Kodak AG's budget German 35mm viewfinder — scale focus, Reomar/Anastigmat lenses, meterless base models
The Retinette was Kodak AG's budget 35mm viewfinder line, built in Germany from 1939 as a simpler, rangefinder-less companion to the Retina. Bodies badged plainly 'Retinette' span several types: pre-war and early post-war folders (Typs 147, 012 and 017) and the rigid-bodied Typ 022 sold from 1954 to 1958, after which suffixed models such as the IA, IB and IIB took over.
All are scale-focus cameras with no rangefinder, and the base models carry no light meter. The common rigid Typ 022 used a Schneider Reomar 45mm f/3.5 in a Compur-Rapid leaf shutter; other types carried Ennatar or Angenieux-made Kodak Anastigmat 45-50mm lenses in Prontor or Kodak shutters. Exposure is fully manual and the all-mechanical bodies need no battery.
These suit film beginners and collectors after an affordable German-built classic: the Reomar triplet performs well stopped down and the leaf shutter is near-silent. Scale focusing takes practice, and the missing meter means carrying a hand-held one or working by Sunny 16.
Being mechanical, most faults are serviceable: check the shutter fires at all speeds (slow speeds often stick from dried lubricant), the aperture blades are dry of oil, and the focus ring turns smoothly. Inspect the lens for haze and fungus. Note that IA, IB and IIB variants are different models — confirm the engraving before buying, as sellers often list all of them as just 'Retinette'.