The Petri Camera Company was founded as Kuribayashi Camera Works in 1907 as a small outfit that produced photographic accessories. In 1919 they produced their first camera, the Speed Reflex. Most of their pre-WWII cameras were sold under the brand name “First”. After WWII and during the Occupation, the brand name was changed to Petri (a contraction of “Peter” and “First”) in move hoping to gain wider acceptance outside of Japan. The company name itself was changed to Petri Camera Company in 1962. After 70 years of production, Petri declared bankruptcy in 1977.
Petri cameras in my collection
Click on the camera for more detailed information on select models.
All text and photographs on this website (other than found-photography and otherwise noted) are © 2014-2021 Steven Broome. All rights reserved.
Vintage Camera Digest 