Kodak Retina Reflex (Type 025) 35mm Camera with 50mm f/2 Retina-Xenon C Synchro-Compur Lens

Kodak's SLR with a leaf-shutter Retina-Xenon 50mm f/2 lens

The Retina Reflex Type 025 puts a coupled light meter and a Synchro-Compur leaf shutter into a 35mm SLR body, a combination that gave 1957 shooters full-aperture flash sync at any shutter speed, something focal-plane shutter SLRs of the era couldn't match. The Retina-Xenon C 50mm f/2 lens is the standard optic here, sharp and fast enough for available-light work indoors or out.

Kodak built this camera around a front-element interchangeable lens system than a full mount swap, so the Synchro-Compur shutter stays put while the optical formula changes at the front of the lens barrel. That's a different way of thinking about lens versatility than the bayonet-mount SLRs that came to dominate the market, and it kept the leaf shutter's sync advantage intact regardless of focal length.

You get both waist-level and eye-level viewing built into the body, letting you shoot low-angle compositions or work the camera like a traditional eye-level SLR depending on the situation. The built-in coupled meter means you're not carrying a separate light meter to get accurate exposures.

This is a camera built for photographers who want the flash-sync flexibility of a leaf shutter without giving up SLR-style through-the-lens viewing.

Who It's For

Photographers who shoot flash regularly benefit most here: the Synchro-Compur leaf shutter syncs at all speeds, not just one, which matters for anyone balancing fill flash with daylight or working in a studio. Street and documentary shooters get a fast f/2 aperture on the Retina-Xenon C lens for low-light handheld work. Anyone who values flexible framing will appreciate the waist-level option for candid, low-angle shots alongside standard eye-level composing. Collectors and film shooters interested in Kodak's mid-century SLR engineering will find the built-in coupled meter a practical feature for working without a handheld meter.

Key Features

• 35mm SLR film camera with Synchro-Compur leaf shutter
• Retina-Xenon C 50mm f/2 lens as standard optic
• Full-aperture flash sync at any shutter speed
• Built-in coupled light meter for metering
• Waist-level and eye-level viewing modes
• Front-element interchangeable lens system

FAQ

What shutter speed range does the Synchro-Compur leaf shutter offer?

The verified specs don't list the complete shutter speed range. The leaf shutter's key advantage is full-aperture flash sync at any shutter speed-something focal-plane SLRs of the era couldn't deliver.

Can you change lenses on the Retina Reflex Type 025?

Not in the traditional bayonet-mount sense. The optical formula changes at the front element while the Synchro-Compur shutter stays fixed to the body. This design preserves the leaf shutter's sync advantage across different focal lengths.

Does the built-in meter work with the waist-level and eye-level viewing?

Yes. The coupled light meter integrates with both viewing options, so you get accurate exposure readings regardless of whether you're shooting waist-level or at eye-level.

What's the advantage of a leaf shutter for flash work?

A leaf shutter syncs at full aperture across all shutter speeds. Focal-plane SLR shutters of the 1950s were locked to a single sync speed, so the Retina Reflex gave you far more flexibility for fill flash and studio work.

Is this camera practical for available-light photography?

The Retina-Xenon C 50mm f/2 lens is fast enough for indoor and outdoor work without flash. Combined with the built-in coupled meter, you have the essentials for handheld shooting in variable light.

What film format does it shoot?

35mm film. Standard 24x36mm frames.