Kodak Retina Reflex S question

[colyn]

I was given a excellent condition and working Retina Reflex S today. Mechanism looks clean and all functions including the light meter are working fine. And yes the meter compares with a couple of my handheld averaging meters. The only issue is the prism has usual desilvering but is still usable.

I have heard that a prism from one of the Japanese SLR's is a good replacement and was wondering if true which one it usable??

My first roll through it is hanging in the darkroom drying and the negs look good so I would like to start using this camera along with my other Retinas..

 

[Sarcophilus Harrisii]

Colyn,
I found a few leads via google. I'd been wondering if a Minolta item might be a good place to start, because I've read of Bessamatic prisms being replaced with (I think) X-300 items. Sure enough all roads lead there. One of the hits discusses an owner swapping the prism in his Reflex S for one from a Minolta XG-9. It sounds like it worked very well. And another refers to using one from an X-700 or X-300 (scroll to the bottom of the thread). Chris Sherlock mentions being able to use one from the XE-1, too.
I wish people would give me classic German cameras like your Kodak. That's a good score! I've only ever handled a Retina Reflex III (I believe it was, from memory). It certainly had the finish, heft, and general feeling of quality that are the traits of many of these West German lens shutter SLRs.
Cheers,
Brett

 

[colyn]

Thanks Brett

The X-700 prism was a perfect fit. I had to do a bit of hunting since it was not where I had left it but job done...

These old Retinas are a work of art and fun to use. Now if I could get a few more given to me..