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Petri Lens for Nikon Rangefinder
As great as Nikon's reputation was for its rangefinder lenses, they did have one problem: cost. A number of independent manufacturers made lower cost wide angles and telephotos for the Japanese home market. So far as I know, none made lower cost normal lenses, however. So it would seem there was a window of merchandising opportunity, for say, a smaller manufacturer like Petri. Behold what is obviously a hand made 45/2.8 Petri Orikkor in Nikon Rangefinder mount.
Why "obviously" hand made? Well for starters, the aperture ring says f/2 though this is a f/2.8 lens. The aperture ring does not have a marked index for the selected f/stop. The mount of the lens slides up and down on the barrel about 11mm. Without testing it on a camera, I am not sure where the mount should be. All of these negatives out of the way, it is a very well machined mount, barrel, and conversion.
I have no way of knowing if this is the product of some talented machinist, or a Petri prototype for a possible new product line. It does bring up vision of interesting advertising slogans, though. Hmm. If you put a Petri lens on a Nikon, does it become a "Pikon" or "Petkon?"
Revised: November 26, 2003 . Copyright © 1998-2002 Stephen Gandy. All rights reserved. This means you may NOT copy and re-use the text or the pictures in ANY other internet or printed publication of ANY kind. Information in this document is subject to change without notice. Other products and companies referred to herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies or mark holders.