Kodak Retinette IIb

This is one of my favorite little 35's. Kodak made a
boat load of these in a number of variations. This IIB is
one of the best equipped of the lot, and it lacks very
little in the way of features.

The Retinettes were a lower cost Retina type 35mm
camera and most, (maybe all, I'm not sure) were zone
focus viewfinders. This one was made in '58 or '59 as
far as I know and is in prime condition. It has a
bright line finder for easy framing.

It has a light meter that reads in EV numbers.
The lens also has a ring of EV numbers, and
you transfer the number from the meter to the
lens. The shutter speeds and aperture values
are coupled, but you can use any combination
of speed and aperture. As you turn to small
and larger apertures, two mechanical arrows
move back and forth to show depth of field on
the lens housing. OK, so where's the wind lever?

It's on the bottom. It takes a little getting
used to, after using a top winder for a long
time. In the little crook of the wind lever is
the rewind release button. On the far side
is the back release/tripod mount. You turn
the two ears on the tripod mount to reveal
a hidden button. Push the button and the
back pops open.

Just about everything you need to know about the lens
is in the photo. Shutter speeds are 1 sec to 1/500 and "B".
The aperture stops down to f22. Flash syncs at all speeds,
and it has a self timer. Flash shoe is cold.
This camera has the quietest shutter I've ever heard.
Ever. In my whole life.

I loaded up with JandC Classic 400 and went out for a
few sample shots. Film was developed in good ol' D76 1+1.

I love junk art, and today I hit the bonanza!
This is down in Hammer Creek camp ground
on the Salmon River. It wasn't there last time
I went. Someone really got busy.

Some people are really picky about their
parking place. Guess some mules are too.

I thought of some fishin' nut I know back east when I
saw this sign.

This is just a curiosity shot. I was curious about
the stop sign beside the river. There is no road here.

There are all kinds of turkeys. Avian and otherwise. These are
the real thing stopping in at my sisters place for a bite to eat.
She throws oranges out for them. Apparently they like 'em.