Retina was the brand-name of a long-running series of German-built Kodak 35mm cameras, produced from 1934 until 1969. Kodak Retina cameras were manufactured in Stuttgart-Wangen by the Kodak AG Dr. Nagel Werk which Kodak had acquired in December 1931.

The Retina line included a variety of folding and non-folding models, including the Retina Reflex single lens reflex camera. Retina cameras were noted for their compact size, high quality, and low cost compared to competitors. These cameras retain a strong following today, of both photographers and collectors.

Kodak AG also offered a companion line of less-expensive Retinette cameras, with similar looks and function.

Kodak Retina 1 (type 010), Germany 1946-1949. nr 213266

Retina I - type 010  S/N 213266. That is a late production Type 010 Retina I camera made for the German-market. Manufactured from 1945 to 1949. Like many of the previous Retina I models it has screws filling the holes where an accessory shoe had been fitted on some earlier models.
This model was supplied with either Schneider Xenar (coated or uncoated), Anastigmat Ektar, Kodak-Anastigmat, Kodak Ektar or Rodenstock Ysar lenses in Compur or Compur-Rapid shutters.

Kodak Retina 1 (type 148), Germany 1939-1941   nr 295980K.

Retina I- type 148  S/N 295980K. is an early production version from the second known serial number series. The lens was engraved at Schneider on 31 January 1939, so added 3+ months for an approximate date of camera production. Based on it's attributes of metric focusing and German-language Depth of Field (DOF) scale, it was probably manufactured for the domestic German market or for the East European export market.

Kodak Retina 1b (type 018 ) ,Germany 1954-1957 nr 56114

Kodak Retina Ib [018]

Winding lever at the bottom. Rounded sides as opposed to earlier bevelled corners. Strap mounts on the top housing. Bellow covered by two metal shields. Larger viewer window, embedded in the top cover. Self-timer marked V per German convention added to X/M. Filter diameter changed to 27mm from 32mm.  Speeds: B, 1-500. Common lens: Xenar,  2.8/50. Shoe: Cold.

Manufactured from 1954 to 1957. This viewfinder camera was Kodak's 'economy' alternative to the Retina IIc and IIIc rangefinder models.
Unlike the six-glass xenon lenses used in the IIc and IIIc, the Retina Ib was fitted with a 4-glass Schneider Xenar, a non-interchangeable 50mm f/2.8 lens.
Although the Retina Ib uses the same sort of shutter as the Retina IIc and IIIc, and the front lens component can be removed with only a little difficulty, you cannot use the wide-angle or telephoto lens front components intended for the IIc and IIIc.
There is nothing wrong with the Xenar lens though, this camera will return nice sharp pictures.

Kodak Retina 1BS (type 040) ,Germany 1962-1963   nr 60643

The Kodak Retina I BS is a 35mm camera with a 45mm Fast Schneider-Kreuznach RETINA-Xenar F/2.8 (color corrected, four component) lens. Exposure settings indicator in the large-size frame finder. The exposure meter incorporates safety devices to avoid incorrect exposure. Focusing by light signals in the viewfinder for near, medium and far zones. Click-stop setting on the distance scale. Depth-of-field settings. Shutter is Compur-Spezial 1 sec to 1/500 sec., X sync, delayed-action release. Rapid-winding and double-exposure lock

Kodak Retina  1F (type 046), Germany 1963-1964.  nr 64679

The Kodak Retina IF (type 046) is a 35mm viewfinder camera, made by Kodak AG from 1963 to 1964. It has a Schneider Xenar 45mm f/2.8 lens and a Prontor 500 LK shutter (1/500 to 1/15 and B), with a coupled match-needle selenium lightmeter that can be seen in the viewfinder to indicate proper exposure. Focusing scale has pictograms (close-medium-far) besides distance for snapshots at f/5.6 or smaller, and there is a click-indicator in the focusing for such pictograms. It has an AG-1 flashbulb slot on the top with a folding reflector and a small plastic enclosure and needs a PX625 (PEX-13) battery or equivalent, in addition to a PC socket and cold shoe.

