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Kodak Retina Guide Reference guide
Reference guide for Kodak Retina Guide. 38 pages in English. Read the original PDF, download or print a copy without registration.
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- Kodak
- Model / document
- Kodak Retina Guide
- Document type
- Reference guide
- Language
- English
- Pages
- 38
- File size
- 2.6 MB
- Category
- Film cameras
- Document date
- Not specified in catalog
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>
REVISEDEDITI(IN
NEWMODELS
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AIIAMPI{(lTO.FOC
CAMERAGUIDT
$ I.g5
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Tripod socket
Bock lotch
Rewind buiton
Tronsport lever www.orphancameras.com
ReiinolllC
How to lood: poge 24 How fo choosefilms: poge 44
How fo shoof:pqge 3l How fo use filters: poge 79
How to unlood: poge 35 How fo use flqsh; poge 83
FOR FULLREFERENCESEE PAGE 90
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THE RETINAMODETS
The fint modern camera to take still photographs with 35 mm.
film was the Leica. Some 30 years ago the Leica was a comPara'
tively simple instrument; it was developed from the idea of em'
plofng 35 mm. film stock, as used in the motion pictule industry,
for taking ordinary photographs.
In order to ensura sharp definition on material of such small
size the camera was designed with a rigid body and the mech'
anism was built to the highest standard applicable to motion
picture apparatus. That was originally all. The rangefind.t T1
its coupling with the lens came years later. As time went on addi'
tional let ses and accessorieswere added and by and by the Leica
(and other cameras following its lead) developgd until they-were
ihe most versatile and exPensive photographic instruments in ex'
istence.
The original Leica was just conveniently small and easy to
shoot wittr, quickly. Only when the Leica had outgrown these
functions did it become really obvious that there was immense
scope and very real need for such a "photographic notebook."
When the Retina was created in 1934, it was to fill this gap.
In its original form as Retina I,Ia and Retinette it has the sim'
plicity of-the original Leica and embodies many similar Plilgi-
ples. It is small, handy and mechanically and optically reliable.
It carries a good lens of comParatively short focal length allow-
ing easy focusing and quick shooting.
ttre Retinas kept pace with technical development and to
cope with more exacting demands the Retina II and IIa were
iniroduced with faster lenses and built-in rangefinder coupled to
tbe lens.
Twenty years after the Retina first appeared, a comPletely re-
designed series has been placed on the market in 1954 to cater
for ilt requirements from the simple reliable notebook to the
most elaborate and versatile instrument with fast lenses,coupled
rangefinder, built-in photo-electric meter and interchangeable
lenses.
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On the whole the development of the Retinas over a period
of 20 years into one of the most popular cameras employing 35
mm. film was very gradual. This is why Retinas can sometimes
be found which show characteristics of in-between stages of de-
velopment instead of belonging to one or the other of the "series"
clearly distinguishable from each other. Still, even the users of
these in-between specimens will find little difficulty in following
the directions for use in our pages.
The Retino Cqmerqs 1934-1953
The Retina is a miniature camera, producing I X l+ in. (24 x
36 mm.) negatives. 35 mm. standard miniature camera film is
employed as negative material. Up to 36 exposures can be taken
on a single load. The film can be changed in daylight.
The Retina body is of drawn ductile material and covered
with leather. The dimensions of the Retina I are | 5/16 x 4 3/4
x2 15/16 in. (3.5 X ll.5 X 7.4 cm.), weighing, complete with
lens and shutter 15 l/2 oz. (435 grams). The Retina II is I l/2
x47/8 x 3 1/8 in. (4x12 x B cm.), weighing, complete with
lens and shutter, 20 | /2 oz. (580 grams).
All models are fitted with the Compur or Compur Rapid shut-
ter. The shutter speeds range from I sec. over lfZ, I/5, l/10,
l/25, l/50, l/100 to l/300 sec. and in Compur Rapid to l/5A0
sec.besidesB (- Bulb) (seep. 20). Models made since 1950 have
built-in flash contacts.
An optical direct vision finder is built on the top.
