As I’ve said in one of my previous post, last Christmas I got not one but two (yey!) vintage cameras. Since I’ve already talked of my first attempts with the Voigtlander Vitoret DR, today I’m going to introduce you to the wonderful world of Kodak Retinette. This 35mm viewfinder camera (it was produced and bought by my father in 1954) is the oldest camera of my collection so far.
Do you remember all the scary things I told you about the Voigtlander? Well, let’s just say that as soon as I started shooting with the Retinette, those features seemed to me advanced technology. If you want to have an idea of what I have to learn in order to make a decent photo with this camera, have a look at this guide . Nevertheless I took it to Wexford with me few weekends ago.
Wexford is a town in the south-eastern corner of Ireland. I walked the length and breadth of the town centre in one afternoon, starting from the quayside overlooked by the statue of Commodore John Barry.
After having walked up and down the Main Street a few times …
I decided to follow the sign for the Sky View Café at Wexford Opera House. Unfortunately I don’t have photos of this place and its fantastic views over the town and water but it’s not to be missed when in town.
After resting at a table beside the window for a long while (I had my Saturday paper to read) I headed to Cornmarket where a large stretch of the town wall can be seen. Wexford was originally a Viking town but it was not until the Norman invasion in the late twelfth century that it got its castle (later demolished ) and stone walls.
The ruins you see below (can you see them behind the branches?) are those of Selskar Abbey that, founded in the 12th century, was ruined by Cromwell.
If there’s anything I’ve learned from these my first attempts is that I am any good at guessing the distance from my subjects! Sigh.
Camera: Kodak Retinette
Film: Fujifilm Colour Negative 200
Location: Wexford, Ireland
