Kodak Regent II - tips?

[johnwood]

Hello -
If anyone has an electronic copy of the Regent II manual, that would be great, but, as they seem hard to find, I wonder if the collective here might know the answer to a few questions I have after playing around with one for a few days:

1) How does the little dial on top (with frame 1-8 numbering) work? Like a Medalist, does it need to be set to "1" to align with what's seen via the red window in back?

2) Is there a trick to opening / unfolding? Even with focus at infinity, I pop the door open, it opens out about 1/2 inch, then stops, as if something's catching. I don't want to force it and bend the struts...so is there a secondary button I'm missing here?

Thanks for any help!!

john

 

[summar]

Are you sure your Regent II is a Kodak camera? Mike Butkus' site has a manual for an Ansco Regent:
http://www.butkus.org/chinon/ansco/ansco_regent/ansco_regent.htm
also for an Ansco Super Regent:
http://www.butkus.org/chinon/ansco/ansco_super_regent/ansco_super_regent.htm
Both are folder cameras.
Mike asks for a $3 contribution per manual, well deserved.

 

[Ken Smith]

Kodak made a Regent and Regent 11 back in the 30's - actually they were made in Germany and with German glass. Do a search for Kodak Regent II - couple of cool articles pop up. Really nice mint one on the Bay right now but at a Bessa II price. Looks like you have a neat camera with a coupled rangefinder.

 

[hanskerensky]

These are very rare German made (about 1939 i guess) folders.

Not many users around so eventually you might consider buying a copy of its (german) manual here :
http://www.lindemanns.de/shop/photo...bae495e.php&anker=ank1&iproj=limainst&wspez=1


This camera is definitely on my wishing list but at the moment a bit too expensive ;-)

Good luck with your Regent !

 

[johnwood]

Thanks all. It's definitely a Kodak, the short-lived, German glass and Nagel designed older brother of the sleek and smooth (but difficult to use) Kodak Regent.
Thank you so much for the link...that (and a translation engine) could be the answer to my needs/search.
It is, indeed, a wonderful user...they realized the Regent's finder just not too practical and made the II's bigger. Not by much, but enough to clearly take advantage of the coupling.
Thanks again!
John

 

[johnwood]

manual found...

manual found...

...at oldtimercameras in England. Whip out my German dictionary and I'll be good 🙂
thanks all.

 

[hanskerensky]

Good to see John !

If you have any translation problems just send me a PM.