A depth of field indicator is built on to the camera.
A built-in film counter automatically registers the number of
exposures taken. The Retina II, IIa and the later Retina I have
an automatic device preventing double exposure.
The focusing is done by helical mount which moves the
"complete lens. The Retina ^I/ has a rangefinder coupled to the
lens. The latest Retina combines range and viewfinder in one
eyepiece. For a short time this model was called IIa.
The Retina models made since 1951 have a rapid-winding
lever for the film transport in place of the knob. An indicator
disc shows the type of film in the camera. These models are
called Retino Ia, and (with rangefinder) IIa. (Retinas marked
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CURRENTRETINETTEAND RETINASlb, llc, lllc, lllC
lhc Cunen] Rclineffc
(top) hor no bellows;
rhc thutter is rigidly
mountcd on lhc front
of the body. lr hos s
Compur-Ropid rhuttcr
with lighr volucr,
ropid winding lcvcr,
qnd more or lcrr thc
romc body qnd trqnr.
port 3y3tcm qs the Rc-
tino lb, llc, and lllc
modeh.
7hc Rclino lb (ccnfcr)
incorporoles o ropid
winding lever, film in-
dicqtor, brilliont linc
frqme oplicol finder,
Synchro-Compur shut-
ter with lighr volue
r c c l e , q n d s 5 c m .
f 2.8 lens. lt hcrr bel-
lows which ore iotolly
cnclosed by two metol
concs sliding into coch
olher when lhc cqmero
ir closed.
fhe Rctino llc (bot-
forn) is similar to thc
Rctino lb, but hqs o
built'in ronge-ftndcr
coupled to rhc lens.
The front componentof
the lens ir interchonge.
qble for cppropriclc
wide-ongle qnd telc-
phofo units.
lhe Rerino lflc is sirni-
lqr to the model llc but
lhe mqximum qperlure
of the stondord lens ic
f 2, ond rhe comsrq
qlso hqs q built-in ex-
posure mefer.
ffie Relino IIIC is
rhown on lhc bock
cover.
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RETINASlA, ll, llA
lhc Retinq fo modelr (top)
sre chorqclerized bY (q)
rhe ropid winding lever
insteod of rhe winding
knob; (b) thc ftlm counlcr
builr into the winding
lever; (c) rhe lilm loltrlto
button ncxt lo the shul.
ler rclaose.
lhc caily Refina ll modelt
(middle) qre choroclerized
by (o) sopqrqle vicw qnd
rongefinder windowr; (b)
thc film rcleqre ond rr
wind levcr similor to 5e.
ricr ll Retinq I modelr.
lhc loler Retinq fl modelr
(bolrom) qre chqroctcr.
ized by (o) combined view
ond rongeflndcr windowr;
(b) no ftlm releorc; (c)
rewind lever os in Serics
lll Rctino I models; (4
filn countel built into
body nexl lo winding
knob. The lost Rctino ll
nodclr (1949) hcd o fllm
indicotor undernenlh rhe
rcwind knob.
7[c Refino llo modalr orr
chqrqcterized by (o) com.
bined view ond rongc-
finder qs in the lort Retinq
ll; (b) thc ropid winding
lcver, film counle?, ond
film rclccr:e os In Retina
la.
t l
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IIa, but not incorporating the rapid winding lever, should be
handled in the same way as Retina II')
Limplified edition of the Retina I camera is the Retinette'
Fitted with slower lenses than the Retina (f 4.5), it also has
front-cell focusing, simpler tyPes of shutters and resembles the
earlier Retina r riloaen The'body is pressed metal. The general
construction, however, is the tu*i at ih"t of the Retina I, series
III, and consequently the handling is similar'
The Current Retino qnd Retinette Modelr
The Kod,ak Retinette and Retina -Ib cameras (illustrated and
described on page 9) are not imPorted into the u.s.A. by the
Eastman Kodak ComPanY.
