Having stripped down and successfully cleaned and re-assembled the film advance mechanism on my Retina Reflex, the next part I needed to get working was the shutter, and this post documents how I carried out the Retina Reflex S shutter repair.
Retina Reflex S Shutter repair Images
![Kodak Retina Reflex S shutter repair 1 kodak retina reflex shutter strip down shutter unit off camera](https://everythingvintage.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/kodak-retina-reflex-shutter-strip-down-shutter-unit-off-camera.jpg)
![Kodak Retina Reflex S shutter repair 2 kodak retina reflex shutter strip down components removed from back of shutter unit](https://everythingvintage.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/kodak-retina-reflex-shutter-strip-down-components-removed-from-back-of-shutter-unit.jpg)
![Kodak Retina Reflex S shutter repair 3 kodak retina reflex shutter strip down shutter removed from lens mount](https://everythingvintage.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/kodak-retina-reflex-shutter-strip-down-shutter-removed-from-lens-mount.jpg)
![Kodak Retina Reflex S shutter repair 4 kodak retina reflex shutter strip down back plate of shutter being removed](https://everythingvintage.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/kodak-retina-reflex-shutter-strip-down-back-plate-of-shutter-being-removed.jpg)
![Kodak Retina Reflex S shutter repair 5 kodak retina reflex shutter strip down shutter unit removed and locking ring off](https://everythingvintage.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/kodak-retina-reflex-shutter-strip-down-shutter-unit-removed-and-locking-ring-off.jpg)
![Kodak Retina Reflex S shutter repair 6 kodak retina reflex shutter strip down speed ring removed](https://everythingvintage.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/kodak-retina-reflex-shutter-strip-down-speed-ring-removed.jpg)
![Kodak Retina Reflex S shutter repair 7 kodak retina reflex shutter strip down lock lever and shutter release](https://everythingvintage.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/kodak-retina-reflex-shutter-strip-down-lock-lever-and-shutter-release.jpg)
![Kodak Retina Reflex S shutter repair 8 kodak retina reflex shutter strip down cocking ring and drive shaft](https://everythingvintage.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/kodak-retina-reflex-shutter-strip-down-cocking-ring-and-drive-shaft.jpg)
![Kodak Retina Reflex S shutter repair 9 kodak retina reflex shutter strip down drive shaft removed](https://everythingvintage.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/kodak-retina-reflex-shutter-strip-down-drive-shaft-removed.jpg)
![Kodak Retina Reflex S shutter repair 10 kodak retina reflex shutter strip down drive shaft and lock lever removed](https://everythingvintage.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/kodak-retina-reflex-shutter-strip-down-drive-shaft-and-lock-lever-removed.jpg)
![Kodak Retina Reflex S shutter repair 11 kodak retina reflex shutter strip down how slow speed escapement fits](https://everythingvintage.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/kodak-retina-reflex-shutter-strip-down-how-slow-speed-escapement-fits.jpg)
![Kodak Retina Reflex S shutter repair 12 kodak retina reflex shutter strip down slow speed escapement removed](https://everythingvintage.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/kodak-retina-reflex-shutter-strip-down-slow-speed-escapement-removed.jpg)
![Kodak Retina Reflex S shutter repair 13 kodak retina reflex shutter strip down slow speed escapement removed 2](https://everythingvintage.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/kodak-retina-reflex-shutter-strip-down-slow-speed-escapement-removed-2.jpg)
![Kodak Retina Reflex S shutter repair 14 kodak retina reflex shutter strip down self timer removed](https://everythingvintage.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/kodak-retina-reflex-shutter-strip-down-self-timer-removed.jpg)
![Kodak Retina Reflex S shutter repair 15 kodak retina reflex shutter strip down removing the top of the flash sync](https://everythingvintage.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/kodak-retina-reflex-shutter-strip-down-removing-the-top-of-the-flash-sync.jpg)
![Kodak Retina Reflex S shutter repair 16 kodak retina reflex shutter strip down flash sync detail](https://everythingvintage.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/kodak-retina-reflex-shutter-strip-down-flash-sync-detail.jpg)
