Kodak entered the world of 35mm cameras in 1934 by buying the Nagel factory and started producing 35mm cameras in Germany. The popular Leica and Contax cameras where already using 35mm film in a 24x36mm format, but the film had to be spooled by the user into special re-loadable cassettes. Kodak could have done the same but they produced a new design of cassette which was compatible with Leica and Contax but with the added advantage of being disposable. The simplicity and further standardization provided by this new film cassette were significant steps forward in 35mm photography.
Introduced : 1954.
Type: Folding 35mm camera. (engraving on the top plate Retina 1B
Lens: Schneider Kreuznach Retina Xenar 50mm F2.8
Filter size : slip-on Ø 32mm.
Aperture setting: Up to f/22 setting : coupled with speeds ring according to Exposure Value system.
EV3-18 ; manual possible with a lever and scale under the lens.
Focus range: 0.9m-20m+inf.
Focusing : manual helicoid focusing , guess the distance , by a thumb handle beneath the lens-shutter barrel, with distance and DOF scales.
Shutter: Synchro-Compur ; speeds 1-1/500sec +B setting: ring and scale on the lens shutter barrel., coupled with aperture according to exposure value system.
Shutter release: on top plate w/cable release socket.
Cocking lever: also winds the film , short stroke , on the bottom plate.
Frame counter: additive type , auto reset, window on the top plate.
Viewfinder: Reverse telescopic finder with parallax correction frame.
Re-wind release: a button adjacent to the wider.
Front-cover: opens by a small knob on it; closing : press the knobs on the struts, when focus on infinity.
Flash PC socket: on the lens shutter, setting for X and M with a green lever on the VXM dial.
Cold shoe : yes.
Memory dial: on the rewind knob.
Back cover: Hinged, opens by a lever and small knob beneath the tripod socket.
Tripod socket: ¼”
Strap lugs : 2x
Weight: 584 gram.