The Retina IIc is lhe i.rc.ersor to the Retina IIa camera with
an improved body shape and desigtt, gtg a n:w viewfinder com-
bined in one .y.pi... *ittt-the raigefinder which shows the pic'
ture area in a brilliant white frame'
Retinas IIIc, IIIC have in addition to the features of the model
IIc a built-in photo-electric exposure meter'
The Retina Ib, IIc, IIIc and ittc are fitted with a syrrchro-9"P- lensesof the The delayed action' and iiglti with ,nnrrer prr, -"-.1"es is component the front convertible, are lltc IIIc un? IIc, Retina
iri.r.f,urrgeable with alternative units which convert the lens into
a 3.5.*. i"id. angle or into a g cm. telephoto lens (p. l5)..
The Retina IIIZ,introduced in 1957, lias all the features incor-
IIIc' Retina into the porated . ? r,,- _r_ r^-^^- lirolife-sizeoi larger a shows IIIC viewfinder Retina the In addition
image of the subject.
Framelines for'the wide angle 35 mm, telephoto 80 mm as well
as the 50 mm normal lens are all seen simultaneously in the new
viewfinder of the Retina IIIC. Parallax correction marks for each
focal-- length are also included'
A...rr8ry finders are therefore generally-not needed when tele-
ph;;; ;;a wiae angle componentJ are used with the Retina IIIC'
The Lensel of the Retinq
The Retina Ia mod,ek are fitted with thLeSchneider Xenar
f 3^5 or f 2.8, 5 cm., Retina f may also have the Kodah Ektar
r2
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g.b f 3.5 5 cm., Rodenstochysay f g.b s cm., or the zeiss Tessarf 5 cm., all of which are of similar constiuction consistingof iour
elemenm,and yield excellent definition. At full up.ri.rr.-rt"
whole of the negative is fully covered.and the definition reaches
its optimum ar f 6.9.
Retina -Il modelr xenar f g.b b ctn.,Ehtar f 3.b 5 cm.,xenar lle
f 2.8 5 cm.,xenon f 2.8 or f z.b.*., Herigon f z s cm., or Ektar, I f 2 4.7 cm.
I Retina IIa moders use the Xenon and Heligon only. The
xenar f 2.8, b cm. at fulr aperture doesnot yield"quit. ,n'. ,"*.
I all over definition as the *enon f z.g b cm., but sroppeddown lfightly ir is exceltent and gets iis optimum definitill irls.a. The -xenon f z.B b cm. cooErsthe entire field at r"ii evenly. "p.ir"r.
The lens of the Retinette lgl4 is the schneiderReomar f 3.5, 4.5 cm. This lens consisrsof three elemenrs,is of good p;rio;;- ance and reach-.j lts _optimum definition at f 6.2.
The Retina rb is fitied with the schneid,e'rRetina-xenar f z.g, 5 cm. It is a five-elementanastigmat.The Retina IIc rru, ,i*-
componentschneiderRetina-xenon,,c', or Retina Heligon-" ,;[,'
f 2.8, 5 cm. The IIIc model is fitted with the same Iens but of
maximum aperture f 2.
The Retina and Retinette camerasimported into the u.s.A.
by.Kodak are generaily supplied only with rensesof schneider make.
_ The 13.5 lensesare suitable for all generalphotographic work.
The 1 2.8 lensesare almosr twice as fait, allor,iing pf,otlgrupt,'us io
l. ,i\.1 in poorer light. The l z rensesare twicE fust"aglin as the 12.8 and can be_regardedas equally suitable i; g.;- _being eral outdoor, availabre light and prei, *ort. The wider aier-
tures will be found also.parricularlyuseful for color pnotogr;ihy
in indifferenr or poor tight.
The 5 cm. lensescover an angle of approximately 47", the
4.7 cm. Ektar an angle of 4go, wrritt tri. +.s cm. lens of the
Retinetre coversapproxim"jgly blo. They can be stopped down
to f 16 U 22 in t.:.l.lmodels), f-ocused.down to B$ t .i iZ ft. i i". in recenr models). The scale of reproduction at'the ciosestdis-
tance is I : 17 and I : lb respectiveiy.
t3
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Coqted Lenses
The lenses used in the Retina cameras since 1950 are coated..
