Re: Retina (was Re: Semi OT-Street Photography survey)

[Joe Wilensky]

I've had quite a few Retinas over time, from the scale-focusing early 
models to a Ib, a IIc, and currently a IIa. I like the IIa the best 
because of the wonderful f/2 lens and the "traditional" Retina 
styling -- from the IIc onward (IIIc and then the "big c" models, IIC 
and IIIC), the wind levers were on the bottom of the camera and the 
bodies were a bit larger and bulkier.

I even had the telephoto lens and auxillary finder for the IIc, but 
the Retina is such a cumbersome and unfriendly camera that way that 
it loses all its benefits (small size, unobtrusive, quick focus). A 
Retina is best, IMO, when it can be folded up when needed and put in 
a pocket but also ready for action. The shutters are whisper quiet, 
and it's the smallest camera I've ever owned with a lens that fast.

The viewfinders are small and squinty, and this is where the Canonet 
and similar '70s rangefinders have an advantage (although most newer 
cameras have the advantage of built-in lightmeters). But the Retinas 
flash synch up to 1/300 or 1/500, (I can't remember their top speed 
now) and can operate in quick point-and-shoot mode. There is even a 
frame-type sportsfinder available for them (with parallax 
adjustment!).

One of the first times I used my Retina IIa was on a day trip to 
Manhattan with a trip to see "The Producers" on Broadway that night. 
A few nice shots, and I could shoot easily at about 1/60 to 1/125 at 
f/2.8 in Times Square at night on 400 speed film. When not in use, it 
slipped easily into my jacket pocket.

For a nice writeup of the Retina IIa, see Stephen Gandy's page at:
http://www.cameraquest.com/retIIa.htm
Joe


Collin Brendemuehl wrote:

I've had/seen several Retina bodies (IIIc) but have never
 had a IIa or IIc.  How do they differ from the IIIc?

Cord has some nice old Schneider Retina lenses if anyone
 > is interested.  And they include the original plastic cases!

These are probably for use with the Retina IIIs or Retina Reflex.
Beautiful lenses they are...
BTW, who's "Cord?" That name doesn't ring a bell...
No mention yet of the (ever-so-popular) Canon G-III QL17
rangefinder.  While I don't do street shooting, it would
 seem good for that function.  Quiet and compact.
CRB
The similarity is great, actually.

The IIa had a 50mm f/2.0 Retina-Xenon lens.
The IIc had a 50mm Xenon-C or Heligon-C with a replaceable
        front element, to make it an 80mm f/4.0 or 35mm
        f/5.6 W.A. lens, and an LVS scale added.
The IIIc had a built-in light meter, same lens as above.
        I think this one was slightly larger body, but I'd
        have to confirm that with my Retina book. (Or, lazy
        me, I'd only have to take both out to measure them!)
The IIIC was a IIIc with viewfinder enlarged to accept bright
        frame lines for standard, wide-angle and telephoto lenses.
keith whaley