Kodak Retinette IIa - Always amazed by the Reomar Lens

DcAnalogue · Jun 26, 2016

Yes APUG guys!
Each time I test a new Retinette I'm amazed by the results. The Reomar lens (both Schneider-Kreuznach and Rodenstock versions) always performs well, at least shooting in b/w: sharp, with no distortion/vignetting and with a nice bokeh.
Built like a tank, still cheap to buy, easy to use (coupled lightmeter & variable D.O.F. indicator) and with good I.Q. this IIa is really a nice little camera....

More on my FILM BLOG

gone · Jun 26, 2016

I enjoyed the shots from my Retinettes w/ the Reomar lenses, and I agree, very capable cameras for the money. The poor man's Retina, which may have been the poor man's Leica, but that's a bit of a stretch. Not in terms of image quality though..... the trusty little 50 3.5 Xenar on the Retinas sometimes gave the Leicas a run for their money in image quality. The Kodak Ektars (the real Ektars w/ the chrome snouts, not the fake Ektars that were rebadged Xenars w/ their black fronts w/ chrome trim ring) were amazingly sharp. Both the Retinettes and Retinas were quirky cameras, but the Retinettes were built simpler, and less subject to reliability problems.

TheToadMen · Jun 26, 2016

Thank you for posting this. I never considered the Retinette. I was looking for an affordable Retina (folding with 50/2 lens), but prices are often too high or the camera isn't working properly. I'll keep an eye out now for a Retinette with a light meter. I also like the 45 mm lenses for its angle of view. Should be fun to work with.

Richard S. (rich815) · Jun 26, 2016

http://kodak.3106.net/index.php?p=301&cam=917

frank · Jun 26, 2016

A Retinette with Reomar lens but without a light meter was my father's camera and the one that got me started in photography.

HiHoSilver · Jun 26, 2016

frank said:
A Retinette with Reomar lens but without a light meter was my father's camera and the one that got me started in photography.

Wow. That's huge. 2' away from me right now is the Pentax Spotmatic from my Aunt that did the same for me. I've never forgotten your comment that everyone should have a retina (on a retina thread). 'Have to agree.

DcAnalogue · Jun 26, 2016

frank said:
A Retinette with Reomar lens but without a light meter was my father's camera and the one that got me started in photography.

Exactly as me.... my father had a Retinette IA (and it's still with me).....

frank · Jun 26, 2016

HiHoSilver said:
Wow. That's huge. 2' away from me right now is the Pentax Spotmatic from my Aunt that did the same for me. I've never forgotten your comment that everyone should have a retina (on a retina thread). 'Have to agree.

Neat. It's a bit of mirth from me to state, "Everyone needs a ______" in threads on the really good classic cameras.

frank · Jun 26, 2016

DcAnalogue said:
Exactly as me.... my father had a Retinette IA (and it's still with me).....

I still have mine too.

DcAnalogue · Jun 26, 2016

TheToadMen said:
Thank you for posting this. I never considered the Retinette. I was looking for an affordable Retina (folding with 50/2 lens), but prices are often too high or the camera isn't working properly. I'll keep an eye out now for a Retinette with a light meter. I also like the 45 mm lenses for its angle of view. Should be fun to work with.

Thanks!
IB and IIA have a coupled meter, IIB an uncoupled one and IA has none....

DcAnalogue · Jun 26, 2016

frank said:
Neat. It's a bit of mirth from me to state, "Everyone needs a ______" in threads on the really good classic cameras.

In fact I've got six...... (Retina)...

DcAnalogue · Jun 26, 2016

frank said:
I still have mine too.

Great!

HiHoSilver · Jun 26, 2016

frank said:
Neat. It's a bit of mirth from me to state, "Everyone needs a ______" in threads on the really good classic cameras.

Understood, Frank. Should you have time or inclination, I'll bet you have a shot your Dad took. 'Would be a treat to see.

'Never forgotten your portrait there. 'Didn't know he was a shooter also. 'Strong medicine for planting the seed. 'Hope your children have similar inheritance. It would stand them well.

frank · Jun 26, 2016

Wouldn't call him an avid shooter, but I have some ridiculously cute pictures of me as a 3 year old. He was a talented painter and his abilities have been transferred through me to my children; one of them is an art school graduate.

MattKing · Jun 26, 2016

Check my (blurry) APUG avatar.

Actually a Ib.

HiHoSilver · Jun 26, 2016

Frank, a painter! No wonder you know how to see for composition. Its utterly foreign for me. 'Nothing native. Anything I learn about it had to be beat into me w/ a hammer. Bravo for passing on what money can't buy.

Ricardo Miranda · Jun 27, 2016

DcAnalogue said:
Thanks!
IB and IIA have a coupled meter, IIB an uncoupled one and IA has none....

Thanks for the nice pictures.
Remember there is also the original Retinette without any numbers or letters.
Glad to see you found a Retinette IIA with a functioning and it seems accurate meter.

Kodak Retinette IIa - Always amazed by the Reomar Lens

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