Retina, I (type 010) and Retina IIa

[Tom hicks]

I have just purchased these two, anything I need to know ( quirks ) with either one . I here the build quality is very nice . I have been playing with a Kodak Instamatic Reflex , reloading the 126 cartridges with 35mm film , works wonderful. And it spured my intrest in the Retinas.

Here are a few shots of the new gear.

 

[batterytypehah!]

Some pretty basic stuff about the Retina I that you probably already know about:

Only folds with focus set to infinity
Needs film in it for shutter to work
For 1/500 only, set speed before you cock the shutter

I think later Retinas count down and lock the shutter at frame 0 but the Retina I counts up.

Nice examples -- congrats.

 

[Mr_Flibble]

I'm seeing a lot of Retina I cameras go by these past 5 days. A friend of mine just purchased the early model. I told him exactly the same things as Batterytypehah! did.

 

[ZeissFan]

The Retina IIa doesn't need film in it to test fire the shutter. With the Retina I, you might need to rotate the sprocket wheel by hand to release the double exposure prevention.

If you ever work on the cameras, you must remove the frame counter dial on the IIa, and you should be very careful. If you break the spring under it, the dial won't advance. This is a very common occurrence with the IIa.

The Retinas were (and still are) great cameras. The IIa has the f/2.0 Xenon, which is an excellent lens.

 

[Spider67]

Oh yes and remember the first camera on the Mt. Everest (at least until they find Mallory's camera) was a Retina (mod. 118) Hillary bought second hand.
The II a is a gem designwise....the IIc is better to handle with big hands

 

[ZeissFan]

Many people consider the Retina IIa to be the best of the folding cameras. I think it's an excellent camera, although it's very tight on space for gripping the camera with your right hand with the door open.

The earlier folding Retinas are very pocketable, and most are a bit worn because the cameras were used and not just admired.

There are something like 32 official models, but many subvariations within each model, making it nearly impossible to try to collect every Retina on the market.

Kodak also had the habit of reusing model names. I've counted at least four Retina II models. I think there are at least two Retina I. But if you start down this path, you'll understand soon enough.

 

[former member]

If you ever remove the film advance on the IIa to pop the top and clean the finder, use dental floss to hold the clutch back as you put it back on. If the clutch is not held back, it will act as if the film counter is at zero and lock-up. I stared at it for hours before the light bulb went on.

 

[Luddite Frank]

Biggest problem I have with the knob-wind Retinas is I usually forget to cock the shutter after advancing the film... have missed a few shots that way; otherwise, a quality, compact camera.