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Archive 2018 · Kodak lenses

davidthejr
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Kodak lenses

Good morning all!

I was given a couple of cameras from my grandmother recently. One is a Kodak retina reflex III with three lenses. I was curious if I would be able to use the lenses on my Fuji x-pro2 and have found conflicting information online. So I was wondering if any here had any experience with adapting these lenses to mirrorless?

Thanks in advance!
David Landis Jr.

Dec 06, 2018 at 09:27 AM

rscheffler
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Kodak lenses

Wouldn't you just need the appropriate DKL-Fuji adapter? Here's one from Fotodiox.

Dec 06, 2018 at 09:58 AM

jcolwell
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Kodak lenses

You'll need a "Deckel" to X adapter. I don't know if they exist, but they're certainly possible to make. I used a DKL to EOS adapter for some Reflex lenses, about ten years ago. I stopped using them because the adapter is very finicky. I've heard that newer adapters are more well-made, which is certainly possible, but my interest lies elsewhere.

Rats! Scooped again!

Dec 06, 2018 at 10:07 AM

retrofocus
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Kodak lenses

I have three of these Kodak Retina DKL lenses and bought a cheap and very suitable Fotga DKL/NEX mount adapter to use them on my A7R camera. It is likely better to use at least the wide angle 28 mm lens on a cropped image frame since I found quite visible blur in the corners of the frame on FF. The 50 and 135 mm FL range was all good on FF. The contrast on the 36 MP FF sensor was much less than taken with equivalent lenses from Leica or Zeiss in the same FL. I rarely use the Kodak lenses on my digital camera since - but they are very good for film photos taken with the Kodak Retina camera. All Retina lenses were also very prone to flaring - lens hood is mostly a must with them on a sunny day.

Edited on Dec 06, 2018 at 01:40 PM · View previous versions

Dec 06, 2018 at 01:17 PM

retrofocus
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Kodak lenses

rscheffler wrote:
Wouldn't you just need the appropriate DKL-Fuji adapter? Here's one from Fotodiox.

Too expensive....better suitable options out there which do the same thing for much less money (also for DKL-Fuji even there are more out there for the E-mount system).

Dec 06, 2018 at 01:24 PM

rscheffler
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Kodak lenses

retrofocus wrote:
Too expensive....better suitable options out there which do the same thing for much less money (also for DKL-Fuji even there are more out there for the E-mount system).

Good for the OP to know. FYI, it's the first thing that came up in a search... not a recommendation based on personal use or budgetary considerations.

Dec 06, 2018 at 01:33 PM

retrofocus
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Kodak lenses

Some examples taken with my DKL lenses on the A7R:

Retina Curtagon 28/4 lens


	https://martinbluhm.zenfolio.com/img/s/v-3/p2741698534-5.jpg


	https://martinbluhm.zenfolio.com/img/s/v-3/p2742707443-5.jpg


	https://martinbluhm.zenfolio.com/img/s/v-3/p2742707452-5.jpg


	https://martinbluhm.zenfolio.com/img/s/v-3/p2742707445-5.jpg

Edited on Dec 06, 2018 at 01:44 PM · View previous versions

Dec 06, 2018 at 01:35 PM

retrofocus
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Kodak lenses

rscheffler wrote:
Good for the OP to know. FYI, it's the first thing that came up in a search... not a recommendation based on personal use or budgetary considerations.

Yes, made the same experience when googling adapters - the more expensive ones always show up first for some reason. Digging a bit deeper the other ones pop up. I mentioned it in other threads several times, I bought a bunch of adapters for my A7R and always went for the cheaper ones if possible. Never made a bad experience! I use some of them continuously since > 4 years now. For example my Fotasy M/NEX adapter was $10 at the time when I bought it online - and I use it with >$1700 lenses adapted on my A7R without any problems.

