The Kodak Retina IIIC 35mm Film Camera

[@kurtkemp]

I just had Chris Sherlock completely go through my mother-in-laws IIIc with a stuck shutter. He does fantastic work, reasonable price, and the camera is back to like new again.

[@FilmCameraObsession]

The guy seems like a mechanical saint! And he shares all of his tricks!

[@dlyon9673]

Unfortunately, Chris retired this last January. But he does have a bunch of fascinating videos regarding repairing these cameras.

[@BPantherPink]

@@dlyon9673 It's a sin against humanity that he's retired...he really should make more of his par-excellence videos...been watchin' him back to back last three months. His voice is most somniferous too and listening to him, I don't need my sleep medications at all now !!!

[@christophmartin5381]

Your video makes me want to shoot again with my Retinette IIb . Btw. The Retina II or III was the camera that was taken for the Antarctica expedition which can be seen in the book " Hellbent for the pole".

[@ramarren]

Ah, these are beautiful cameras! My mom had a Retina IIIc when I was just starting in photography. When she'd loan it to me, it was a treat ... I liked it then much more than I did my father's Leica IIIf. All these years later, and I found a beautiful Retina IIc in nearly perfect cosmetic condition, with case, for $50. I just needs a good CLA and it will be perfect ... Even smells new! Nowadays, I prefer the II since it doesn't have a meter (I have plenty of meters, and estimate pretty well too). I've sent the IIc off for a full cleaning and service, can't wait for it to get back. :D

[@FilmCameraObsession]

Kinda funny, but I always feel like I have to whisper when I say I like my Retina more than my Leica.

[@normandong4479]

Love this video on Kodak Retina IIIC because there are real samples of the pictures it can produce. most other Kodak Retina videos give you a list of features but no samples of real photos. Samples of photos tell us more of what this camera can do vs a verbal description.

[@kolecounts4107]

I just got a Retina 3C and im super excited to start taking photos of them. Just waiting on the film lol so in the mean time, watching your videos to learn more about them

[@FilmCameraObsession]

I LOVE mine! You're going to have a blast.

[@paulkeller8967]

I had Chris Sherlock overhaul two Retina IIICs' in Aug 2018. Both are still buttery smooth and accurate. No problems at all. He adds a small sticker inside the film can receptacle of the body with a date confirming his work. I consider the stickers added value. I have owned Leica M2's, an M2-R, M7's and they are great cameras, but these Retinas are more pocketable and fun.

[@mnoliberal7335]

Here you go. Subscribed and now a comment. I am a collector-user and have several nice Retinas-I favor the smaller folding models. And the Automatics, they aren't that small but because they work well and are jewel-like.

[@sergeikorotkov]

I discovered this camera today. Just wow! Going to get one!

[@poniatowski3547]

These are great cameras. I have a IIIC and IIC both with the Rodenstock lens. I shoot them regularly. absolutely great pictures.

[@FilmCameraObsession]

Something dreamy about those lenses!

[@ralphbenitez4407]

I just bought one and found this video. Found it at a thrift shop. Thanks for the video.

[@FilmCameraObsession]

Great find! Really. Get it CLA’d and use it. Fantastic camera. My favorite 35mm of all time.

[@ralphbenitez4407]

@@FilmCameraObsession it’s a little c. $20! Got some film in it. Let’s see if it works.

[@randallstewart1224]

The whole Retina folder series of cameras are oddly attractive, probably because they are so well-built and fairly unique for the full set of features they incorporate. I guess that's why in the 1980-90s, I fell into collecting them. Also, at that time, they and their lenses and accessories were cheap as dirt and commonly available for the most part. Odd that he mentions trouble with the bottom wind mechanism. I own almost one sample of every model, and I've handled many dozens more. I've never noticed that problem. For optical quality, they were great for their time, the 1950-60s. They are okay today, if nothing special. The two front lens groups that convert to 35mm or 80mm - not so much. Not bad, but they are a compromise. They are also a pain in the ass to use, since they do not rangefinder couple. When using those add-ons, you go through a Kabuki dance of focusing as usual, then checking the focused distance on the lens barrel, then transferring that setting to a distance scale on the front component, thereby actually focusing the lens. Of course, while you are doing this, your subject has strolled slowly away. My favorite is my IIC, which is the IIIC he shows here without the commonly dying light meter. It's also the European version, which mounts Rodenstock lenses rather than Schneider lenses used for the US models. Note that if you use one of these with the accessory lenses, those accessory lenses must match the 50mm on the camera. If you have a Schneider 50mm, you need Schneider accessory lenses, and same for Rodenstock. You can mechanically cross fit the two brands, but optically, they do not match. My IIC is fairly rare as such, and more so for the Rodenstock lens set. It also uses a 50mm 2.8 version of the main lens, rather than the 50 2.0 used on the IIIC. There is a whole Retina mythology over whether the 2.8 lens is just the 2.0 with a limited aperture, or whether the 50mm 2.8 is some sort of super, uber-lens. My take is (1) no, not the same lens, and (2) the 2.8 may have 6 elements (odd for a 50mm 2.8), but it's not noticeably better than the 2.0, stop for stop.

