[nickthetasmaniac]

[malinku]

My F-1 kit.

[WPRESTO]

My F-1 kit.

The F1 is a brick.

[stevebrot]

My F-1 kit.

Beautiful! I am surprised that the FD 50/1.8 only has five aperture blades.


Steve

[wombat2go]

FD 50/1.8 only has five aperture blades

The Canon FD 50mm 1:1.4 here has 8 ap blades, same as the Pentax and Ricoh 1:1.4 50mm lenses here.

[stevebrot]

The Canon FD 50mm 1:1.4 here has 8 ap blades, same as the Pentax and Ricoh 1:1.4 50mm lenses here.

I guess that would be an additional feature that differentiates the f/1.4 from the f/1.8.

I was just surprised since six or eight blades is pretty much the the standard for auto-aperture fast 50s.


Steve

[wombat2go]

six or eight blades is pretty much the the standard for auto-aperture fast 50s.

https://app.box.com/s/oxbwk50mwoc1ewmewhb713u35c6zkc3l

Yes, These two 1:2 50mm (Pentax and Rikenon) both have 6 ap blades.
Photo taken with Pentax K-01 with the XR Rikenon 1:3.5 28mm at iso 100, f/9.5, and 6 seconds, using the Pentax AF360 in M at 1/32 for fill.
I have to use that AF360 periodically because it is fairly complicated to set up, and I forget!

The XR Rikenon 1:3.5 28mm has only 5 blades.

The other porn item here is the Pioneer SX440, from about 1974 I think. It was from an Apug member.
I have a set of electrolytic capacitors ready for it but it is working very well with the originals.

[g026r]

I was just surprised since six or eight blades is pretty much the the standard for auto-aperture fast 50s.

And 6 blades was the standard on the original FD 50/1.8. When they changed to the "new" FD 50/1.8 they dropped a blade, for whatever reason.

[Narsuitus]

[arnold]

People here often talk of range finder type cameras. I have many of them, and one of my favourite to take on a trip is the Retina 1B (big B). Unlike the Retina 111C it doesn't have a range finder of interchangeable lenses, but it is just a delight to use due to it's size and ease of use. Below, I include one picture showing it's lens capability, best seen in original size on Flicker.

[WPRESTO]

Kodak's collapsible Retina cameras were really little jewels, in many ways decades ahead of their time anticipating the 35mm P&S era. The Schneider optics were - even by modern standards - excellent SFL lenses. I suspect the 2.8 Xenar is basically a Tessar formula, a revolutionary breakthrough in lens design. A lot of complexity was required to gain one stop while maintaining the same IQ as a well-made f2.8 Tessar formula lens.

[arnold]

Kodak's collapsible Retina cameras were really little jewels, in many ways decades ahead of their time anticipating the 35mm P&S era. The Schneider optics were - even by modern standards - excellent SFL lenses. I suspect the 2.8 Xenar is basically a Tessar formula, a revolutionary breakthrough in lens design. A lot of complexity was required to gain one stop while maintaining the same IQ as a well-made f2.8 Tessar formula lens.

Jewels is an apt description. The Retina was the very first camera to use Kodak's disposable film casset, saving loading film as per the then current Leica of 1934. The more expensive model had the Xenon 6 element 50mm/2.0, while others used the Xenar as above, a Tessar type 4 element. The only advantage I can see in the 6 element lens is that it allows an extra stop of light. Both give brilliant results.

[Swift1]

The Kodak Retina line are superb cameras. They operate very smoothly and precise, ad are generally very well made. I need to get my Rodenstock Heligon equipped IIIc out and shoot a roll.
Here's a photo of it,

[WPRESTO]

V-A-V Kodak's Retina line: Also significant was the Synchro-Compur shutter, which benefited from a century of leaf-shutter development so it had good accuracy, near never-fail reliability and relatively easy refurbishing in the hands of someone who knows how. Not sure how many of the Retinas had "X" synch, however.

[arnold]

I need to get my Rodenstock Heligon equipped IIIc out and shoot a roll.

You would know this, but for others who don't, when using interchangeable lenses on these, one can not use another brand lens. My only Rodenstock lens is on a Retinette 1B. Let us know how you find using the Retina in regard to handling.

---------- Post added 02-11-15 at 08:54 ----------

Not sure how many of the Retinas had "X" synch, however.

I think anything after the war had X sync as well. One plug-in with a selectable switch. (see top picture right bottom of lens - green switch - was also the timer switch)