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Kodak Retina Ib with a small issue
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PostPosted: Wed Mar 05, 2014 5:46 am    Post subject: Kodak Retina Ib with a small issue Reply with quote
Hi everyone, just your advantage collage student in a Photo class here. I was browsing a local antique store today when a little camera caught my eye, mostly because of its size. I payed $35 for it, its probably not worth that but I got it mostly to help me with the "Art of Seeing" as a camera to carry in my pocket/with me, at all times. I checked it out as best I could in the store and checked everything I could think of at home (Shutter speeds by ear, flashlight bellows check, aperture check with the shutter set to B) It all seemed to be in working order so I tossed some film in (Fugi Superia 400 i think) but now its started acting up.

Sometimes when I wind the film to the next frame the shutter release wont depress, I end up having to hold the small post next to it down and hold the film release button and wind the lever again to get the shutter to fire. (I.E. the film advance lever has to be wound twice before the shutter fires) But its not every time, some times it works just fine.

Anyone know what would be causing this? Its not in perfect condition, a few dents in the top plate and the front glass on the viewfinder is split, but it seemed quite useable. And I'm kind of already in love with how it folds up to protect the lens so I can stuff it in a pocket.




PostPosted: Wed Mar 05, 2014 6:10 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Welcome to the wonderful world of Retinas !
Usual problem here is poorly designed shutter cocking linkages. The entire line suffers from this to a greater or lesser degree. As they get old this system gets crankier.
I had a 1b, I'm sorry I sold it. You can do great things with it.


PostPosted: Wed Mar 05, 2014 9:23 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
I have a 1a, from memory the linkage between the shutter release and the shutter itself is quite complex to cope with the collapsing lens. But there's a screw-in shutter release on a fixed mount attached directly to the shutter. If you use a wire-in-tube shutter release attached to this point is it more reliable?

They are lovely cameras, very pocketable and they feel so good in the hand.


PostPosted: Thu Mar 06, 2014 12:09 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
GeorgeSalt wrote:
I have a 1a, from memory the linkage between the shutter release and the shutter itself is quite complex to cope with the collapsing lens. But there's a screw-in shutter release on a fixed mount attached directly to the shutter. If you use a wire-in-tube shutter release attached to this point is it more reliable?

They are lovely cameras, very pocketable and they feel so good in the hand.


No, even with a release cable the shutter wont fire. Sounds like this is just something I'll have to work around.

Out of curiosity what other Retinas have both the folding lens with cover and a coupled rangefinder? (Would rather not have one with a meter if at all possible.)


PostPosted: Thu Mar 06, 2014 2:12 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
http://retinarescue.com/


PostPosted: Thu Mar 06, 2014 9:47 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Bronze Knight wrote:
GeorgeSalt wrote:
I have a 1a, from memory the linkage between the shutter release and the shutter itself is quite complex to cope with the collapsing lens. But there's a screw-in shutter release on a fixed mount attached directly to the shutter. If you use a wire-in-tube shutter release attached to this point is it more reliable?

They are lovely cameras, very pocketable and they feel so good in the hand.


No, even with a release cable the shutter wont fire. Sounds like this is just something I'll have to work around.

Out of curiosity what other Retinas have both the folding lens with cover and a coupled rangefinder? (Would rather not have one with a meter if at all possible.)


I'm not completely sure, but I think the 'a models are zone focus, the 'b models are coupled range-finder and the 'c models are coupled range-finder plus meter. But there's considerable variation within models as well - they weren't consistent for the entire production runs.

There is a specialist Retina repair guy, but he's either in Australia or New Zealand. Last time I looked him up he was accepting repairs mailed to him.


PostPosted: Fri Apr 25, 2014 11:29 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Chek out if frame counter reached exp no.1 when the shutter release wont depress, The exposure conter is countdown tyoe, you have to set the number of exposures on the film after inserting it , read the manual butkus.org/chinon/kodak/kodak_retina_ib/kodak_retina_ib.htm
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