What's the deal with the Retina II and IIA?

[#FT2_8*fffg.]

I've read about these online, and there's some conflicting information. Dante Stella says that the Retina II has a non brightline viewfinder in which "the entire assembly pivots the correct for parralax". Alright, sounds good, but then Stephen Gandy says in his Retina IIa article that this later verison does not have parralax correction. What's going on? Can anyone with some Retina mojo sort things out?

I'm more interested in the II than the IIa. I'd like to also know what's the size difference and which one is the more compact, pocketable of the two? Also, which one is easier to use.

[ZeissFan]

Indeed, both the II and IIa (in my collection) both offer parallax correction.

Keep in mind that there were three (I believe) Retina II models, and so you must know which Retina II is being discussed.

The Retina II that I have is a postwar model.

The major difference between the two cameras is that the II is a knob wind, and the IIa is a lever advance. Also, the shutter on the II must be manually tensioned, while the IIa shutter is automatically tensioned when you advance the film. There are some other minor differences as well.

The body shape and size are nearly identical. The II has a small A-R lever for advancing and rewinding the film. The IIa uses a small button on the base that must be depressed while the film is being rewound.

The II uses a count-up frame counter, while the IIa uses a count-down frame counter.

Out of time ... got to go.

[Brian Sweeney]

They are the same size; the IIa is easier to use. The post-war II is available with a Kodak Ekar 47mm F2 lens, in addition to the Schneider Xenon. My late model IIa has parallax correction: the entire frame moves as noted before. Neither have bright lines: that was left to the Kodak Retina IIc. The IIc moved the wind lever to the bottom and uses the LVS system where shutter speed and aperture move together unless a release is activated.

The IIa is probably what you are after.

[Solinar]

The Retina II, as mentioned has knob winding and lacks the cocking rack to arm to automatically tention the shutter. The IIa also uses a Synchro-Compur. So, it will flash synch with a modern strobe.

The cocking rack can be problematic on a folder. Although, I never had any problems with the one on my IIIc. Of the II and IIa, I'd prefer the older II, just to be on the safe side. The viewfinder on the II is right out of the 1930's. So, it is going to be squinty.

I totally forgot about the Ektar. That would be a nice lens to work with. Retinas purchased in Germany were also available with a Rodenstock lens. Just another twist in the wind.