Kodak Retina Filter and lens information

[jayd]

Kodak Retina (Nagel Camera Werks) Filter and lens Information

Early models I, I a
Take 21.5 mm thread in filters and accessories

Retina IIa, IIc,IIIc, IIC, IIIC, Reflex and IIIS models with 50mm 2.8 and others.
Listed in the Kodak literature as taking 32 mm filters actually take 29.5 mm thread in filters and accessories.
A modern 30 mm lens cap will usually fit the the lenses taking 29.5 filters
I believe bayonet style attaching lens hoods were made for all of these lenses,
Series V filters and hoods make a nice set up for the smaller lenses when you can find an adapter.
The best explanation of the mis information in the Kodak literature is that 32mm is the I.D. needed for slip on accessories.

Lenses taking a larger filter: Retina Reflex models and IIIS 28mm f4, 50mm f 1.9, 135mm and others.
listed in the Kodak literature as taking a 60mm filter actually take a 58mm thread filters and accessories, with 60mm being the I.D. needed for slip on accessories.


A Body cap for Retina Reflex S, III & IV, and Retina IIIS is a 48mm internal pinch type lens cap.


Lens mounts:

Models Prior to the IIc ( I, Ia,IIa, Ib ) have a fixed normal lens. The IIc and Reflex have a convertible C series lens with the rear element fixed in the camera body and available 35mm,
50mm, and 80mm front components, thus C series lenses are not independently usable like
the S series lenses are.
Lenses for Retina C model cameras IIc, IIIc, IIC,& IIIC come in two similar but incompatible versions depending on if it is a Schneider or Rodenstock the camera body is actually keyed to the line of lenses and will not accept the other.
All Reflex models except the first Retina Reflex which takes c series lenses take a standard (standard is somewhat relative in that there are slight differences in the DKL mount used by some manufacturers and may require modification to fit Retina cameras) DKL mount lens and could be fitted with other branded DKL lenses I am not sure of the operation but I have seen the Voitlander Zoomar mounted on a Retina Reflex, a zoom is not so practical on the IIIS as framing at focal lengths it does not have preset bright lines for would be imprecise.






Selection of lenses for the IIIS requires a bit more investigation and thought:
There are several functional and usability issues I have discovered when selecting lenses for the
IIIS:
1. Not all DKL mount Kodak Retina S series lenses have the coupling for the IIIS
to be able to focus using the range finder on the camera, the lenses made for the IIIS will have a half moon slot cut in along the mount approx 180 degrees opposed to the red dot when looking at the camera end when you look through this slot and turn the focus ring you can see the coupling cam move
on lenses for the IIIS.
2. While the 50mm f 1.9 looks much handsomer than it's monkey faced 50mm f2.8 sibling when mounted on the IIIS the 50mm f1.9 blocks a portion of the view at the lower left making composition a bit harder.
3. The 28mm f4 has the same issue with blocking some of your view in the lower left and the finder framing bright lines are for 35mm lens not the 28mm so you will getting a little more than you see in the finder, if you can find and afford one Kodak made a 28mm auxiliary finder. and good alternative might be a Russian Leica copy finder .

4. When using the 135mm the viewing area is pretty small so you may want to consider an auxiliary finder.

5. While I won't say you couldn't use the Retina 200mm f4, consider that there are no finder lines as the area would be far to small, and I have not seen one with the RF coupling, probably the Retina IIIS RF is not capable of anything beyond 135mm. So to use the 200mm you would need a axillary finder, and a separate range finder or guess.


I want to thank Chris Sherlock for his valuable information and help, I know of no one else who is as knowledgeable and helpful even to being able to provide repair information and actually repair all of the Retina cameras.

While I hope I have covered the information you need I am aware there are other perhaps less common
Retina lens issues I have not covered and I ask anyone who has information or a correction to please contact me Via E mail [e-mail]

[daveh]

"The best explanation of the mis information in the Kodak literature is that 32mm is the I.D. needed for slip on accessories."


That was what I was thinking. I'm not sure, however, it necessarily qualifies as "misinformation". I have a few Leica filters which are push on, but with a collar that is clamped - quicker to change than screw fit filters, and secure once tightened, unlike those that are just push fit.

