Retina serial

You can see the aperture numbers in the picture below. This change was made between May and June By the time this change was made the camera had been in production for over a year, and there had been sufficient time for users to suggest the improvement.

Cameras with the aperture numbers below the shutter appear up to serial number Cameras with the aperture numbers above the shutter are found from serial number On early examples the sprung clip that holds the dials together at the set exposure value was weak and prone to fail to do it's job properly. This is particularly noticeable on cameras that have the slightest oil on the diaphragm blades rendering the aperture setting to be stiffer than optimal.

A more robust clip was fitted at the same time as the position of the aperture number changed from the bottom to the top of the shutter. The back door on the early Retina IIIc cameras were an alloy diecasting, but this was changed to a riveted two-piece pressed door at much the same time as the aperture numbers were changed.

The appearance remained very much the same. This change was made in late May or early June Cameras with the cast door are found up to serial number and cameras with the new pressed door are found from serial number The film release button lacks a guard on the earlier production, this was probably added after users reported too many missed exposures due to accidentally depressing the button.

This change came in March Cameras without the guard are found up to serial number and cameras with the guard are found from serial number Cameras with the ASA meter are found up to serial number The meter was changed in March to another two-range meter with a film speed setting running up to ASA The ASA meter has been found on cameras with serial numbers between and In June the maximum film speed setting changed again to ASA Don't look here for Retinette serial numbers, you won't find any!

Second Retina and Retinette camera identified serial number series Hi, Mike Firstly, are we talking about the pre or postwar Retina 11a here? It's quite easy to distinguish them, because the prewar model type has a knob film wind, whereas the postwar - 54 model type has lever wind.

Giving a year's lead time for Kodak Germany to fit the lens to the camera body, that would suggest a manufacturing date for yours. So far, so good! However, the copy of the Retina 11a owner's manual I have supports what some of the other guys have posted - namely that the camera's serial number should be engraved on the accessory shoe on the top cover, with an "EK" prefix indicating a camera imported into the US by Kodak Rochester NY. These variations on Retina model identification have been complex enough to inspire books and articles over the years, so it's not a simple matter.

One guy you could contact is David L. LOL, mate! Our Retina IIIc had the serial number by the accessory shoe; from to They when Kodak did a repair; they replace the top plate with the more modern IIIc plate.

Do not attempt to use the serial number list to 'identify' your camera, the serial number ranges often overlap. Search the internet Search this site. It's amazing what turns up Repair service About me Cameras etc.