PETRI MF-1 SLR Camera - Tested & Working (Light Meter OK)

Many people who saw the movie "Hatsukoi" starring Aoi Miyazaki may have noticed the sign for the 【Petri Camera】. This wasn't a fictional camera maker, but a real one that, despite pioneering the market with unique ideas during Japan's period of rapid economic growth, always lagged behind major companies (like Canon and Nikon) due to a chronic lack of funds. Unlike the story in Jun Ikeido's "Shitamachi Rocket," they couldn't overcome their challenges... and ultimately self-destructed due to labor disputes.

Despite their innovative ideas, the cameras, built with inferior, less durable parts due to financial constraints, were still capable of top-notch performance if properly maintained.

The camera for sale is the MF-1, the last hurrah of PETRI. Developed at a time when electronic control shutters were the norm, the MF-1 was developed by scraping together funds and featured a manual shutter and light meter... a true "man's camera." Unsurprisingly, it didn't sell well, and the company went bankrupt.

Afterward, mysterious cameras bearing the PETRI name appeared worldwide, but the last true PETRI was the MF-1.

Thanks to its "manly" specifications, it still works today. It's quite amazing. However, the shutter curtain is still made of "cloth" at this late stage. (In other words, the same as the pre-war Barnack Leica...)

The camera for sale has a working light meter when batteries are inserted, and the shutter generally functions, but the cloth shutter curtain needs maintenance (= replacement). It cannot be used as is.

The shutter curtain is rubberized and rolled up, so it needs to be replaced periodically. Of course, you can find shops that can do the replacement online. There are also plenty of readily available aftermarket lenses. (Note: Other Petri SLR cameras use a proprietary Petri mount.)

This is a film camera with a high degree of appeal for enthusiasts, so I'm listing it with the attitude of "sell or not, it's all good." If you feel a connection, please consider it.

- Brand: PETRI
- Model: MF-1
- Type: SLR Camera
- Color: Black
- Shutter: Mechanical Shutter

Thank you for looking.