[@variousvisfineart]

I liked this video. I bought a camera collection a few years ago that included several Retina cameras. I put film in a few and ran a test roll. They were sort of fun to mess around with. I still have a Retina IIIc that needs a lens and the wind lever is not working.

[@paulwhite4809]

Awesome video- love my iiic and iic

[@FilmCameraObsession]

Same here! It ends up in my pocket a lot! I just posted a video of me shooting it at a Lumineers concert. Snapshots came out great!

[@chronicallycarisa8972]

Hi!! I'm super excited I stumbled upon your video 😊. I've always been super interested in photography and now I'm wanting to delve into film photography. I don't know anything about film photography or cameras in general, but I'm a quick study! Also, bonus, I inherited my grandfather's Kodak Retina III!!! If you have any recommendations for courses I can take or videos to watch or anything info you can offer would be amazing! Also, no idea if the camera still works? Thank you in advance!!! 🙏🏻 📸

[@irvinwilson3245]

You might have just saved me some money. I have the IIIc and was under the impression that the viewfinder on the big C was also brighter. I guess I just assumed by looking at the front of it and seeing the bigger window. Not the case? My little c is basically perfect condition and is my travel camera. Focusing is just a tad difficult in low light.

[@552312]

Thanks for that nice review! I love my Retinas and you´re right that there isn´t much different between the IIIc and C but i really prefer the brighter viewfinder of the big C. Especially in darker light. Nevertheless both are awesome cameras with a wonderful design, robust workmanship and really good lenses.

[@maxholsbeke866]

great info thank you!

[@dennesruiz1981]

659th sub, I'm just getting into film, seems really interesting and would love to learn more

[@simplyelectronic4840]

I heard chris had retired and there isnt any real technicians left but he did leave video turorials for these

[@normandong4479]

Also own a rebuilt Kodak Retina IIIC. Have some challenges getting the lightmeter to read accurately. Seems very sensitive to light, causing me to adjust f and shutter too low for underexposure--even though the experienced seller on eBay says the cam was rebuilt & adjusted. Think I will use my Gossen handheld meter vs the built in meter. The lens on this Retina is incredibly sharp. What film do you use for your color & bw photos? It is an incredible camera.

[@animascinemaproductions]

Love it!

[@FilmCameraObsession]

So glad!

[@samramirez3415]

Hi!! I recently bought the Agfa 3s and I need help. The camera needs Isopan IF 17 but I can’t find it anywhere. Do you know of a substitute? I’m new to this too

[@FilmCameraObsession]

Wow. I'm not familiar with Agfa 3s. I'm sure they don't make Isopan anymore, but those stickers are just marketing. You can play with different ISO's. Try this link: www.photo.net/discuss/threads/agfa-isopan-if-17-agfacolor-120-modern-substitute.6394/

[@Saberatta]

very nice.... I am having same model.

[@normandong4479]

i own a rebuilt IIIC bought from a collector in Belgium. I notice in bright sunlight the meter is very sensitive and tells me to set the corresponding EV, which I do, and sometimes i will underexpose. have found that if i adjust camera by less one Exp Value, I generally get a more accurate exposure. have you had similar experience or any thoughts to share on the light meter? thanks 😊

[@metaljunky9910]

I just picked up a Retina III

[@FilmCameraObsession]

Shoot it! The best 35mm I own! Which lens?

[@mamiyapress]

I have one for years so I think it is time to start using it. I also have the 80mm and the 35mm but the rear lens on the 35mm is cracked, is there any way to have that repaired ?

[@randallstewart1224]

Not really. You'd have to catabolize another copy of the same to get the replacement element, and then you'd never know if there was some sort of element matching done for each lens at the factory. There are still many of the 35mm lens components available. Buying a nice replacement lens would be far cheaper and more reliable.

[@robertcalderon5960]

I just inherited a Retina IIIC, but I do not know anything about cameras. It looks great, how can I tell if it is in good working order?

[@FilmCameraObsession]

If it hasn't been used for a long time, it will need a cleaning, lubrication, adjustment (CLA). Chris Sherlock is the expert, but he's Australia. Still, I've heard he's worth every penny. You may find someone in the states to work on it. If it winds, that's a big deal as the racking system is the biggest problem on these. It may cost a couple hundred, but worth it! Fix it, shoot it, have fun!

[@randallstewart1224]

And now, mid-2023, Mr. Sherlock is retired. Most repair shops can CLA a Retina if it just needs cleaning or a rangefinder alignment. The Synchro-Compur shutters used in all but the earliest Retinas are so universal that any experienced repairman can repair them. The "racking problem" is the weak link in Retinas, but the problem was lack of parts. Now, at least one company sells new replacement parts for the "rack".

[@bugbiteaudio]

Great video! Please adjust your white balance, my good man... It's driving me nuts!!! 😂😂😂

[@willenay481]

I have one, I sell it

[@igortsap563]

just buy it for.20 usd

[@paulwhite4809]

Awesome video- love my iiic and iic

[@FilmCameraObsession]

I can't get away from this camera! Definitely my go to 35mm.