Chris's camera pages
- Home
- Collection
- Repair help
- My "How to" repair guides for Retinas & Retinettes
- My YouTube camera repair videos
- How to adjust the rangefinder on a Retina IIa
- How to assemble the Retina Ia, IIa film advance lever and frame counter
- How to remove the top cover on Kodak Retina II camera
- How to remove the top cover on Kodak Retina Ia & IIa cameras
- How to clean the rangefinder on a Kodak Retina IIa camera
- How a Synchro-Compur shutter works
- How to check the retard gear train (Synchro-Compur shutter)
- How to strip-down and service the Synchro-Compur shutter (Kodak Retina Ia or IIa)
- How to CLA the Prontor or Vero shutter of a Retinette 1A (pdf)
- How to open a Xenon lens from a Retina IIc, IIC, IIIc, or IIIC camera
- How to reassemble Retina Ia, IIa film advance mechanism and cocking rack
- How to replace a missing Retina rewind button
- How to replace the shutter cocking rack in a Retina IIc
- How to reconnect the aperture pointer on a Retina IIIc
- How to strip and reassemble the focus mechanism on the Retina Ia and IIa
- How to repair the front door stand on a Retina camera
- Service manuals & parts lists
- Kodak Retina IIc, IIIc and related models parts list (pdf)
- Kodak Retinette 1A parts list (pdf)
- Kodak Retina IIa parts list (pdf)
- Kodak Retina IIIS service manual (pdf)
- Kodak Retina Reflex III service manual (pdf)
- Kodak Retina Automatic I parts list & service manual (pdf)
- Kodak Retina Automatic II parts list & service manual (pdf)
- Kodak Motormatic 35 parts list (pdf)
- Kodak Motormatic 35 service manual (pdf)
- Common Retina problems
- Finding the camera parts you need for your repairs
- Is it worth getting my camera repaired?
- Causes of shutter-cocking rack failure on the Retina IIIc and similar models
- Stripping down a Retina Reflex S, and reassembly!
- Usual things found during a typical service of a Retina IIIC
- servicing a Retina I type 010
- What to do when D.I.Y goes wrong
- My "How to" repair guides for Retinas & Retinettes
- Retina info
- Kodak Retina and accessories instruction books
- Kodak Retina Close-up Rangefinder instructions
- Kodak Retina N-type close-up lens instructions (pdf)
- Kodak Retina R-type close-up lens instructions (pdf)
- Kodak Ground glass adapter instructions
- Kodak Retina I type 118 instructions (pdf)
- Kodak Retina I type 119 instructions (pdf)
- Kodak Retina I type 126 instructions (pdf)
- Kodak Retina Ia instruction instructions(pdf)
- Kodak Retina II type 011 instructions
- Kodak Retina II type 122, instructions(pdf)
- Kodak Retina IIc instructions (pdf)
- Kodak Retina IIC instructions (pdf)
- Kodak Retina IIIC instructions (pdf)
- Kodak Retinette IIA instructions (pdf)
- Kodak Retinette type 017 instructions (pdf)
- A few of the many Kodak Retina lenses & accessories
- Filters for the Kodak Retina & Retinette cameras
- An early roll of Kodachrome film
- A quick guide to using a Retinette II (Type 160)
- How to change the speed film setting on the Retina Reflex S or IIIS
- Retina IIIc or IIIC?
- Kodak Retina IIIc production changes
- A cut-away model of the Retina IIIc camera
- Kodak Retina Stereo Attachment
- Retina Ia brochure, in German (pdf)
- Retina Stereo Adapter brochure, in German (pdf)
- Kodak Retina "C" type lens mounts
- Pre WW2 Kodak Retina serial numbers
- Post WW2 model Retina serial numbers
- Some of the secrets to using a Kodak Retina
- Kodak Retina and accessories instruction books
- Other camera stuff
- 110 film cartridge meter setting notch
- Signet 35 frame counter repair
- Adventures with a 'parts or repair' camera
- Agfa Solinette II Instruction Book (pdf)
- Pentacon FM instruction manual in German (pdf)
- A brief history of the early Braun Paxette cameras
- Accessing the shutter in a Mecaflex camera
- Honeywell Spotmatic II with mirror lock-up
- Links to some useful camera-related sites
- Pentax 50mm f1.4 Super-Takumar dismantling instructions
- Yashica Minister D instruction manual
- Synchro-Compur shutter assembly animation
- Zeiss Ikon film? It's amazing what turns up
- Repair service
- About me
- Cameras etc. for sale
- Contact me
Asahi Pentax ES & ES II
The Asahi Pentax ES was made around 1972, and the ES II a year or so later. The ES, in particular, had a reputation for unreliability, although I certainly found my one to be a great picture-taker.
The cameras differ from the normal Spotmatics of the time in having electronically-controlled shutters, and having aperture priority automatic exposure. This gave a certain advantage in taking photos in changing light conditions compared to using match-needle manual TTL metering.
Usually found with an f/1.4 50mm SMC Takumar lens.