Coating consists of a microscopically fine film of magnesium
fluoride on the lens surfaces which considerably reduces the light
reflection at glass and air surfaces in the lens. For example, in a
four-component 13.5 lens of the Xenar type the loss of light due
to surface reflection is in the region of about 35 per cent, a figure
which is reduced by coating to about 5 per cent. Apart from a
gain in the speed of the lens which may in actual practice be as
much as 50 per cent (- half a stop), coating reduces the scatter
of light which impairs the contrast of the image. This results in
a more brilliant negative, especially in the shadow regions where
the tones are most subdued and so brilliance and contrast are
most needed. The fact that a lens has been coated can be recog-
nized by observing in the lens reflections of, let us say, a lamp,
which appear distinctly colored. As a rule these are a rather deep
blue with a tinge of red.
The Cqre of Lenser
The treatment and care of lenses is important. On account of
its chemical composition, high quality optical glass is susceptible
to the influence of moisture, and for this reason never touch the
glass with the fingers. Since complete protection is impossible,
clean the lens surface occasionally with a clean, soft chamois
leather or lens tissue. Grease, rain spots, etc., may be removed
with a pad of absorbent cotton moistened in lens cleaning fluid.
Neither glass nor the coating film will be aftected by this treat-
menL
Lens Hoods
The lens hood is a tube, zN a rule made from metal, placed
over the front of the lens to protect it from light coming from
outside the actual picture area. There is no picture which could
not be improved in clarity and brilliancy by the use of a lens
hood. The wider the aperture of the lens the more important is
the use of the lens hood. When strong light coming from objects
outside the actual picture area etrikes the lens, it considerably
l4
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reduces the brilliance of the picture. This applies not only to
photographs taken against the light-when the lens hood be-
comes indispensable-but also to sunshine in general.
The Retina I, Ia, II and IIa models and the Retinette are best
fitted with proper adapter ring and matching "Series" size hood.
The standard Iens hood of the Retina Ib, IIc, and IIIc is rec-
tangular with a tubular bayonet fitting at the back. It is made of
plastic and fits into the bayonet mount surrounding the lens it
self. A hood attachment for use with the wide-angle lens fits over
the front of the standard hood.
lnlerchqngeoble Lens Components
Retinas IIc, IIIc and IIIC have interchangeable lens compo-
nents. To illuminate the negative evenly at all exposure times
and apertures the shutter has been placed between the lens com-
ponents as with non-interchangeable lenses.This ensures an opti-
cally correct position of the shutter (between the lenses)also with
the tele and wide-angle lenses.
As an alternative to the standard 5 cm. C lens, which coveng
an angle of. 47" in the Retina, an 8 cm. 14 telephoto lens com-
ponent can be used covering an angle of approximately 30o, or a
3.5 cm. 15.6 wide-angle lens component, giving an angle of ap
proximately 64o. (In 1956 Kodak announced a 3.5 cm. / 4 wide
angle lens component.)f If your Retina is fitted with the 5 cm. Xenon C as the standard
lens, you can only use the Retina Longar-Xenon C 8 cm. f 4 as
tele lens and the Retina Curtar-Xenon 3.5 cm. f 5.6 as wide-angle
lens. (Retinas fitted with the 5 cm. Heligon C as standard lens
can take only the Retina-Heligon C 8 cm. f 4 and the Retina-
Heligon C 3.5 cm. 15.6 respectively. The Heligon is not supplied
in the U.S.A. by the Eastman Kodak Co.)
The effect of the wide-angle lens is to increase the field cov-
ere4 showing about half as much again as the standard lens
does. It is suitable for interiors, architectural and panorama
photography, and also for candid and action shots where the
larger depth of field (see p. 6l) of the short focal length is anF advantage, or where there is not enough time for accurate focus-
irg.
The telephoto lens is particularly suited for subjects which arek t5
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TENSESAND FINDERS
Rigfil: To chongc Rctinc llc, lllc, lllC
hnscr, deprerr rhe lock qnd turn the
front lenc unit to rhe lefr to lift out.
