What folding cameras did Kodak manufacture in the fifties aside from the Retina?

[Keith]

I was having lunch with Carol's parents today and during the inevitable conversation about photography her step mother mentioned that she'd been given a new Kodak camera by her father in the fifties. She'd asked for a box brownie or something similar but wound up being given a folder that she found way to complicated because (in her words) "You had to adjust the light and all sorts of other things!" Consequently she never used it at all and it's still sitting in a box somewhere in their house and may have never had a roll of film through it!

I had no opportunity to see the camera because we'd met at a local tavern a couple of hours drive up the coast not far from where they live and after lunch were driving straight back to Brisbane.

So my question is ... what other folders did Kodak make in the fifties aside from the Retina? I gather I'm quite welcome to the camera if I want it but because they live so far away it's unlikely I'll get to see it for at least another month or two.

 

[oftheherd]

Interesting question. I am curious myself now that you raise the issue. I think some of the 6x9 (or about that size) folders may have still been into the 50s. I also think they may have had 9x12 still, but am not so sure. I look forward to hearing what else, as well as what the parents have.

EDIT: I forgot to add, many of their MF folders would have been 620 film size. Usable, but an inconvenience. Still, the history of that camera would make it worth acquiring.

 

[L David Tomei]

Actually, the list of Kodak folders of the 1950's is pretty long.

Flash Bantam discontinued in 1953.
Junior I and II until 1959.
Pliant (French) until c1956.
Kodak 66 Models II and III until 1960.
Sterling II until 1959.
Kodak Tourist until 1951-52.
Kodak Tourist II until 1958.
Six 20 Kodak A until 1955.

The last folder produced was the Kodak 66 Model III and uses 120 film. None have rangefinders which were discontinued on Kodak folders back in 1939.

Hope that is of some help.

Ciao!

 

[Leigh Youdale]

There's a fairly comprehensive list of US made Kodaks here <http://www.kodak.com/global/en/consumer/products/techInfo/aa13/aa13.shtml> but it doesn't include the german made Retinas. I owned a Retina 1a and also a Retinette in the 50's and I'm pretty sure there was an SLR made at some stage.
This list <http://kodak.3106.net/index.php?p=200> has a more complete listing by type.