Introduction & contents

introduction | Petie | Petie II | Petie Lighter | Petie Music box | Petie VanityPeti-tux | Petitax | Petietux | Petitux IV | Petie Auto | Mickey Mouse | Ompex 16 | Tuxi | Tuximat

The Petie cameras were distributed by Walter Kunik Frankfurt am Main, Western Germany during the 1950s and early 1960s. The cameras where made by different manufacturers. Kunik also distributed a version of the Stylophot as the Foto-Fűller and Foto-Fűller (Luxus).

The Petie takes 16 exposures 14x14mm on 17mm roll film. A number of sources quote either 14x14mm on 16mm or 16x16mm on 17mm film. The film strip measures 17mm across and the camera, measuring the frame in the camera, gives an image area of 14x14mm.

 It has a metal external with plastic and metal interior and resembles the HIT cameras from Japan that use 17.5mm roll film. The results from the cameras is disappointing and most must have been shelved. That, and because the roll film was hard to find at the time means that many are found today in excellent condition and working order.

Versions of the cameras were incorporated into elegant cigarette lighters, powder compacts and music boxes. Each of these special editions was made in several varieties of an art-deco enamel with chrome or gold-tone finish.

Cameras

Petie

The Petie has a 25mm f9 fixed-focus lens. Objects are in focus from about 90cm (3feet) to infinity, but maximum sharpness starts at about 2.4m (8 feet). It has a single shutter speed of 1/50.  The original model (1955) came with a meniscus lens which was later updated to an achromatic lens (labelled Achromat Roschlein Kreuznach on the name plate). It was available in grey or black with chrome or gold tone trim.  Later Kunik models were based on the original camera, until the Petitux IV which is a version of the Kalos Special. It originally sold for 14,70DEM (about 3.75USD at the time).

Accessories included

  • a close-up lens (proxar), yellow-green filter, lens hood (originally sold for 6,90DEM), 
  • table top tripod and case (originally sold for 15DEM),
  • leather ever-ready case (originally sold for 3,50DEM)

Petie II

The Petie II updated the original Petie with an Achromat Roschlein Kreuznach f9/25mm lens. The cameras where available in black, blue, green, grey, pink, purple, red and turquoise with a crinkle enamel finish with chrome or gold tone trim (called Neugold in the advertisements).

It was originally sold for 19,50DEM (about 5USD at the time).

Petie Lighter

(1956) A Petie I or II inside the shell of a lighter. Enamel or leather finish. Available in

  • plain fawn/cream
  • marble effect finish in blue, green, red, purple
  • leather tan

These where originally sold for 26,10DEM and 33,90DEM for Petie II version.

Petie Music box

(1956) A Petie slips into the top of a music box that closely resembles the Vanity case but is slightly smaller.

Available (at least) in

  • marble effect finished in green

Petie Vanity

(1956) A Petie I or II housed inside a lady's powder compact case. Available in

  • shinny mirror finish black, red, green or blue enamel with chrome or gold/gilt metal.
  • marble effect finished in blue, brown, green and red
  • leather versions including snake skin leather in green, a green/orange/black with gilt tooling

There where originally sold for 31,55DEM and 33,90DEM for the Petie II version.

Peti-tux

(1956?) A Petie in a presentation box labelled Peti-Tux with three films and ever-ready case. the 'cut' for the camera has two peaks, indicating that either a Petie or Tuxi could be fitted.

Petitax

(1955) The Petitax has a 25mm f11 lens and shutter speed of 1/50.

Petietux

(1957) The Petietux has a built-in selenium meter, a synch terminal and a focusing Kratz Optik l25mm (f2.8-f16) lens (0.6m- infinity) or Will Wetzlar Wilon 1:2,8 / 25  V595078 lens

Petitux IV

(1960) Similar to the Kalos Special the Petitux IV has shutter speeds of 1/2-1/250. It was the top Kunik model and possibly the best quality 16mm paper-backed- film camera made in Germany. To the basic Kalos body was added a focusing Roschlein Supronar f2.8/25mm lens, the same as the Petietux. Versions where also made with Will Wtzlar Wilon coated f2.8/25mm lens and Staeble lens. The body mounted shutter release was connected to the film wind and prevented double exposure. The viewfinder is parallax corrected and silvered on the front surface.

The films choice was black and white 15/10, 17/10 or 21/10 DIN 16 exposure (1,25DEM) and colour film (3,45DEM).

Petie Auto

(1957) Base is a regular Tuxi lens by Roeschlein (7,7/25 mm), curious bakelite camera, the Petie Auto is a prototype with a film counter on the top operated by a roller above the image area.

Mickey Mouse

(1958) Similar to the Ompex with 20mm (f9.0) lens, 1/50 shutter but with "Walt Disney -- Mickey Mouse Camera" on the lens nameplate.  These where sold with a large cardboard Micky Mouse that 'held' the camera. The short production run was possibly due to them not being sanctioned by the Disney Corporation.

Ompex 16

(1960) 1/50 labelled F=25 / x2 RJ OMPEX 1:9. The 'x2 RJ' sequence of letters is a mystery. Similar to the Petie. Available in a red or black body and gold with green or pink crackle effect enamel.

Tuxi

(1960) The Tuxi range are similar to the Petie. The Tuxi has a flash synchronisation socket and with B (bulb) and M (1/50) settings. The lens is the achromatic Roeschlein 25mm f7.7, fixed focus and capable of very good quality pictures.  Objects are in focus from 90cm (3 feet) to infinity, particularly if stopped down to f16, It was sold as a kit with proxar lens, yellow filter and lens hood.

Tuximat

(1959) 25mm (f7.7-16) B and M (1/50 -German Moment for instant) The Tuximat was the most advanced model in the Tuxi range with a tiny selenium meter and a flash synchronization socket and holds the distinction of being the the smallest 16mm camera with a built-in selenium meter.

The simple meter readout display is on the on the top of the camera with three film speeds settings (40, 100, and 200) with the needle pointing to a white, a yellow or a green area.  The aperture settings are marked as yellow (f16) or green (f7.7) and you select a setting based on where the needle points.  The white areas indicate under-/over- exposure. 

Accessories included

  • a close-up lens (proxar), yellow-green filter, lens hood (originally sold for 6,90DEM), 
  • table top tripod and case (originally sold for 15DEM),
  • leather ever-ready case (originally sold for 3,50DEM)
  • an adapter for binoculars (originally sold for 24,60DEM)
  • developing tank for Petie and Tuxi films, (originally sold for 14,70DEM)
  • flash bracket (originally sold for 1,80DEM)
  • chain for leather cases (originally sold for 3,90DEM)

Accessories


Go to the 16mm Collection index Last updated 1st January 2005