Down the Road

Photographs and stories by Jim Grey

Since 2007

Kodak Retina IIa with a Rodenstock lens

Jim Grey
6 comments on Kodak Retina IIa with a Rodenstock lens
1 minute

Earlier this year I shot a Kodak Retina IIa that a reader gave me. It was my second Retina IIa; I let the first one go in Operation Thin the Herd.

Both of these Retinas featured the 50mm f/2 Schneider-Kreuznach Retina-Xenon lens. Kodak also made the IIa with a 50mm f/2 Rodenstock Retina-Heligon lens.

When I shared photos from my more recent IIa I remarked that I’d never seen a Rodenstock-equipped IIa. Craig VanDerSchaegen emailed me photos of his Rodenstock IIa and gave me permission to share them here.

In comparison, this is my first Retina IIa. Its Compur-Rapid shutter dates it to the first few months of 1951, early in the production run. Kodak switched to Synchro-Compur shutters after that.

Kodak Retina IIa
Kodak Retina IIa

Thanks Craig for letting me share your Retina IIa! Craig suggested to me that he’s open to finding a new home for his IIa. If you’re interested, I can put you in touch.

Comments

6 responses to “Kodak Retina IIa with a Rodenstock lens”

  1. Peter Paar Avatar
    Peter Paar

    From the serial number you can tell that the camera was originally sold in Europe. Retinas imported into the US had “EK” before the serial number. This was for warranty purposes to show that the camera had been legally imported.

    Reply
    1. Jim Grey Avatar
      Jim Grey

      Interesting. Neither of the Retina IIas that I’ve owned have had EK before the serial number. I suppose they were bought in Europe and brought over by the owner.

      Reply
  2. Rich Avatar
    Rich

    HI Jim:

    PLs to put me in touch with Craig. I never had a Kodak Retna and they look really cool. Besides, you started me on the camera collection hobby…..just so my wife never finds out!!!

    Reply
    1. Jim Grey Avatar
      Jim Grey

      Rich, I’ve emailed Craig your email address and said you’re interested.

      Reply
  3. Steve Mitchell Avatar
    Steve Mitchell

    I must put a roll in my 1a one of these days….

    Reply
    1. Jim Grey Avatar
      Jim Grey

      I had a Ia — its viewfinder was simply too small. The IIa has a usable viewfinder and a rangefinder, and is therefore so much more pleasant to use.

      Reply

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