KODAK RETINA II
The Kodak Retina II is a 35mm folding rangefinder camera made by Kodak AG in Stuttgart, Germany, from 1949 to 1956. It was a postwar German camera under American ownership, with precision optics, solid construction and a compact body.
Overview
Kodak introduced it in 1949 as the successor to the Retina I (Type 117) and Retina II (Type 015). The Retina II (Type 017) belonged to the second-generation Retina series, which had an integrated rangefinder and improved mechanics. It was built at the Nagel factory in Stuttgart, later fully absorbed into Kodak AG. Kodak positioned it as a premium compact for serious amateur and professional photographers who wanted high image quality in a small package. It used the standard 135 film format and had a fixed, high-speed Schneider-Kreuznach Xenon 50mm f/2 lens. Many of its contemporaries used slower standard lenses.
The folding design let the lens and shutter assembly collapse into the body, which cut the profile down a lot when the camera wasn't in use. That made it very portable for its era, and the image quality was on par with larger, more rigid-bodied rangefinders. The viewfinder and rangefinder shared a single bright-line window, which helped usability and compositional accuracy. Unlike earlier models, the Type 017 had a synchronized flash terminal (X-sync at 1/30 sec), for the growing demand for flash photography in low light and indoors.
Within Kodak's lineup, the Retina II (Type 017) was succeeded by the Retina III (Type 018), which added a built-in light meter. The Retina I (Type 117) was the base model without a rangefinder. Kodak blended German optics with American mass-market distribution, which put good photography within reach of more people. Production ran seven years, with incremental improvements along the way, including refinements to the film transport mechanism and shutter reliability.
Specifications
| Specification | Value |
| Type | Folding Rangefinder |
| Film Format | 35mm (135 cartridge) |
| Years Produced | 1949–1956 |
| Lens Mount | Fixed lens (non-interchangeable) |
| Lens | Schneider-Kreuznach Xenon 50mm f/2, 7 elements in 4 groups |
| Aperture Range | f/2 to f/16 (click-stopped) |
| Shutter | Compur-Rapid shutter, speeds 1 sec to 1/300 + B |
| Shutter Sync | X-sync only (at 1/30 sec) |
| Metering | None (unmetered) |
| Exposure Modes | Manual only |
| Viewfinder | Combined optical viewfinder and coincident-image rangefinder with parallax correction |
| Focusing | Coupled rangefinder, via front lens cell rotation |
| Film Advance | Top-mounted knob with automatic frame counter reset |
| Frame Count | 36 exposures (standard), 12 or 20 via insert spools |
| Dimensions | 105 × 65 × 40 mm (folded); 105 × 65 × 75 mm (unfolded) |
| Weight | Approx. 520 g (with lens extended) |
Key Features
- Schneider-Kreuznach Xenon 50mm f/2 lens: A fast, high-performance lens renowned for sharpness, contrast, and low aberration, especially for its era.
- Integrated coincident-image rangefinder: Provides accurate focusing with a bright, easy-to-read patch visible in the combined viewfinder.
- Compact folding design: Lens and shutter retract into the body, making the camera highly portable when stowed.
- Flash synchronization: Equipped with both X and M sync terminals, allowing use with electronic flash and flashbulbs.
- Precision Compur-Meter shutter: Offers reliable shutter speeds from 1 second to 1/300 second, with a reputation for long-term durability.
Historical Context
The Retina II (Type 017) arrived as 35mm film moved from novelty to the dominant consumer format. Kodak AG had acquired the Nagel Werkstätten in 1931 and integrated it into Kodak's German operations, later consolidated under Kodak AG in Stuttgart. It used that German optical expertise to compete with Leica and Contax in the premium compact camera market. The Retina II was meant to offer near-professional performance at a more accessible price, aimed at educated amateurs and photojournalists who valued discretion and image quality.
Its main competitors were the Leica IIIc, Zeiss Ikon Contax II, and later the Canon VT and early Nikon rangefinders. It lacked the interchangeable lens system of the Leica, but made up for it with better ergonomics, quieter operation and a more compact folded profile. Reception was favorable in Europe and North America, helped by Kodak's dealer network and film ecosystem. Its build quality and optical performance earned a loyal following, and contemporary reviews often praised its reliability and ease of use.
Collectibility & Value
Today the Kodak Retina II (Type 017) is a sought-after collectible, especially among people interested in postwar German engineering and compact rangefinders. Well-maintained working examples typically sell for $300 - $500 USD. Cameras with original cases, manuals and unscratched lenses fetch more. Rarity is moderate. It isn't exceptionally scarce, but working units with clean viewfinders and smooth shutters are getting harder to find because of age-related deterioration.
Before buying a Retina II, check these parts: the rangefinder alignment (commonly off from impact or wear), shutter function at all speeds (especially 1/300 and 1 sec), and the lens (fungal growth, haze, or separation in the Xenon elements). The leather bellows are prone to cracking, and the viewfinder prism may show silvering degradation. The film advance mechanism can also bind if it hasn't been serviced regularly. Specialists who know vintage Compur shutters and folding camera mechanics can still repair the Retina II.
Similar Cameras
- Leica IIIc – Interchangeable-lens rangefinder with M39 mount; benchmark for 35mm quality.
- Zeiss Ikon Contax II – Precision-engineered rangefinder with long stroke focus and coupled metering in later variants.
- Canon VT – Japanese rangefinder with bright viewfinder and interchangeable lenses.
- Nikon I – Early Nikon rangefinder, precursor to the Nikon F SLR system.
- Yashica Electro 35 – Later Japanese compact 35mm rangefinder, though electronically controlled.
Repair & Maintenance
The Kodak Retina II needs no battery because it is fully mechanical. Shutter operation and film advance are manual, so it stores well long-term if properly maintained. The most common problems are stiff or inconsistent shutter speeds (often dried lubricants in the Compur shutter), misaligned rangefinders and degraded light seals. A CLA (clean, lubricate, adjust) by a technician experienced with vintage leaf shutters is recommended every 10-15 years. Replacement light seals and lubrication of the focusing rail can extend usability. The folding mechanism and rangefinder coupling are complex, so amateur disassembly is discouraged. Spare parts are limited but occasionally available through specialized vintage camera suppliers or donor bodies.
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