Whcn rc-inserling, thc rcd dor of rho
lenr must be opporite thr red dol on
thc rhuttrr. Thcn lurn to ths right to
lock.
Belewr The findcr of rhe Rerinc lllC
incorporoies refecfed frqmer lo rhow
qko the view wifh the wide-onglc ond
lelephoto lcns componenfs.
Below: fhc whire fromc virible in rhe
Retinq lb, llc qnd lllc findcr outlincc
the rubiecr orco. The morks ncqr the
corncru indicqte thc porollox corrcc
tion nt closc rongc (dofied lincs).
t
i,rr
t,
[:
! , Dorlom: Thc occcrrory ftnders lncludc
thc opticcl muhiple finder (lcft) crnd
the frome finder models c ond b
(ccnlcr ond fight). tt&F I
6;,t:
$r
lvE{
b$r'
F
3Ew
trb b
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difficult to lpproach closely such as animals, children, architec-
tural details, and the like. It yields an image magnification of
1.6 times compared with the standard lens.
To nEMone the interchangeable front component of the stand-
ard lens turn the front part of the lens in a counter-clockwise
direction until the red dot is opposite the red dot on the black
outer rim of the lens mount. The lens can now be lifted out. on
the first models slightly depress the lock (with the red dor on rhe
circumference of the lens front), before turning. Always change
lenses in subdued daylight.
Behind the shutter blades the rear part of the lens system is
built in. This remains in position and forms a complete lens unit
with the tele or wide-angle front component.
The interchangeable tele or wide-angle unit is inserted by re-
versing the procedure for removing the standard lens as de-
scribed above.
To rocus the tele lens, use the rangefinder and read off the
correct distance on the distance scale. Turn the camera towards
your body and look at the distance scale with white figures on
a black background. This is the scale for the telephoto lens. Set
the distance, read ofi the top scale for the standard lens, against
the triangular index mark (just below the flash socket) on the
telephoto scale. For distances below 6$ ft. (2 meters) a Tl sup
plementary lens can be used and the measured distance is then
set on the yellow figures of this scale.
To focus the wide-angle lens the same procedure is employed
as detailed above for the tele lens. use the focusing scale on the
left of that for the tele lens (black figures on a white back-
ground).
Both tele and wide-angle lenses have their own depth of field
indicator on the lens mount (see p. 55). For both lenses the same
aperture and shutter speeds are applicable as for the normal
lens; but you cannot use a wider opening than the largest aper-
ture of the lens employed (that is f 4 with the tele lens and / 5.6
(or / 4 on latest model) with the wide-angle one).
l 8
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llre Finders
As the field of view covered by the tele or wide-angle Ienses is
different from that of the standard 5 cm. lens, a special finder has
to be employed with all models except the IIIC.
The optical multiple finder with parallax compensation shows
the correct image for both the 3.5 cm. and 8 cm. lenses.lw A frame finder with parallax compensation for the 5 and 8
cm. Iensesis available as alternative (if no 3.5 cm. lens is used).
A similar finder was formerly available for the Retina Ib (also
suitable for earlier Retina models with accessoryshoe), showing
only the field of the 5 cm. lens.
The Retina IIIc finder shows the field for 3.5, 5 and 8 cm. lenses.
The ShutlersffiThe earlier Retina cameras are fitted with the Compur or
Compur-Rapid shutter, those made since about 1952 with the
Synchro-Compur, and the 1954 models of the Retina with the
Synchro-Compur with light values. The pre-1954 Retinetre mod-
els are fitted with a Prontor S or SV shutrer, rhe 1954 model with
I a Compur-Rapid shutter, and since 1955 wirh a Compur-Rapid
with light value scale.
lw shutter THE pRoNTon s. and sv. sHUTTERshave eight speeds, l, l/2,l/5,
l/10, l/25, l/50, l/100 and l/300 sec.and B setting for time ex-
posures as well as a built-in delayed action release or self-timer.
They are synchronized for flash (see page 85).
