Difference between revisions of "Petri Computor 35"

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The '''Computor 35''' is the first in a series of [[35mm]] [[rangefinder camera]]s made in Japan by [[Petri]] from about 1970.
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==Original model: the Computor 35==
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{{Flickr_image
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|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/chi_bellami/6105079641/in/pool-camerawiki
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|image= http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6195/6105079641_5636a0a2a5.jpg
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|image_align= right
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|image_text= Original version
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|image_by= Chi Bellami
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|image_rights= nc
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}}
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The '''Computor 35''', produced from 1970 until 1974, despite the introduction of the later models<ref name=McK>According to {{McKeown12}} p580.</ref> has automatic exposure via a [[CdS]] cell mounted on the front of the lens (inside the [[filter thread]] so that the meter takes account of any filters used) and electronically-controlled shutter. There is a coupled [[rangefinder (device)|rangefinder]] operated by the focussing ring with a lever attached for one-finger focussing (shown in the picture, to the right of the lens). The [[film speed]] is set by a ring at the front of the lens between 25 - 800 [[ASA]].
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The lens is labelled ''C.C. Petri 1:2.8 f=40mm'', stopping down to f22, and there is an aperture ring. However, in normal use, the aperture ring is set to ''E.E.'' (presumably for electronic exposure), and both aperture and shutter speed are selected automatically according to the meter reading. The manual aperture settings are intended for use with flash; when any manual aperture is selected, the shutter speed is set to 1/30 second.
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The shutter gave speeds from 4 to 1/250 second:<ref>Grenier-Natkin catalogue page from 1972, reproduced in the [http://www.collection-appareils.fr/x/html/appareil-11404-Petri_Computor%2035.html Computor 35] listing at Sylvain Halgand's site (see links below).</ref> with green and red [[LED]]s on the top of the camera and also in the viewfinder, indicating whether the selected speed is above or below 1/30 second (i.e. warning of camera shake in hand-held use).
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The camera has a [[hot shoe]] and also a [[PC socket]]. It was available in black or silver-topped finish. It must have a battery to function.<ref>[http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=43988 This discussion] on [http://www.rangefinderforum.com Rangefinder Forum] suggests that the camera functions with any of several batteries. Given its age, a substitute for (two) 1.3V mercury cells may be correct, but one of the contributors to the RFF discussion found that more modern 1.55V silver oxide batteries worked well.</ref>
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A very similar camera was sold as the [[Honeywell Visimatic 615]].<ref>However, a comment on [http://www.flickr.com/photos/matthew2000tx/2810504056/ this photo] of the Honeywell camera mentions some minor differences. The lens on the Honeywell camera is of the same specification as the Computor 35 though, and it is certainly not the same as the Computor II, as suggested in the comment.</ref>
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{{Br}}
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==Computor II==
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<div class="floatright plainlinks" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 15px;">
 
{{Flickr_image
 
{{Flickr_image
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|image_source=http://www.flickr.com/photos/e-coli/302786927/in/pool-camerapedia/
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|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/raulm/3259165563/in/pool-camerawiki/
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|image=http://static.flickr.com/109/302786927_7c0b097f01.jpg  
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|image= http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3404/3259165563_91de695ae1.jpg  
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|image_align=left
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|image_align=  
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|image_text= Petri Computor 35 (with red filter fitted)
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|image_text= Computor II
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|image_by= Raúl Sá Dantas
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|image_rights= with permission
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}}
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</div>
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<!-- Commenting out this CP-pool picture for now. Understand it's been invited, but still not in the pool as at mid-June '11.
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{{Flickr image
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| image_source=http://www.flickr.com/photos/danwarren/2410265248/in/pool-camerapedia
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| image=http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2279/2410265248_b574370fc7_o.jpg
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| image_align=right
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| image_text=
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|image_by=Dan Warren
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|image_rights=
 
}}
 
}}
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The '''Computor 35''' was a [[35mm]] [[rangefinder camera]] made in Japan by [[Petri]].
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-->
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It had automatic exposure via a [[CdS]] cell mounted on the front of the lens (inside the [[filter thread]]) and electronically-controlled shutter, with red & green [[LED]]s on top of the camera indicating slow (<1/30s) or fast enough speed selection. There was a coupled [[rangefinder (device)|rangefinder]] operated by the focussing ring with a lever attached (shown in the picture, to the right of the lens). The [[film speed]] was set by a ring at the front of the lens between 25 - 800 [[ASA]].
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An improved model, the '''Computor II''' was produced between 1972 and 1974<ref name=McK></ref>. This model was renamed the [[Petri ES Auto]] in 1974. The improvements relevative to the first model were:
 +
* a faster f/1.7 40mm lens.
 +
* a new Seiko ESF shutter, giving speeds steplessly variable between 2 and 1/1000 second.<ref name=McK></ref>
 +
* a self-timer.
 +
 
