This is one of my all time favorite cameras. Approx. 136,000 were made between 1954 – 1957. Kodak acquired German manufacturer Nagel in order to produce a camera that could compete with Contax and Leica. A folding camera, it’s gorgeous to look at and small, light and easy to carry. While I found the portability appealing it was really the lens that impressed me. This particular camera has a fairly fast (f2.8) Schneider Retina-Xenon lens. It’s sharp and I like the way it renders: delicate, almost pastel colors. I’ve read that it also has interchangeable lenses (achieved by swapping out the front element).
For all that I love this camera it can also be annoying.
First it requires you to use the infamous exposure value (EV) system i.e. rather than setting shutter speed and aperture separately instead you set an exposure value. After that when you change the shutter speed the aperture will automatically change with it. Sounds as if it could be quite useful, but I find it inconvenient and limiting.
Second you can’t close the cover until you set focus to infinity.
Third. The frame counter counts down. When it reaches one, the camera no longer winds.
Fourth. The film advance lever is on the bottom of the camera. Not what I’m used to, but maybe I’ll get used to it.
These are all minor inconveniences that I’m willing to tolerate for the lovely results the camera produces.
My website – www.aheadworld.org
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Kodak Retina IIc - Type 020 (1954) - mike eckman dot com on 5 Frames with a Kodak Retina IIc – By Howard Dale
Comment posted: 05/04/2018
Mike Eckman on 5 Frames with a Kodak Retina IIc – By Howard Dale
Comment posted: 05/04/2018
Regarding your nitpicks of the camera, I agree 100%. Kodak's implementation of the EV system was poorly thought out. Many other companies had EV systems that worked much better so theres no reason they had to design it like this.
Comment posted: 05/04/2018
Terry B on 5 Frames with a Kodak Retina IIc – By Howard Dale
Comment posted: 05/04/2018
I added one to my collection last year as I was short on Nagel Kodaks, only having two very large early 20th century Kodak folders taking obsolete sized roll film. But I haven't shot any film with it. I was intrigued by its having an f2.8 Zenon lens as the Zenon name is normally associated the fastest lenses of f2 and f1.5, as you probably know already. This f2.8 is a five element lens, so on paper should be superior to the type Tessar and its derivatives. Your results published here show off its attributes well, despite resizing for the web.
I found that the lever wind is the smoothest of any camera I own; it really is a lesson on how to do it. Sounds like hand winding a fine watch. Whilst the EV shutters can be a bane on many cameras, the implementation on the IIc is different, well on my unit at least. Speeds are set as per usual on a rim set shutter, and the aperture is set using the lever underneath the lens, but the aperture and shutter are only EV linked if the aperture lever is pushed in and then the rim dial is moved, whilst keeping it held in. At other times, the tiny aperture lever is always held in a stand-off position by a spring so shutter speeds and aperture can be move independently. Have you checked this on your shutter?
The diamond shaped rangefinder spot is incredibly clear as it is the viewfinder itself which is tinted. It does have frame lines, but these are set close to the v/f edges, so is not always easy to see them all at the same time.
The one thing that did puzzle me was what you pointed out - the camera locks up after the last exposure an it did take me a while to figure this out. I've no idea when mine was manufactured; the serial number is 200894. How does this compare to yours?
Comment posted: 05/04/2018
Comment posted: 05/04/2018
Comment posted: 05/04/2018
Comment posted: 05/04/2018
Brian on 5 Frames with a Kodak Retina IIc – By Howard Dale
Comment posted: 05/04/2018
Comment posted: 05/04/2018
julianhiggs on 5 Frames with a Kodak Retina IIc – By Howard Dale
Comment posted: 06/04/2018
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Filmosaur on 5 Frames with a Kodak Retina IIc – By Howard Dale
Comment posted: 06/04/2018
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jeremy on 5 Frames with a Kodak Retina IIc – By Howard Dale
Comment posted: 07/04/2018
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Joey on 5 Frames with a Kodak Retina IIc – By Howard Dale
Comment posted: 09/04/2018
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Pete on 5 Frames with a Kodak Retina IIc – By Howard Dale
Comment posted: 26/04/2018
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Sion on 5 Frames with a Kodak Retina IIc – By Howard Dale
Comment posted: 12/08/2018
Comment posted: 12/08/2018
Brian Smith on 5 Frames with a Kodak Retina IIc – By Howard Dale
Comment posted: 27/11/2018
I've been trying to contact you through your website (aheadworld.org), but have been unsuccessful so far. I would love to talk with you about reprinting one of your images for one-time, limited/nonprofit use. Thanks in advance!
Martin Bishop on 5 Frames with a Kodak Retina IIc – By Howard Dale
Comment posted: 12/12/2018
Just caught up with your review of the Retina IIc. I have a IIC and agree with your points. This retina is a great camera and beautifully engineered, and I think Nagel can be forgiven its quirky characteristics.
The only serious gripe I have with the Retina is holding it. I've never found a way of holding the camera that gives me confidence with my grip. There are instructions in the "The Retina Way" for holding the camera, but I've found them of little help.
Has anyone suggestions for handling these cameras.
Comment posted: 12/12/2018
Robert on 5 Frames with a Kodak Retina IIc – By Howard Dale
Comment posted: 15/04/2019
Comment posted: 15/04/2019
Chistopher Von Trapp on 5 Frames with a Kodak Retina IIc – By Howard Dale
Comment posted: 27/02/2020
Comment posted: 27/02/2020
Comment posted: 27/02/2020