To set the shutter turn the outside milled ring until the top
of the arrowhead mark (l) points to the speed required. The
engraved figures l, 2, 5, 10, 25,50, 100, 300 stand for l, l/2, l/5,
l/l0, l/25, l/50, l/100, l/300 sec. respectively.
Intermediate speeds can be set in the ranges from I to l/10
cec. and from l/50 to l/E00 sec. by moving the arrowhead to
positions in between the marked speeds.No intermediate setrings
are practical between l/10 and l/25 sec. nor between l/25 and
l/50 sec.
To tension the shutter pull the tensioning lever on top of the
chutter counter{Iockwise as far as it will go.
A delayed action release (self-timer) is built into the Prontor
t9
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S and SV shutters. This permits self-portraits. To use it set the
camera in the usual way and mount it on a rigid suPPort' best
a tripod. Press down the delayed action lever as far as it will go.
Thd is the lever with a red dot in its center on the lower part of
the shutter rim. On pressing the shutter release' the shutter
opens after a delay of approximately 8 sec. giving the.operator
time to take his place in the picture. The synchronizing lever
(see p. Ba) of ths SV shutter must be set to X when the self-
timer is used.
THE coMpun sHUTrEn has speeds of l, l/2, l/5, l/l}' l/25,
l/50, l/100,.and l/300, l/500 sec. and B exPosures, the Compul
Iiapid Synchro-Compur l, l/2, l/5, l/19' l/25_ l_/5-0'
l/1b0, l/200, l/b00 sec. and B exposures. In the Retina I of the
first two series there is also a T setting (see below).
The shutter speed is set by turning the outside milled ring so
that one of the ingraved speeds comes opposite the index mark.
The values given: l, 2,5, etc. are fractions of seconds and stand
therefore foi one second, half a second, one fifth of a second,
etc. Where the shutter requires cocking turn the cocking lever
in a clockwise direction (not required in Retinette 1954, Retina
Ia, IIa, Ib, IIc, or IIIc) as far as it will go. The speeds from I
to l/10 and from l/25 to 1/100 sec. (1/300 on Comp-ur Rapid)
range continuously and may be set to any intermediate value,
i.e. by setting between 50 and 100 l/75 sec. is obtained. On the
other hand, neither intermediate speeds between I sec. and B
nor between l/10 and l/25, nor between I/LA} and the faster
speed(s) can be set. When turning the outside milled ring from
l/300 in rhe compur and from l/300 to l/5Oo-in the vl00'io
iomp.rr Rapid a resistance is felt which is due to an additional
spring- needed to achieve these faster tp1{t. - Time (long time) expo- Foi B - Bulb (short time) and T
sures in the Retinas of the first and second series, the Compur
d,oesnot need cocking. When the outside milled ring is set to B
the shutter remains oPen as long as the release lever is pressed
down, and closes on letting it go. By setting to T the shutter
opens when pressing the release lever down and letting it g_oand
will only close when pressing the release a second time. Conse-
quently, the T setting is only employed when the shutter is re-
quired-to remain open for a long time or whenever it would be
20
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THE SHUTTERS
Abovct fhc Prontor 5V of thc cor
lier Retinelte.
lcfi: Thc Synchro-Compurwith lighr
vqlues of rhe Retincr lb, llc, ond
lllc.
The cperture and speed on the light volue rhutter ore coupled. Wirh o given light
volue (e.9. ll), sefting q fq:t speed outomoricolly opens the lens, while stopping
down qutomoticolly sefs q slow speed to keep the exposure consfqnt (rigrrt). To
qltcr the expo3ure for difierent light conditions, rimply chonge rhe light voluc
setling (left). See olso p. 22.
2l
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inconvenient or impracticable to keep the release lever pressed
down as the B setting requires.
For B exposures with pre-1954 Retinette, the Retina I of the
third series and Retina II the Compur Rapid requires cocking
as for the instantaneous settings, the shutter remaining open as
long as the release button is depressedand closing on letting the
release go. To produce T (= long time) exposures on Retinette,
Retina I models of the third series as well as Retina Ia, IIa, and
all 1954 models, a cable release with locking screw has to be em-
ployed at B setting; after pressing the cable release down, the
locking screw is locked and the shutter will remain open until
the screw is released again.
