Pre-1954 Retinette Models; Loading Pre-1952 Retinette Models - Kodak retinette User Manual

5. The camera back is closed by pressing the back against the body until the catch engages.
6. Turn the milled edge of the outer rim of the counter window while pressing (except on models I, IA) the film
release button (on the rear of the top between finder and counter window) until the arrowhead points to the
mark in the counter window. If a 20-exposure film is used, the diamond mark between the numbers 20 and 25
should be set to the arrow-head.
On the Retinette II and IIB push the film counter setting button at the right of the viewfinder in the direction
of the engraved arrow while pressing the film release button behind the exposure counter window. Keep
pushing the setting knob until the diamond mark beside the number 36 in the exposure counter is opposite the
notch in the window. If a 20-exposure film is used the diamond mark between the numbers 20 and 25 should
be set to the notch.
7. Now pull out the rapid winding lever and let it fly back. Then press down the film release button. Repeat these
two operations until the film counter indicates No. 36 or 20. The counter thus shows the number of the still-
unexposed frames.
8. Set the film indicator in the rewind knob by pressing the index finger against the serrated ring in the centre of
the indicator and turning it until the index mark points to the type of film loaded into the camera.

PRE-1954 RETINETTE MODELS

Right: The 1951 Retinette model was a folding camera
with a somewhat different body layout. The lens was a
2 in. (50 mm.) Reomar f4.5 in a Prontor S shutter with
speeds to 1/300 sec. The 1952 model had somewhat
modified controls and an XM-synchronized shutter, but
otherwise resembled the earlier model. In this later
version the viewfinder housing extended right across
the top of the camera.
Early Retinette features: Opening the camera back (left); the reversing lever at the back of the camera (centre left);
opening the front (centre right); closing the front (press the two buttons at the side of the baseboard and push the
front closed -- right).
Setting the shutter speed and tensioning the shutter (right); setting
the aperture (far right). The shutter of these models had no light
value scale.

Loading Pre-1952 Retinette Models

The general principles are similar, but certain details differ appreciably (see also page 8).
To open the camera back, lift up the latch at the side of the body and pull the back away. To close, press the back
against the body and fold down the latch.