Kodak Retina II - a Xenon in your pocket

Talk about rangefinder cameras, lenses and accessories.
Julio1fer
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Kodak Retina II - a Xenon in your pocket

Post by Julio1fer »

The first serious camera I could call mine was a Retina II. At the tender age of 9 or 10, my brother and I got a well-used one as a birthday present to be shared between the both of us.

At the time, nobody wanted a folder. Japanese RF were the rage, and large, rectangular cameras were the norm. The Retina was a different, quaint instrument. It was well suited to our small hands, and we soon noticed that it gave superb images if handled with care. We learned all the Retina quirks; the camera went with us in a few school trips and brought back a lot of nice memories, if not memorable pictures. At the time I was already developing B&W and doing wet prints, with Father's help.

Many years later another Retina II crossed my path and I could not resist trying it again. I love the concept of a Xenon in my pocket. The camera is eminently portable, but heavy metal by current standards.

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During the last few weeks I exercised the Retina II again. Besides the usual test ground (fishing harbor) it went to Colonia del Sacramento, where I had to travel for a meeting last week.

Enough talk, time for some pictures. First, a sneaky selfie in an old window in Colonia's old city.

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Overcast sunset in Colonia, the negative is really burned, and I cannot find a drop of flare.

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As Joyce Kilmer wrote about 103 years ago, trees are lovely.

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Usual subjects - a little boat had come in from the cold River Plate.

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Thanks for looking!

Film is still Pan F+, in Beutler. Getting used to the lower speed after many cans of FP4+.


scott
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Re: Kodak Retina II - a Xenon in your pocket

Post by scott »

Those are fantastic, and the Retina II is a fantastic piece of engineering. Glad you have it, and I always appreciate seeing your end of the world.


LarryD
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Re: Kodak Retina II - a Xenon in your pocket

Post by LarryD »

Those are wonderful.


If we all saw the world the same no one would need a camera.
Brazile
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Re: Kodak Retina II - a Xenon in your pocket

Post by Brazile »

Crisp and beautiful -- that old camera really shines in knowledgable hands.

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Re: Kodak Retina II - a Xenon in your pocket

Post by Santiago Montenegro »

Beautiful pics. That lens is a keeper!


Captain Slack
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Re: Kodak Retina II - a Xenon in your pocket

Post by Captain Slack »

Fantastic pics!

I used to have a Retina IIIs. It had one of the sharpest lenses I've ever shot with. Unfortunately, I had to sell it during one of my many recents periods of unemployment. ;(


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GrahamS
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Re: Kodak Retina II - a Xenon in your pocket

Post by GrahamS »

Lovely images as usual, Julio. It is quite obvious that the Retina appreciated being in good hands. I too have a Retina 1a and a Retinette and a Retinette IIa but I have always wanted a Retina II.


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jamesmck
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Re: Kodak Retina II - a Xenon in your pocket

Post by jamesmck »

Very nice! The trees shot is especially compelling.


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Re: Kodak Retina II - a Xenon in your pocket

Post by TobaccorRoad »

From my Kodak Retina IIb
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My two in one shot :oops:

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minoly
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Re: Kodak Retina II - a Xenon in your pocket

Post by minoly »

Very fine b&w photos! The last one has inherent interest and such a range of tones. I'm glad to see b&w from the Retina Xenon.


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