Kodak Retina Automatic I Analogue camera





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Kodak Retina Automatic I 35 mm camera, tested and working, in very good condition.
Description from the seller
Kodak Retina Automatic I - Precision German Engineering meets Automation
Step into the early 1960s with the Kodak Retina Automatic I, a testament to the transition from manual mastery to user-friendly automation. Manufactured by Kodak AG in Stuttgart, Germany, between 1960 and 1963, this camera was part of the prestigious Retina line. It combined the legendary German build quality with a "modern" (for the time) Gossen selenium light meter system, allowing for automatic aperture control—a luxury feature that made high-quality 35mm photography accessible to a wider audience.
Key Benefits
Automatic Exposure: Features a coupled Gossen selenium meter that provides automatic aperture setting, ensuring well-exposed shots with minimal manual adjustment.
Schneider-Kreuznach Optics: Equipped with the Retina-Reomar 45mm lens, renowned for its clarity and classic color rendering.
Robust Stuttgart Build: Unlike many contemporary consumer cameras, the Retina Automatic I features a solid all-metal body and high-quality chrome finish.
Features
Camera Type: 35mm Viewfinder Camera
Lens: Schneider-Kreuznach Retina-Reomar 45mm f/2.8
Shutter: Prontormat-AS (Specific version as engraved on the lens barrel)
Shutter Speeds: Automatically selected or manual "B" (Bulb) setting
Light Meter: Built-in Gossen Selenium cell meter
Viewfinder: Large, bright-frame finder with parallax marks and exposure warning signals
Film Advance: Bottom-mounted rapid-wind lever (a signature Retina feature)
Condition
Rated: 4/5
Cosmetic: The camera is in excellent aesthetic condition. The satin chrome top plate and black textured leatherette are remarkably well-preserved.
Optics: The 45mm f/2.8 Reomar lens is visually clear and free from major scratches. Viewfinder is bright.
Mechanical: The shutter fires and the film advance operates smoothly. The characteristic bottom-mounted lever works as intended.
Note: The Gossen selenium light meter reacts to light; however, as with all selenium meters of this age, its accuracy cannot be guaranteed for precision shooting.
Accessories: The brown leather case is structurally sound, though there is some minor "greening" (verdigris) on the metal rivets and the strap shows age-related wear.
What's Included
Kodak Retina Automatic I Camera
Original Brown Leather "Retina" Branded Ever-Ready Case
Why This Product?
The Kodak Retina Automatic I is a perfect choice for collectors who appreciate the sleek, minimalist design of the 1960s German rangefinder era. It is an approachable piece of history that remains a joy to hold and display. With the refined Prontormat-AS shutter and world-class Schneider optics, this well-preserved unit is a standout example of Stuttgart's engineering prowess.
Keywords: Kodak Retina, Automatic I, Schneider-Kreuznach, Reomar, 35mm Film, Vintage Camera, German Engineering, Gossen Meter, Analog Photography, Stuttgart, Prontormat-AS.
Would you like more details on how the Prontormat-AS automation functions, or are you ready to list this item?
Kodak Retina Automatic I - Precision German Engineering meets Automation
Step into the early 1960s with the Kodak Retina Automatic I, a testament to the transition from manual mastery to user-friendly automation. Manufactured by Kodak AG in Stuttgart, Germany, between 1960 and 1963, this camera was part of the prestigious Retina line. It combined the legendary German build quality with a "modern" (for the time) Gossen selenium light meter system, allowing for automatic aperture control—a luxury feature that made high-quality 35mm photography accessible to a wider audience.
Key Benefits
Automatic Exposure: Features a coupled Gossen selenium meter that provides automatic aperture setting, ensuring well-exposed shots with minimal manual adjustment.
Schneider-Kreuznach Optics: Equipped with the Retina-Reomar 45mm lens, renowned for its clarity and classic color rendering.
Robust Stuttgart Build: Unlike many contemporary consumer cameras, the Retina Automatic I features a solid all-metal body and high-quality chrome finish.
Features
Camera Type: 35mm Viewfinder Camera
Lens: Schneider-Kreuznach Retina-Reomar 45mm f/2.8
Shutter: Prontormat-AS (Specific version as engraved on the lens barrel)
Shutter Speeds: Automatically selected or manual "B" (Bulb) setting
Light Meter: Built-in Gossen Selenium cell meter
Viewfinder: Large, bright-frame finder with parallax marks and exposure warning signals
Film Advance: Bottom-mounted rapid-wind lever (a signature Retina feature)
Condition
Rated: 4/5
Cosmetic: The camera is in excellent aesthetic condition. The satin chrome top plate and black textured leatherette are remarkably well-preserved.
Optics: The 45mm f/2.8 Reomar lens is visually clear and free from major scratches. Viewfinder is bright.
Mechanical: The shutter fires and the film advance operates smoothly. The characteristic bottom-mounted lever works as intended.
Note: The Gossen selenium light meter reacts to light; however, as with all selenium meters of this age, its accuracy cannot be guaranteed for precision shooting.
Accessories: The brown leather case is structurally sound, though there is some minor "greening" (verdigris) on the metal rivets and the strap shows age-related wear.
What's Included
Kodak Retina Automatic I Camera
Original Brown Leather "Retina" Branded Ever-Ready Case
Why This Product?
The Kodak Retina Automatic I is a perfect choice for collectors who appreciate the sleek, minimalist design of the 1960s German rangefinder era. It is an approachable piece of history that remains a joy to hold and display. With the refined Prontormat-AS shutter and world-class Schneider optics, this well-preserved unit is a standout example of Stuttgart's engineering prowess.
Keywords: Kodak Retina, Automatic I, Schneider-Kreuznach, Reomar, 35mm Film, Vintage Camera, German Engineering, Gossen Meter, Analog Photography, Stuttgart, Prontormat-AS.
Would you like more details on how the Prontormat-AS automation functions, or are you ready to list this item?

