Retina cameras are surely one of the most avidly collected of
all system cameras. The Retina name was applied to several
different lines of camera, including folding 35 mm. cameras,
rigid 35 mm. cameras and reflex 35 mm. cameras. I have
restricted myself to the folding 35 mm. cameras here. Detail
variants exist for some models, which I have not described.
Retina cameras were the product of the former Nagel camera works
in Germany, and models are frequently identified by "type
number", e.g. type 117. Folding Retina cameras were in
production from 1934 until 1954, and over half a million cameras
were made. An additional small batch of IIIC models was
completed in recent years, using remaining spare The first
Retina, the Retina type 117, established the basic design for
future Retina folding cameras. It was supplied with a Schneider
Xenar f/3.5 50 mm. lens in a Compur shutter. The camera has an
optical viewfinder and there is separately-operated double
exposure prevention interlock. The top plate is in black ena