Kodak Retina 'c' & 'C' What's the difference?

[physiognomy]

Hi everyone,

I have been watching a number of auctions (you know where) and seen some Retinas described as 'C' not 'c'... What is the difference? These cameras look like they'd be fun to use... What are people's experience with them?

Thanks!

Peter

 

[Tin]

I don't know the difference between "c" amd "C", although I did used the IIIC (big C). My father owned one of these, and I used it quite frequently when I was young. It was a fun camera to use. Although it is rather heavy compared to modern plastic cameras, it is quite portable as the lens folds into the camera body. The Xenon 50/2 lens was very sharp.

My father gave that same camera to me a few years ago when it quit working. So now I can still fondle the camera, even though the film winding /shutter cocking mechanism is all jammed up. I don't know whether both or one of these mecahnisms are jammed, but since they are interlocked, nothing moves.

 

[OldNick]

You might look at the following sites:

http://cameraquest.com/ret3c.htm

http://www.wctatel.net/web/crye/retina.htm

 

[Wimpler]

I have a Retina IIc (small c). If you want to see pictures of the camera or something feel free to mail me. The winding jamming is a common problem on teh retina II and III series.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

I have a IIIc and a IIIS, but handles a IIIC at a camera show.

The IIIC has a larger viewfinder, like the Retina IIIS. It's viewfinder has framelines for the 35mm, 50mm, and 85mm lenses. They are not parallax corrected, and are up at all times. The IIIc (Small c) has a very good viewfinder, more eye-relief than the IIa, but smaller than the IIIC/IIIS finder. For the money, the IIIc is a great folder as is the IIc.

The meter on the IIIC and late model IIIc are "single range", where the older IIIc uses a mask over the Selenium Cell. The meter on my IIIc is accurate. If the camera was kept in a case, chances are that cell will still be good.