A cable release may be fitted to the Retina of the first and
second series by screwing it into the socket on the Compur shut-
ter, on the third series of the Retina I, pre-1954 Retinette, and
Retina II by screwing it into the socker on top of the camera
behind the body release. On Retina la,IIa, and all 1954 models
screw the cable into the body release.
The models made since 1950 have a built-in flash socket on the
shutter rim (see p. 83 and 84).
TrrE coMpun wrrg Lrcrrr vaLUEs is the latest version of thesynchro-compur and compur-Rapid shutters. It is fitted with ttPrF
some different shutter speeds,namely l, l/2, l/4, l/8,l/lb, l/90,
l/60, l/125, l/250 and l/500 sec. All the speeds (including
l/500 sec.) can be set before or after tensioning.
on the base of the shutter rim a range of numbers is engraved
in red from 2 (or 3) to 18 which represenr light values for correct
exposure. Each light value represents a range of shutter speed-
aperture combinations, but is covered by u single setting. Some
of the latest exposure meters are now also calibrated in light
values; the reading can thus be transferred directly to the shut.
ter.
To set the light value on the Rerina, slightly pull out the
aperture lever, and move it to the appropriate light value on
the scale. on the 1955 Retinette push back the sickle-shaped
lever behind the light value scale on the shurter rim and mbve
it sideways to set the red dot to the required light value. Nore
however that only settings from 3l to 18 are possible in spite of
the fact that the scale shows figures down to 2 on the Retinette.
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www.orphancameras.comView original page 19Page 20 · Read text
You can now choose any shutter speed or aperture without
changing the exposure. If you alter the shutter speed, the aper-
ture will automatically set itself to the correct value, or if you
change the aperture, the shutter speed adjusts itself automati-
cally to keep the effective exposure constant.
To change the shutter-aperture combination just move the
speed setting ring until the aperture lever or speed index points
to the required aperture or shutter speed respectively. Keep the
aperture lever pressed against the speed setting ring to avoid
changing the light value setting. Incidentally, intermediate light
values can also be set, e.g. 5*, 6$, etc., for really accurate work.
The shutter may be used in the conventional way too, in this
case the shutter speed has to be adjusted first and then the aper-
ture.
The shutter has a built-in delayed action release which does
not require tensioning; to use it just set the synchronizing lever
to V.
'#' 23
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HANDTINGTHE RETINA itrI
Let us take it for granted that our Retina film is in daylight
packing (cartridge). our first task is to load the camera wittr ;vr
film. This should be done in subdued daytight. I
I
Looding lhe Retina ond Retlnette
l. Open back.
2. Pull out ftlm-rewind lcnob.
8. Insert cartridge with ffIm in fflm chamber. tI 4. Push fflm-rewind knob back.
D. set rewind lever to A position. (Not ra or rra or rg54 mod.
els.)
6. Thread the fflm end into the slit of take.up spool.
7. Close camera back.
8. Make two blank exposures.
9. Turn the exposure counter to ffgure l.
10. Set ffIm indicator.
l. The hinged-on camera back will open by lifting up the back
latch.
on the Retinette 1954 as well as on Retina Ic, IIc, and rlrc
models turn the double lever surrounding the tripod bush in
the direction of the arrow. Then press the little button under-
neath the lever, and the back will spring open.
2. Pull out the milled knob above the empty film chamber.
8. rnsert film cartridge so that projecting spool peg lies in rhe
recessin the bottom of the spool chamber.
5. The lever of the later series of Retina r and the Retina rr is
on the camera back below the film winding key, in the early
series of the Retina r it is a clutch in the film winding key on
top of the camera. This clutch has to be turned until T shows
in the notch.
6. PulI out about 3$ in. of fiIm from the cartridge, thread the
end of the film inro one of the slits in the take-up spool.
