new to me Retina IIa

[LStRomain]

I am watiting for the arrival of a Retina IIa that i just bought off of ebay (purchased in a wave of nostalgia, the Retina was the first camera I ever used). It is supposed to be in very good shape (famous last words, I know) ; is there anything I should really be looking out for?

I am looking forward to using it; I haven't shoot a roll of film in about 8 years; it will be a change from my Nikons.

 

[RichL]

Make sure both shutter and diaphragm are squeaky clean and smooth operating. Particularly when going to the 1/500 speed they sometimes feel 'not smooth', that means the lube is dry and the lens needs a cla (not a bad idea anyhow). The other thing is to make sure the range finder is working smoothly. Look through it and make sure that the image moves smoothly and continuously while focusing. Any jerking means the lube is dry and should be replaced.

That said, I have used the IIa off and on for the past 40 years and have never had a problem with them. Have fun with the camera.

 

[LStRomain]

just got my Retina and everything seems to be good 🙂 now I just need to get some film.

 

[RichL]

Pick up some asa 125 film and it will be just like the old days.

 

[LStRomain]

Pick up some asa 125 film and it will be just like the old days.

true 🙂 think I'm gonna to .... did just buy some kodachrome off ebay as well but I need to get familar with the camera first before putting that into it.

 

[LStRomain]

my Retina IIA 🙂

 

[jcrutcher]

Very nice! I have a couple of IIIC's and love them.
You'll have fun not only taking pictures but explaining how it works to others.

 

[Naumoski]

Really nice gear you got there.

Share some photos with us asap 🙂

 

[LStRomain]

Very nice! I have a couple of IIIC's and love them.
You'll have fun not only taking pictures but explaining how it works to others.

I already have had to 🙂

Really nice gear you got there.

Share some photos with us asap 🙂

dropped a roll of tri-x off to get processed this morning, have a roll of color film in it right now.

 

[former member]

That is a beauty, the Xenon is an amazing lens.

Good match-up of a Retina with Kodachrome!

 

[LStRomain]

Just got some pics back! Here are some shot with Fujifilm

made the cat B&W in CS5 cause it seemed to feel better that way. and I need to get the dust off the negatives before i scan them ...
Big difference from what I've been used to (Nikon D700, D300) ... I like it 🙂 I'm very happy with my little Retina. 😀

 

[thawkins]

I own two Retina cameras.............a Ia and IIa. Both are fantastic. I purchased the first one in 1968 and the second one about 1999. Through the years other cameras have come and gone but the Retinas will never leave. Nothing I have owned to date (including an M3 with a 50mm Summicron) has surpassed the sharpness on the 50mm F2 Xenon lens on the IIa. Be careful not to let the film advance lever snap back in to position when advancing the film as this can damage the mechanism. When setting the shutter to either 1/250 or 1/500 speed be sure the shutter is not cocked or the shutter mechanism can be damaged. If anything is stiff, don't force it to move.
These are fantastic cameras, perhaps the best Kodak ever produced. Keep it loaded with Tri-X and the possibilities are endless.

Tom