Camera Talk

Not bad at all! That last picture seems a good example of “not in my backyard”. You got an excellent bargain for $40 and some work. The lens is indeed great, and you got the mechanisms in shape. The Retina II is a pretty serious camera once you master its operation. Very convenient for travel photog...

That is a nice collection, not a problem!

Fully agree on Shanghai GP3, it is a disgrace of a film. Your results look very promising, discounting film troubles.

Never handled a Brownie Reflex, but it looks interesting. Does it use 620?

My two Retina II’s have never snapped out, either the first one that I used as a boy, or the one I have now. They just open a bit when the bottom button is pressed. I found no spring linked to any part of the bellows or the folding mechanism. On the other hand, every 6x6 folder that I can remember h...

This is my Retina II, a 014 if I am not mistaken. https://hosting.photobucket.com/186bdee3-b3ac-4c5b-a283-35846fbfd9f8/db60ee2b-6414-4cbd-b71a-82e3aa16034a.jpeg To open the front door, the button in the bottom of the body marked with an arrow is pressed. https://hosting.photobucket.com/186bdee3-b3ac...

Ah, well, sorry then! Will check this issue in mine.

Thanks P C! No big challenges with the reloadable Nikon cassettes, just that I am learning to use them. These are tailored to the Nikon F, and do not fit in other Nikon SLRs. So far: (1) I use a Lloyds bulk loader, and its crank does not fit these cassettes (crank slot is too narrow). I use instead ...

Glad to help! With door closed, the spring seems to make contact with the upper part of the roller with teeth that fit in the film perforations. Seems a good bet to check that spring. Let us know how it comes out! That Retina model is IMHO one of the best design compromises of size, performance and ...

I found my dear Retina II (dear, because an identical one was my first serious camera, shared with brother). Looks to me like a 014 model. Here is a picture of the back. I believe that the spring marked with a yellow circle is what makes the door snap open, once the latch is released. Is there a sim...

I assume that you already checked that the door is straight, level with body, etc. What exactly may be impeding the door when you open the latch? Was looking for my Retina II but it is in some box still unopened. IIRC the latch mechanism just moves a couple of little hooks up and down. Maybe those h...