On 2014-02-15 17:27:23 +0000, Scott Schuckert said:

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In article 2014021500570875641-adunc79617@mypacksnet, Michael
wrote:

I disagree with you about Kodak never making cameras that were any
good. In the days before the SLRs captured the attention and money of
every amateur photographer as well as the pros, Kodak made some decent
cameras under their Retina Brand. Most of the good ones were made in
Germany with decent lenses and shutters. They were rangefinder cameras
with (usually) non-interchangeable 50mm lenses, but they were optically
and mechanically good and took good pictures for their day. Their day
ended when every wannabee bought a Nikon F or a Nikkormat. On the
otherhand, all those "wannabees" learned what f stops were and how to
properly expose pictures and focus lenses, something today's DSLR
"wannabees" don't bother to learn because the automation makes it
unnecessary if all they want is an expensive and pompous point and
shoot. Sorry for rambling a little bit OT.
--
Michael

Indeed. While many of the Retina series were overly complex (they were
German, after all) and mechanically troublesome, you cant say they
didn't take a hell of a picture. Some of the best pictures I've ever
taken were with the utterly manual Retina IIa I used to carry
everywhere.

Granted, that was 40 years ago, and the camera wasn't new even then -
but Kodak had their glory says. At one ti haser every
single thing a serious
photographer could need, from film, through cameras, to darkroom and on
to mounting supplies.

Sitting on the desk next to me are a Kodak Retinette 1A that I bought
for $8 last year in an antique store- sadly inoperative and not worth
restoring, but it has a 45mm f/2.8 Schneider Kreutznach lens. And next
to it is a VERY functional Kodak Retina Automatic III. The automatic
part doesn't work but it's a good manual camera with a Retina-Xenar
f/2.8 45mm Schneider Kreutznach. It takes fine pictures, currently has
my very last roll of Ektachrome in it. I got it as part of a 4-camera
lot at auction a few months ago for $22.
--
Michael