About 37,000 pieces were made.

Kodak Retina 2a (type 016) ,Germany 1951-1954.    nr 781204 

nr 781204 Manufactured from 1951 to 1954. This compact and robust folding 35mm rangefinder camera has a Rodenstock Heligon lens.The Retina IIa camera wasthe first of the Retina line to automatically cock the shutter when the film was advanced, all the previous models required you to cock the shutter manually for each exposure.
They were also the first successful lever-advance models, the much earlier type 122 Retina II also had a lever to advance the film, but the mechanism was apparently prone to problems and the next Retinas featured knob-advance again.
This is a popular model with both collectors and users. Many photographers much prefer the conventional position of the film advance lever at top right-hand side, over the bottom-mounted lever on later Retina models.
The earliest examples of this model were fitted with a flash synched Compur-Rapid shutter, but most of the production is fitted with a Synchro-Compur shutter.

Kodak Retina 2C (type 020)  ,Germany  1954-1957.    nr 609543

The Retina IIc is a 35mm rangefinder camera made in Stuttgart, Germany by Kodak AG between the years 1954 - 1957.^[Approximately 136,000 were made.

It has a coated six-element 50mm f/2.8 Schneider-Kreuznach Retina-Xenon or Rodenstock Retina-Heligon lens, stopping down to f/22. The shutter is a Synchro-Compur with speeds of 1 - 1/500 second, plus 'B'. The shutter has the Exposure Value system whereby the aperture and shutter speed controls are linked. The range is from EV 3 to 18. There is a self-timer with a delay of approx 10 seconds (selected with the 'V' setting).

The front part of the lens has a bayonet and can be interchanged for a 35mm f/5.6 Curtar Wide-angle or a 80mm f/4 Longar Telephoto lens.

Kodak Retina II S  (type 024), Germany 1959-1960. nr 58231

Kodak Retina IIS Manufactured in 1959 and 1960, this uncommon model was the little brother to the Retina IIIS.The camera looks very much like the Retina IIIS, and shares the same coupled exposure meter, but is slightly smaller as it is built on the same basic chassis as the Retinettes, and the Retina IIS lacks the interchangable lens facility.The camera was fitted with a Retina-Xenar 45mm f/2.8 lens in a Synchro-Compur shutterThis is a nice Retina to use, the viewfinder is bright and clear, and the camera handles well, but they are hard to find, and possibly even more difficult to repair than the Retina IIIS, though that might be just because I don't get as much practice.As with the Retina IIIS, a problem you sometimes see with this model is that the string connecting the shutter controls with the meter movement on the top of the camera body breaks, and this will then often tangle and jam the mechanism. The whole front has to come off the body for access for this, or to do a CLA on the shutter for that matter, not a job for the faint-hearted certainly, but a little easier than working on the Reflex models. number made about 19,400

Kodak Retina III S  (type 027), Germany 1958-1961. nr 74666

Manufactured from 1958 to 1961 this model was the first rigid front Retina, and the body casting is slightly longer than the IIIC. The IIIS used the same series of interchangeable lenses as the Retina Reflex S, III, or IV. It has multiple frames visible in the viewfinder which are automatically selected by inserting the lens, and it has a coupled single range meter. Available with either Schneider or Rodenstock f/2.8 or f/1.9 standard lenses. Shutter is a Synchro Compur. This one is fitted with the Schneider Kreuzmach f/2.8 - 50 mm lens.

