Found a couple of old cameras

[Barney]

I have just been looking for a missing boxing glove for my son and ey up what do I find, a bag with old cameras in it two polaroid land cameras, a zenit b, Zenit 11, and A Petri 7s.

All have been cased so look in reasonable condition.

I think I might be daft enough to chuck a roll in and see how they come out, the rangefinder Petri looks promising.

Are they worth bothering with or should I just create an attractive display of retro cameras.

 

[lindsay]

It's got to be worth putting a film through each of them to check! The Polaroids not so sure, but there are collectors and even at least one company that upcycles them to use Instax or something. The others though are definitely retro chic and worth a bit of fun before maybe selling them on.

 

[Rodinal]

I had a Petri 7s back around 1977 and was impressed with the quality of the lens. It was the more expensive one with the F1.9 45mm lens and it was no slouch and up there with the others of that era.

 

[Raincloud]

Be nice to see a pic of them...

 

[Barney]

A few pictures as requested,



All told a good find I think and each one looks very usable, I think there are a couple more.

 

[Barney]

two more a bit worse for wear.

 

[ChrisR]

It's got to be worth putting a film through each of them to check! The Polaroids not so sure, but there are collectors and even at least one company that upcycles them to use Instax or something. The others though are definitely retro chic and worth a bit of fun before maybe selling them on.

I think it's Mint, upcycling SX-70s? So maybe not this one (though I know nothing about polaroids).

The Zenits have Helios 44 lenses, quite sharp 58/2 lenses with the famous swirly bokeh. They look different vintages to me. The first is a 44M, export, single-coated, 8 aperture blades. The second is a 44m-4 multi-coated, 6 aperture blades, apparently sharper (I have the K mount M44K-4 for my MX and really like it). Can't really see enough of the last one to tell.

F

From https://forum.mflenses.com/complete-list-of-helios-lenses-getting-closer-t26100.html

I don't know anything about the Petri, but should be fun to try. I have a Trip 35 and it's surprisingly capable, the meter will likely still work! If working, they fetch £30-£70 or so on fleabay.