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Kodak Retina I

The Kodak Retina I hearkens back to the days of vest pockets. While vest pockets and vests themselves fall in and out of style, the Kodak Retina I remains incredibly stylish all on its own.⁠

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The Retina series of cameras is right up there on the list of most influential 35mm cameras for a couple of reasons.⁠ The biggest reason being that it was the Kodak Retina that helped introduce the world to the Kodak 135 daylight-loading single-use film cassette, otherwise known as 135 format film... otherwise known as 35mm. Many cameras, prior to the Kodak Retina, used 35mm film, but this was generally film cut down from motion picture rolls and hand-loaded, either directly into the camera or into reloadable cassettes that were often proprietary to that camera. Kodak's innovation was the design of a cartridge that was factory loaded, simply needing to be popped into the camera by the photographer. This cartridge was further designed to be compatible with the Leica and Contax cameras of the time, increasing its popularity; but it was Kodak's own Retina line of cameras that primarily drove the rise of the 135 format.

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Additionally, Kodak Retina cameras represented incredibly well made, durable, and high quality cameras that were still much more affordable than a Leica or Contax camera. The Retina line was meant to be more accessible to the general public, while still competing with Leica and Zeiss Ikon's Contax cameras. In many ways, the Retina succeeded; their production run lasted from 1934 until 1969.⁠

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Kodak Retina I (Type 013)

Kodak Retina I Type 117

Say 'hello' to the beginning of 135 film. In 1934, when Kodak unveiled the first of its Kodak Retinas, the Type 117 pictured here, they introduced the 135 designation to the format, as well as the daylight loading cassette.⁠ We should note that 35mm film had been in use for still cameras as far back as the 1880s; Thomas Edison had a hand in that, apparently.

Not only is the Retina I Type 117 noteworthy because it is the first in what would become a famous line of 35mm cameras, but as we mentioned, this Retina helped popularize the daylight loadable film cartridge. Previously, cartridges had to be loaded beforehand, in the dark, so that they could later be loaded into their cameras. Both Leica and Contax cameras are examples of this method. In fact, when Kodak introduced 135 film in its new cassettes, it also spurred the introduction of 235 and 435 film, which was 35mm film in daylight loadable cassettes for those early Leica and Contax cameras, specifically. It wasn't too long before these companies adjusted their cameras to accommodate the new and much more practical 135 film cans.⁠

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The Compact Kodak Retina I

If your body is tired of the pressure of a camera strap, have you considered a more compact camera that you can tuck away in a pocket? With signs of sun and green Spring blossoming in Portland, the Gorge and other mountainous treks become more appealing. What is less appealing than a gorgeous hike, is doing do with a heavy Hasselblad 500 C/M or Pentax 67 strapped onto you. ⠀

This Kodak Retina I is a pre-War 35mm folder camera made in Germany. Fairly lightweight, this camera would be an excellent companion while touring the mountains of the Pacific Northwest or the alps of Austria.

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Blue Moon Camera and Machine llc

sales@bluemooncamera.com
(503) 978-0333
(503) 978-0370
8417 North Lombard Street
Portland, OR 97203