Help: What model Kodak Retina to buy?? (rangefinder model)

[Greg Heath]

That is nice work! It's good that there are plenty of Retinas out there, quality cameras that don't cost too much. Many are in good working condition, some need a little help, and then some for spare parts. And there are aftermarket cocking racks for the b/B/c/C cameras from Micro-Tools. And for some models there's custom leather/ette available.

I don't have a Retina to service at the moment, but when I do I will probably let Chris do a complete CLA. But I have a Rolleicord II that needs a new mirror and have the viewing lens focus adjusted. That I can do myself.

Christ Sherlock at RetinaRescue.com is THE guy to send your Kodak Retina to for service. He has helped me a lot with those cameras. His prices are very reasonable for what you are getting. His knowledge and skill are vast. Not until you try to rebuild these cameras do you realize what a pro he is. He makes it look EASY... It's not. It's quite labor intensive. Just my 2 cents.

 

[JPD]

Christ Sherlock at RetinaRescue.com is THE guy to send your Kodak Retina to for service. He has helped me a lot with those cameras. His prices are very reasonable for what you are getting. His knowledge and skill are vast. Not until you try to rebuild these cameras do you realize what a pro he is. He makes it look EASY... It's not. It's quite labor intensive. Just my 2 cents.

So far he has fixed my Ib and pre-war IIa (with 2/50 Xenon). I have many Retinas, but if I get another one it will probably be a IIC. I have the 35 mm and 80 mm lenses and it would be nice to have the frame lines in the viewfinder for when I want to use those. Yes, those a cumbersome to use, but they are a part of the Retina history.

 

[Toby Marshall]

I would consider nothing but the Retina II (Type 011) because it came with the incomparable Kodak Ektar 47mm f2 lens. The lens is super sharp and has amazing bokeh.

 

[jay moussy]

So far he has fixed my Ib and pre-war IIa (with 2/50 Xenon).

Hmm, I was not aware there were pre-war Retina IIa's?
Would serial number on flash shoe be a reliable indicator - mine (Xenon 2/50) is 539620?

 

[removedacct1]

Hmm, I was not aware there were pre-war Retina IIa's?
Would serial number on flash shoe be a reliable indicator - mine (Xenon 2/50) is 539620?

The first IIa was model No. 150, produced between 1939 and 1941. It did not include any of the fast wind levers for the film advance - it still used the wind knob of previous models. Chris Sherlock's web site depicts this model: https://retinarescue.com/images/retina2atype150.jpg

If you have a IIa with the rapid wind lever and its serial number is 539620, then its the model No. 016, produced between 1951 and 1956. Yours is a middle era production number, so likely 1952 or maybe 1953 (David Jentz could tell you its manufacture date exactly). There were over 172,000 of this camera made, so its one of the most common. I currently own 8 of them, and because this is my favorite model to service (and to use), I tend to acquire them often, service and restore them, and sell the occasional one.

 

[markjwyatt]

Kodak always had a good, better, best camera to offer Dads for Father’s Day.

View attachment 248910

I have one of those and basically use it as a portable rangefinder for my viewfinder 6x9 folders.

 

[jay moussy]

If you have a IIa with the rapid wind lever and its serial number is 539620, then its the model No. 016, produced between 1951 and 1956. Yours is a middle era production number, so likely 1952 or maybe 1953

Thanks Paul.

Then, my Retina and I are the same age, give or take a few months... odd feeling.
It is in much better shape that I am

 

[Donald Qualls]

It is in much better shape that I am

You're a lot more difficult/expensive to fully overhaul than a Retina.

 

[Hatchetman]

I would consider nothing but the Retina II (Type 011) because it came with the incomparable Kodak Ektar 47mm f2 lens. The lens is super sharp and has amazing bokeh.

As a collector of Kodak things, I have always wanted one of these. That scan is amazing by the way. Did you do that yourself?