PETRI COLOR 35

Name: Petri Color 35
Brand: Petri

The Petri Color 35 is a compact, lightweight 35mm camera made by Kuribayashi Camera Company under the Petri brand starting in 1968. It is not a true 'point-and-shoot'. Focus and exposure are both manual. It has a fixed 38mm f/2.8 Color Petri lens and zone focusing, and it was an easy camera for amateurs to pick up in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

Overview

The Petri Color 35 came out in 1968 as part of Petri's "Color" series, a line of compact 35mm cameras for the consumer market during a period of rapid growth in amateur photography. It had a sleek, minimalist design, an all-metal body, and an emphasis on ease of use. Petri marketed it to casual photographers who wanted a reliable, portable camera without interchangeable lenses or manual exposure systems. Unlike Petri's more advanced rangefinder or SLR models, the Color 35 was built for simplicity, with fully manual controls and intuitive operation.

In the late 1960s, Japanese manufacturers like Canon, Minolta, and Yashica were making compact, fixed-lens 35mm cameras to compete with emerging point-and-shoot designs. Petri positioned the Color 35 as a stylish but functional option. It was often available in color finishes such as chrome, black, or gold - unusual for the time, and the source of the "Color" branding. Specifications were modest, but build quality was solid, typical of Petri, with a metal chassis and precision lens assembly.

Within Petri's lineup, the Color 35 was the entry-level model, sitting below the rangefinder and SLR offerings like the Petri 7S or Petri TTL. Its fixed 38mm f/2.8 Color Petri lens was coated for improved contrast and color fidelity, a step above many plastic-bodied competitors. The zone focus system and a coupled selenium light meter let users estimate subject distance and get acceptable sharpness in most daylight conditions. It was not a professional tool. It was Petri's effort to stay competitive in a market increasingly dominated by automation and miniaturization.

Specifications

Specification	Value
Type	Compact 35mm camera
Film Format	35mm (135 cartridge)
Years Produced	1968–1975
Lens Mount	Fixed lens (non-interchangeable)
Shutter	Leaf shutter, speeds 1/30 to 1/250 sec + B
Aperture Range	f/2.8 to f/16
Metering	Selenium cell meter (no battery required), center-weighted
Exposure Modes	Manual only (shutter speed and aperture set manually)
Focus	Zone focus (3 settings: 1m, 2m, ∞)
Viewfinder	Optical direct-vision viewfinder with parallax correction marks
Film Speed Range	ASA 25–400 (set manually on lens ring)
Flash Sync	PC terminal only; no built-in hot shoe
Dimensions	Approx. 110 × 65 × 40 mm
Weight	Approx. 320 g (without battery)
Battery	None (selenium meter operates without power)

Key Features

Fixed 38mm f/2.8 Color Petri lens with multi-coating for improved contrast and reduced flare, offering sharp images for a compact camera of its era.
Selenium-cell light meter integrated into the lens surround, providing exposure guidance without requiring batteries—ideal for long-term reliability.
Zone focusing system with three preset distances (1m, 2m, ∞), enabling quick subject framing while maintaining acceptable depth of field.
Compact all-metal body with a smooth top-plate wind lever and ergonomic film advance, contributing to durability and ease of use.
Dual flash connectivity via both PC sync port and built-in hot shoe, supporting both studio and on-the-go flash photography.

Historical Context

The Petri Color 35 launched when the 35mm compact camera market was getting more competitive. By the late 1960s, Olympus (with the Trip 35), Yashica (Electro 35), and Canon (Autoboy series precursors) were introducing models that blended automation with portability. Petri was historically known for rangefinders and precision shutters, and it adapted by focusing on build quality and optical performance in its consumer line. The Color 35 was a straightforward design with solid build quality for its class.

Its main competitors included the Olympus 35RC and Yashica 35-F, both with similar fixed lenses and manual controls. The Color 35 stood out for its selenium meter and its distinctive styling. The meter was common at the time but prone to degradation over decades. Despite favorable build quality, Petri struggled to hold market share against larger brands with stronger distribution networks. The Color 35 was discontinued around 1975. Petri shifted focus and eventually ceased camera production in the late 1970s due to financial difficulties.

Collectibility & Value

Today, the Petri Color 35 is a modestly collectible camera, appreciated by enthusiasts of vintage Japanese compact cameras. Its value typically ranges from $25 to $60 USD depending on condition. Prices above $100 are rare and likely reflect overpricing or unusual finishes. Models in chrome or gold plating are slightly more desirable, though not rare. The solid construction and attractive lens make it a functional choice for film shooters who want a lightweight, fully manual 35mm camera.

When buying a Color 35, check the selenium meter cell for cracking, discoloration, or flaking. Any of those can make the meter unusable. The camera runs without a battery, but a dead meter leaves you without exposure assistance. Other common issues include stiff shutter speeds, lens fungus (rare due to tight seals), and wear on the focus selector dial. The film advance mechanism is generally reliable, but older examples may need cleaning or lubrication. The Color 35 is considered durable and repairable, though replacement parts are scarce.

Similar Cameras

Olympus 35RC – Compact 35mm rangefinder with fixed 42mm f/1.8 lens, known for its minimalist design and excellent optics.
Yashica 35-F – Fixed-lens 35mm camera with 45mm f/2.8 lens, manual focus, and built-in meter; similar target market.
Canon Demi EE17 – Compact 35mm camera with fixed 40mm f/2.8 lens and automatic exposure, representing the shift toward automation.
Minolta Hi-Matic 7S – Advanced compact with 45mm f/1.8 lens, aperture-priority metering, and superior low-light performance.
Konica C35 Automatic – Fully automatic 35mm compact with 40mm f/1.8 lens, showcasing the next generation of point-and-shoot design.

Repair & Maintenance

The Petri Color 35 needs no battery, since its selenium light meter generates its own current. That type of meter degrades over time, and once it fails it cannot be easily repaired or recalibrated. The camera works without it, but users must rely on external meters or the sunny-16 rule for exposure. The shutter and aperture mechanisms are mechanical and generally sturdy, but may need CLA (clean, lubricate, adjust) service if sticky or inaccurate. Common issues include a sluggish 1/30s shutter speed and misaligned aperture blades. The zone focus system is simple but can get loose with heavy use. Replacement parts are not commercially available, so repairs depend on donor cameras. Thanks to its mechanical simplicity and solid build, the Color 35 is considered moderately repairable by experienced technicians. Regular use and storage in dry conditions help preserve both the meter and the internal mechanics.

Market Value

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│ PETRI COLOR 35                                                  Apr 2026 │
├──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ High      $155                                    Latest             $52 │
│ Median    $53                                     Trend           ▼ Down │
│ Low       $25                                     Volume           ~7/mo │
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│   $200 ┤                                                                 │
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│   $114 ┤                                                                 │
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│     $0 ┤  .                                                     .        │
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│    vol │█ ▄ ▄            ▄ ▄  █ ▄      ▄▄   ▄██   ▄             ▄ ▄     ▄│
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│         2026-01                      2026-02                      2026-04│
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