Okay, it's a Kodak, which has a great name for the device ...
It has a great name?
The retina was manufactured from 1934 to 1969, and in many variations, is a fine machine that throughout its history has evolved, reaching a standard of excellence, especially optics. Historically
is important, because it marked the introduction of the "Daylight Loading Cartridge" or 35 mm charger and its spread almost universal success that continues today, despite the attacks of digital.
camera quality, small, foldable "folding", paperback, has been equipped with optical excellence.
Produced in Stuttgart in the Kodak plant in Europe was prompted by the lively mind of dr. Nagel, founder of the homonymous manufacturer of equipment and then merged into the Kodak.
to accompany the biggest names in the photographic industry in Germany: for Compur shutters, Schneider Kreuznach, Rodenstock and Zeiss lenses too.
The central lens shutters, made by Deckel Monaco, are renowned Compur, jewelry and precision mechanics, still able to function perfectly.
The standard was a 50 mm Kodak Ektar f/3.5, higher versions rode a Schneider Kreuznach Xenar f/3.5 of/2.8, all with standard model 4-Tessar lens, including the luxury Schneider Xenon 50/2.8 or 50 / 2 , or the Rodenstock Heligon 50/2.8 and 50 / 2, with 6-Gauss lens.
These lenses are simply amazing, superlative, with a definition and a contrast to embarrass the various Nikon, Canon, Pentax, and fear not the Leica or Zeiss.
versions produced were designated as follows: I without
Retina rangefinder, Ektar, Xenar, Tessar sporadically;
Retina Ia lever with quick charge on the shell and optical Xenar 3.5 or 2.8
Retina Ib with loading lever on the bottom and moved fast optical
Retina Xenar 3.5 or 2.8 with IB exposure and improved viewfinder, the most "recent" series
Retina II with coupled rangefinder, optical Ektar, Xenar, Xenon, Heligon;
Retina IIa rangefinder coupled, fast-loading lever on the cover, optical 50 / 2 or Xenon Heligon;
Retina IIc with coupled rangefinder, rapid charging lever moved to the bottom, optical 50/2.8 Xenon-C,-C Heligon convertible into wide-angle or telephoto lens converters using special;
IIc Retina IIC as the viewfinder but improved;
Retina IIIc rangefinder and coupled meter, charging lever on the bottom fast, optical 50 / 2 Xenon Heligon-C-C or convertible into or wide-angle telephoto lens converters using special;
IIIc Retina IIIC like but with several improvements to the viewfinder, now with lights for Frames provided for the various focal (last set of folding Retina to be produced)
Retina IIIS rigid, no more folding, with interchangeable lenses, the same as the Retina Reflex, same features as the IIIC.
shutter performance are very advanced for its time:
Compur provided the first time from 1 "to 1 / 300 + B and T
add the Compur Rapid 1 / 500
the Synchro Compur acquire flash synchronization at all i time and the self-timer.
cameras are all valid, sought after by collectors and even the latest of a large group of photographers who appreciate the high quality optics and precision mechanics of these "small" cameras.
The latest versions, especially those with the Rodenstock, if in perfect condition can reach prices of all respect. Especially
IIIC are very popular, and prices can reach several hundred euro.
But usually with 100 to 150 € you can buy a used copy, maybe not beautiful but not abused, can give great satisfaction, especially if it is a II or III. The Retina
I have the cheapest, most of the III expensive.
With that figure does not even buy us a disposable digital compattaccia Chinese produced and badged for the giants.
Retina Ib with Schneider Kreuznach Xenar 2.8 to the left, IIc Retina Schneider-Kreuznach Xenon C 2.8a right
Retina IIc, seen from below. This version allows the conversion of standard wide-angle or telephoto lens by means of special additional optics.
Retina IIa closed
Retina IIa open, with optical Schneider Kreuznach Retina-Xenon 50 / 2
Detail of the pantograph mechanism for the lens aperture, disassembled for a general review. In spite of its "delicate" is very stable and perfectly keeps the lens in place with the focal plane.
Synchro Compur shutter Detail of a Retina IIIc. And 'identical to the one mounted on the optics of the prestigious Hasselblad, only smaller.
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