Kodak Retina 3c (type 021), Germany 1954-1957. nr 278551

The Retina IIIc (small c) is the earlier model, this was made from 1954 through to 1957. The Retina IIIC (big C) is the updated model and was made from 1957 through to 1960. Collectors tend to fixate on the IIIC since it was the last of the Retina folders.
So first the similarities, the IIIC has the same basic body as the IIIc, and the film advance mechanism, the lens, and the shutter are the same.
The main difference between the cameras is the design of the top cover, and the parts it contains.
The IIIc viewfinder has frame lines for only the standard lens, while the IIIC has a different viewfinder system, with frame lines visible for the 35mm, 50mm, and 80mm lenses.
From the outside, the visible difference with the top covers is that the IIIC has two equal-sized large windows at the front, where the IIIc has one small and one large window instead.
The other main difference between the more common IIIc examples and the IIIC is the exposure meter. The vast majority of IIIc cameras have a dual-range exposure meter which has a metal flap with a small hole in the centre covering the selenium cell. All of the IIIC cameras have a single-range exposure meter which lacks a flap and which has a black plastic frame surrounding the selenium cell. numbers made: 209,765

Kodak Retina automatic 1 (type 038), Germany 1960-1962.  nr 80574

This model was manufactured from 1960 to 1962
The camera was fitted with a 45mm f/2.8 Retina-Reomar lens in a Prontormat-S shutter. This camera has a coupled selenium exposure meter, but no rangefinder, though three dots are visible in the finder for use in zone-focusing. numbers made: about 61000+

Kodak Retina automatic III (type 039), Germany 1961-1963.  nr 52126

The camera was fitted with a 45mm f/2.8 Retina-Xenar lens in a Compur-Automat shutter, just like the Automatic II, a step-up from the lens /shutter combination fitted on the Automatic I.

This camera has a coupled selenium exposure meter, and a rangefinder.

Kodak Retina S1, ( type 060) Germany 1966-1969   nr 060629

This model was manufactured from 1966 to 1969. This plastic-bodied monstrosity bears no resemblance to the earlier Retinas. The camera was fitted with a 45mm f/2.8 Reomar lens in a Kodak shutter, and can use flash cubes or electronic flash. The camera has neither exposure meter nor rangefinder.

Kodak Retina S2, ( type 061) Germany 1966-1969

Kodak Retina S2 (061) 1966-1969
The needle of the coupled exposure meter is visible in the brightline viewfinder. One is able to use the then-popular flashcubes as well as the hot-shoe, though as the meter has a selenium cell, the PX23 battery is only necessary to fire the flashcube. This, with the more basic Retina S1, were the last cameras to bear the Retina name.

Kodak Retina Reflex, (type 025), Germany 1957-1959  nr 97241

The Kodak Type 025 Retina Reflex is an SLR camera – with so-called convertible lenses (German: Wechselobjektiv), interchangeable lens components – made by Kodak AG Stuttgart, Germany. It was made between Spring 1957 and October 1958. Like many 35 mm SLR cameras of West German heritage it works with a leaf shutter instead of a focal plane shutter. It was named Type 025 Retina Reflex since it inherited several features from the Retina rangefinder cameras, like the Retina IIIc: The film advance and exposure counting system, the film channel, the selenium meter, and the focusing mechanics of the lenses. Even the Synchro-Compur shutter is very similar to the earlier designs. numbers made: 65,000

Kodak Retina Reflex III (type 041), Germany 1960-1964. nr 113618

A later variant is the Type 041 Retina Reflex III. It was made from 1960 to 1964.  Its match-needle meter instrument scale is visible in the viewfinder as well as on the top plate. The camera was originally equipped with the same coupled selenium meter as the Reflex S, but after 1962 a larger one was fitted, again made by Gossen. The Reflex III features the same "setting wheel" and interlocking aperture/shutter rings as the Reflex S. As it was fashion in the early 1960s the shutter release button on top was replaced by a shutter release shifter beside the lens mount. The film advance release button was eliminated, that function being incorporated in the frame reset slider, which was moved to the bottom plate along with the (still) manually reset frame counter. The ASA setting button was moved from the ASA dial to the spot vacated by the release button. numbers made: 116,000

Kodak Retina Reflex IV, (type 051), Germany 1964-1967  nr: 51927

The Type 051 Retina Reflex IV was made from 1964 to 1967. It has a characteristic little window in the front of its pentaprism housing, which displays the aperture in use in the viewfinder. The accessory shoe now had flash contacts. The frame counter now automatically resets to 36 when the back is opened; the frame advance slider is used to set the counter for shorter rolls. The split-image rangefinder on the ground glass is now at a 45 degree angle.

