Don C.
Newbie
Back in the 80's, I had a Retina 1b that was probably sold in Europe (it had the metric focusing scale and German-language film reminder dial). It had the standard 2.8 50mm Xenar lens. However, the front element would remove just like those on the IIc and IIIc. I was able to mount the 35mm wide angle lens from my IIIc. However, it never seemed to form a viable image.
Does anyone know if the removable front element was standard on the 1b or if I had some kind of oddball model or perhaps a repaired 1b that had a shutter from another model? The latter doesn't seem likely since it didn't have the wide angle and telephoto auxilliary focusing scales like the IIc and IIIc.
Sadly, I don't have the camera now, so I can't provide a serial number or any other info.
Thanks!
Does anyone know if the removable front element was standard on the 1b or if I had some kind of oddball model or perhaps a repaired 1b that had a shutter from another model? The latter doesn't seem likely since it didn't have the wide angle and telephoto auxilliary focusing scales like the IIc and IIIc.
Sadly, I don't have the camera now, so I can't provide a serial number or any other info.
Thanks!
Kodak re-used the shutter and lens mount from the IIc on the 1b. However: the Xenar rear group is not compatible with the Xenon rear group optically. I'm betting that you could replace the rear group of the 1b Xenar with a rear module from the Xenon and make it work. I need to buy a 1b to find out.
rpjasin
Member
Interchangeable lenses on Ib-IB
Interchangeable lenses on Ib-IB
Interesting question and thread. A couple of years ago I exchanged emails with an eBay seller that had a large Retina collection he was parting with. He indicated in his ad that the aux lens components 35mm and 80mm, would fit a Ib and IB. I challeged him on that point, and he emailed me back the photo below. I have since aquired a Ib and cannot see how the front component could be changed as the standard 50mm component is not removeable, at least not without tools of some sort, and I won't try any further without fear of damaging something. I believe the camera pictured was modified somehow, but he insisted it wasn't. It's a mystery to me!
Interchangeable lenses on Ib-IB
Interesting question and thread. A couple of years ago I exchanged emails with an eBay seller that had a large Retina collection he was parting with. He indicated in his ad that the aux lens components 35mm and 80mm, would fit a Ib and IB. I challeged him on that point, and he emailed me back the photo below. I have since aquired a Ib and cannot see how the front component could be changed as the standard 50mm component is not removeable, at least not without tools of some sort, and I won't try any further without fear of damaging something. I believe the camera pictured was modified somehow, but he insisted it wasn't. It's a mystery to me!
Attachments
FPjohn
Well-known
A look at my Ib's Xenar front element and mount reveals a tab that prevents the removal of the front element. The Xenon has a registration tab on the rim of the lens element, not the lens mount rim, in the same position.
yours
FPJ
yours
FPJ
raid
Dad Photographer
I have a Ib with a Xenar. I could take another look at it.
This camera was thrown in a river on three river trips, as my canoe would tip over with me and the Ib. Finally, the "baptized" Ib was cleaned and repaired by Eddy Smolov. It works like new again.
This camera was thrown in a river on three river trips, as my canoe would tip over with me and the Ib. Finally, the "baptized" Ib was cleaned and repaired by Eddy Smolov. It works like new again.
raid
Dad Photographer
The front of the 50mm lens is easily removed without any special tools on my Retina Ib. Now I need a 35 or 80 part to be mounted on the Ib.
FPjohn
Well-known
Hello Raid:
So there is more than one version of the mount. IB or Ib? Is your Retina a Euro, as per the OP, or North American marketed camera?
yours
FPJ
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raid
Dad Photographer
I need to check the distance scale. I am assuming that this will tell us whether it is for the European market or not? Right?
raid
Dad Photographer
It has feet on the distance scale, so it was meant for the US market.
Is there anything else you want me to inspect on this camera?
Is there anything else you want me to inspect on this camera?
ZeissFan
Veteran
As I recall, it wasn't that difficult to remove the front element of the Ib/B.
But as Brian pointed out, the Ib/B has a Xenar and the IIc/C and IIIc/C have a Xenon, which is a different lens formula.
And obviously a zone-focus 85mm lens doesn't cut it, as if using the auxiliary lenses with the rangefinder-equipped cameras isn't difficult enough already.
But as Brian pointed out, the Ib/B has a Xenar and the IIc/C and IIIc/C have a Xenon, which is a different lens formula.
And obviously a zone-focus 85mm lens doesn't cut it, as if using the auxiliary lenses with the rangefinder-equipped cameras isn't difficult enough already.
FPjohn
Well-known
This is interesting. Perhaps the removable element was earlier and they decided to save us from ourselves. Serial no. on my Ib is 140286.
yours
FPJ
yours
FPJ
rpjasin
Member
Ib lens component removed!
Ib lens component removed!
I just retreived my Ib from its original box and took another look at the front of the lens. Wrapping my thumb and forefinger firmly around the front lens knurling, I gave it a twist counterclockwise and bingo! It came right off.
Now, my IIC and IIIC both are Rodenstock Heligon varieties, so I only have the Rodenstock Heligon 35 and 80mm components, and could not get them to twist and lock on the Ib, but they DO fit the mount. After realizing this, I'm convinced the Xenon components would fit and lock. It would be a fun experiment to mount them up and see what happens with film. Bob
Ib serial number 167089
Ib lens component removed!
I just retreived my Ib from its original box and took another look at the front of the lens. Wrapping my thumb and forefinger firmly around the front lens knurling, I gave it a twist counterclockwise and bingo! It came right off.
Now, my IIC and IIIC both are Rodenstock Heligon varieties, so I only have the Rodenstock Heligon 35 and 80mm components, and could not get them to twist and lock on the Ib, but they DO fit the mount. After realizing this, I'm convinced the Xenon components would fit and lock. It would be a fun experiment to mount them up and see what happens with film. Bob
Ib serial number 167089
raid
Dad Photographer
The serial number on my Ib is 62467. It must be an earlier model.
I am very impressed by the first quality craftmanship seen in the camera built and finish. The chrome is still shining beautifully, and the engraving on the front of the lens is crisp and clear like it were a new lens.
I am very impressed by the first quality craftmanship seen in the camera built and finish. The chrome is still shining beautifully, and the engraving on the front of the lens is crisp and clear like it were a new lens.
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FPjohn
Well-known
So the higher serial no. Ib cameras had the removable front elements?
yours
FPJ
yours
FPJ
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ZeissFan
Veteran
It's not supposed to be removable. But if you twist sharply, you can remove it (as I recall).
I would guess that Kodak, for economy of scale, used the same mounting ring for the three models I, II and III, rather than have separate mounting rings.
I would guess that Kodak, for economy of scale, used the same mounting ring for the three models I, II and III, rather than have separate mounting rings.
raid
Dad Photographer
I don't think so; my Ib has a low number but has removable front element.
How many Ib were built?
rpjasin has 167089 and I have 62467.
How many Ib were built?
rpjasin has 167089 and I have 62467.
FPjohn
Well-known
So far, no correlation with European vs NA version or with early vs later production.
yours
FPJ
yours
FPJ
FPjohn
Well-known
raid
Dad Photographer
I would agree with you that the lens element was most likely not meant to be removed.
FPjohn
Well-known
Xenar has no serial nos matched with the mount. Perhaps because there is no expectation that it is to be removed.
Xenon has mount and front element with matched serial numbers. The expectation is that it can be removed and the serial nos ensure no confusion pairing lens and mount?
yours
FPJ
Xenon has mount and front element with matched serial numbers. The expectation is that it can be removed and the serial nos ensure no confusion pairing lens and mount?
yours
FPJ
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