Kodak Retinette 1B Rangefinder Repair

[Born2Late]

I have a recently acquired a Kodak Retinette 1B Rangefinder camera which is in reasonably good condition and certainly usable but it has one issue though. The selenium light meter reads too bright and indicates a bit more than 2 stops of change for each stop in actual illumination change.

There is an adjustable resistor under the top cover which I have tried adjusting. It does move the needle position, but not enough and the other issue remains as well.

Can anyone advise me of the possible cause and / or solution?

Thanks.

 

[gone]

Can you compensate by simply adjusting the ISO setting to account for the 2 stops? These cameras have excellent Reomar lenses by the way. They're triplets, but very sharp and make nice photos.

 

[Born2Late]

Can you compensate by simply adjusting the ISO setting to account for the 2 stops? These cameras have excellent Reomar lenses by the way. They're triplets, but very sharp and make nice photos.

No because regardless of film speed the needle deflection is always twice what it should for the change in actual illumination. If the light changes by 1 stop, you have to change the shutter speed or aperture by 2 stops to center the needle again. If the light changes 2 stops, then you must adjust 4 stops.

 

[shutterfinger]

I suspect the selenium cell to be defective. Camerapedia says the meter was made by Gossen. Only circuit testing will determine if it is the cell or support electronics or both.