The Retina Reflex IV originally sold for $277 USD. Over 524,000 were made.

Kodak Retinette 

is the name of a classic series of cameras manufactured by the Eastman Kodak company. They were introduced in 1939 as a less expensive alternative to the Kodak Retina series. The first models were of the folding type using bellows and their lenses had three elements as compared to the four element Tessar lenses of the Retina series. The first non-folding (rigid) variant was introduced in 1954 with the model 022. They most often featured Schneider Kreuznach Reomar lenses but, sometimes, Rodenstock Reomar lenses were installed.The Rodenstock lenses were based on the original Schneider Kreuznach triplet (three optical element) design. Kodak Anastigmat Angénieux lenses were also used especially for the French market. Common shutters included Compur–Rapid as well as various Pronto,Vero and Kodak models.

Kodak Retinette type 022, Germany 1954-1958 (nr 900224)

The Kodak Retinette (type 022) was built from 1954 to 1958 and cost 118, - Mark, which was quite cheap for the offered quality. This Type 022 Retinette with serial number 900224 was made in the Summer of 1957. This one is for a German-speaking market.The contemporary catalogue text tells us everything else that can be said about it: "The Schneider "Reomar" lens was calculated 1:3.5 especially for the Retinette. The Compur Rapid shutter with adjustment options from 1 to 1/500 sec makes it possible to capture the fastest movements in the picture. It is synchronized for the use of flash units. Particularly advantageous for you is also the built-in self-timer. The handy quick-shift lever attached to the camera floor ensures that the Retinette lives up to its purpose as a quick-shot camera. By means of a lever swing, film transport, shutter lift and further connection of the automatic image counter are effected with it. Double exposures are prevented by a lock. The clear arrangement of the scales for aperture, exposure and distance also contributes to fast shooting readiness. The technical equipment also includes: depth of field scale, slip-on shoe for additional devices, housing trigger with connection for wire release, film marking disc on the rewind button and the bright telescope viewfinder."

Kodak Retinette 1A type: 042, Pronto 1960-1963. nr EK 813246

Kodak Retinette 1A, type 042,  Manufactured from 1960 to 1963. Similar to the earlier IA type 035 but this model was fitted with a the shorter focal length Reomar 45mm f/2.8 lens in a Pronto shutter.

Type 042 Retinette IA manufactured in 1962 by Kodak AG and specifically made for export to Eastman Kodak (EK prefix on serial number) Company for sale in the USA.

Kodak Retinette 1B, Type: 037, 1959-1963. ( nr 74895)

The name Retinette IB is used for two rigid-bodied, 35mm viewfinder cameras in the series of Retinettes made by Kodak AG in Germany.  Type 037 Retinette IB S/N 74895 was manufactured in 1960 for a European or Free World market. The Type 037 camera was made between October 1959 and February 1963. It has a built-in coupled selenium meter made by Gossen; the meter readout is visible in the bright-line viewfinder, and is used by centering the meter needle. The lens is a Rodenstock Reomar 45mm f/2.8 in a Pronto-LK shutter, with speeds from 1/15 to 1/500 second, plus Bulb. The film is advanced with a lever, unusually mounted underneath the camera. This is made from plastic (and it is common to find Retinette IBs with a broken lever). The known serial number range of the camera is from 50981 to 274266: thus if the series was continuous, a minimum of 224,266 type 037 cameras were made. The name letters are different from a later one

Kodak Retinette 1B, Type: 045, 1963-1966. ( nr 409963)

Kodak Retinette IB (type 045)
Manufactured from 1963 to 1966. Similar to the earlier Retinette 1B type 037, this model is fitted with a Reomar 45mm f/2.8 lens in a Prontor 500 LK shutter. It has a built-in coupled selenium meter with needle visible in the viewfinder. The name letters are different than the early ones.

Kodak Retinette IIB, Type: 031  , 1958-1959 (72543)