![Kodak Retina Reflex S shutter repair 17 kodak retina reflex shutter strip down flash sync components removed for cleaning](https://everythingvintage.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/kodak-retina-reflex-shutter-strip-down-flash-sync-components-removed-for-cleaning.jpg)
![Kodak Retina Reflex S shutter repair 18 kodak retina reflex shutter strip down flash sync self timer and slow speed all removed](https://everythingvintage.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/kodak-retina-reflex-shutter-strip-down-flash-sync-self-timer-and-slow-speed-all-removed.jpg)
![Kodak Retina Reflex S shutter repair 19 kodak retina reflex shutter strip down removing back casing screws](https://everythingvintage.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/kodak-retina-reflex-shutter-strip-down-removing-back-casing-screws.jpg)
![Kodak Retina Reflex S shutter repair 20 kodak retina reflex shutter strip down about to remove back casing](https://everythingvintage.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/kodak-retina-reflex-shutter-strip-down-about-to-remove-back-casing.jpg)
![Kodak Retina Reflex S shutter repair 21 kodak retina reflex shutter strip down removing back casing](https://everythingvintage.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/kodak-retina-reflex-shutter-strip-down-removing-back-casing.jpg)
![Kodak Retina Reflex S shutter repair 22 kodak retina reflex shutter strip down shutter blades revealed](https://everythingvintage.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/kodak-retina-reflex-shutter-strip-down-shutter-blades-revealed.jpg)
![Kodak Retina Reflex S shutter repair 23 kodak retina reflex shutter strip down ring about to be removed](https://everythingvintage.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/kodak-retina-reflex-shutter-strip-down-ring-about-to-be-removed.jpg)
![Kodak Retina Reflex S shutter repair 24 kodak retina reflex shutter strip down self timer and slow speed removed](https://everythingvintage.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/kodak-retina-reflex-shutter-strip-down-self-timer-and-slow-speed-removed.jpg)
![Kodak Retina Reflex S shutter repair 25 kodak retina reflex shutter strip down shutter blades removed](https://everythingvintage.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/kodak-retina-reflex-shutter-strip-down-shutter-blades-removed.jpg)
![Kodak Retina Reflex S shutter repair 26 Kodak Retina Reflex S shutter repair - shutter blades actuator ring removed](https://everythingvintage.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/kodak-retina-reflex-shutter-strip-down-shutter-blades-actuator-ring-removed.jpg)
![Kodak Retina Reflex S shutter repair 27 kodak retina reflex shutter strip down blades being cleaned](https://everythingvintage.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/kodak-retina-reflex-shutter-strip-down-blades-being-cleaned.jpg)
![Kodak Retina Reflex S shutter repair 28 kodak retina reflex reassembly back case on](https://everythingvintage.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/kodak-retina-reflex-reassembly-back-case-on.jpg)
![Kodak Retina Reflex S shutter repair 29 kodak retina reflex reassembly testing blades close](https://everythingvintage.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/kodak-retina-reflex-reassembly-testing-blades-close.jpg)
![Kodak Retina Reflex S shutter repair 30 kodak retina reflex reassembly testing blades open](https://everythingvintage.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/kodak-retina-reflex-reassembly-testing-blades-open.jpg)
![Kodak Retina Reflex S shutter repair 31 kodak retina reflex reassembly blades refitted](https://everythingvintage.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/kodak-retina-reflex-reassembly-blades-refitted.jpg)
![Kodak Retina Reflex S shutter repair 32 kodak retina reflex reassembly refitting flash sync components](https://everythingvintage.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/kodak-retina-reflex-reassembly-refitting-flash-sync-components.jpg)
![Kodak Retina Reflex S shutter repair 33 kodak retina reflex reassembly refitting flash sync components 2](https://everythingvintage.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/kodak-retina-reflex-reassembly-refitting-flash-sync-components-2.jpg)
![Kodak Retina Reflex S shutter repair 34 kodak retina reflex reassembly top of flash sync refitted](https://everythingvintage.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/kodak-retina-reflex-reassembly-top-of-flash-sync-refitted.jpg)
