Kodak Retina Reflex S

Introduction: The Retina Reflex S at a Glance

The Kodak Retina Reflex S is a 35mm SLR that does things differently from most reflex cameras. Instead of a focal-plane shutter behind the mirror, it carries a leaf shutter, a design Kodak used across its Retina line. Fans of SLR film cameras with a mechanical personality should take note.

Our example comes with a Schneider Retina-Xenar 50mm f/2.8, one of the lenses made for this system. The camera was built in 1959 and 1960, and it belongs to the wider world of analog cameras that reward patience.

Shooting a mechanical SLR like this is a slow, deliberate process. You set the exposure by hand, watch a needle in the viewfinder, and press the shutter with intent.

Design Roots and Historical Background

A reworking of the first Retina Reflex

Kodak's Type 034 camera, the Retina Reflex S, substantially reworks the first Retina Reflex. Kodak built it during 1959 and 1960, a short window. Both share one basic idea: a reflex viewing system married to a leaf shutter.

The DKL mount and its lens family

The lens system is based on the DKL mount, which had appeared a year earlier on the Kodak Retina IIIS rangefinder. The same mount later turned up on the Retina Reflex III, the Retina Reflex IV and the Instamatic Reflex, so lenses have a long family tree.

The concept removes the rear lens group from the optical design, which allows many more accessory lenses to be adapted to the camera. Schneider and also Rodenstock made optics for it, so owners had more than one maker to choose from.

Key Technical Highlights

Leaf shutter behind the lens

The shutter is a Synchro-Compur designed for SLR use, placed behind the lens unit. Speeds run from 1 second to 1/500 second, with a B setting for long exposures.

Aperture in the lens, with a safety stop

The aperture sits inside the interchangeable lenses rather than the body. A stop prevents you from dialing in aperture values that do not exist on the lens you have mounted.

Coupled selenium meter

Every exposure setting is linked to the selenium meter. You adjust until the pointer coincides with the needle, and that tells you the exposure is right. It measures light bounced off the subject; for incident readings, a white plastic diffuser came with the camera.

• 35mm film, single-lens reflex viewing
• Synchro-Compur leaf shutter, 1 second to 1/500 second plus B
• DKL lens mount, with the aperture inside each lens
• Selenium meter coupled to all exposure settings
• Lenses from both Schneider and Rodenstock

Modern-Day Use in 2026

Where the Retina Reflex S excels

This camera suits photographers who enjoy a hands-on process and a mechanical feel. The leaf shutter and the match-the-needle metering make you think about every exposure, and the DKL system gives you a broad choice of lenses to explore.

Use it for:

• Slow, considered street photography
• Travel pictures with a single normal lens
• Portraits in good light
• Learning manual exposure with a visible, coupled meter

Practical shooting tips

• Meter a few scenes against a second reference, such as a phone app, to learn how the selenium cell behaves today.
• Keep the lens clean and use a hood when shooting toward a light source.
• Note your settings for the first roll, so you can compare results after development.

Buying and Maintenance Guide

What to check before buying used

A complicated mechanism rewards careful inspection. Because repairs are costly, spend a few minutes on this checklist before you commit.

• Fire the shutter at every speed from 1 second to 1/500 and listen for hesitation.
• Look through the lens for haze, fungus or scratches.
• Confirm the meter needle moves and responds when you change the light.
• Check that the mirror returns and the viewfinder is bright and clear.
• Inspect the back for worn light seals and the body for dents or damage.

Rotate the aperture ring through its full range and check that it moves smoothly and stops where it should.

Power and the selenium meter

The meter is built around a selenium cell, a light-sensitive part that generates its own current. These cells can age, so a lively needle matters more than any battery check.

• Test the meter in bright light and in shade and compare the readings.
• Cover the cell and confirm the needle drops.
• Use a handheld meter as a reference if the needle seems off.

Basic care and accessories

A few simple photography accessories protect the camera and make it easier to use:

• A padded bag or case to protect the lens and body from knocks
• A lens hood and caps for both ends of the lens
• A blower and microfiber cloth for gentle cleaning
• A handheld light meter as a reference

What to pay

On European marketplaces such as eBay, working examples are typically listed around €50–€140.

Conclusion: A Complicated Classic

The Kodak Retina Reflex S is a thoughtful piece of design. Its leaf shutter, DKL lens system and coupled selenium meter combine into a camera that is mechanically rich and satisfying to use. It is also complex, so the example you buy matters.

If you want an unusual SLR that makes you slow down, this one is worth a look. Choose a tested, working camera, take care of the lens and meter, and it can be a rewarding way to shoot 35mm film.

Ready to explore cameras like the Retina Reflex S? Browse our SLR film cameras and the wider range of analog cameras at DutchThrift.com.

Sources: original instruction manual (PDF); Retina Reflex on camera-wiki.org, text licensed under GFDL 1.3; price range based on current European eBay listings.