Thank you very much for this video. I recently cleaned out a storage unit and found my Dad's Retina IIc. He passed away in 1977. Needless to say this camera will stay with me. I remember him using it and teaching me how to take pictures, but your video helps fill in some of the gaps. Cameras are time machines - they preserve our lives.
Thank you for making this. My father just gave me his Retina IIc and my daughter is really interested in learning how to use this. Thanks for the how to video. You helped bridge three generations of photography interest in our family.
I too just got a Retina iic at a local auction, got it in near perfect gondition (strap on the leather carrying case is broken, good local leather guy I know will fix that in minutes )and only had to give $20 plus tax and small commission) and I am psyched to teach my 35 year old Son the fun and beauty of shooting on actual film! He is excited too so I may give him the camera for Christmas . I still have my Pentax K1000 SE FOR side by side lessons. Thank you so much for the tutorial, you did Great!
The IIc was replaced by the IIC. The differences are that the IIC has a full sized, modern viewfinder. The frame lines for the accessory lenses appear in the IIC, but not in the IIc, which requires a separate finder for the 35/85mm lenses. The main differences between the II and III models is that the IIIC/IIIc have a faster main lens and a selenium light meter, most of which mo longer work. All of these models take replacement font elements for 35mm and 85mm, but they are a huge hassle to interchange and use. Fun to play with and will take a good photo if required, but not a choice as a primary or exclusive camera.
Mines shutter was slow at below 1/15th, Ac couple drops of lighter fluid right where the shutter lever is on the shutter itself and its been working for 2 years without issue.
There are only three lenses available for the IIc and IIIc, a 50mm, 35mm and a 80mm. The last two are to be used with a removable viewfinder made by Kodak.
I have a Kodak Retina IIc which was given to me without a lens I searched for a 50mm f/2.8 but could not find one, I did find a 50mm f/2 Schneider Xenon which is a lens for the Retina IIIc/C but it fits and functions perfectly, of course max f-stop of f/2 can not be used seeing it is controlled by the camera's aperture ring which only goes to f/2.8. Just FYI the film counter has the diamond shaped start setting for 20 exp film (at #23) and 36 exp film (at 3 before 36) if one uses a 24 exposure film start at 27 and 15 for 12 exposure. 35mm film was not available in 24 exposure I believe around late 60's or early 70's, 12 exposure appeared on the market later maybe late 70's early 80's. These vintage cameras and other photo equipment are fun to use and are great conversation pieces.
I picked up a IIIc a month or so back (working meter too) with the Rodenstock Heligon. Great camera, I'm surprised how easily I adapted to the bottom advance lever.
I had a R3A. Really liked it with the 40mm 1.4. I did end up trading toward my M6. I do miss it though... I still think about getting another one...frequently. What lens(es) do use with yours? Thanks for watching!
great video! I can't make the shutter reales on mine and I don't know if its because I don't have film in it or not? do you know why? the shutter pull pack thing is stuck
A advise, if U going to pick one up make sure that the serial on the lens that you take out matches the rear element serial number. if they don't match you might have focusing issues. Great video though
Wow that's the best gift ever. Retinas used to be cheap a few years ago. Now they're overpriced. The lens is so good on the Retinas that kodak stopped making superb lenses for their consumer camera models and created the consumer, pro-sumer, and pro, lenses. Kodak loved their new business model; all consumers had a camera for them, and techies/pros could invest in a better lens/camera if they needed better optics.
Great vid, new subscriber. My dad and I were fooling around with one of these (while watching your vid by the way) when we notice that the lens seems to have been screwed on slightly crooked. Its very tight tho and we were wondering if you had any advice on how to remove the lens safely. Thanks again!
what do you think about the Kodak Retina BI and the little Toyoca Ace (japanese), please anwer me cause they gave me an offer , both 80 euros. thanks in advance
Just got a Retina IIIC today with 3 lenses in fair condition for $50 but the rear element on the 35mm is cracked, where could I get a replacement? The Retinette range of cameras are also great.
Help! I'm bidding on one of these with the Rodenstock lens. And it looks to be in pristine condition with functioning original case, gigantic flash, instruction manual in German and accessory manual in English. So far I'm leading the bids at around $20! What's the maximum bid I should give with no 100% guarantee that everything works perfectly? Fortunately it is local to me so I can--theoretically--say no if his ad has been clearly misleading. Any suggestions much appreciated!