Dec 06, 2018 at 01:39 PM

davidthejr
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Kodak lenses

rscheffler wrote:
Wouldn't you just need the appropriate DKL-Fuji adapter? Here's one from Fotodiox.

---------------------------------------------

rscheffler wrote:
Good for the OP to know. FYI, it's the first thing that came up in a search... not a recommendation based on personal use or budgetary considerations.

This is what I was assuming i would need, but this line in the wikipedia entry was throwing me off:
The Retina reflex is basically a fixed-lens camera rear except for one aspect - the front three elements are contained in a cell that bayonets into the front of the lens assembly. The standard front cell can be replaced with one of three Schneider components - an 80mm and two different 35mm components. The rear part of the lens (which is a permanent part of the camera body) contains the focusing apparatus, the entire Synchro-Compur shutter, the aperture, and the three rear elements, which are common to all 4 lenses.

So i wasn't sure exactly how they were adapted, and if they needed an adapter with lenses built in or not.

But it is good to know that there are people using them around here.

I'll see if I can find me a good adapter to use.

Dec 06, 2018 at 01:50 PM

retrofocus
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Kodak lenses

davidthejr wrote:
Good morning all!

I was given a couple of cameras from my grandmother recently. One is a Kodak retina reflex III with three lenses. I was curious if I would be able to use the lenses on my Fuji x-pro2 and have found conflicting information online. So I was wondering if any here had any experience with adapting these lenses to mirrorless?

Thanks in advance!
David Landis Jr.

Just as addition, I got two years ago the same camera and a set of lenses. Just as advice in case you want to use the camera itself at some point - there are not many people left who are willing to repair it or do a CLA (cleaning-lubrication-adjustment) on it. I sent my broken Retina III to a well versed former Kodak technician in New Zealand to have a few mechanical issues fixed (and the oil had greased up inside). The camera is a mechanical miracle and built like a tank but very fragile if something in the mechanics breaks or loosens. I decided to have my camera fixed since they will become more rare in the future especially in good condition.

Dec 06, 2018 at 01:50 PM

retrofocus
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Kodak lenses

davidthejr wrote:
---------------------------------------------

This is what I was assuming i would need, but this line in the wikipedia entry was throwing me off:
The Retina reflex is basically a fixed-lens camera rear except for one aspect - the front three elements are contained in a cell that bayonets into the front of the lens assembly. The standard front cell can be replaced with one of three Schneider components - an 80mm and two different 35mm components. The rear part of the lens (which is a permanent part of the camera body) contains the focusing apparatus, the entire Synchro-Compur shutter, the aperture, and the

So i wasn't sure exactly how they were adapted, and if they needed an adapter with lenses built in or not.

But it is good to know that there are people using them around here.

I'll see if I can find me a good adapter to use....Show more →

Be aware that there was a variety of Rentina Reflex cameras made which are a bit merged together in their specific properties in the Wiki article. I bet your Reflex III came also with the Schneider -Kreuznach lenses (mine came with the 28/4, the 50/1.9, and the 135/4). The lenses can all be used with standard DKL adapters you find online - they all just need an aperture ring on the adapter piece!

Dec 06, 2018 at 01:58 PM

davidthejr
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Kodak lenses

retrofocus wrote:
Just as addition, I got two years ago the same camera and a set of lenses. Just as advice in case you want to use the camera itself at some point - there are not many people left who are willing to repair it or do a CLA (cleaning-lubrication-adjustment) on it. I sent my broken Retina III to a well versed former Kodak technician in New Zealand to have a few mechanical issues fixed (and the oil had greased up inside). The camera is a mechanical miracle and built like a tank but very fragile if something in the mechanics...Show more →

I believe it "works", but i did notice in testing (without film) that the shutter would sometimes not open when the film was advanced. How much was a CLA for yours?

