Barnack vs. Retina

[mh2000]

I started a poll in the Retina forum for which camera you prefer shooting photos with:

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=78861

just to be fair I wanted it listed in the LTM forum so there is no bias... not that it really matters... the poll is just for fun, but I like thinking about things like this...

🙂

 

[Vince Lupo]

I have to admit that the Retina is a very good and practical camera, at least from my personal experience. I have an early Retina II, and a Retina IIIc. The IIIc is great - you can work reasonably quick with it, it has its own built-in lens cap (making it a true pocketable camera!), lenses are great, viewfinder is easy and it's extremely quiet. Now, I'm not a big fan of their method of lens interchangeability, but it's a high quality camera that I don't have to worry too much about if I take it on vacation and something happens to it. Don't think I'll be forsaking all my Leicas for them, but I think every photographer should have one in their collection.

 

[john neal]

I'm with Vince - I had a pair of IIC bodies for years - one for colour and one B&W. Took them everywhere and they were my main holiday cameras. Great results on Kodachrome and Tri-X.

Had to let them go though when the cost of repairs overtook the joy of using them 🙁 Also wouldn't trade a Leica for one.

 

[Dralowid]

Old Retinas never managed to take me away from a trusty Leica III. The camera that has stolen my attention recently is the Super Nettel which must be one of the most exquiste in the folding 35mm world. Never had a later Retina

Michal

 

[ZeissFan]

I've had many Retinas, and they're fine cameras. Kodak got it right when it bought Nagel Camerawerks. Lately, I've been shooting with the fixed-lens Retina IIS.

It's a well-built camera with a very nice f/2.8 Xenar. Its ease of use makes it a joy to shoot, and the viewfinder is among the best of the era with an excellent SINGLE! viewfinder with moving framelines that compensate for parallax.

Obviously, it sits below Leica in terms of photographic prestige.

But as with other cameras, you never have to apologize for using a Kodak Retina.