 +
As the first model, the camera calculates shutter and aperture values automatically, and manual aperture settings are available for use with flash.<ref>The [http://35mm-compact.com/compact/petricomputor2.htm Computor II] on [http://35mm-compact.com/ 35mm-compact.com] site shows a switch on the rear selecting F or A (assumed to be Flash/Automatic) - which perhaps disables the auto-exposure and enables the aperture control on the lens for flash. There is also a table to calculate flash aperture from subject distance and flash Guide Number.</ref>.
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The bright finder is not so very bright on the example seen, although it may have yellowed with age.
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{{Br}}
  
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The lens was labelled ''C.C. Petri 1:2.8 f=40mm'', stopping down to f22. The later '''[[Petri Computor II|Computor II]]''' had an f1.7 lens. The shutter ran from 1/250 through to least 10 seconds<sup>source needed</sup>. The body was available in black or silver.
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==Computor III==
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<div class="floatright plainlinks" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 15px;">
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{{Flickr_image
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|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/139751915@N03/25485513744/in/pool-camerawiki/
 +
|image= http://farm2.staticflickr.com/1665/25485513744_65409741bb_m.jpg
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|image_align=
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|image_text= Petri Computor III with customized leather cover
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|image_by= Marian Pislaru
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|image_rights= nc
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}}
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</div>
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A hard to find camera, the '''Computor III''' has only a 38mm f/2.7 lens. The film-speed setting was moved inside the filter thread, and the light meter sensor was also moved slightly.
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* Introduced - 1974, Made in Japan
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* Focusing - Rangefinder
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* Shutter speeds - 2s-1/1000
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* Exposure modes - Auto, Aperture Priority
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* Shutter type - leaf shutter
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* ISO Setting - 25-800
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* Film type - 35mm film
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* Hot shoe, Cable release shutter thread
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* Lens - Petri, 38mm, f/2.7, Made in Japan
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* Apertures - f/2.7-f/22
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* Minimum focus - 0.9m to infinity
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* Filter thread - 52mm
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{{Br}}
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<div class="floatright plainlinks" style="margin:25px 0px 0px 15px;">
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{{Flickr_image
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|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/raulm/3259166531/in/pool-camerawiki/
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|image= http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3501/3259166531_9246899a93_m.jpg
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|image_align= left
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|image_text= Computor II
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|image_by= Raúl Sá Dantas
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|image_rights= with permission
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}}
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{{Flickr_image
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|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/raulm/4436867256/in/pool-camerawiki/
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|image= http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4029/4436867256_545db96ac2_m.jpg
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|image_align=
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|image_text= Computor 35
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|image_by= Raúl Sá Dantas
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|image_rights= with permission
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}}
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</div>
  
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The '''Computor III''' had a 38mm / f2.7 lens, and moved the ASA settings inside the [[filter thread]].
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==Notes==
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<references />
  
 
==Links==
 
==Links==
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* [http://www.collection-appareils.com/Petri/html/petri_computer.php Petri Computor 35] at www.collection-appareils.com
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*[https://all-my-cameras.com/2019/04/01/the-petri-computor-ii/ Petri Computor II review] at [https://all-my-cameras.com/ All my cameras]
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* [http://www.collection-appareils.fr/Petri/html/petri_computor_III.php Computer III] at [http://www.collection-appareils.com Sylvain Halgand's Collection d'appareils]
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* [https://www.butkus.org/chinon/petri/petri_computor_ii/petri_computor_ii.htm Petri Computor II PDF manual] at [https://www.butkus.org/chinon/index.html Butkus' OrphanCameras.com]
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* [http://www.collection-appareils.fr/x/html/appareil-11404-Petri_Computor%2035.html Petri Computor 35] and [http://www.collection-appareils.fr/x/html/page_standard.php?id_appareil=11403 Computor III] on [http://www.collection-appareils.fr/general/html/francais.php www.collection-appareils.fr] by Sylvain Halgand (in French)
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* [http://35mm-compact.com/compact/petricomputor2.htm Computor II] on [http://35mm-compact.com/ 35mm-compact.com] (in French)
  
 
[[Category: Japanese 35mm rangefinder]]
 
[[Category: Japanese 35mm rangefinder]]
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[[Category: Kuribayashi]]
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[[Category: Kuribayashi|Computor 35]]
 
[[Category: P]]
 
[[Category: P]]
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[[Category: C|Computor 35 Petri]]

Latest revision as of 02:14, 26 January 2022

The Computor 35 is the first in a series of 35mm rangefinder cameras made in Japan by Petri from about 1970.

