A Folding Kodak Retina with f3.5, 50mm Retina - Xenar lens.
- Kamera Ostalgie
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
Now I'm no expert on Kodaks Retina cameras, I own an odd one or two, I have used some very occasionally many years ago, but this one, which belonged to my Father, I have never used, which is a great pity. However, today I have been giving it a clean up, that rolled into taking a few quick pictures of it, which ended up in starting this post. The next logical step would be to put a film through it I suppose.
Kodak produced lots of different Retinas, some collectors collect nothing else, there is that much scope in collecting them. To me, the interest is in using old cameras, not just collecting them, so why I have never tried this camera out I do not know, I mean it is very useable, hopefully it still functions okay, the Retina-Xenar is said to be a fine lens, the little red triangle on this one means I think, that it is a later coated lens so okay for colour photography too, so really I have no excuse but to try it out.
I'm having a bad run on films at the moment, I just got a film back this week off an old Praktica, all 36 exposures virtually black, with just the frame gaps showing, so another film wasted, but that I suppose is the risk we take in this hobby.
Anyway, I'm digressing, lets get back to the camera in question. As you know, I'm as interested in the cases as well as the cameras, and this case does not disappoint in the quality department, fantastic brown hide, lined in maroon velvet, and of a very useable design.
The Retina logo is very nicely embossed into the top of the case, no mistaking what camera you have picked up here!
A nice short strap and a neat fastener are nice touches to this case.
As is the patent stamp shown her on the left. Neatly marked 'German Patent Reg.' And ' Made In Germany.'
The Retina fits snugly in its case and you can use it in the case, without the case getting in your way, which is always a bonus.
On the back of the camera the 'Retina' script is embossed neatly into the black body covering, along with 'Made In Germany'
But as yet I'm not sure what model of Retina we have here, so lets do a bit of investigating! First step is a look at C J's Classic Camera Collections website, always a good place to find things out.
Well, I have had a quick look, and it looks like what we have here is a Retina I, Type 013. As I said earlier, my knowledge on Retinas is pretty limited, so looking at this site is a must for me.
I think that the Retina I Type 013 was first produced in 1949 until around 1951 when it was superseded by the Retina Ia Type 015 which had a wind on lever instead of a knob.
Film type reminder?
The film counter works by loading your film in, blanking off the first two frames as normal then setting the counter to 36 and with a bit of luck it will count down,
It looks like this camera has been looked after but also seen a lot of use by the looks of the wear present on the black covering on the lens door. There is also wear on the wind on knob, where the plating has gone showing the brass below. So it has had a fair bit of use in its time.
The yellow cast here is from a 'Kodak Yellow Light' filter. It does not fit superbly, but it has been on for as long as I can remember and it has kept the lens clean and free from scratches!
Body number is 35478.
The lens number is 2337286
The camera back open. Fairly conventional looking in here.
The bottom of the Retina, showing the tripod bush and the little button for opening the front of the camera.
Wind on knob, with lever below for normal advance and for re-wind.
Just in case you forget it is a Kodak ! No pun intended!
Anyway, at least I know what model of Retina this is now and from what year, which is more than I did when I started this post, if nothing else.!
1949 Kodak Retina I Type 013.
So that is it, our little very quick look at the Kodak Retina I Type 013 of 1949. I'll put it in the box of cameras to put films through, so lets hope I can try it out soon. It will be interesting to see what it can or can't do!
My knowledge of Retinas is not vast, but this guy has a huge understanding of them. If you need to know more have a look at his site.
Well worth a look.
Take care,
Phil
Such great lenses, but on bodies like this, nearly useless viewfinders.