Vintage Kodak Retina Reflex S W/ Original Schneider-Kreuznach Xenon 50mm F:1.9

Description: Pre owned (of course) and in pretty good condition for a vintage camera like this. The lens does show some fungus on an inner element. It was difficult to photograph but you can see it in the photos of this listing. I cannot say if it effects the final image I've tested everything out extensively and all seems to work. Shutter speeds sound about right and aperture opens and closes properly. I have not run film through this camera so I don't know for sure if everything works properly. This is a collectors item and in really good shape but I can't guarantee it works with film though. Its built like a tank so might very well work!ALL I KNOW ABOUT THE KODAK RETINA REFLEX S:Kodak, best known for their films, bought in 1931 the Dr. August Nagel Kamerawerk in Stuttgart and produced there affordable 35 mm cameras. The first Kodak Retina, a foldable viewfinder was introduced in 1934. Interesting fact: the 135 daylight-loading single-use cassette, which is now used in every 35 mm camera, was designed for this camera. In 1936, the Retina I and the Retina II, a foldable rangefinder were introduced. After WWII, the production continued with the Retina Ia and II, slightly modernized versions of the prewar models. In 1957, the first SLR, the Retina Reflex appeared. Basically it was a rangefinder camera equipped with a mirror and a prism, but still with a central shutter and the rear lenses built in the body. In 1959 the first KODAK SLR with fully interchangeable lenses was finally ready: the Kodak Retina Reflex S. Kodak continued to build rangefinders like the foldable Retina IIIc, the first camera with a built-in light meter or the Retina IIIS which uses the same lenses as the Retina Reflex (yes, this means I plan to buy one in the future). The Retina Reflex S was followed in 1961 by the Retina Reflex III and the Reflex IV in 1964 until Kodak ended the production of 35 mm SLR in 1966.Like the other famous “product” from Stuttgart with an “S” in the name the camera is extremely well-built and quite heavy. I love the little details, like the hidden button on the bottom plate to open the camera, which prevents accidental opening of the back. After ripping one cheap film with my Yashica Electro 35 GT once, I also like the back-counting film counter, which also locks the advance lever when the film is full. However, the little button to operate it can be easily mixed up with the shutter release, like on the Smena. The advance lever at the bottom of the camera is a bit unusual, but I got used to it (my Zorki 10 has it at the same position). The camera has a cold shoe and a PC terminal for a flash, a built-in coupled selenium meter, self-timer, a tripod mount and of course a cable release connector.Lenses for the Retinas were produced by Rodenstock and Schneider Kreuznach, and over 15 different lenses were available. I have four Schneider Kreuznach lenses (until now), the ƒ:4/28 wide angle, the standard ƒ:2.8/50, the faster ƒ1.9/50 lens (which raised the price from 578,- DM to 680,- DM !) and a ƒ4:135 telephoto lens. For the 50 mm lens, I bought three close up lenses, one green filter and a screw in lens hood. The original lens hoods are made of plastic, are square and are connected to the lens via a bayonet mount.Although quite heavy, the Retina is a quite small SLR by today’s standards, and a very quiet one too.HOW TO USE THE KODAK RETINA REFLEX SOpen the camera with the hidden button under the tripod mount. Load your film. Set the film speed by simultaneously pressing the little button on the DIN/ASA indicator on the top of the camera and turning the “setting wheel” under the lens. Now set the film counter to the little ♦ next to the correct number of exposures (24 / 36), rewind and release 2 times and you are ready to go.The so-called “setting wheel” main purpose is to set the desired ƒ stop, while the shutter speed is selected by turning the ring next to the base of the lens. As you will notice, changing the speed also changes the aperture, which is very confusing in the beginning. The reason for this was the idea to make the camera easier to operate… Close to the DIN/ASA setting wheel, you will find the exposure meter. With the setting wheel, you set the camera to the right exposure value for the current light situation. The defined aperture/speed setting will then change in that way, that this EV is kept, so if you set the camera to 1/125 and ƒ 8 and you change the speed to 1/250, the camera (should) changes the ƒ stop to 4. Unusual, but functional. Another nice feature: the current depth of field is indicated by little pointers on top of the lens.To focus you may use the ground glass screen as well as the split-screen rangefinder in middle. After you shoot, the finder will stay black until you use the advance lever under the camera. Film speeds are from 24 to 3200, the ƒ stops (depending on the lens) from 1.9 till 22 and the shutter speed ranges from B, 1s to 1/500 s. For longtime exposure, you can use the green scale to remember the long times better, the camera operates there in “B” mode.To activate the self-timer, press the little button on the right side of the lens while moving the little lever to the “V” position. This lever is also used to change the flash settings to “X” for electronic and “M” for old flashbulbs. Flash can be used at any speed, you just need a PC sync cable. After 36 exposures, the camera blocks to avoid you pull put the film out of the cassette, If you believe this is too early, just press the button on top, change the number of exposures and continue carefully. Next to or rather embedded in the advance lever is the button to release the rewind knob which can also be used for double exposures (which is also mentioned in the manual). In back light situations, you can cover the light meter and measure directly from the object. As this cover was sadly lost, I just use one stop slower as the light meter reads.For close-ups, screw on one or more of the available close-up lenses. If you use filters, you have to compensate less light manually, as the camera obviously does not measure through the lens (TTL).

Price: 89 USD

Location: High Point, North Carolina

End Time: 2024-11-03T02:10:29.000Z

Shipping Cost: N/A USD