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G'day All, my name is Chris Sherlock and I collect and repair Kodak Retina & Retinette cameras.

Chris at Okains Bay

Retina I type 143

As you may know, the Kodak Retina family of fine 35mm cameras began life in 1934 with the type 117 Retina camera, introduced with Kodak's new daylight loading cassettes of 35mm film.

The Retina cameras were manufactured at Kodak A.G. in what had previously been the Dr. August Nagel Camerawerk factory in Stuttgart. The business had been purchased by Kodak in 1931.

A large number of models of the Retina, and later, the Retinette cameras were made right up until 1969. One day I hope to have an example of them all, but my collection is work in progress at the moment, as it always will be I suspect.

I trained as a camera technician with Kodak in Wellington in the early seventies. Not surprisingly, I started collecting Kodak's Retina and Retinette cameras and lenses. Like many other collectors though, I find that it is hard to resist gathering up examples of other fine classic photographic equipment of the same period, and so my collection has grown. These days I live in Dunedin on New Zealand's South Island.

In recent years I have revived my skills to enable me to repair the cameras in my growing collection so that they are working as they should. Perhaps it was inevitable that I would also end up repairing these fine cameras for other collectors as well.

Retina Ib type 019
Retina IIIS type 027

I've usually got some Retina repair project here that I am working on for another Retina owner. These cameras come here from all over the world. It seems to be getting harder and harder for collectors to find a local camera repair business willing, and/or able to work on these older cameras. My repair service.

I'm always looking for suitable "parts or repair" cameras to join those sitting in boxes waiting for a transplant, or the chance to become an organ donor. If you have a dead Retina that might be suitable for me to use for parts, or if you'd like some advice with a repair project of your own, please email me. retinarepair@gmail.com

Retina Guide, Focal Press Retina Guide, Focal Press Retina Guide, Focal Press

I also collect camera manuals like "The Retina Way" by O.R. Croy, or "Retina Guide" by W.D. Emanuel which I've found a great source of information when trying to find out which variation of the camera model I have, or how exactly the various accessories were used.


The collection

Some of the Retina and Retinette cameras in my collection

The cameras in my "other" collection


My repair service

Details of my camera repair service.


The Retina and Retinette pages

An early roll of Kodachrome film.

A few of the many Kodak Retina lenses & accessories

Kodak Retina Stereo Attachment.

Kodak Retina "C" type lens mounts.

Pre WW2 Kodak Retina and Retinette serial numbers

Post WW2 model Retina serial numbers

Retina IIIc production changes

Some of the secrets to using a Retina

Kodak Retina II type 122, instructions for use.

A quick guide to using a Retinette II (Type 160)

How to change the speed film setting on the Retina Reflex S or IIIS

Kodak Retina II type 011 instruction manual

Kodak Retina IIc instruction manual

Kodak Retina Ia instruction manual

Kodak Retinette IIA instruction manual

Kodak Retina IIC manual (zip file)

Kodak Ground glass adapter instructions

Instructions for the Kodak Retina Close-up Rangefinder


Retina and Retinette repair information

Common Retina problems

Is it worth getting my camera repaired?

Finding the camera parts you need for your repairs

My repair service

How to adjust the rangefinder on a Retina IIa

How to strip and reassemble the focus mechanism on the Retina Ia and IIa

How to assemble the Retina Ia, IIa film advance lever and frame counter

How to reassemble Retina Ia, IIa film advance mechanism and cocking rack

How to replace the shutter cocking rack in a Retina IIc

How to replace a missing Retina rewind button

How to open the front group Retina IIIc Xenon f/2 lens

Some possible causes of shutter-cocking rack failure on the Retina IIIc and similar models

How to CLA the Prontor or Vero shutter of a Retinette 1A

Kodak Retinette 1A parts list

Kodak Retina IIc, IIIc and related models parts list

Beljan shutter wrench

What to do when D.I.Y goes wrong


My swap page, Retinas, Retinettes and other photographica for sale

Click here for the listing.


Cameras from other manufacturers

A brief history of the early Braun Paxette cameras

Honeywell Spotmatic II with mirror lock-up

110 film cartridge meter setting notch

Yashica Minister D instruction manual

Pentax 50mm f1.4 Super-Takumar dismantling instructions

Zeiss Ikon film? It's amazing what turns up


My favourite camera links

Links