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Retina C lenses - worth converting?
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PostPosted: Fri Jun 27, 2014 6:20 pm    Post subject: Retina C lenses - worth converting? Reply with quote

Retina C lenses like other variants have half the lens 3e attached to the body, so a donar body is needed.

Has anyone converted these beauties to work on mirror less?

I know one cannot mix and match the SK with the Rodenstock lenses, can you think of other issues that may crop up?

The series goes like this


Schneider-Kreuznach Retina-Curtar-Xenon C 35mm f/4
Schneider-Kreuznach Retina-Curtar-Xenon C 35mm f/5.6 (6+3 elements in 6 groups)
Schneider-Kreuznach Retina-Xenon C 50mm f/2 (3+3 elements in 4 groups)
Schneider-Kreuznach Retina-Xenon C 50mm f/2.8
Schneider-Kreuznach Retina-Longar-Xenon C 80mm f/4 (6+3 elements in 6 groups)
or

Rodenstock Retina-Heligon C 35mm f/4
Rodenstock Retina-Heligon C 35mm f/5.6
Rodenstock Retina-Heligon C 50mm f/2
Rodenstock Retina-Heligon C 50mm f/2.8
Rodenstock Retina-Heligon C 80mm f/4


PostPosted: Fri Jun 27, 2014 6:34 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Most suffer from separation, often severe.


PostPosted: Fri Jun 27, 2014 6:39 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

It is common here to take lens from these cheap camera and put them to mirror-less. Samples of both 50mm on NEX.
http://www.dchome.net/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=1103148
http://www.dchome.net/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=1105248


PostPosted: Fri Jun 27, 2014 6:47 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Some very nice samples in that resource, thanks.

I'd love to see digital samples from the Longar 80mm


PostPosted: Fri Jun 27, 2014 6:57 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

JohnBar wrote:
I'd love to see digital samples from the Longar 80mm

http://wanghaou.wordpress.com/2013/03/31/schneider-retina-longar-xenon-80mm-f4%E8%A9%A6%E6%8B%8D/

I think you should able to search them yourself next time.


PostPosted: Sat Jun 28, 2014 6:31 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Edited

Last edited by bernhardas on Mon Jul 25, 2016 7:21 am; edited 1 time in total


PostPosted: Sat Jun 28, 2014 7:45 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

It is not difficult to remove the lens from the camera with proper tools (see the exploded diagram on the parts list: http://retinarescue.com/files/retina_iiic_parts_list.pdf) but removing the shutter blades need a bit of work. I think John can shows us how to do it if he is going to do the conversion.


PostPosted: Sat Jun 28, 2014 2:36 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I expect the work to progress in a similar way to the King Regula which involved stripping the insides to get access to the mount retaining screws. The shutter mechanism makes a nice ornament and looks like a donut made from cogs Wink

The question I have pondered is whether to get a Reflex or a IIIc with the older glass for the donor parts


PostPosted: Sat Jun 28, 2014 3:10 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The most difficult part is to remove the lens from a IIIC is the removal of the shutter from the camera(ref: http://www.bigeye.url.tw/big5/d_roden50_2_2.htm). I am not sure about the Reflex. I think you better get both and see which one is easier to convert.


PostPosted: Sat Jun 28, 2014 3:38 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

That seems easier than the Regula, just a lens wrench to free the retaining ring will do it.


PostPosted: Mon Jun 30, 2014 6:37 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I have Kodak Reflex with heligon 50/2, I was panning to modify it. but the camera is very nice LOL , I use film instead. Very Happy maybe someday, but in short time LOL


PostPosted: Tue Jul 22, 2014 3:37 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Edited

Last edited by bernhardas on Mon Jul 25, 2016 7:21 am; edited 1 time in total


PostPosted: Tue Jul 22, 2014 4:09 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I have to admire your persistence.
There is certainly potential there bernhardas, but it could be a long road.
Thanks for showing these images.
As an aside, would you mind sharing the publication details of the book on your shelf called The Vivitar Guide.
I am interested to see if I can locate a copy.
Gratias
OH


PostPosted: Tue Jul 22, 2014 4:27 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Edited

Last edited by bernhardas on Mon Jul 25, 2016 7:22 am; edited 1 time in total


PostPosted: Tue Jul 22, 2014 6:45 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

bernhardas wrote:
Very Happy Persistence is my middlename Very Happy
(literally it means the one who is persistent like a wolf. Have a guess what the A stands for )

The ISBN is 0/87165-065-7 by John C Wolf (co/incidence or what) published by Ziff-Davis Publishing New York 1980
Library of Congress Number 80-51117

It describes the Vivitar as is in 1980. No historical information and a few of newer (good) lenses are missing.
It is a solid start as a Vivitar lens book, but unfortunately limited in its time window.
I think it is the only book I know with some (sparse) information on the other accessories, like flash, enlargers, tripods and the like.

Like a true collector I always wish for more.


Mucho gratias amigo
OH


PostPosted: Sat Aug 02, 2014 10:11 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Here's my lens set I converted to Leica M.

http://forum.mflenses.com/schneider-xenon-c-with-attachment-lenses-for-leica-m-t67115.html

I found it worth to give this lenses a new live on a digital camera. Shocked


PostPosted: Sat Aug 09, 2014 2:37 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

calvin83 wrote:
The most difficult part is to remove the lens from a IIIC is the removal of the shutter from the camera(ref: http://www.bigeye.url.tw/big5/d_roden50_2_2.htm). I am not sure about the Reflex. I think you better get both and see which one is easier to convert.


I now have the Reflex with Schneider-Kreuznach Retina-Xenon C 50mm f/2 , for experiments

Dr Frankenstein vill retreat to zee castle in zee vinter to create zee new beings Wink


PostPosted: Sat Aug 09, 2014 3:11 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

A member of my forum did a conversion with the VNEX...

http://www.digicamclub.de/showthread.php?t=19532&p=212985&viewfull=1#post212985

Regards
Henry


PostPosted: Sat Aug 09, 2014 5:37 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

A very beautiful solution which must make you proud. It seems to be a worthwhile endeavour judging by the quality of the images

For me I shall most likely follow in the footsteps that I took when I made the Diax solution as below, because I already have these parts: