A few questions Re Kodak Retina ii

Maybe im not using google correctly in 2024 (imo its almost impossible now for detailed research), but ive been trying to find the answers to my questions before posting another thread and coming up empty handed. I have a few questions re this camera that im hoping someone with experience is familiar with:

1. Because the shutter speed ring is variable, does that mean if i set the speed between 1/50 and 1/100, will the effective shutter speed be 1/75?


2. On my camera (not sure if this is true for all retina's), the focus ring has the lowest distance marking being 1m but i am able to "select" values beyond that and it does seem to affect the rangefinder images lining up. Does this mean i can effectively focus closer than 1m or should i limit this to the minimum of 1m for whatever reason.


3. Been trying to find a original case for this but all listings i can find are for the iia or iic. are these cases compatible with the ii model?

Not sure if this is too nit-picky, but just looking forward to learning everything i can about this piece of art to get the most out of it.

Get your manual for it here

https://www.butkus.org/chinon/

Thanks for the link!

So the manual on this site looks to be for a different from the model i have based on a few of the pictures and descriptions. ATM, i have not been able to find the manual that matches the one i have and to be expected, its like 75 years old

I guess i just have more precise questions not listed in the manual listed on this site, not sure if the correct manual will answer.

1. Getting intermediate shutter speeds between marks: You can often get intermediate speeds, but (1) not between 10 and 25 due to something analogous to a gear-change inside the shutter, and (2) intermediate speeds will often be high or low based on the shape of an internal cam. Overall, I recommend not using speeds between marks.

2. Focusing closer than 1 meter: This will probably be fine. Although I'm surprised at how far below 1m your camera can go, making me suspect it was modified, which could worsen the accuracy of the rangefinder. I suggest testing closest focus by photographing a ruler when focused on a known ruler-tic.

Mark

analogatog said:

1. Because the shutter speed ring is variable, does that mean if i set the speed between 1/50 and 1/100, will the effective shutter speed be 1/75?

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See below capture from a (very nice) video by Chris Sherlock (admittedly for a Retina IIa).
The part of the speed ring that sets the escapement engagement depth is outlined. It is continuous. So yes you will obtain something in-between. Trying to use an intermediate setting between the slowest of the "fast" speeds (1/25 IIRC) and the fastest of the "slow" speeds (1/10 IIRC) may lead to unpredictable results depending on whether the pallet is engaged or not. Ditto between 1/250 and 1/500: the booster spring is in or out, not in-between.

Edit: Albada replied while i was typing. At least we agree.

But why would you want to do that? You have the diaphragm setting for fine-tuning of exposure.

TY both, this question came up in my head using a vintage light meter (i just rather not have to pull my phone up or carry a extra thing in my pocket when out and about )with the camera against a meter app on on my phone (to get an idea of how accurate it is). the meter has speeds of 500, 250, 125, 60 etc.

The camera has speeds of 500, 250, 100, 50, 25, 10.

Because they didn't line up and with me being as green as grass, led me go down the rabbit hole

Re the sub 1m focusing, just did the test @albada mentioned, and with the ring push to the smallest distance allowed (as shown in my pic), i get effective focusing to about 28-29 in. from the outer face of the lens.

I think the reason i have these questions are, is i dont know what i dont know in terms of acceptable +/- values for film. Ill get there sooner or later tho.

analogatog said:

I think the reason i have these questions are, is i dont know what i dont know in terms of acceptable +/- values for film.

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If I'm guessing right, you are disturbed by the shutter speeds being "non-standard" in terms of the "modern" values '125, '60, '30, '15. Stop worrying!

• The speeds on your camera are probably 1/3 to 1/2 EV slow relative to the nominal values
• You can safely round off (from what you have on your lightmeter of app) to the nearest value
• 1/2EV or even 1EV extra (even more...) will not hurt your film. To the contrary. Unless you intend to shoot slide film, but then for the price of one film+processing, you can buy a modern camera with accurate meter and shutter, like, e.g. Nikon F55/N55. Of course a different photo experience.

… “unless you intend to shoot slide film” or Ektar100.

1. you can set intermediate speeds but they may not be useful and you don't need to worry about the difference between 1/50 and 1/60, it's insignificant, as mentioned by others. Especially compared to the overall accuracy of the shutter; even if it runs well it may be slow by 1/3 to 1/2 of a stop at its age.

2. Dunno about the focus ring, as long as you can reach infinity (and it's actually focused correctly on the film), it should be ok.

3. The Retina II usually has a knob wind and manual shutter cocking (I think I see a shutter cocking lever on yours, which means knob wind), while the IIa has top lever wind, and the IIc has bottom lever wind. That means it might fit in a IIa case, not sure, but the IIc case is definitely less than ideal for your camera.