![Kodak Retina Reflex S shutter repair 35 kodak retina reflex reassembly shutter release detail](https://everythingvintage.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/kodak-retina-reflex-reassembly-shutter-release-detail.jpg)
![Kodak Retina Reflex S shutter repair 36 kodak retina reflex reassembly shutter cocked ready for slow speed movement](https://everythingvintage.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/kodak-retina-reflex-reassembly-shutter-cocked-ready-for-slow-speed-movement.jpg)
![Kodak Retina Reflex S shutter repair 37 kodak retina reflex shutter strip down flash sync top removed](https://everythingvintage.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/kodak-retina-reflex-shutter-strip-down-flash-sync-top-removed.jpg)
![Kodak Retina Reflex S shutter repair 38 kodak retina reflex reassembly shutter release refitted](https://everythingvintage.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/kodak-retina-reflex-reassembly-shutter-release-refitted.jpg)
![Kodak Retina Reflex S shutter repair 39 kodak retina reflex reassembly self timer refitted](https://everythingvintage.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/kodak-retina-reflex-reassembly-self-timer-refitted.jpg)
![Kodak Retina Reflex S shutter repair 40 kodak retina reflex reassembly how the speed indent ball bearing fits](https://everythingvintage.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/kodak-retina-reflex-reassembly-how-the-speed-indent-ball-bearing-fits.jpg)
![Kodak Retina Reflex S shutter repair 41 kodak retina reflex reassembly slow speed movement cleaned and refitted 2](https://everythingvintage.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/kodak-retina-reflex-reassembly-slow-speed-movement-cleaned-and-refitted-2.jpg)
![Kodak Retina Reflex S shutter repair 42 kodak retina reflex reassembly self timer detail](https://everythingvintage.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/kodak-retina-reflex-reassembly-self-timer-detail.jpg)
![Kodak Retina Reflex S shutter repair 43 kodak retina reflex reassembly cocking ring and speed plate refitted](https://everythingvintage.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/kodak-retina-reflex-reassembly-cocking-ring-and-speed-plate-refitted.jpg)
![Kodak Retina Reflex S shutter repair 44 kodak retina reflex reassembly mount ready for shutter to be mounted](https://everythingvintage.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/kodak-retina-reflex-reassembly-mount-ready-for-shutter-to-be-mounted.jpg)
![Kodak Retina Reflex S shutter repair 45 kodak retina reflex reassembly shutter remounted in lens mount](https://everythingvintage.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/kodak-retina-reflex-reassembly-shutter-remounted-in-lens-mount.jpg)
![Kodak Retina Reflex S shutter repair 46 kodak retina reflex reassembly lever cog fitted](https://everythingvintage.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/kodak-retina-reflex-reassembly-lever-cog-fitted.jpg)
![Kodak Retina Reflex S shutter repair 47 kodak retina reflex reassembly front assembly components cleaned and ready for re assembly](https://everythingvintage.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/kodak-retina-reflex-reassembly-front-assembly-components-cleaned-and-ready-for-re-assembly.jpg)
![Kodak Retina Reflex S shutter repair 48 kodak retina reflex reassembly cam fitted](https://everythingvintage.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/kodak-retina-reflex-reassembly-cam-fitted.jpg)
![Kodak Retina Reflex S shutter repair 49 kodak retina reflex reassembly drive cog fitted](https://everythingvintage.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/kodak-retina-reflex-reassembly-drive-cog-fitted.jpg)
![Kodak Retina Reflex S shutter repair 50 kodak retina reflex reassembly shutter unit waiting for flash sync lead](https://everythingvintage.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/kodak-retina-reflex-reassembly-shutter-unit-waiting-for-flash-sync-lead.jpg)
![Kodak Retina Reflex S shutter repair 51 kodak retina reflex reassembly shutter unit fully assembled](https://everythingvintage.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/kodak-retina-reflex-reassembly-shutter-unit-fully-assembled.jpg)
![Kodak Retina Reflex S shutter repair 52 kodak retina reflex reassembly drive shaft fitted](https://everythingvintage.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/kodak-retina-reflex-reassembly-drive-shaft-fitted.jpg)
