Which Retina?

[CliveC]

Hi guys, I stumbled across a local seller who has a bunch of Retina cameras. I initially wanted to get a IIa for the size alone, but the person also listed a III, IIIc, I, IB, II and IIa.

Which ones should I be focusing on most? I'm looking for reliability and ease of use.

Since I have not heard back yet, is eBay a reliable indicator of Retina values? For example, is $60-80 a typical price for a IIa?

 

[hausen]

Most think the IIIC (large C) is the best. Personally I prefer the IIa because I use external meter anyway and the size is just so cool. 50mm focal length is also my go to FL. I also use a Leica 50mm finder on mine as well for framing. Neat setup and along with Rollei 35s is my favorite "little' camera.

 

[rhl-oregon]

I love my IIa (16) with the SK Xenon, especially that I got it for $30. $60-80 sounds quite fair.

Here's an interesting site for rough appraisals: http://collectiblend.com/Cameras/Kodak-Eastman/Retina-IIa-%28016%29.html.

And a Retinaphile site new to me: http://home.comcast.net/~pam971948/site/?/home/

Dante Stella's page is the best compass for Retina-II users: http://www.dantestella.com/technical/retina.html

 

[julio1fer]

I have used Ia, II and IIIc.

Wtih reliability and ease of use as criteria, I would vote for the II. But all of those are great.

Viewfinder is better in the III series, but those are a bit larger and somewhat more awkward cameras. So it all depends on your tastes. You can't really go wrong.

 

[CliveC]

Thanks for the insight. I think I will focus on the IIa for now unless the others are in better shape.

Is it pronounced retina (as in the eye) or re-tina (like emphasis on Tina, like the name)? I believe I've heard it both ways.

 

[literiter]

The Retina IIa has a very fragile cocking lever. The Retina II does not have this cocking lever, just a knob. I'm referring to this model: http://retinarescue.com/retina2type011.html

 

[68degrees]

I like the IIc. No meter to break. Excellent razor sharp lens, folds flat, sleeker design.
Sweet price. Dad bought one new in the 50s, still works perfect. Only ever needed one minor adjustment. The screw that holds the cockikng rack on was loose and starting to slip. Thankfully I got to it before any damage was done to the rack itself. 45 years of perfect trouble free operation. Now its perfect again.

 

[RWaldron]

I have a question. I see you listed a IIIc and a III. I'm not aware of a Retina III; a IIIc, a IIIC, and a IIIs, but not a plain old III. Is there a missing letter as regards this Retina?

Over the years I've owned a few Retinas: two or three IIc's, a IIa, a II (014), and a couple Ia's. The IIa and the II are little bigger than the I series and besides the rangefinder you get a fantastic Schneider Xenon or Rodenstock Helioplan lens. The advance lever of the IIa (and Ia) engages a shutter cocking rack that can wear out prematurely. This gives the II an advantage. On the other hand, the plain II has an uncomfortably long shutter button action; not like the more precise shutter release on the IIa. They're built to a very high standard. So are the C series, and the C series is possibly finished just a bit better: better chrome and the fake leather holds up better than the real leather on many of the earlier cameras. All tend to fall prey to yellowed viewfinders. The IIc has a wonderful feel in the hand, like a serious camera. You would probably get used to the bottom advance lever. It never bothered me. The IIc cameras I've owned aways seemed like a great compromise between pocketable size and real camera handling. Same wonderful lens, only a stop slower on the IIc. The C series also allows the use of add-on lenses in 35mm and 80mm lengths. With these lenses one has to use the rangefinder more like an uncoupled rangefinder. Not convenient, but the smaller, 5.6 35mm is useful as a scale focused accessory lens to carry along.

If small size is paramount go with the II or IIa. If you think you might want to get hold of the 35mm (forget the 80mm) or you just want a better handling package (admittably subjective) go for a C series. That's my advice. But, beyond all that is the question of condition. These are all elderly citizens of cameradom so take that into consideration. A CLA may be in order for any of them.

