Petri's fixed-lens 35mm rangefinder — Circle Eye selenium meter, leaf shutter, 1961.
The Petri 7 is a fixed-lens 35mm rangefinder from the Japanese maker Petri, introduced in 1961. It belongs to the compact rangefinder wave that put a coupled rangefinder and a selenium meter into an affordable body aimed at everyday photographers rather than professionals. Petri marketed its rangefinders under the 'Circle Eye' system, referring to the selenium meter cell arranged around the lens.
This is a coupled-rangefinder 35mm camera with a fixed lens and a leaf shutter. Metering is by a selenium photocell that needs no battery, coupled to a match-style readout for setting exposure. Focusing is by the rangefinder, and the leaf shutter sits within the lens. Because the meter is selenium, the camera does not depend on a battery to operate.
The Petri 7 suits collectors and users who want a mechanical, battery-independent 35mm camera for general and street use. It is straightforward to carry and use once loaded, though the fixed lens and manual match-needle exposure mean it rewards a slower, deliberate approach rather than snapshot speed.
When buying, check the selenium meter still responds to light, as these cells lose sensitivity with age. Inspect the lens for haze and fungus, confirm the rangefinder patch is visible and aligned, test the leaf shutter across its speeds for sticking, and check the light seals and film-advance feel. A dead selenium meter cannot be recharged, so verify meter response before relying on it.