1961
The Petri Penta V2 – sold as the Petri Flex V in the USA – was released in 1961. It replaced the Petri Penta of 1959 and boasted a newly-designed proprietary bayonet lens mount instead of the earlier M42 design. I believe this camera is one of the prettier designs around – notwithstanding the front pentaprism badge that has a total of three different fonts. The top of the prism sports a unique leatherette strip that was meant to protect the prism when accessories were added.
The focusing screen is quite unusual. It’s a fresnel screen with clear, circular center area that contains a rectangular micro-prism area. The name “Petri” is also embossed in the lower right of the screen.
Technicals Specifications:
Original List Price (1963): $109.50
Price in 2020 Dollars: $931.39*
Manufacturer: Kuribayashi
Model: Petri Flex V
Year Introduced: 1961
Film Format: 35mm
Lens: Petri bayonet
Shutter: mechanical focal plane
Self-timer: yes
Shutter Speeds: 1/2 – 1/500
Shutter Release: on front
Built-in Meter: no
Film Speed/ASA Range:
Flash Sync: 1/45
Film Advance: rapid wind crank
Frame Counter: on top
Exposure Modes: Manual
Double-exposure capable:
Finder: pentaprism
Focusing Screens: unusual fresnel, rectangular micro-prism, “Petri” embossed in lower right
Mirror:
Battery: N/A
Other points of note:
*Based on current information at
in2013dollars.com
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