![Kodak Retina Reflex S shutter repair 53 kodak retina reflex reassembly cam fitted and held](https://everythingvintage.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/kodak-retina-reflex-reassembly-cam-fitted-and-held.jpg)
![Kodak Retina Reflex S shutter repair 54 kodak retina reflex reassembly slow speed movement cleaned and refitted](https://everythingvintage.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/kodak-retina-reflex-reassembly-slow-speed-movement-cleaned-and-refitted.jpg)
![Kodak Retina Reflex S shutter repair 55 kodak retina reflex reassembly repairing the lever by gluing the cap](https://everythingvintage.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/kodak-retina-reflex-reassembly-repairing-the-lever-by-gluing-the-cap.jpg)
![Kodak Retina Reflex S shutter repair 56 kodak retina reflex reassembly repairing the lever](https://everythingvintage.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/kodak-retina-reflex-reassembly-repairing-the-lever.jpg)
Again I am indebted to the article on the Retina Reflex site which explains how to carry out the strip down and rebuild of the retina reflex s shutter.
With the shutter unit off the camera I first had a play around trying to cock and release the shutter and found that I could actually get it to work, but since I had a good set of instructions, and since the shutter would probably need a service anyway, I proceeded to strip it down and get everything properly cleaned out.
As it turned out it was probably a good idea that I did strip it down and clean it all out because when the slow speed unit was out of the lens I could see there was quite a bit of oil contamination underneath it which presumably is better removed, so it can't gum up the mechanism.
The only problems I had during the process were with the fitting of some of the very fine springs around the shutter release area and a problem with the front assembly lever, which was missing its cap.
The springs were really just a question of being so very fine I had trouble seeing them, even with the large illuminated magnifier I use to see the shutter. Also, they are actually quite difficult to manipulate because it always feels as if they are going to pull out of shape.
Once I'd gone through the whole strip down and was completing the final reassembly, I found that the lock lever (which is one of the last items fitted back into the shutter) didn't properly work.
I had everything back and was testing that the shutter would cock and fire properly, but I found that the cocking ring wouldn't latch, and the shutter fired itself as the ring returned to its rest position. This turned out the be a very fine spring at the bottom of the post the lock lever sits on which was not pushed over the bottom of the post into its channel but instead was holding the lock lever very slightly proud. It was a microscopic amount, but it stopped the cocking ring from latching! Once I got it correctly positioned, everything was OK.
The other issue I had was with the lever on the front assembly which sits under the flash sync switch. It has a small plastic cap which had fallen off, and I had to stick it back on with superglue. A pair of tweezers and an elastic band proved very useful as a jig to hold it in place while I did this. Once that was on, everything seemed to work properly again.
With the shutter now working and back in the front assembly, I have two jobs left to do. The first is to restring the exposure meter because the original string has broken, and the other is to reassemble the camera and get the timing of the shutter and film advance set up. Both jobs are quite arduous - the first because there is no guidance, and the second because it is a fiddly and time-consuming process. Hopefully my next post will describe how I restrung the exposure meter.
Hello
Can You repair my old Kodak Retina Reflex S camera. A ruff estimation is that most of the functions is all right but there is a need of a replacement string. I aloso have a spare NOS shutter. If so, what would you charge for a clean and rebuild?.
Cordially
Dan
Hi Dan - I'm afraid I don't do repairs on other people's cameras because I'm not a fully trained camera technician I just tinker and repair my own. I wouldn't want to mess up anyone else's camera. Unfortunately the best person to repair it, Chris Sherlock in New Zealand had now retired but he has a recommendation on his repair page https://retinarescue.com/kodakretinarepairservice.html
Hello Simon
Late answer from me - but thanks anyway
Dan