• Welcome to Photrio!
    Registration is fast and free. Join today to unlock search, see fewer ads, and access all forum features.
    Click here to sign up

Retina Reflex film speed dial....

marcusverger

Member
Allowing Ads
Joined
Oct 20, 2010
Messages
77
Format
Analog
Hi,

I've recently got hold of a Retina Reflex c1957 and is working well !
Very smooth and comes with f2.0 50mm lens.

So far so good.

The question is regarding the film speed dial.

I have started to use Kentmere 400 speed rated at 400/27. When I turn the dial, 320 speed matches up with 27 (320/27) & 400 becomes 400/28!

Numbers don't correspond to current film speeds.

I know ASA & DIN have changed over time, so what is the current correct setting to change it to when using not just 400 film, but any modern films??

Hope this makes sense...!!

Thanks,

Marcus
 
Prior to 1961, what we now consider to be a 400 ISO film was rated at ASA 200.
When the change happened, that formerly ASA film received the updated rating of ASA 400, which subsequently changed to ISO 400 when ASA speeds were replaced by ISO.
As the DIN numbers didn't have the extra one stop safety factor that was built into the pre-1961 ASA standard, there was no need for them to change.
 

Thanks for the information.

Basically, all the old speeds doubled to current numbering?

So, therefore, do I need to adjust downwards the film speed that I am using on the camera dial? Eg - if I'm using 400 film, set it to 200 rating, or if using 100 film reduce it to say 50 rating, etc ?

Thanks
 
Yes. But I wouldn't trust the old Selenium meter anyway, but use a another lightmeter and ignore what the camera says.
 
The problem with using the film setting dial in the first place is that unless you read from the DIN part, it may cause you to be confused about what you have loaded into the camera