Note that these cameras sold in the US mounted the Schneider lenses. The same cameras sold in Europe mounted Rodenstock lenses. The trick is that while a Schneider accessory lens will mount on a camera with a 50mm Rodenstock, it is not optically compatible. So if you buy with a 50mm Rodenstock in the US, you have to find Rodenstock accessory lenses if desired. The Scbneider and Rodenstock lenses are equal performers, but Rodenstock are much harder to find in the US.
I’ve got a beautiful ic that really looks like new. It came with the base part of the case, but that’s okay. I wish I had the front part of the case add well. I had mine go through a CLA, so it works well. I had no idea the lenses were interchangeable so I’m going to have to check in to that. All of the shutter speeds are accurate, the viewfinder is clear and the focus works great! I’ve been using mine for street photography and it’s great! Using the DOF scale I can prefocus and be spot on. For such a small, foldable camera, I think this is one of the best out there if you can find one as good as mine! I had it CLA’d for around $20 by a great repair person who has been working on cameras since the early ‘70’s. He said it was one of his favorite cameras to work on. Thanks for your review!
I got one recently from my girlfriends grandpa but the shutter is stuck. Pressing the button works, but the lever attached to the side of the lens seems to be stuck. Anyone got any tips how to possible solve this?
Specifically - press the reset button on the top and move the button with the arrow on the back of the camera until the pointer is at the diamond. This resets the frame counter to 36 when you advance two frames. The film counter is the countdown rather than count up type. Andy
Thank you very much for this video. I recently cleaned out a storage unit and found my Dad's Retina IIc. He passed away in 1977. Needless to say this camera will stay with me. I remember him using it and teaching me how to take pictures, but your video helps fill in some of the gaps. Cameras are time machines - they preserve our lives.
Thank you for making this. My father just gave me his Retina IIc and my daughter is really interested in learning how to use this. Thanks for the how to video. You helped bridge three generations of photography interest in our family.
I too just got a Retina iic at a local auction, got it in near perfect gondition (strap on the leather carrying case is broken, good local leather guy I know will fix that in minutes )and only had to give $20 plus tax and small commission) and I am psyched to teach my 35 year old Son the fun and beauty of shooting on actual film! He is excited too so I may give him the camera for Christmas . I still have my Pentax K1000 SE FOR side by side lessons. Thank you so much for the tutorial, you did Great!
The IIc was replaced by the IIC. The differences are that the IIC has a full sized, modern viewfinder. The frame lines for the accessory lenses appear in the IIC, but not in the IIc, which requires a separate finder for the 35/85mm lenses. The main differences between the II and III models is that the IIIC/IIIc have a faster main lens and a selenium light meter, most of which mo longer work. All of these models take replacement font elements for 35mm and 85mm, but they are a huge hassle to interchange and use. Fun to play with and will take a good photo if required, but not a choice as a primary or exclusive camera.
Mines shutter was slow at below 1/15th, Ac couple drops of lighter fluid right where the shutter lever is on the shutter itself and its been working for 2 years without issue.
The Jupiter 8 f/2 is an awesome lens. I use it with my digital Ricoh GXR and I'm often astounded by the sharpness.
Just use Ilford HP4 to cope with the variable speeds. Your Dad obviously kept this camera like new. A great camera.
There are only three lenses available for the IIc and IIIc, a 50mm, 35mm and a 80mm. The last two are to be used with a removable viewfinder made by Kodak.
I have a Kodak Retina IIc which was given to me without a lens I searched for a 50mm f/2.8 but could not find one, I did find a 50mm f/2 Schneider Xenon which is a lens for the Retina IIIc/C but it fits and functions perfectly, of course max f-stop of f/2 can not be used seeing it is controlled by the camera's aperture ring which only goes to f/2.8. Just FYI the film counter has the diamond shaped start setting for 20 exp film (at #23) and 36 exp film (at 3 before 36) if one uses a 24 exposure film start at 27 and 15 for 12 exposure. 35mm film was not available in 24 exposure I believe around late 60's or early 70's, 12 exposure appeared on the market later maybe late 70's early 80's. These vintage cameras and other photo equipment are fun to use and are great conversation pieces.
My dad gave me his IIIc. Used it all through high school and college.
The Schneider lenses are really good - you need the III vers to adapt to digital.
I picked up a IIIc a month or so back (working meter too) with the Rodenstock Heligon. Great camera, I'm surprised how easily I adapted to the bottom advance lever.
I had a R3A. Really liked it with the 40mm 1.4. I did end up trading toward my M6. I do miss it though... I still think about getting another one...frequently. What lens(es) do use with yours?
Thanks for watching!
great video! I can't make the shutter reales on mine and I don't know if its because I don't have film in it or not? do you know why? the shutter pull pack thing is stuck
Thank you! Just had one fall into my lap and your video was very helpful! :)
Also has flash synch at all speeds.
