Kodak Retinette 1b

I’ve done it again, although I’m not quite sure why! Yes, I’ve brought another Kodak Retinette, this time the 1b. It’s in nice condition, and the lens is good and clean, always an attraction, but with this one the bright line viewfinder is off – way off! It’s lop sided, which I made a pretty good job of guessing the vertical, what I didn’t realise is that the vertical is off too, so although level, I’ve got more floor and less sky than I thought. I’m beginning to wonder if I’ll ever come across a Retinette that actually works properly!

The 1b gives a range of shutter speeds from “B” to 500th, f stops from 2.8 – 22, a built in light meter, which runs from the selenium cell, it moves but I assumed it was off and used the sunny 16 rule. it’s a solidly built camera, and features the usual winder on the base, typical of the Retinettes.

I used up an old roll of Jessops “everyday” film, that was out of date, but not by as much as my usual fare – so this I rated at box speed of 200. If I’m honest I was expecting more from the Rodenstock lens. I have one of their enlarging lenses and it’s amazing, this is fair at best, so combined with the bright line finder fault, I don’t think I’ll bother to proceed any further.