Vintage (1958), In Good Condition,Fully Working

  German made specifically for British market

Kodak Retinette type 030/9

(British version of type 022)

This camera is quite rare version of Retinette produced in Germany specifically for

 British marked only between 1958-1959 and has a range indicated in feet. 

The SN is 337350.

The Retinettes owe their mechanical qualities to the fact that they use the same die-cast body unit and transport mechanism as their more expensive sister, the Retina series of cameras. The body has a hinged-on back, the lock of which is covered by a protecting safety latch to prevent accidental opening of the camera. The body itself is rigid and sturdy, the lens and shutter unit being mounted on the front panel.

The Retinette film track is specially designed to keep the film really flat without risk of scratching the emulsion. The film is wound on by a transport lever, which with one full swing advances the film to the next frame, and also moves the film counter and re-tensions the shutter. That system provides an efficient double exposure lock, which can, however, be circumvented by special deliberate procedures. The film lock, which arrests the film after each frame, can also be released for advancing the film without exposing it (e.g., when reloading a partly-used film).

This model Retinette has an optical direct vision finder, showing the image about three-quarters natural size. The finder is placed centrally above the lens, thus avoiding lateral parallax errors.

The camera is fitted with the Schneider Kreuznach Reomar f3.5 1:3.5/45mm Lens. It is a 3-element triplet with a focal length of 1 inch. (45 mm.), covering an angle of 51°. It has a front cell focusing mount which can be focused down to 3 ft. Definition and colour correction are very good. The optimum performance is reached at f6.3. A depth of field indicator is fitted.

The exposure system on the Retinette type 22 is based on the EV system, which was a popular option in the mid 1950s.

Side view showing flash sync and EV markings

It works on the premise that once you know the amount of light required for the film you are using, you can achieve it with several combinations of aperture and shutter speed. For example, if the correct exposure is 1/250 sec at f/8 you can also get the same exposure by setting the speed one stop down and the aperture one stop up, i.e. 1/500 sec at f/5.6.

This theory was used to calculate an EV or Exposure Value number, and the EV number was engraved on the camera shutter. A light meter was used to measure the light which was a simple number and the camera set to this number. Then the aperture and shutter were locked together and could be rotated by the photographer to get the artistic effect they were after; faster speed to freeze action, wider aperture to blur the background or smaller aperture to keep everything in focus.

It's a good system and continues to this day with Program Shift, which is the modern invocation of the theory.

In my opinion – just solid, simple German piece of photography history which still can provide lots of fun and good quality unique pictures. And being one of the few (only one year of production ) should have a potential of rising in value in the future.Camera 

Camera specification;

• 35mm viewfinder camera

• Compur rapid shutter

• Shutter speeds 1 sec to 1/500 sec + bulb

• Schneider - Kreuznach Reomar 45mm f/3.5 lens

• Aperture f/3.5 to f/16

• Film release button to allow mid-roll film changing

• Approx 10 sec Self timer

• Flash sync socket

• Cold accessory shoe

• Film Type reminder on rewind crank

• Bottom mounted film advance

• Auto frame counter

• EV exposure control

• Tripod mount

• Back door release on base of camera

• Manual focus with distance engraved in feet

• Body Ser No 337350