I got my Retina IIa

[oscroft]

My Retina IIa, bought from eBay UK for £32 (approx $63), arrived today, and it's a beauty. The shutter is really sweet - all speeds work and look about right, even the slow speeds down to 1sec, and it's really quiet. The lens has a few dust specs (which certainly won't have any effect), but is otherwise very clean. The rangefinder looks about right, the film counter works, the diaphragm and shutter blades are all clean and oil-free, the pressure plate is clean. (Are there any other things I should check before I load it with Delta 400 for a test shoot?).

I've attached a few pictures - hope you like it 🙂

 

[Letien]

I've attached a few pictures - hope you like it 🙂

It's a very good deal. IIa Heligon for $63.
Please post some pictures.
I just got my IIa Heligon too. I will get some roll for my next trip to Las Vegas this weekend. I also use 400 film. Hope it will work fine.

 

[oscroft]

Please post some pictures

I'll be going out with it at the weekend, so I'll be sure to post some results.

I just got my IIa Heligon too. I will get some roll for my next trip to Las Vegas this weekend.

Do show us some of your results too.

 

[bkrystad]

Are there any other things I should check before I load it with Delta 400 for a test shoot?

Looks great, sounds great. Don't hesitate, shoot!

 

[mjflory]

Lovely! One of my first rangefinders was a IIa and it's a little jewel. I've got the Xenon F2 lens, which is supposed to be comparable to the Heligon -- that is, very sharp. Enjoy it!

 

[kaiyen]

Just watch out for that sticky cocking rack. It happens to almost all IIa's eventually. Enjoy!

 

[oscroft]

I've got the Xenon F2 lens, which is supposed to be comparable to the Heligon -- that is, very sharp

Yes, from what I've read, there isn't really anything to choose between the two lenses - both are considered superb.

Just watch out for that sticky cocking rack

The cocking rack, eh? I don't think I've ever had one of those before 🙂 I've just done a bit of Google research and I can see what it is now. Fortunately the wind-on is really smooth, but I'll treat it with care and hopefully it will last a while - if it eventually needs a CLA and repair I really won't mind.

Btw, I forgot to mention, the IIa came with the original German instruction book (which I can't read, but it's quite cool to have) and a yellow filter. Anyway, I've got a busy day today but I'll be out with it tomorrow 🙂

 

[Tom Harrell]

I have a IIa too! They are beautiful cameras! Heavy for their size it seems so there must be some real metal inside. Mine has an every ready case for it and had a meter with it as well. The meter doesn't work right though, the cell is probably sick. The shoulder strap attached to the case broke and I need to see about getting it fixed or replaced. Mine has the Xenon lens and it seems to take good pictures. I don't own a scanner or I would post some pictures for you. Thanks for sharing the pictures of your new jewel with us.

Regards,
Tom

 

[oscroft]

Mine has an every ready case for it and had a meter with it as well.

Oh yes, that's something else I forgot to mention - I got an erc in very nice condition too (no meter, but I already have a couple of those).