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www.orphancameras.comView original page 21Page 22 · Read text
In Retinala,IIa, and 1954 models turn the built-in take-up
spool so that the slot faces the camera back. Push the film end
into the slot. Make sure that the film lies flat in its grooves
between the spools.
The camera back is closed by pressing the hinged back cover
to the main body and folding down the back latch. In 1954t7 models just press the back against the body until the catch
engages.
8. The end of the film projecting from the cartridge was exposed
to light when loading the camera, therefore two blank exPo-
sures have to be made to get unexposed film behind the lens.
wrr'H TEE FrRttr sERrEs oF TEE nErrNA r:-Give the film re
lease a quarter turn in the direction of its arrog then turn
the winding key in the direction indicated by its arrow until
a faint click is heard, when the winding key can be turned
no further. Repeat this procedure a second time and the two
blank exposures are made. Now wind once more after turning
film release.
wrrH TrrE sEcoND sERrEsoF nETTNAl:-Move the fiIm release
lever on the camera back (just to the right of the view finder)
to the right then turn winding key in the direction indicated
by its arrow until a faint click is heard, when the winding
key can be turned no further. Repeat a second time and the
two blank exposures are made. Now wind once more after
moving film release.
WITII TTTTT111P1P SERIES OF RETINA I, NETTNETTE, AND RETINA
n:-Turn film winding key in the direction of its arrow as
far as it will go, open camera front, set shutter and actuate
body release of camera. Repeat this procedure a second time
and the two blank exposures are made. Now wind once more.
wrrn RETTNArA, uA, .c.ND1954 MoDELs this is combined with
setting the exposure counter (below).
9. The exposure counting dial is set:
oN rrrE FIRsT sEmns oF RETINI r by turning the milled knob
in the center of the film counting disc until figure I on the
dial is opposite the engraved indication line.
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www.orphancameras.comView original page 22Page 23 · Read text
oN TrrE sEcoND sERrEsoF RrrrNL r by moving the film re-
lease Tever backwards and forwards until figure I on the dial
is opposite the indicator (A = arrowhead).
ON TTIE THIRD SENIES OF RETINA I, RETINETTE, AND RETINA II
by turning the counting dial by means of the two lugs unril
figure I is opposite the indicator (A = arrowhead).
oN THE LATERRETTNArr (with range and viewfinder in one
eyepiece) by pressing in and downwards the milled wheel
which is let into the camera body below the film winding
k_ey, the same time turning it until the figure I is opposite -at_
the indicator on dial.
oN THE RETTNArl. AND rr.l. turn the milled ring on top of the
rapid winding lever in the direction of the arrow until the
diamond mark o next to No. 36 is opposite the indicator
(A = arrowhead). When using 2O-exposure color film, use the
diamond mark O nexr to No. 20. Turn the rapicl winding
lever and release the shutrer. Repeat until the indicator I ii
opposite No. 36 (or No. 20). The film counrer thus shows the
number of the still unexposed frames.
oN RETTNAMoDErtr rr, rtrRoucrr nrc push the exposure counter
setting knob at the right of the viewfinder in the direction of
the engraved arrow while at the same time pressing the film
release button behind the exposure counting window. Keep
pu.\i"S the setting knob over until the diamond mark ( a)
beside the number 36 in the exposure counter is opposite the
notch in the window. If a Z0-exposure film is .xid the dia-
mond mark between the numbers 20 and 25 should be set to
the notch.
Now turn the rapid winding lever and press down the film
release button. Repeat these two operations until the exposure
counter indicates No. 36 or 20. The counter thus shows the
number of the still unexposed frames.
oN THE nETrNErrE 19il turn the milled edge of the outer
rim of the exposure counter window while at the same time
pressing the film release burton (on the rear of the top plate
between finder and counter window) until the arrowhead
poilts to the I mark in the counting window. Now proceed
as described. above for Retina Ib etc.
26
www.orphancameras.comView original page 23From the M. Butkus archive. Original publisher and archive notices are retained.
Check the model and edition against your equipment.
PDF verified 2026-10-10.