Loading a Kodak Retina lllC

jimtur35 · Feb 25, 2019

Its been a very long time since I had a llC, and having just bought a near mint lllC ,but would welcome clarification regarding the handbook loading instructions, specifically about the use of the rapid-wind lever and film release button, viz:: "----- Now work the rapid-winding lever and press the film release button (8). Repeat this until the film counter indicates No. 36 or 20 respectively. At the same time the rewind knob (20)…..etc etc"
Presumably this technique is followed with the lens retracted, as the usual "wind & fire" to reach the first frame will only work when the Retina's lens is extended ???

Kino · Feb 25, 2019

jimtur35 said:
Presumably this technique is followed with the lens retracted, as the usual "wind & fire" to reach the first frame will only work when the Retina's lens is extended ???

I don't quite understand what you are asking here, but I will blather on anyway, because that's what old men do...

If I am following your question. yes the lens must be extended or open in the firing position in order to advance and fire the shutter, thus to advance the film.

As a general rule, I don't think you should make a habit of winding the film or cocking the shutter with the lens in the closed or retracted position.

I say general rule, as I sometimes absentmindedly cock the shutter with it closed, but I always flinch after doing it and fear the wind mechanism might be overly stressed by doing so.

MattKing · Feb 25, 2019

As I understand it, the OP is asking about the process for starting a new roll, including setting the frame counter, which on the Retina III series requires that you manually set the film length at the beginning of the roll. The frame counter then counts down to zero as you work your way through the film.
The part that reads: "Now work the rapid-winding lever and press the film release button (8). Repeat this until the film counter indicates No. 36 or 20 respectively. At the same time the rewind knob (20)…..etc etc" refers to how you proceed after you have set the frame counter to the appropriate start mark, but haven't yet advanced the film to the first frame.
I'm not sure that it is necessary to have the lens extended as you advance to the first frame - but it probably is a good idea.

removedacct1 · Feb 25, 2019

jimtur35 said:
Its been a very long time since I had a llC, and having just bought a near mint lllC ,but would welcome clarification regarding the handbook loading instructions, specifically about the use of the rapid-wind lever and film release button, viz:: "----- Now work the rapid-winding lever and press the film release button (8). Repeat this until the film counter indicates No. 36 or 20 respectively. At the same time the rewind knob (20)…..etc etc"
Presumably this technique is followed with the lens retracted, as the usual "wind & fire" to reach the first frame will only work when the Retina's lens is extended ???

They are NOT telling you to use the Film Advance lever on the underside of the camera to set the frame counter - that is done by pressing the button immediately adjacent to the frame counter, and pumping the large button with the arrow indicating direction of action (see photo) with your thumb until the frame counter reads 36. You do this action only AFTER you've got the leader started on the take-up spool, closed the camera back, and then advanced the film two or three frames to bring fresh film into frame. Of course you need to fire the shutter after each cocking of the advance lever. Does that clear things up?

BrianShaw · Feb 25, 2019

paulbarden said:
They are NOT telling you to use the Film Advance lever on the underside of the camera to set the frame counter - that is done by pressing the button immediately adjacent to the frame counter, and pumping the large button with the arrow indicating direction of action (see photo) with your thumb until the frame counter reads 36. You do this action only AFTER you've got the leader started on the take-up spool, closed the camera back, and then advanced the film two or three frames to bring fresh film into frame. Of course you need to fire the shutter after each cocking of the advance lever. Does that clear things up?

View attachment 218107

Minor correction: when loading a 36 exposure roll, set the counter to the diamond mark before “36”. That allows you to wind on the tail before the counter reaches the first exposure (36).

Since we no longer get 20 exposure rolls the diamond before the “20” is useless. For a 24 exposure roll start winding the film on with the counter initially set at 27 (or so) and start shooting when the counter is at 24.

removedacct1 · Feb 25, 2019

BrianShaw said:
Minor correction: when loading a 36 exposure roll, set the counter to the diamond mark before “36”. That allows you to wind on the tail before the counter reaches the first exposure (36).

Since we no longer get 20 exposure rolls the diamond before the “20” is useless. For a 24 exposure roll start winding the film on with the counter initially set at 27 (or so) and start shooting when the counter is at 24.

Quite right, thank you for mentioning that Brian

Kino · Feb 25, 2019

The manual is easily downloadable from https://www.butkus.org/chinon/kodak/kodak_retina_iiic/kodak_retina_iiic.htm

MattKing · Feb 25, 2019

Kino said:
The manual is easily downloadable from https://www.butkus.org/chinon/kodak/kodak_retina_ia/kodak_retina_ia.htm

Yes, ~~and~~ but unfortunately it doesn't answer the OP's question about whether the front of the camera needs to be opened to advance the film from the beginning to frame number 1.
EDITED for clarity.

Kino · Feb 25, 2019

What testy people; I simply said the manual is downloadable. What bee got in your bonnet?

Oh yeah, ignore button...

MattKing · Feb 25, 2019

Kino said:
What testy people; I simply said the manual is downloadable. What bee got in your bonnet?

Oh yeah, ignore button...

Kino - not intending to be testy - sorry if it came across that way!

removedacct1 · Feb 25, 2019

Kino said:
The manual is easily downloadable from https://www.butkus.org/chinon/kodak/kodak_retina_iiic/kodak_retina_iiic.htm

I think he already has the manual, because he has quoted it in the opening post. The manual doesn’t make it abundantly clear how to load the camera, and he had legit questions.

removedacct1 · Feb 25, 2019

MattKing said:
Yes, ~~and~~ but unfortunately it doesn't answer the OP's question about whether the front of the camera needs to be opened to advance the film from the beginning to frame number 1.
EDITED for clarity.

OK, I just grabbed one of my Retina IIIs and loaded a roll.

You CAN load the roll and advance the film to frame one without opening the front of the camera: place the cassette as you would with any 35mm camera, thread the leader and close the back. Wind the rapid-wind lever, and to wind the film another frame, press that button next to the frame counter: this disengages the advance lock (normally disengaged only after you fire the shutter) and lets you crank forward another frame. Do this 2 or 3 times and that will set you up for your first frame. Be sure the frame counter notch is pointing to frame #36 and you're set!

abruzzi · Feb 26, 2019

Yes, advancing the counter can be done with the lens closed. Just hold in the top button and repeatedly slide the knob on the back to the right until the frame counter reads where you want to start (usually the diamond before 36). Then you need to fire and advance the film with the film advance at the bottom and that needs to be done with the lens extended.

Loading a Kodak Retina lllC

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Loading a Kodak Retina lllC

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