Velorum
Member
Whilst walking through town today I popped into a few charity shops looking for a cheap shoulder bag for a friend. In the third shop I went into the first thing that caught my eye was a pile of old cameras (mostly in leather cases) on a worktop next to the checkout. The guy behind the till said that they had been brought in this morning by a family clearing out a deceased family members house. He had quickly stuck some prices on them and was just about to put them out on display. He said that he hadnt priced them highly as old cameras 'arent really worth anything these days'.
I had a good look through and there were quite a few modern electrontic types that are of no interest to me. But hidden in amongst those were some really good condition older mechanicals. I bough a few larger format ones to play around with and what is more relevant to this forum this lovely late model Kodak Retinette 1A.
In its leather ER case in nice condition aside from a broken strap.
The camera itself is near mint. Looking inside there is a service sticker from a camera specialist dated 1994. The optics look clean and fungus free, the aperture works fine and the shutter speeds seem to be OK. All the controls feel nice and smooth.
I will put a roll of XP2 through it later in the week and see what happens.
For the batch of cameras that I bought including this one I paid the grand total of £12.50!
There is a widely held belief (well in this country anyway) that its virtually impossible to pick up bargains like this in charity shops as they have become so adept at checking prices on eBay and will often list items there instead of putting them on there shelves. This Retinette shows that its still possible to pick up some good quality cameras for next to nothing if your in the right place at the right time.
To think that I very nearly bought one on eBay last week for £30!
I had a good look through and there were quite a few modern electrontic types that are of no interest to me. But hidden in amongst those were some really good condition older mechanicals. I bough a few larger format ones to play around with and what is more relevant to this forum this lovely late model Kodak Retinette 1A.
In its leather ER case in nice condition aside from a broken strap.
The camera itself is near mint. Looking inside there is a service sticker from a camera specialist dated 1994. The optics look clean and fungus free, the aperture works fine and the shutter speeds seem to be OK. All the controls feel nice and smooth.
I will put a roll of XP2 through it later in the week and see what happens.
For the batch of cameras that I bought including this one I paid the grand total of £12.50!
There is a widely held belief (well in this country anyway) that its virtually impossible to pick up bargains like this in charity shops as they have become so adept at checking prices on eBay and will often list items there instead of putting them on there shelves. This Retinette shows that its still possible to pick up some good quality cameras for next to nothing if your in the right place at the right time.
To think that I very nearly bought one on eBay last week for £30!
KoNickon
Nick Merritt
Note the pictographs for distance markings -- engraved? Nice, if so. Is this a Reomar lens? Can't recall what the Schneider triplets are. Synchro Compur shutter? Nice "under the radar" camera!
I got a pile of cameras a few weeks ago, mostly inoperative but a few winners. One of the dead on arrival cameras was a Retina Automatic III, sadly -- couldn't get the shutter to fire, but the meter was working and accurate. Probably too much to go wrong -- too many linkages. But your Retinette is pretty simple -- less to go wrong. What is that disc on the top right side (film advance side)?
I got a pile of cameras a few weeks ago, mostly inoperative but a few winners. One of the dead on arrival cameras was a Retina Automatic III, sadly -- couldn't get the shutter to fire, but the meter was working and accurate. Probably too much to go wrong -- too many linkages. But your Retinette is pretty simple -- less to go wrong. What is that disc on the top right side (film advance side)?
Muggins
Junk magnet
The Retinettes are nice little cameras, and the 1a doesn't have a selenium cell to go Pete Tong. The Reomar is far from shabby (annoyingly I cant find any pics via the phone) as a performer.
If they are are your thing, join the Retina and Retinette Lovers FB page - we don't bite!
If they are are your thing, join the Retina and Retinette Lovers FB page - we don't bite!
KoNickon
Nick Merritt
"to go Pete Tong" -- some rhyming slang here?
Muggins
Junk magnet
Yes.
Muggins
Junk magnet
One is exposure counter, the other is a film type reminder IIRC
KoNickon
Nick Merritt
You're not going to make this easy for me, are you?
Johngwill
Established
"It's all gone Pete Tong" = "It's all gone wrong". See Peter Michael Tong MBE UK DJ.
Muggins
Junk magnet
Sorry, I thought the context made it fairly obvious, and you were checking you'd got it right. My fault! Yes, as Johngwill says, Pete Tong = wrong.You're not going to make this easy for me, are you?
Dralowid
Michael
Rubbish picture.
Father's old Retinette with Kodalux meter (still works), Kodak hood, flash etc. etc. I don't know which version it is. Well made (in Germany). Did Kodak have them made by someone else or did they have their own factory in Germany?
Father's old Retinette with Kodalux meter (still works), Kodak hood, flash etc. etc. I don't know which version it is. Well made (in Germany). Did Kodak have them made by someone else or did they have their own factory in Germany?
KoNickon
Nick Merritt
I figured Tong = wrong, but didn't know if Pete rhymed with anything. Thanks!
KoNickon
Nick Merritt
The Retina works in Stuttgart I presume.
Muggins
Junk magnet
As far as I am aware everything with Retin* in the name came out of the old Nagel factory in Stuttgart.
Velorum
Member
Thank you. I have found the group and asked to join!
Velorum
Member
Ive just loaded a roll of Kodak Gold into this and am looking forward to getting out later today to try it out. Its a lovely bright and sunny day here in Cornwall!
Wrist strap, neoprene wrap, rucksack - all ready to go!
Wrist strap, neoprene wrap, rucksack - all ready to go!
p.giannakis
Pan Giannakis
The Reomar lens was also produced by Rodenstock - those Retinettes are a bit more difficult to find.
Muggins
Junk magnet
As I was saying about the Reomar not being too shabby... it was a much nicer day than forecast, or I'd have had a yellow filter on!
rfaspen
[insert pithy phrase here]
I had one of these too. Sold it in the great purge couple years ago
I gave mine a loving CLA and it was a fantastic performer. I remember that I had to make a special tool to work on this one. Still have it in my repair box.
So glad to see these critters getting the use and attention they deserve. Mine was bought by a young film aficionado....made me happy.
I gave mine a loving CLA and it was a fantastic performer. I remember that I had to make a special tool to work on this one. Still have it in my repair box.
So glad to see these critters getting the use and attention they deserve. Mine was bought by a young film aficionado....made me happy.
Velorum
Member
I had the test roll of Kodak Gold 200 processed yesterday. Considering that the camera cost a fraction of the price of the film I am impressed with the performance.
