The Retinette Models; Coated Lenses; The Care Of Lenses; Lens Hood - Kodak retinette User Manual

setting ring: S9, flash socket; S10, cable release socket (in
release button); S13, self-timer lever. Exposure meter (IIB
only; E2, meter cell; E5, light value scale on meter setting
ring; E6, film speed setting; E7, meter needle: E8, setting
pointer. Viewfinder: V1, finder window; V2, eyepiece. Film
and transport:TI, rapid winding lever; T4. film counter; T5,
film counter setting button; T6, film Indicator; T7, rewind
knob: T8, reversing button; T9, film release button. Body:
B3, back lock; B7, tripod bush; B8, accessory shoe; B11,
eyelets for carrying strap. Special features: Z1, illuminating
window for finder frame.
Top:General view of the Retinette IB against a 1 in. scale
grid. Upper centre: Top view of Retinette IIB. Lower centre:
Front view of Retinette IIB. The Retinette II is identical, but
without the exposure meter and meter controls.
Bottom:Front view of the Retinette I.

The Retinette Models

*RETINETTE I (1958) follows the general description on page 4, being fitted with a 1¾ in. (45 mm.) Reomar f3.5
lens, Compur-Rapid shutter with light values, and line-frame finder.
RETINETTE IA (1959) is similar to the Retinette I but with 4-speed Vero shutter, 1/30-1/250 sec. and B. Since 1961
it has been fitted with the f2.8 Reomar.
*RETINETTE II(1958) is similar to the model I, but has a 1¾ in. (45 mm.) Reomar f2.8 lens, automatic depth of
field indicator and a film counter built into the body itself (instead of being mounted on top).
*RETINETTE IIB (1958) has the same features as the Retinette II, but in addition is fitted with a built-in photo-
electric exposure meter.
*RETINETTE IIA (1959) is similar to the model IIB but with Prontomat shutter giving fully automatic exposure
setting. Handling is the same as for the IIB, except for shutter speed and aperture where special instructions apply.
See Prontomat p.12 and Retinette IIA Exposure Meter, p.51.
RETINETTE IB (1959) follows the general description of the Retinette on p.4. It has a built-in photo-electric exposure
meter which is coupled to the aperture setting. The shutter is the Pronto LK speeded from 1/15 to 1/500 sec., B, line
frame finder and f2.8 Reomar lens.
*Retinette (1954) Is similar, but fitted with a simple eye-level optical finder. The earliest models of 1954 did not
incorporate a light-value scale on the shutter.
*PRE-1954 MODELS. Between 1942 and 1952 some cameras of the Retinette family were made with bellows,
pressed-metal (instead of die-cast) body, slow lenses of f4.5 or f6.3, and three to eight-speed shutters. These were
also called Retinette.
Models marked * are no longer in production but may still be available in some countries.

Coated Lenses

The Reomar lenses of the Retinette cameras are coated. Coating, or, as it is sometimes called, blooming, consists of
the application of a microscopically fine film of magnesium fluoride on the lens surfaces which considerably reduces
the light reflection at glass and air surfaces in the lens. This results in a more brilliant negative, especially in the
shadow regions where the tones are most subdued and so brilliance and contrast are most needed. The fact that a
lens has been coated can be recognised by observing in the lens reflections of, let us say, a lamp, which appear
distinctly coloured, as a rule rather deep blue with a tinge of red.

The Care of Lenses

The treatment and care of lenses is important. On account of its chemical composition, high quality optical glass is
susceptible to the influence of moisture, and for this reason never touch the glass with the fingers. Since complete
protection is impossible, clean the lens surface occasionally with a clean, soft chamois leather. Grease, rain spots,
etc., may be removed with a pad of cotton-wool moistened in ether. Neither glass nor the coating film will be
affected by this treatment.

Lens Hood

The lens hood is a tube, as a rule made from metal, placed over the front of the lens to protect it from light coming
from outside the actual picture area. There is no picture which could not be improved in clarity and brilliancy by the
use of a lens hood. The wider the aperture of the lens the more important is the use of the lens hood. When strong