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Kodak Retina
 The folding camera that changed
35mm photography.

... Cameras | History | Using a Retina | Buying Tips ...

 Kodak Retina: The Cameras

In the three decades that span the Retina cameras, there were more 30 Retina and Retinette models in Kodak's folding-camera lineup. However, I don't have plans to purchase all of them. Maybe some day. These are the cameras that I've collected so far.

Each of these Retinas needed cleaning. Some were heavily soiled, while others had only surface dirt. Cleaning the viewfinders was easy, but cleaning the rangefinders requires a light touch, especially the mirrors -- don't rub away the gold mirror coating, or you won't be able to use the rangefinder for focusing.

About half of the cameras had oil on the aperture and shutter blades, often from a squirt of WD-40 lubricant. WD-40 and cameras do not go together.

Click on the thumbnail to see a larger picture and more information about this specific camera.

Early RetinaEarly Retina
The first Retinas used a simple Galilean viewfinder, knob film advance and manually cocked shutters. This model (No. 119) is equipped with a Schneider-Kreuznach Xenar f/3.5 lens and a Compur shutter. It's a small camera that easily fits into a pocket. The lens is sharp, as you might expect from a Xenar, which is a Tessar-type four-element lens.

Retina IIaRetina IIa
The Ia and IIa use a lever wind, which makes it easier to take photos. There also exists a Ia and IIa - both of which use a knob wind. The IIa has a coupled rangefinder, while the Ia uses a simple Galilean viewfinder and scale focusing. This camera has a Schneider-Kreuznach Xenon f/2.0 lens and Synchro Compur shutter. Many Retina fans consider this to be the last (and best) of the true Retina cameras, because of the compact size and pocketability. The Xenon lens is quite sharp.

Retina IBRetina IbRetina Ib/IB
The Ib ("small b") is similar to the new series of Retinas with rounded bodies and rounded-front lens doors and a bottom-mounted leverwind with one exception: The "b" and "B" cameras did not allow interchangeable lenses. The Ib comes equipped with a Schneider-Kreuznach Xenar 50mm f/2.8 lens and Synchro Compur shutter.

There were two versions of the IB ("Big B"). Both had meters, although the later version resembles more closely the IIIC. An earlier version of the IB had a single viewfinder window. This model uses a single-range meter, has a larger viewfinder and like the Ib, it has a fixed Schneider-Kreuznach Xenar 50mm f/2.8 lens and Synchro Compur shutter.

Retina IICRetina IIcRetina IIc / IIC
The IIc ("small c") and (IIIc) have interchangeable front elements that allow the photographer to use either a 35mm wide-angle or 85mm telephoto component. Only the II and III series allowed accessory lenses. Using these lenses is a bit tricky. The photographer focuses on the subject, reads the distance and then resets the lens to that distance using a scale on the underside of the lens. It isn't very convenient. The IIc / IIC lacked a meter. These IIc / IIC cameras use a Schneider-Kreuznach Xenon 50mm f/2.8 lens mated to a Synchro Compur shutter.

 The IIC ("Big C") differed from the IIc in that it has a larger eyepiece and framelines in the viewfinder for the 35mm and 80mm accessory lens elements. The top deck also is a bit taller (1mm) than the IIc, possibly to accommodate the larger viewfinder/rangefinder windows. The rangefinder in the "Big C" cameras uses a central circular spot, while the "Small c" cameras uses a diamond. I think the diamond is a bit easier in use. But the viewfinder image definitely is larger and brighter in the "Big C" cameras.

The II and III series cameras came with Rodenstock lenses standard and accessory. One point to note. If your camera is fitted with a Schneider-Kreuznach or Rodenstock lens, then you need to use the corresponding accessory lens. For example, you couldn't use a Rodenstock telephoto lens with a camera whose normal lens was a Schneider.

Retina IIICRetina IIIcRetina IIIc/IIIC
The IIIc ("small c") is similar to the IIc but has a two-range meter in the top deck. The meter has a small flap is closed for taking a reading outdoors or in bright light, and is opened for metering indoor or darker scenes.

Both the IIIc and IIIC pictured here are fitted with a Schneider-Kreuznach Xenon 50mm f/2.0 lens and Synchro Compur shutter. This is an excellent lens.

If the Retina Ia and IIa are thought of as the last of the true Retinas, possibly as many think of the IIIC ("Big C") as the ultimate Retina, because of the single-range meter, the larger viewfinder/rangefinder and viewfinder framelines. Certainly, it marked the end of the line for the folding Retinas, which in many ways is bittersweet. The price difference between the "Small c" and "Big C" models can often be US$100 or more.