Kodak Retina, later also called Retina I, is undoubtedly a milestone in
camera history. In 1934 Kodak introduced the most successful form of
photographic film for still cameras together with this camera: The 135
cartridge for standard 35 mm film. Although it's not 100% correct,
Oskar Barnack's Leica is generally considered the first still camera for
35mm motion picture film. Early Leica and Contax cameras each used
proprietary cartridges for the film, which had to be loaded by the
photographer himself (in the dark room!). Kodak's new (disposable)
cartridge was designed in a way that it would fit in both systems as well
of course in the new Retina. To compete with the high end German cameras
Kodak had acquired "Kamerawerk Dr. Nagel" in Stuttgart in 1931, who then
would produce a long series of Retina cameras for the new cartridge.
Without this strategic move and also other producers quickly adapting the
135 film, the new format might have gone the way of many other formats we
don't know anymore today. The picture below shows an old Kodachrome as an example:
The camera is a simple, compact and extremely robust masterpiece. Adapting
the at the time very popular folding camera design the Retina could have
hardly become more compact. Folded it fits easily in any pocket, and with
455 g (including film) it is only 5g heavier than my current Olympus E-PL1
with the Lumix 20 f/1.7 (while at similar size). Starting from the
first model in 1934 (Type 117) until 1941 Kodak did regular facelifts (types
126, 141, 148 and 167) and also offered corresponding black variants (types
118, 119, 143, 149). During the war instead of cameras time fuses have been
built in the Stuttgart factory. In 1946 the production resumed with this
type 010 (black:013), which were essentially the same as the prewar models 148
and 149. The basic features of the Retina I types have always remained the
same, only little things like the release button on the
body, double exposure lock etc. were introduced during the 11-year
production period. All models could be ordered with different lenses (Carl
Zeiss Tessar, Kodak Ektar®, Schneider Xenar, etc.) and also shutters
(Compur, Compur-Rapid) (see below).
I
got mine cheap from ebay and was amazed about how well it is in shape
despite its age of 62 years. Everything still works smoothly. I checked the shutter speeds and what should I say, all fit!
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from my Photo Porst catalog 1937, displayed is type 141 (98 RM), for 75 RM type 126 is available with a simpler shutter |
I put a film in the camera and the first shots are already made. You
need to get used to the archaic operation mode: estimate exposure and
distance (or measure it hereby andherewith), then cock the shutter. Without
simultaneously having the shutter cocked and the film advanced the
shutter release button on top of the camera is blocked. You can trick
this double exposure lock by directly
releasing the shutter at the lens. After the image is taken advance the
film by turning the wheel, a fast advance lever for combined film
transport and shutter cocking appeared only from 1951 with successor
Retina Ia. At least a frame counter and on the
bottom of the camera camera a depth of field index add to the features.
Kodak expanded its Retina series continuously over time. Parallel to
the model I there was a model II with a built-in range finder. After
the war follow-up models came on the market with exposure meters and
even interchangeable lenses. I've already reported about the Retina Reflex models that rounded the range off
upwards.
An anecdote about the Retina I should not be missing here. At the first
ascent of Mount Everest Edmund Hillary took his famous summit photo of Tenzing Norgay with a black
Retina I (Type 118). The camera was at that time already 15 year old
and he had bought it second-hand. Today this particular piece is in a museum in New Zealand
and is probably the most valuable on Retina on the collectors' market.
From Hillary himself there is no photo, allegedly because Tensing could
not handle the camera (or just because they simply had to pay attention
to the dwindling oxygen).
Anyway, I'm very excited about the photos of mine and will of course
report.
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