Hi, isn´t expensive to CLA, i do it myself and they work perfectly
A advise, if U going to pick one up make sure that the serial on the lens that you take out matches the rear element serial number. if they don't match you might have focusing issues. Great video though
I just got a retina 2c from my great grandmother who passed away recently, What type of film should I use?
Wow that's the best gift ever. Retinas used to be cheap a few years ago. Now they're overpriced. The lens is so good on the Retinas that kodak stopped making superb lenses for their consumer camera models and created the consumer, pro-sumer, and pro, lenses. Kodak loved their new business model; all consumers had a camera for them, and techies/pros could invest in a better lens/camera if they needed better optics.
I just nabbed a Retina IIIc for a reasonable price, can't wait to start diddling with it!
Congrats! It is a great camera! Enjoy it!
Othéra Flores How much did you use it in the last five years and how was the result ?
Great vid, new subscriber. My dad and I were fooling around with one of these (while watching your vid by the way) when we notice that the lens seems to have been screwed on slightly crooked. Its very tight tho and we were wondering if you had any advice on how to remove the lens safely. Thanks again!
hi～thanks for this great video, i got a iic, can i fold the camera properly with a uv or skylight filter attached on the lens?
Yes, the camera folds properly with either filter attached.
Hey! You know something about the Retinette II? Please! Need some kind of info
what do you think about the Kodak Retina BI and the little Toyoca Ace (japanese), please anwer me cause they gave me an offer , both 80 euros. thanks in advance
Just got a Retina IIIC today with 3 lenses in fair condition for $50 but the rear element on the 35mm is cracked, where could I get a replacement?
The Retinette range of cameras are also great.
All of the accessory lenses ("C" lenses) are commonly availabll on ebay.
Help! I'm bidding on one of these with the Rodenstock lens. And it looks to be in pristine condition with functioning original case, gigantic flash, instruction manual in German and accessory manual in English. So far I'm leading the bids at around $20! What's the maximum bid I should give with no 100% guarantee that everything works perfectly? Fortunately it is local to me so I can--theoretically--say no if his ad has been clearly misleading. Any suggestions much appreciated!
Note that these cameras sold in the US mounted the Schneider lenses. The same cameras sold in Europe mounted Rodenstock lenses. The trick is that while a Schneider accessory lens will mount on a camera with a 50mm Rodenstock, it is not optically compatible. So if you buy with a 50mm Rodenstock in the US, you have to find Rodenstock accessory lenses if desired. The Scbneider and Rodenstock lenses are equal performers, but Rodenstock are much harder to find in the US.
I’ve got a beautiful ic that really looks like new. It came with the base part of the case, but that’s okay. I wish I had the front part of the case add well. I had mine go through a CLA, so it works well. I had no idea the lenses were interchangeable so I’m going to have to check in to that. All of the shutter speeds are accurate, the viewfinder is clear and the focus works great! I’ve been using mine for street photography and it’s great! Using the DOF scale I can prefocus and be spot on. For such a small, foldable camera, I think this is one of the best out there if you can find one as good as mine! I had it CLA’d for around $20 by a great repair person who has been working on cameras since the early ‘70’s. He said it was one of his favorite cameras to work on. Thanks for your review!
I got my for 20 Danish Kroner - around 4 US-Dollars at a local fleamarked... And it works :)
My film covers button will not depress. Any ideas? I recently uncovered it in storage for many years. Corrosion?
Try resetting the film counter, The shutter locks when the film count reaches zero
From how you explain it in the beginning, it sounds like it's a camera from Kodak USA. Instead it's made by a German company that was bought by Kodak
I got one recently from my girlfriends grandpa but the shutter is stuck. Pressing the button works, but the lever attached to the side of the lens seems to be stuck. Anyone got any tips how to possible solve this?
Reset the film counter
Specifically - press the reset button on the top and move the button with the arrow on the back of the camera until the pointer is at the diamond. This resets the frame counter to 36 when you advance two frames. The film counter is the countdown rather than count up type.
Andy
Interested in kodacs consult the book collecting and using classic cameras by Ivor matanle published by Thames and Hudson Lindon uk
my retina's winder is locked, what do I do?
THe winder locks when the film counter reaches the last number, reset the coulter and the shutter will work again
Super helpful thanks
I got mine for five dollars at the thrift store
Lol bro I got mine at a swap meet for $5👍👌
nice
Got one for 50!
if im wrong ehhh what ever.... hahahahahhahahha
I have it, my is from from Germany
You are talking toooooo much. Its rly anoying …
But, nice rewiev.