KODAK RETINA AUTOMATIC III

Name: Kodak Retina Automatic III
Brand: Kodak

The Kodak Retina Automatic III is a 35mm rangefinder camera. Kodak AG built it in Stuttgart, West Germany, from 1960 to 1963. It was the last of the Automatic Retina series. It has a coupled rangefinder, fully automatic exposure control and good German optics, all in a compact, precision-made body.

Overview

Kodak introduced the Retina Automatic III in 1960 as the final step in its line of automatic-exposure Retinas. It followed the Automatic I and II. Kodak made it at its Stuttgart facility for advanced amateurs who wanted ease of use without giving up image quality. A built-in selenium-cell meter handled exposure. You picked the shutter speed by hand, and the meter set the aperture from the scene brightness. This semi-automatic system fit the era's push to simplify photography for mainstream users while keeping professional-grade results.

The lens is a 50mm f/2.8 Kodak-Xenar, a licensed design based on the Carl Zeiss Tessar formula, which is known for sharpness and contrast. It sits in a Synchro-Compur leaf shutter. That shutter syncs flash at all speeds, which helps anyone shooting with external flash units. The viewfinder has a brightline frame and a superimposed micro-prism rangefinder patch for manual focusing, coupled to the lens. The camera also has a rapid-wind lever, automatic film counter advance and a self-timer. That made it one of the most feature-rich compact rangefinders of its time.

Kodak positioned the Automatic III as a premium compact, meant to compete with high-end European rangefinders from Leica and Zeiss Ikon. It offered automated exposure that many of those rivals lacked. It sat at the top of the Retina lineup. Later Kodak shifted toward simpler point-and-shoot models and eventually left the high-end camera market in the late 1960s.

Specifications

Specification	Value
Type	Rangefinder
Film Format	35mm
Years Produced	1960–1963
Lens Mount	Fixed Kodak-Xenar 50mm f/2.8 (non-interchangeable)
Shutter	Synchro-Compur MXV Leaf Shutter; speeds: 1–1/500 sec, B, X-sync
Metering	Selenium-cell exposure meter (no battery required)
Exposure Modes	Aperture-priority automatic (manual shutter speed selection)
Viewfinder	Combined optical viewfinder and brightline frame with superimposed micro-prism rangefinder patch
Dimensions	Approx. 140 × 80 × 50 mm; Weight: ~650 g (with lens)

Key Features

Fully automatic aperture control via selenium-cell meter, enabling consistent exposure with manual shutter speed selection.
Coupled rangefinder with micro-prism focus patch for precise manual focusing, integrated into the viewfinder.
High-quality 50mm f/2.8 Kodak-Xenar lens (4-element Tessar-type) with excellent sharpness and low aberration.
Synchro-Compur leaf shutter with speeds from 1 to 1/500 sec, flash sync at all speeds, and Bulb mode.
Rapid film advance lever and automatic film counter reset upon back opening.

Historical Context

The Retina Automatic III came out while camera makers were moving from fully manual operation to automated exposure. In the early 1960s, demand was growing for cameras that paired professional performance with user-friendly features, and Kodak answered by refining its Automatic Retina series. The Automatic III improved on its predecessors with a more refined metering system, better ergonomics and better build quality. Kodak marketed it as a “thinking photographer’s camera” - accessible to enthusiasts, but capable of results rivaling those of manual Leica models.

At the time, the Retina Automatic III competed with cameras like the Zeiss Ikon Contessa 35, the Konica IIIM and early Canon rangefinders. It lacked the prestige of Leica or Contax, but it offered better automation and a more compact form. Its selenium meter needed no battery, a real advantage when reliable portable power was limited. By 1963, though, SLRs with through-the-lens metering and interchangeable lenses began to overshadow rangefinders, even advanced ones like the Automatic III. Kodak discontinued the model after only three years. That ended the Automatic Retina line and marked a strategic retreat from the high-end camera market.

Collectibility & Value

Today the Kodak Retina Automatic III is a sought-after collector's item, prized for its design, German engineering and its place as one of the last high-end Retinas. Well-preserved examples in working condition typically sell for $400 - $700 USD. Mint-condition models or those with original accessories bring more. The all-metal construction and precision mechanics help it last, but aging selenium cells are a common problem. Many meters no longer work accurately or at all, though this does not affect mechanical operation.

Buyers of a Retina Automatic III should verify shutter operation at all speeds, check for smooth film advance and proper frame counting, and inspect the rangefinder alignment (commonly called “collimation”). Lens condition is critical, so look for haze, fungus and scratches. The selenium meter cannot be easily repaired, but the camera stays fully functional as a manual-exposure rangefinder with an external meter. Because of its complexity and age, full restoration calls for a specialist in vintage German cameras.

Similar Cameras

Konica IIIM (1958–1964) – Japanese rangefinder with coupled meter and 50mm f/1.9 lens.
Zeiss Ikon Contessa 35 (1957–1964) – German-built, fixed-lens rangefinder with automatic exposure.
Canon Canonet G-III QL17 (1972–1982) – Later Japanese rangefinder with full aperture-priority automation.
Yashica Electro 35 (1966–1970s) – Compact 35mm rangefinder with electronic shutter and aperture priority.
Retina Reflex IV (1964) – Kodak’s own SLR successor, marking the brand’s shift from rangefinders.

Repair & Maintenance

The Retina Automatic III needs no battery, since its selenium-cell meter makes power from ambient light. These cells degrade over time, often causing underexposure or complete meter failure, though the camera still works mechanically. Common mechanical problems include stiff or sticky shutter speeds, especially at 1/500 sec, and wear in the film advance mechanism. The Synchro-Compur shutter can be serviced by experienced technicians but needs specialized tools. Rangefinder misalignment is another frequent problem, from impact or age-related flexing of the chassis. Regular use, dry storage and periodic CLA (clean, lubricate, adjust) servicing by a qualified technician are recommended to keep it reliable. Parts are scarce, so keeping original components matters for value.