peter_kim2 Posted April 27, 2003 Share Posted April 27, 2003 I tried looking on photo.net but I havent really found anything. I was looking on ebay and the petri rangefinders look really nice. I want to get a nice cheap rangefinder to use as a carry around street photo camera and I admit I am kinda partial to getting a 'retro' leica type rangefinder and the petri looks really nice. Ive only used SLRs until now. How are they? Is the non-interchangable lens of decent quality? I like how its almost 50mm but still has a nice big f/1.7 but I dont know aynthing about the quality. Thanks for any thoughts! Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garvey_p Posted April 27, 2003 Share Posted April 27, 2003 "I tried looking on photo.net but I havent really found anything" That's because the search function is terrible. C&P this into your browser: http://www.google.com/search?q=petri+site:photo.net You'll find 40 hits, some of which should help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bishop_vc Posted April 27, 2003 Share Posted April 27, 2003 Hi Peter,<br><br> <a href="http://www.cameraquest.com">Cameraquest</a> is a great resource for rangefinders. Check out the section on the compact rangefinders of the 60s and 70s in the <a href="http://www.cameraquest.com/classics.htm">Classic Camera Profiles</a> section. Included is info on the <a href="http://www.cameraquest.com/petri35.htm">Petri 35</a>.<br><br>Regards,<br><br>Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david dutchison Posted April 27, 2003 Share Posted April 27, 2003 While I can't say anything about Petri RF's, If you're looking for a good, cheap RF camera, the Olympus SP came with an excellent 6 element f1.8/45 lens (had one given to me years ago). I've also heard that Canon Cannonets were really good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlesk Posted April 27, 2003 Share Posted April 27, 2003 You want the Petri Color Super. <br>The lens came in a 1.8 and is good quality; better than the earlier Petri 35 (which is a hard camera to find in working condition.) <br>These models did not have the lens-ring-meters <br>of the later series. <br>Good camera to have with the flash because of the high sync speeds. <br>I'd recommend the Yashica Electro, however, unless your heart is really set on the Petri. <br>I would be interested in seeing a Leica vs. Petri shoot-off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
douglas_green1 Posted April 28, 2003 Share Posted April 28, 2003 If you want an inexpensive fixed-lens 35mm Rangefinder (there are many GREAT cameras in this category, IMHO), there are many better choices than the Petri: My favorites: Konica Auto S2 and Auto S3, Olympus 35RD, 35SP, and 35RC, Canonet QL17 GIII, QL19, and 28, Yashica Electro 35 GS and GSN, Minolta Hi-Matic 7S and 7S-II. I own several of these, and use them often. The best lenses in the group are the ones on the Konica Auto S2 and the Yashica Electro 35 family (these optics are nearly Leica class), while the lenses on the Olympus 35SP and 35RD, Konica Auto S3 and the Minolta Hi=Matic 7S & 7S II are not that far behind. Ergonomics and Feature-wise, the Canonet QL17 GIII is the best in class, but the lens isn't quite at the level of the Konica or Yashica. If I could only choose one camera in this group, it would be between the Konica Auto S2 (widely available, but usually with a broken meter)and the Olympus 35RD (which is nearly impossible to find in great shape - because not many were made and their owners keep them). BTW, I learned photography with a Konica Auto S2, and I have always considered it to be as capable as a Leica for shots that were appropriate for a 45mm lens. The bright-frameline, parallax-correcting viewfinder is Leica-M class good, and the fixed 45mm f1.8 Hexanon lens is not embarrassed by a comparison with a recent vintage Summicron. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
h._p. Posted April 28, 2003 Share Posted April 28, 2003 >>I'd recommend the Yashica Electro<< Marvelous body, smashing lens, very reliable, pity about the horrible viewfinder. Still Leica has to beat it in some department :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
douglas_green1 Posted April 28, 2003 Share Posted April 28, 2003 On the other hand, the Konica Auto S2 has a GREAT viewfinder as well as a great lens. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlesk Posted April 28, 2003 Share Posted April 28, 2003 These were the cameras which stole the consumer market away from the great German camera companies, and it's a shame to see so many of them junked because their collector value is so low. In terms of quality for your dollar, nothing else--past or present--even comes close to these cameras. <br>The Hexanon, Zuiko, Yashinon, and Rokkor lenses can hold their own against any modern optics, Leica included. <br>These cameras still remain the top choice for grabbing shots in environments where multi-thousand-dollar cameras fear to tread: a windy beach, small sailboat, skiing, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
douglas_green1 Posted April 28, 2003 Share Posted April 28, 2003 Charles, I couldn't agree more - I own LOTS of these cameras, and I never paid more than $50 for one, except for the NEW Konica Auto S2 I bought in 1972 for $90 with 2 months earnings from my newspaper route. I won my first award, and got my first paying photography job using this camera. I have a very warm spot in my heart for it. These types of cameras certainly have their merits even today as serious photographic instruments. The ones that offerred full manual settings even work without batteries, which is even more reason that one of these cameras belongs in the bag of any serious photographer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlesk Posted April 29, 2003 Share Posted April 29, 2003 Doug, <br>Some of their unique features are wonderful, such as the tiny meter cell located just above the lens, so that it automatically corrects for filters (like the Canonette) <br>Nearly all of them have leaf shutters, so, they're great for flash. <br>There was