Dec 06, 2018 at 02:30 PM

davidthejr
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Kodak lenses

retrofocus wrote:
Be aware that there was a variety of Rentina Reflex cameras made which are a bit merged together in their specific properties in the Wiki article. I bet your Reflex III came also with the Schneider -Kreuznach lenses (mine came with the 28/4, the 50/1.9, and the 135/4). The lenses can all be used with standard DKL adapters you find online - they all just need an aperture ring on the adapter piece!

Good to know, I've got a couple photos of it and the lenses I'll see if i can post.

Dec 06, 2018 at 02:30 PM

davidthejr
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · Kodak lenses

IMG_20181117_160803 by David Landis, on Flickr

IMG_20181118_073539 by David Landis, on Flickr
This is with another camera that she gave me.

IMG_20181118_150055 by David Landis, on Flickr
The three lenses. I think they are a 28 or 35, a 50, and a 90? maybe? I need to double check when I get back home.

Dec 06, 2018 at 02:36 PM

jcolwell
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · Kodak lenses

The tallest one is probably a Schneider-Kreuznach Retina-Tele-Xenar 135mm F4 DKL.

Dec 06, 2018 at 04:06 PM

davidthejr
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · Kodak lenses

jcolwell wrote:
The tallest one is probably a Schneider-Kreuznach Retina-Tele-Xenar 135mm F4 DKL.

You are correct!! left to right is: 135 f/4, 50 f/2.8, 35 f/2.8

Dec 06, 2018 at 05:54 PM

retrofocus
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · Kodak lenses

davidthejr wrote:
I believe it "works", but i did notice in testing (without film) that the shutter would sometimes not open when the film was advanced. How much was a CLA for yours?

I had the same issue, and additionally something broke inside the camera (one gear). CLA plus replacement of the broken part was 290 NZD. This included 40 NZD shipping.The repair expert located in NZ is Chris Sherlock.

Dec 06, 2018 at 07:13 PM

davidthejr
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p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · Kodak lenses

retrofocus wrote:
I had the same issue, and additionally something broke inside the camera (one gear). CLA plus replacement of the broken part was 290 NZD. This included 40 NZD shipping.The repair expert located in NZ is Chris Sherlock.

Hmm. Wonder if there is anyone here in the US that would do something like that.

Thanks for the info! I'll have to look him and and see if it's something I would want to do.

Dec 06, 2018 at 09:01 PM

retrofocus
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p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · Kodak lenses

davidthejr wrote:
Hmm. Wonder if there is anyone here in the US that would do something like that.

Thanks for the info! I'll have to look him and and see if it's something I would want to do.

There might be, but I couldn't find anyone online or in photo forums who is still able to repair those camera types. I asked a known Leica repair guy, and he told me that he is not able to repair the Kodak cameras due to their tricky mechanical setup inside. The whole roundtrip of my camera to NZ including repair time took about 4 weeks. Chris was very prompt in answering my questions - just drop him an email. Send me a PM if you need his email address.

Dec 07, 2018 at 07:04 AM

powderhound2
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p.1 #20 · p.1 #20 · Kodak lenses

I have a Retina-Xenon 50mm 1.9, lens that I got off a Retina Reflex IV, I think those are the same lenses you're taking about. Like others have said, I just had to get a DKL adapter. Unfortunately I had trouble finding one at the time. I wanted to use it on Fuji X, and L-mount. I finally found a Haoge DKL-PK (pentax-K) adapter with aperture control. Since I had already had an PK-L , and PK-FX adapters, I just connect the Lens>DKL-PK>PK-L or PK-FX, and it works great. With focus peaking on mirrorless cameras, I've been pretty impressed! On my 47mp Panasonic S1R, wide open it has really weird swirly bokeh, which I find pretty cool, but the lens has a pretty long MFD. Stopped down it's impressively sharp! I've tried looking for the same adapter now, several years later, and couldn't find it, but looks like ebay has some Voigtlander adapters with aperture control.

Good luck

Dec 07, 2023 at 02:13 PM


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