Kodak Retina Reflex
In 1957 Kodak AG of Stuttgart, West Germany, introduced the Retina Reflex. The Retinal Reflex was an interchangeable lens SRL system. The Reflex lens mount continued for several additional models after the Reflex. At introduction there were two lens options. This one has the Schneider Xenon C 50mm f2.0.
The big selling features of the Retinal Reflex was that it gave you multiple lens options and as an SLR you saw the same image as the camera would record. The Retina was well made and innovative for the time. But it is also mechanically complex. Based on the Retina IIIc a folding camera also from Kodak. The Reflex eliminated the complexity of a folding camera.
My Take:
The Retinal Reflex is an SLR and shoots like an SLR. The operation feels a bit more complicated than most SLRs. One of the unique features is the film advance on the base.
In the hand the Reflex feels very well made but heavy. It just feels like a bit of German quality. I have read that the complexity makes for a long lasting camera but if you do have issues it may be hard to find someone to fix it for you. The good news is the Reflex in much less complex than the folding Retina II that came before it.
Lens: Schneider-Kreuznach Retina-Xenon C 50mm f2.0
Film: Kodak Pro 100
