Retina 1a

The Retina 1a, closed.

The Retina 1 series cameras (1, 1a, 1b and so on, were "ranging" or "scale focusing" cameras). You made your best guess about the range, or you measured it, and you set the focus to that range. Then you relied on depth of field to compsensate for error.

The Retina II series cameras were coupled rangefinder cameras. There was a focusing aid that told you the exact range to your subject.

The Retina III series cameras had both rangefinders and light meters. The I, II, and III Retinas were made by the Nagle company, in Germany. The Nagle company was bought by Kodak, just in time to have Hitler nationalize Germany's industries.

Kodak eventually regained control of the company after the war, but that was a bad thing. Unfortunately, after the truely excellent Retina series, practially dripping with German quality, the Kodak bean counters leapt in and insisted that they start making "Retinettes" and "Retina Reflex" cameras; they were not very good cameras. I believe that the Retinas, made before Kodak ruined things, were among the highest quality 35mm cameras of their type that there have ever been though. Of all the other folding 35mm cameras that I know of, only the last two models of the Agfa Karat ever really rivaled them.

Kodak originally had that chrome trim on the front of the door painted black, but where's the fun in that?

Yeah, somebody engraved a number on the front of the top cap. Unfortunately, I can't do anything to get rid of that.