Randy

 

[CliveC]

I have a question. I see you listed a IIIc and a III. I'm not aware of a Retina III; a IIIc, a IIIC, and a IIIs, but not a plain old III. Is there a missing letter as regards this Retina?

My mistake. The original listing says a Retina Automatic III, not a Retina III.

 

[colyn]

The cocking lever on the IIa is not anymore fragile than any other lever. The part that is prone to breakage is the counter advance spring. If the camera has not been serviced the grease can gum up the counter and cause this spring to break. The advance lever will continue to work but the counter won't..

Chris has a good tutorial at http://retinarescue.com/retina1alever.html showing how to fix this issue..

 

[literiter]

The cocking lever on the IIa is not anymore fragile than any other lever.

Whatever.....but if it does fail, as many have....Chris has a nice article on how to repair it: http://retinarescue.com/retinarack.html

 

[CliveC]

Whatever.....but if it does fail, as many have....Chris has a nice article on how to repair it: http://retinarescue.com/retinarack.html

Very clear instructions! Bookmarked.

 

[Brian Legge]

Any chance you can see how they feel in hand first? I came across a IIIc but wanted to try a IIa given its excellent reputation here. I actually found the IIa harder to hold due to its small size (despite my evidently small hands and love of small cameras). I stuck with the IIIc. My only complaint is the metal flap covering the meter which loves to pop open in bags. I'm bound to accidentally break it off some day.

 

[CliveC]

Any chance you can see how they feel in hand first? I came across a IIIc but wanted to try a IIa given its excellent reputation here. I actually found the IIa harder to hold due to its small size (despite my evidently small hands and love of small cameras). I stuck with the IIIc. My only complaint is the metal flap covering the meter which loves to pop open in bags. I'm bound to accidentally break it off some day.

Well, I regularly use an Olympus XA, but I see your point. I will try to get a hand on all of them.

 

[Brian Legge]

The main trick of it is the way it folds open and finding a good grasp there. Maybe I just didn't give the IIa enough time to adjust. 🙂 Any one of these cameras in good working condition is an excellent user.

 

[CliveC]

I ended up picking up two: A cosmetically fair but mechanically good IIa with the Schneider Xenon and a cosmetically and mechanically good IIIc with the Rodenstock Heligon. Paid a little more than bottom dollar, but it was reasonable. The IIIc even came with a case.

Tri-X is going into one camera right away, but which?

 

[nparsons13]

I like my IIIc a lot. I have big hands, so it doesn't seem overly large. It's the Ausf. 2 production run, with the IIIC-style meter (a single range, with no cover door). I've seen many of the Ausf. 1 with the cover door broken off, so I strongly recommend that you try to find one from the later production run.

 

[ZeissFan]

There are two versions of the Retina IIa (and Retina II). Kodak had an an annoying habit of renaming cameras with the same name.

There is a knob wind IIa and lever wind IIa. The lever wind IIa is the one that everyone likes. Be extra careful if you decide to remove the wind lever and the film advance. There is a small flat spring with a stud, and it's easily broken, which will cause your frame counter to stop working.

It shares the part with the Retina Ia (lever wind).

The Retina II (knob wind) is an excellent alternative.

The "large C" models IIC and IIIC are popular because of the large viewfinders and built-in framelines for 35-50-85. For the "small c" models IIc and IIIc, there is an auxiliary finder that slides into the accessory shoe.

All of the c (large and small) models share the same auxiliary 35mm and 85mm lenses, although in practice those auxiliary lenses are time-consuming to use.

I like the IIC and IIIC, although I'm also a fan of the II, IIa and "small c" models, too.

If you don't mind a Xenar, the rigid-front Retina IIS is an excellent camera.

 

[Gumby]

Tri-X is going into one camera right away, but which?

Put the Tri-X in the IIIc.

 

[mretina]

Must be II, IIa (or IIc) as look & small size is important and I do not see why would you need a meter. II (014) has the most retina feeling for me and I like the rewind knob. IIa is simply beautiful and is probably the peak of simplicity and functionality. Agree it can be more delicate but probably is not that important or to the extent that I would not recommend.