>Thanks for the wonderful review Richard. I saw one of these cameras advertised at my local photo store, and read your review which convinced me that I wanted on of these cameras. When I went in to enquire (I'm on a first name basis with the manager, much to my wife's annoyance), he looked at me sideways and told me that I was mad to buy one! Unreliable, and poor build quality was his main concerns. After negotiating on a very nice medium format camera, he threw the little Racer in the bag at no cost. I immediately put a roll of Tri-X through it, not expecting much after the bad feedback, and was simply amazed at the results. Such a contrasty lens, and whilst it may not be the sharpest lens, it has such a smooth out of focus rendering. I'm hooked, and have hardly picked up any of my other cameras since.<br>

<img src="/classic-cameras-forum/Test%20Roll%20-%20Petri%20Racer%20by%20Ty%20Mickan,%20on%20Flickr" alt="" /></p>

<div>00dzrQ-563655784.jpg.6c5eb316236ccf8aa93177ffa90d72ce.jpg</div>

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<p>Nice images, <strong>Ty</strong>; it's great to see that these historic threads live on! It's true that Petri cameras don't have a great reputation for reliability and durability, but the Racer is just such a pretty camera that just having it on a shelf gives me pleasure. And, as you say, it's actually a competent little image-maker. I really like that last photograph...Why don't you post a few more on CMC in a fresh thread?</p>
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