[jayd]

Dave
Thanks for that observation, I am posting a revision that I hope is a little better in clarity and organization.

[jayd]

Kodak Retina Filter and lens Information
Ver1.2



Early models I, I a
take 21.5 mm thread in filters and accessories

Retina IIa, IIc,IIIc, IIC, IIIC, the first Reflex, and IIIS models
with 50mm 2.8 and others listed in the Kodak literature as taking 32 mm filters actually take 29.5 mm thread in filters and accessories, and the listed 32mm as slip ons. Series V filters and hoods make a nice set up for these lenses when you can find an adapter. I believe bayonet attaching lens hoods were made for most if all of these lenses look at the marking on the hood for what lenses it fits. A modern 30 mm inside pinch rather than slip over style lens cap will usually fit the the lenses taking 29.5 filters.

Retina Reflex Models (except first Reflex: see lens mounts section on first Reflex) and IIIS with 28mm f4, 35mm f2.8, 50mm f 1.9, 135mm f4 and others listed in the Kodak literature as taking a 60mm filter actually take 58mm thread in filters and accessories, and 60mm slip ons. The 85mm f4 takes the 29.5 mm thread in filters and the same bayonet lens hood as the 50mm f2.8, The 200mm f4.8 has special filters that go in recess in the rear of the lens, Yes there is a 30mm but I don't know about it.

Lens mounts:

Models Prior to the IIc ( I, Ia,IIa, Ib ) have a fixed normal lens.
The IIc and first Reflex have a convertible C series lens with the rear element fixed in the camera body and available 35mm, 50mm, and 80mm front components, thus C series lenses are not independently usable like the S series lenses are and can not be used on other cameras .
Retina C model cameras IIc, IIIc, IIC,& IIIC come in two similar but incompatible versions depending on if the lens is a Schneider or Rodenstock: the camera body is actually keyed to the line of lenses and will not accept the other.

All Reflex models except the first Retina Reflex which takes c series lenses, take a standard DKL mount: standard is somewhat relative here in that there are slight differences in the DKL mount used by different manufacturers, modification may be required to fit Retina cameras. the Retina DKL mount lens are Know as S series lenses. I have seen a Vioghtlander Zoomar on a Retina Reflex IV so some interchangeability is possible but check it out as modification may be necessary and or there may be limited functionality which is often the case when mount switching.

Selection of lenses for the IIIS
There are several functional and usability issues I have discovered when selecting lenses for the
IIIS:
1. Not all DKL mount Kodak Retina S series lenses have the coupling for the IIIS
to be able to focus using the range finder built in the camera, the lenses made for the IIIS will have a half moon slot cut in along the mount approx. 180 degrees opposed to the red dot when looking at the camera end, when you look through this slot and turn the focus ring you can see the coupling cam move .



2. While the 50mm f 1.9 looks much handsomer than it's monkey faced 50mm f2.8 sibling when mounted on the IIIS the 50mm f1.9 blocks a small portion of the view at the lower left making composition a bit harder.

3. The 28mm f4 has the same issue with blocking some of your view in the lower left and the finder framing bright lines are for 35mm lens not the 28mm so you will getting a little more than you see in the finder, if you can find and afford one Kodak made a 28mm auxiliary finder. and good alternative might be a Russian finder .

4. When using the 135mm the viewing area is pretty small so you may want to consider an auxiliary finder.

5. While I won't say you couldn't use the Retina 200mm f4 on a IIIS, consider that there is no provision for either focusing or framing: The built in range finder is probably like most not capable of more than 135mm, and framing lines would have an area so small as to be impractical.

Finally A 48mm lens cap makes a good body cap for IIIS and Retina Reflex (except original reflex)

I want to thank Chris Sherlock for his valuable information and help, I know of no one else who is as knowledgeable and helpful even to being able to provide repair information and actually repair all of the Retina cameras.

While I hope I have covered the information you need I am aware there are other perhaps less common
Retina lens issues I have not covered and I ask anyone who has information or a correction to please contact me Via E mail [e-mail]

[daveh]

Here's the Leitz filter:

In place on 90mm f4 Elmar.


The clamping mechanism can be seen. As with most things Leitz its build is top quality.


This lens breaks in two for use on bellows and suchlike: