Kodak Retina IIIc
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| image by Peter M Lerman (Image rights) |
Introduced at Photokina Cologne in 1954, the Retina IIIc was the most expensive of the new range of the Retina models.
Contents
Background
Compared to the earlier models (1951 Ia & IIa), it was a complete redesign - the extending lens assembly now slides forward on the body and is thus much more rigid than earlier models. The front opening "door" no longer plays any supporting role and merely moves the lens assembly in or out. The film advance lever was moved to the base of the camera.
The IIIc differed from the cheaper models mainly in the addition of an f/2 Heligon or Xenon lens in place of the f/2.8 found on the Retina IIc, plus an uncoupled light meter. Retina IIIc with the Rodenstock Heligon lens are more commonly found in Europe and hardly ever in the USA, so it is likely that exports to the States were limited to those brought back by returning servicemen.
Specification
Type 018 Retina Ib
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| Retina IIIc with 80mm telephoto component image by paulfromukcamera (Image rights) |
- Production time: March 1954 to July 1957
- Production: 160,383+
- Serial number ranges: 50001 to 199914, 450336 to 460383
- Viewfinder camera - no rangefinder or exposure meter
- Fixed lens: Schneider Retina-Xenar f/2.8 50mm
- Aperture range: f/2.8 to f/22 ( 4-element Tessar-type design )
- Shutter: Synchro-Compur (Light Value) 1 sec - 1/500
- Wind lever located on camera base, with double exposure prevention
- Self Timer - X & M flash synchronisation
- Viewfinder: Bright line + parallax correction marks
- Filter size 32mm
- Dimensions: width - 122mm; height - 85mm; depth - 90mm (open), 47mm (closed)
- Price: 198 Deutsch Marks, $ 44.50 in PX system of US Military
Type 020 Retina IIc
- As Retina 1b except:
- Lens: f/2.8 50mm Schneider Xenon C or f/2.8 50mm Rodenstock Heligon C (6-element)
- Interchangeable front component (bayonet)
- Alternative lenses: f/4 80mm, f/4 35mm, f/5.6 35mm
- Separate multiple finder available
- Coupled rangefinder - diamond shape
- Dimensions: width - 122mm; height - 85mm; depth - 90mm (open), 47mm (closed)
- Price: £52.6.3 (1960)
Type 021 Model I Retina IIIc
- As Retina 1b except:
- Lens: f/2 50mm Xenon or f/2.0 50mm Heligon (6-element)
- Interchangeable front component (bayonet)
- Alternative lenses: f/4 80mm, f/4 35mm, f/5.6 35mm
- Separate multiple finder available
- Uncoupled exposure meter reading in Light Values (LV) with incident light cover
- Coupled rangefinder - diamond shape
- Dimensions: width - 122mm; height - 85mm; depth - 90mm (open), 47mm (closed)
- Price: £69.15.0 (1960)
Interchangeable Lenses
- 80mm f/4 Longar-Xenon C or f/4 Heligon C - 60mm filter - Min focus 0.8m
- 35mm f/4 Curtar-Xenon C or f/4 Heligon C - 60mm filter - Min focus 0.8m
- 35mm f/5.6 Curtar-Xenon C or f/5.6 Heligon C - 32mm filter - Min focus 2m
Accessories
Stereo attachment, Sports finders, Close-up attachment, Close-up rangefinder, Ground-glass Focusing adapter, Micro attachment, Kodalux L Exposure meter
Notes for Collectors
The front and back components of the lens were matched. It is important that the number engraved on the front component is identical to the number on the adjacent mount.
The interchangeable front component lens was designed so that the Heligon & Xenon were not interchangeable. The mounting cam was in an entirely different position.
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| Schneider-Kreuznach & Rodenstock mount differences image by paulfromukcamera (Image rights) |
Links
- Retina IIIc manual at Mike Butkus Orphan Cameras
- Pages at Chris Sherlock's Retina Rescue:
- Pages at Sylvain Halgand's Collection Appareils (in French):
Bibliography
- Retina Manual - Edward S Bomback - Fountain Press London 1956
- Retina Handbook - Edward S Bomback - Fountain Press London 1957
- The Retina Manual - O R Croy - Focal Press First Edition June 1952 - Tenth Edition April 1966
