I need a Retina IIa or IIc

rover · 02-17-2007

Well, maybe not need, but I think I want one.

What do I need to know? I have started reading the info on the web, I like to learn as much as I can so I can be an educated buyer.

Leaf shutter, old oil, possible weak advance, who does CLAs on these?

How much do they sell for?

Why IIa or IIc, I have a little collection of the RF cameras of 1954. I have the big guys, now I am looking for some of the other popular cameras. Both of these Retinas are relevant in this collection.

Help educate a Retina newbie.

Brian Sweeney · 02-17-2007

Both are great cameras. The IIc has a F2.8 Xenon or (rare) Heligon, the IIa comes with various lenses, most common is the 50 F2.0 Xenon. Both are sharp. The IIa has the wind on top. The IIc has a bigger finder eyepiece, better with glasses.

I favor my IIIc with the f2.0 Xenon and accurate meter.

Prices are all over the place. I sold a IIc in good user condition with perfect glass for $75.

johne · 02-17-2007

Rover:
I have a IIa somewhere. Needs a bit of adjustment. If interested, PM. Five dollars is what I paid at a yard sale. That and postage and it is yours. Also has case.
Johne

oldrangefinderguy · 02-17-2007

Yes, everyone needs to try a Retina! Actually I've had several over the years. If you want a camera to fit nicely in a pocket, the IIa is somewhat better. If you want to actually take the camera out of your pocket and use the thing, I'd go with the IIc (or IIIc if a faster lens and selemium meter draws you in that direction) It may just be me but I always had trouble holding a II or IIa steady. They just don't seem to fit the hand comfortably. The IIc on the other hand is a delight. It feels so right. It's a great compromise between portibility and what I'll describe as 'that real camera feel'.

Of course, no camera is perfect. (although I expect that comment to attract some rebuttals) With the c series of Retinas you have to get used to the bottom advance. Not much of a problem really. There's also the EVS system linking the apertures and shutter speeds which you must contend with when setting exposure. At least the IIa has the IIc beat there. And with all Retinas you have a dinky viewfinder.

The exception to this last statement is the big C Retinas - the IIIC and rarer IIC. If you want to spend the money, these have a bigger view with framelines for 35mm, 50mm, and 80mm lenses. They also add a tiny amount of height and the rangefinder patch is slightly dimmer (I've read).

Chris Sherlock has a website detailing the Retinas. Sorry, I don't know how to do links. He also does excellant repair work and is a great guy to deal with. He repaired a Retina II (014) for me and I was unconditionally happy with the results.

Hope this is helpful.

Randy

rover · 02-17-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by johne

Rover:
I have a IIa somewhere. Needs a bit of adjustment. If interested, PM. Five dollars is what I paid at a yard sale. That and postage and it is yours. Also has case.
Johne

I can't say no to $5 and postage. Thanks.

rover · 02-17-2007

Thanks for the info Randy. Chris is a Kiwi, I think I found his site in a link at Photoenthnography. Dante Stella also has some good info. I have had most of my classic cameras serviced, or buy them after a service. Just some preventative maintenance, I think it is worth the investment. For all of the reasons mentioned both the IIa and IIc interest me, and I don't doubt I may end up with both.

oldrangefinderguy · 02-17-2007

BOTH! that's the spirit.

Randy

rover · 02-17-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldrangefinderguy

BOTH! that's the spirit.

Randy

Hey, if you are going to collect then do it right I always say!!!

I really want to try that 2.0 Xenon and the ergonomics of the IIc with my left eyed shooting style seem more suited to me.

dspeltz · 02-17-2007

I have a IIIC needing repair. Can anyone suggest an excellent US based repair person?

back alley · 02-17-2007

there is another lla in the classifieds at nelsonfoto.

Letien · 02-19-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by rover

Why IIa or IIc, I have a little collection of the RF cameras of 1954. I have the big guys, now I am looking for some of the other popular cameras. Both of these Retinas are relevant in this collection.

Help educate a Retina newbie.

If you collect the RF camera of the 50' then you will enjoy both the IIa and the IIc then the II and the IIIc and IIIs and IIIC and.....

Personally, I like the IIa better with its geometry and top film advance level. I would go for IIIc instead of IIc for the 2.0 lens. Both are about 80-100 usd.

rogue_designer · 02-19-2007

*whistles*

super8mm · 03-21-2007

I have a IIc with the Ektar f2.0 lens...very nice...paid about $50 as I recall. Takes nice pictures...you can tell the lens has some "color" to it when you shoot with color film...will have to try some B&W now that I am back into that!

Cheers,
Mike

rover · 03-22-2007

Welcome to the forum Mike.

super8mm · 03-22-2007

Correction, I have a Retina II with the 47mm Kodak Ektar f2 (SN EO3249). It a neat little camera. Saw lots of Retinas in my time (use to sell online for a camera store) and can't tell you how many accessory lenses of all types we sold back in the late 90s on the "bay."

This Retina is a more recent acquisition a couple of years ago. Will post pics in a new thread.

Cheers,
Mike

Ikonta · 05-01-2007

ive got a retina IIa, but I dont really use it.
f2, 50mm retina-xenon lens.
its a bit shabby, but it works (apart from the frame counter).
reckon its worth anything to anyone?

oscroft · 05-03-2007

There's a Retina IIa and a Retina IIc currently going on eBay UK. I don't know how they will relate to US prices, but they do go quite cheaply here sometimes.

I've got a IIa with Heligon f/2 that I paid £32 ($64) in excellent condition, and I love it - it's a really nice shooter.

Spider67 · 06-08-2007

Hi Rover,
Congrats on your 5$ IIa!
I ebayed my first II from the fifties from the US becuase it was way cheaper that the ones in Europe.
The IIa is beautifully designed masterpiece, it has a great F2/50 Millimeter lens I just checked that a few hours ago. The only thing I don't like is the smallrngefinder. The engineeers themselves also seem to have thought sdo as they provided a sportsfinder, with some kind of paralaxx control. On the IIa you als can still choose the shutter speeds between the marked ones.

The IIc looks a bit clumsier but it somehow handles better. Ther isn't this stirdy button to open it on the upper side of trhe chassis, but a rather fragile looking thing tha would belong to a purse....but strangely I've never seen those damaged. The "strange" fil transport lever? Get used to it as you can use your expertise on other great Retina Rangefinders like the IIc/IIIC, the IIC, the IIIS and the undervalued IIS. I used my IIc a lot a sa back up and never had a problem because of the 2,8. The viewfinder has the 5omm frameline in it (unfortunately without parallay correction). Some of those view/rangefinders can be quite hazy and the framelines nearly not visible. The only reason to buy a IIIc would be for one f stop as the lightmeter often does not give exact measures. Besides IIIc/IIICs often command huge amounts at least in Austria, Germnay Switzerland and Italy.

The IIC is really an improvement! The viewfinder is pralllaxcorrected alsa a bit overcrowded becuase you have the framelines for the 50mm, the 35 and the 80 mm in it all the time.
Yes the IIc/IIC have several lense at their disposal. When you start using them you'll find yourself at their disposal. they are cumbersome and in the first time of use you will be bound to a very static routine of taking pictures with them. If it's additional lenses you want get a IIIS - the camera that challenged the Leica (Which isn't so ridiculous a thought as The OPorsche 356 also was just a tuned up VW Beetle under its skin.
Well good night I hope that was enogh information for your next 3 no four acquisitions (a IIc,a IIIc a IIC and a IIIS and.......