Kodak Retina Relex III

[gene m]

<a href="http://westfordcomp.com/classics/retinareflex/index.htm">A

found film story of sorts</a>

[silent1]

I see they still have Blister Rust in western MA. Out west, it's almost gone -- the white pines that aren't resistant are effectively extinct in Idaho and Montana, and the rust has to jump from gooseberry to pine and back on alternate generations, so it can't survive when the white pines it can live on are gone. Yep, they turn red, because they can no longer transport water and nutrients, because the blister rust has destroyed the innermost layer of bark that does that job.

 

Okay, my mother worked for the Forest Service for about 25 years, most of that in a station that worked on breeding rust-resistant white pines. I used to overhear this stuff on the drive home from work every day...

 

However, they're certainly spectacular when they go; much more so than the Western Larch preparing to drop its needles every autumn. Nice shot, and the others, too.

[gene m]

DONALD

 

Very informative. We have Tamaracks here in Western Mass. They turn bright yellow in the fall before losing their needles.

[silent1]

That's Western Larch, Gene -- "Tamarack" is a Scandinavian species that doesn't grow in North America (unless it's been imported), but the name gets applied to Western Larch because Scandinavian loggers saw the tree as similar to the one they knew in the old country. Western Larch is the only deciduous conifer (that is, the only needle tree that sheds it needles annually) in the Americas.

[jorn ake]

That's a nice tree photo, Gene. Worth the mosquitos.

[dean_williams]

You know, Gene, you have a knack for picking out apealing subjects, and it's giving away your secret hidden photographic talents. Thanks for these beautiful shots. I always appreciate a nice barn, and the red pine is lovely.

[gene m]

Hmm. Well damn, that's the second mistake I made in my life.

[gene m]

Thanks Dean.

[conrad_poulin]

I recognize the old state hospital. You might also like to go to the

one in Northampton (to photograph) before it is re developed.

Parts of that old state hospital are being torn down. Big place.

[gene m]

CONRAD

 

You mean <a href="http://westfordcomp.com/wasteplaces/august/hamphosp.html"> This place ?</a>

[conrad_poulin]

Thats it. I am heading their this weekend! I drive by it during work

hours all the time. As a side note do you know where the old Ice

house or mill is or whats left of it in Granby? I re-discovered it

this past sunday and am going back before it is all gone.

[gene m]

Is the mill you spoke of on Aldrich Ponds ?

[jonathan_stark]

Gene - you're lucky you found one that works. One of these days, when I stop being so mad I could spit, I'm gonna post my tale of woe and Retina Reflex frustration. These things are beguiling temptresses that lure many a would-be collector to the horror of realizing their new-found treasure is really just a paperweight!

[gene m]

Really ? Jeeze, even the slow speeds work on mine. I guess I'm lucky indeed.

[User_1172872]

That looks like a really clean example of a Retina Reflex. Many years ago, I purchased a Reflex IV for $20 from the local camera shop. It was clearly marked 'light meter inaccurate.' But the meter seemed to respond to light properly, so I took a chance. Many hours of frustration later, I realized the actual problem was the aperture stop-down mechanism. A previous owner had re-assembled the camera incorrectly apparetly in an attempt to 'solve' the problem. When I had everything put together as the factory intended (as far as I could tell) the meter was right on the money - but the aperture would not quite open all the way when you wound the shutter.

[mskovacs]

Nice shots as always.

 

I've had one of these Retina Reflexes in my hand a few times. My local camera shop had (and still has) a complete set with 3-4 lenses for $500 CND. I understand that its a big no-no to wind past frame 36 on these cameras.

[john falkenstine]

I have one of these, acquired it in my massive "junk box" buy of last year, so my investment in the camera so far is about $10.00! It looks like it has NEVER been used, and I didn't know it was part of the purchase because it was totally buried with other cameras in the dusty showcase of a used bike store. (Checking for wear on the internal film guides and the film cartridge bay shows no wear marks of any kind) Comparing the light meter readings to a functional camera shows it to be functional but the lens shutter is a bit sticky at lower speeds. This camera looks like it kept a machine shop busy for a long time and it heavy. Just a beautiful chunk, so if it doesn't work right, its decorative value is just as good.

[grahams]

Great pics as always, Gene. In 1964 I was a technical pro division rep (they called us TSR's) for Kodak, and I remember the Retina Reflex III well because I had to shoot the monthly D&P blind test check films. I would load up six Retinas with Kodacolor 24 exp film, and take them and my then fiance' to a scenic spot with a colourful golf umbrella and shoot off each camera on the same series of exposures, from 2 stops over to 1 stop under, on my gal and the umbrella (never with her under it because the skin tones would be affected.) The films would then be sent off to various labs,including our own, under the name John Retinar, and would be rated for quality on return.

 

Anyway, the thing I wanted to say after all that, was that, I came to detest the Retina Reflex because of it's weight, dim viewfinder screen and lousy ergonomics. The fact that my personal camera (frowned on by my management at the time but hey, what the ...) was a Canon Pellix, may have influenced my opinion of the Retina Reflex....

 

Now I finally appreciate the fine workmanship and engineering that made it what it is - a real classic. Still hanker after another Pellix..

[randyjay]

It's nice to see this camera and the shots it takes. I have a Kodak Retina Reflex S, and it's my favorite Classic Camera. I have two lenses for mine. One is a Schneider-Kreuznach 1:1.9/50mm Retina-Xenon Lens, and the other is a Schneider-Kreuznach Tele-Xenar f:4/135mm Telephoto Lens. It has a Compur Shutter that goes 1/500 and the smallest aperature is f-22. I posted some sunsets I took with it a while back, but my Webtv takes away the picture quality.<p>Randy Jay

[micah_henry]

Gene and friends:<br><br>I was considering selling my Retina Reflex IV cameras (one works fairly well, the other has had stuck shutter for about 5 years), but now I think I'll keep 'em after seeing your fine work.<br><br>I have an Instamatic Reflex which takes 126 film and you can use the lenses on it, too. I have the 28, 35, 45(126 kit lens), 50/2.8, 50/1.9, and 135mm lenses (I still lust after the 200mm for my set.)<br><br>After all, how could I part with the fine classic camera that captured this image:<br><br><img>http://d6d2h4gfvy8t8.cloudfront.net/3168437-md.jpg<br><br>--Micah in NC

[micah_henry]

Here's the picture:<br><br><img src="http://d6d2h4gfvy8t8.cloudfront.net/3168437-md.jpg">

[gene m]

Ha! Excellent photo of a happy dog.

[micah_henry]

Gene,

 

Thanks. May he rest in peace. Bear was a wonderful ol' dog.

 

--Micah in NC

[conrad_poulin]

Gene: The old ice mill in Granby I believe is on of Carver Street. I

will check the street this weekend. If you have a copy of the

Granby 1976 Bi-centenial book there is a photo of it in there

when it was a complete building. It is near the belchertown line I

think. If you left belchertown following Rockrimon road It should

be on the right. I will confirm.

[conrad_poulin]

Micah: Great pic of your dog. Last year our 15 year old Baset

Hound past away. Now I'm stuck with our goofy black lab to go

out on photo safari sunday with. She is not that interested in the

photo aspect of the trip, just the free dog treat the girl at dunken

donuts gives her.