such a wide variety, that there's a style out there to suit anyone, and many of the models are very attractive. <br>And the rangefinders in the top models were all good--some VERY good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael_bender Posted April 29, 2003 Share Posted April 29, 2003 Get a better alternative - if 42mm built-in lens is OK, use Olympus 35SP, the most advanced fixed lens rangefinder of the 1970s (the only with spot and average at manual and/or shutter priority; NO other model has the same characteristics). Come cheap; are plenty on e-bay; easy to find a clean copy - not too much of a loss if you break it or lose. Much faster in street work than Leicas or Bessas because of its spot+automatic mode Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter_kim2 Posted April 29, 2003 Author Share Posted April 29, 2003 Hi all! I justed wanted to say thank you for all the comments, its been really enlightening. I guess the general concensus is that Petri are ok, but that there are much better alternatives for a similar price range? Ive been looking at all the cameras youve all mentioned. There are camera with good options and good lenses but it looks like the Canonet QL17 is a big compromise favorite! Basiclly I dont know anything about rangefinders and all the leica-heads have gotten me interested in street photography. I guess my only requirements are that the camera is small, unobtrusive and easy to carry around, meaning small and preferably have both shutter and apreture controls-and of course cheap. Although a meter would be nice too... Would you all be kind enough to give me some more heads-up? The canonet looks like a good, cheap match for me, is it pretty small? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael_bender Posted April 29, 2003 Share Posted April 29, 2003 Canonets do NOT have metered manual. Means you go to the manual mode - you have no meter. You have to switch to automatic to measure. Second, it (and ALL other models except Olympus 35SP) has only average metering. Meaning that if from where you are standing the subjects in the frame differ strongly in brightness, you have to come close to measure and take your decision - unless you can meausure some other surface. <p> I work with Oly 35 SP like this:<br> (a) knowing the conditions (say, 17 EV in the sun at noon), I will select the shutter speed. I also know, that in the shadow it can be anything from 2 to 5 stops darker (depending on how open the shade is).<br> So I select the sutter (let's say, 1/250), and then when framing, press the "spot" button on the surface I wish to turn into medium grey, and continue to press the shutter release. It lock the reading at some point. <p> This is way faster in real-life situations than purely manual (and remember MOST of cheap 1970s rangefinders do NOT have metered manual! - you'll have to switch to automatic, measure, then return to manual). I do not trust automatic at all, except when the subject is uniformly greyish<br> On Oly 35SP manual is measured too; it's lens is a very sharp 42mm 1.7, and it draws beautiful boke. I had great success using it with TriX. <p> Generally speaking, read (several times) < href=http://www.cameraquest.com>what Gandy has to say on 1970s rangefinders</a>. Here is one image I took with Olympus 35SP: <br> <img src=http://home.pacbell.net/vedmed/recent/mbond-swing.jpg> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
douglas_green1 Posted April 29, 2003 Share Posted April 29, 2003 The Canonet QL17 GIII (and QL19) and the Olympus 35RD and 35SP and the Konica Auto S3, and Minolta HiMatic 7SII are the smallest of the really good cameras in this class with sharp, fast lenses. Among the larger cameras, the Konica Auto S2 and the Yashica Electro 35 GSN/GTN are the standouts, along with the older Yashica Lynx models. Any of these will be a great picture taker if it's in good shape. Among the small ones, the easiest to find by far will be the Canonet QL17 GIII. Personally, I don't like the Olympus 35SP NEARLY as much as the 35RD. The spot meter is cumbersome to use. I would base the choice on what is available, it's condition, and it's cost. But the Canonet QL17 GIII is certainly a great choice to start with. But if you can find a Konica Auto S3 or an Olympus 35RD in great shape for something around $100, I'd jump on them, as they are worth more due to scarcity. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlesk Posted April 30, 2003 Share Posted April 30, 2003 One unique advantage of the Canonette is the flash system, which works in sync with the rangefinder, adjusting exposure for distance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canon man Posted May 1, 2003 Share Posted May 1, 2003 I have been seeing old Canon Petri and Yascica range finders at garage sales for 5 and 10 bucks and decided I'll start buying them and selling them. I am hoping to find an old Canon range finder 7s like the one I got in a yard sale when I was 12 for $10! The Christmas before my dad got me a little Kodak 110 pocket camear and the act of taking pictures consumed me. I wanted a real camear and found it that summer in the garage sale. When my mom divorced her first son of a bitch, I mena my first step dad I had to leav it behind as I could not find it in the mad feverished mess that our house had turned into at 7:00 AM when D***head went to work. a minute afterwards my uncle pulled up with a truck and trailer and we had a mad dash to pack. I could swear I put it in my suitcase but alas I never saw it after that. I will get me another. It was what truly broke me into this craft and my love for it. I have had a Canon camera of somesort ever since. Now it is a 1N, after selling most of the EOS gear to get a MF system. But to have that little rangefinder and be able to put it in my coat pocket and just go! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
douglas_green1 Posted May 1, 2003 Share Posted May 1, 2003 Daniel, are you familiar with the phrase "Too much information" ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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