Retina 1a - any examples?

[DaveW]

I recently bought one of these and then took stock of my retina collection and learned that I had 4 others! Well, that happens. So I put them all together to size them up, and realized that the front element came in two very different diameters. I first thought that I had been duped, been victimized by a home tinkerer, but now believe that that was just the case. Very odd to me.

The gap that is left when the smaller lens was used is covered with a brass ring that was painted black. The camera I just bought is missing that so if anyone has a spare, I would be interested.

The smaller diameter lens is a xenar (f3.5) and the larger one is also a xenar but a f2.8 variety. Both screw in.

I wonder if anyone knows why they would offer it this way. Perhaps they were getting rid of older lenses?

In any event, I do not believe I have ever used either version so I have a mission this next two weeks to do just that. I plan to have some fun! Does anyone have any examples from this camera? The IIa seems to get a lot more love, but I like the feel of this one.

Dave

[petronius]

I like the Ia too, but the finder is a pain. I use an extra Altix finder.

Retina Ia in my blog

[petronius]

Some in B&W:

[Jack Conrad]

Ia with an Ektar 50/3.5

[smasher]

Ia with Xenar 2.8.

Very sharp and contrasty lens, but the finder sucks.

[farlymac]

Dave, if you think there is too much variety in the Kodak Retina line, you should try figuring out what model Zeiss Ikonta you are holding, just going by the lens/shutter combination.

Camera manufacturers back then had a large pool of lens and shutter manufacturers to choose from, mixing and matching for a price point. If someone wouldn't fork over the cash for a model with a four element lens, then they might be comfortable with the price of one with a three element design. Or maybe the difference between a four speed shutter, and an eight speed is what will make the sale. The Retina I (1) series was made for those who didn't want the expense of a rangefinder, but appreciated the sharp lenses available to compensate for any mis-adjustment of the focus.

PF

[JPD]

The Retina Ia was availble with both lenses. The 3,5 Xenar version was less expensive than the 2,8. The early ones had the Compur-Rapid shutter, and then they had the more modern Synchro-Compur.

Rollei TLR's also came with 3,5 and 2,8 lenses.

Fun folding plate cameras to collect are the Patent Etui by KW. You can find them with so many different lenses that I can't name them all. Zeiss Tessar, Schneider Xenar, Steinheil Unofokal, Meyer Helioplan, Schneider Radionar, Meyer Trioplan... and with different shutters.

[je2a3]

Retina Ia/Xenar 50/2.8 + Neopan 400

I can live with the squinty VF because it is pretty much at center with minimal parallax error and use the shoe to mount an external RF if there is time to/or focus is critical.

[joeswe]

I recently purchased a Retina Ia with the f 2.8 lens. The first roll (Provia 100F) came out quite nice. I used the Leitz 50mm finder and an accessory rangefinder for that roll.


RETINA 1A SPENDE BLUT von eames68 auf Flickr

[newspaperguy]

My 1a boasts the tiny Schneider 3.5 Xenar lens in a Syncro Compur shutter.

I use a Retina 35/80 finder designed for the later models. It is offset

mounted to center the finder over the lens... Im just use it at the 35

setting and allow a little "margin." Beats squinting through that tiny hole.

.

[Dwig]

Originally Posted by JPD

The Retina Ia was availble with both lenses. The 3,5 Xenar version was less expensive than the 2,8. The early ones had the Compur-Rapid shutter, and then they had the more modern Synchro-Compur. ...

You'll find that Kodak also offered many of the Retina models with both Schneider and Rodenstock lenses in Europe. NA only got the Schneider versions.

Many other Kodak models were offered with more than one lens, generally for price reasons.

[JPD]

Originally Posted by Dwig

You'll find that Kodak also offered many of the Retina models with both Schneider and Rodenstock lenses in Europe. NA only got the Schneider versions.

Many other Kodak models were offered with more than one lens, generally for price reasons.

True, but the Ia only came with Xenars, and a few with USA made 3.5 Ektars.

The IIa of the same period had either a 2.0 Xenon or Heligon.

There are plenty of Retinas with Rodenstock lenses here in Sweden. I find the 2.8 Heligon a bit sharper than the Xenon on the IIc.

The pre-war Xenons have a different designs than the post-war Xenons on the IIc and IIIc Retinas.