Original model: the Computor 35

6105079641_5636a0a2a5.jpg
Original version
image by Chi Bellami (Image rights)


The Computor 35, produced from 1970 until 1974, despite the introduction of the later models[1] has automatic exposure via a CdS cell mounted on the front of the lens (inside the filter thread so that the meter takes account of any filters used) and electronically-controlled shutter. There is a coupled rangefinder operated by the focussing ring with a lever attached for one-finger focussing (shown in the picture, to the right of the lens). The film speed is set by a ring at the front of the lens between 25 - 800 ASA.

The lens is labelled C.C. Petri 1:2.8 f=40mm, stopping down to f22, and there is an aperture ring. However, in normal use, the aperture ring is set to E.E. (presumably for electronic exposure), and both aperture and shutter speed are selected automatically according to the meter reading. The manual aperture settings are intended for use with flash; when any manual aperture is selected, the shutter speed is set to 1/30 second.

The shutter gave speeds from 4 to 1/250 second:[2] with green and red LEDs on the top of the camera and also in the viewfinder, indicating whether the selected speed is above or below 1/30 second (i.e. warning of camera shake in hand-held use).

The camera has a hot shoe and also a PC socket. It was available in black or silver-topped finish. It must have a battery to function.[3]

A very similar camera was sold as the Honeywell Visimatic 615.[4]

Computor II

3259165563_91de695ae1.jpg
Computor II
image by Raúl Sá Dantas (Image rights)

An improved model, the Computor II was produced between 1972 and 1974[1]. This model was renamed the Petri ES Auto in 1974. The improvements relevative to the first model were:

  • a faster f/1.7 40mm lens.
  • a new Seiko ESF shutter, giving speeds steplessly variable between 2 and 1/1000 second.[1]
  • a self-timer.

As the first model, the camera calculates shutter and aperture values automatically, and manual aperture settings are available for use with flash.[5].

The bright finder is not so very bright on the example seen, although it may have yellowed with age.

Computor III

25485513744_65409741bb_m.jpg
Petri Computor III with customized leather cover
image by Marian Pislaru (Image rights)

A hard to find camera, the Computor III has only a 38mm f/2.7 lens. The film-speed setting was moved inside the filter thread, and the light meter sensor was also moved slightly.

  • Introduced - 1974, Made in Japan
  • Focusing - Rangefinder
  • Shutter speeds - 2s-1/1000
  • Exposure modes - Auto, Aperture Priority
  • Shutter type - leaf shutter
  • ISO Setting - 25-800
  • Film type - 35mm film
  • Hot shoe, Cable release shutter thread
  • Lens - Petri, 38mm, f/2.7, Made in Japan
  • Apertures - f/2.7-f/22
  • Minimum focus - 0.9m to infinity
  • Filter thread - 52mm


3259166531_9246899a93_m.jpg
Computor II
image by Raúl Sá Dantas (Image rights)
4436867256_545db96ac2_m.jpg
Computor 35
image by Raúl Sá Dantas (Image rights)

Notes

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 According to McKeown, James M. and Joan C. McKeown's Price Guide to Antique and Classic Cameras, 12th Edition, 2005-2006. USA, Centennial Photo Service, 2004. ISBN 0-931838-40-1 (hardcover). ISBN 0-931838-41-X (softcover). p580.
  2. ↑ Grenier-Natkin catalogue page from 1972, reproduced in the Computor 35 listing at Sylvain Halgand's site (see links below).
  3. ↑ This discussion on Rangefinder Forum suggests that the camera functions with any of several batteries. Given its age, a substitute for (two) 1.3V mercury cells may be correct, but one of the contributors to the RFF discussion found that more modern 1.55V silver oxide batteries worked well.
  4. ↑ However, a comment on this photo of the Honeywell camera mentions some minor differences. The lens on the Honeywell camera is of the same specification as the Computor 35 though, and it is certainly not the same as the Computor II, as suggested in the comment.
  5. ↑ The Computor II on 35mm-compact.com site shows a switch on the rear selecting F or A (assumed to be Flash/Automatic) - which perhaps disables the auto-exposure and enables the aperture control on the lens for flash. There is also a table to calculate flash aperture from subject distance and flash Guide Number.

Links

Retrieved from "http://camera-wiki.org/index.php?title=Petri_Computor_35&oldid=212507"