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Kodak A.G. - Dr. Nagel Werk
Contessa Drexler & Nagel (1908 - 1919)
Contessa Nettel (1919 - 1926)
(Zeiss Ikon 1926 - 1928)
Dr. Nagel Kamerawerk (1928 - 1931)
Kodak A.G. (1931 =>)
Stuttgart - Germany
 

History
As it appears from above, the history of Dr. August Nagel begins in 1908 where he designed cameras under the Contessa brand, and also made some useable aerial cameras. In 1919 the Contessa company merged with Nettel in Sontheim, and became Contessa Nettel In the period from 1919 to 1926 Dr. Nagel contributed greatly to the very innovative designs that were made, f.e. the "Nettel" which were an appraised presscamera at that time. It seems that Zeiss Ikon recognized the qualities of the Contessa Nettel designs as they marketed them in their own cataloque along with their own products. As part of a major merger, the Contessa Nettel Werk became a part of the mighty Zeiss Ikon in 1926 along with the ICA, Ernemann and Goerz werke, but to Dr. August Nagel this was far from a happy marriage, and after an argument with Zeiss Ikon management he left (in anger?) as soon as 1928 to form his own company, the Dr. Nagel Kamerawerk in Stuttgart also in 1928. Only a few models such as the Librette and the Pupille was manufactured until Kodak bought the Nagel company in 1931, and f.e. the Pupille was simply transferred into the Kodak catalogue. The Eastman Kodak corporation recognized the quality that came from August Nagels drawingboard, but I truly believe that one invention meant a whole lot more to Kodak, namely Dr. Nagels invention of the 35mm daylight film cartridge which we know and use even today, and that was first used in the original Retina I from 1934. Dr. Nagel held the German patent for the 135 film casette, and that might have been a very good reason for Kodak to want to cooperate with him. The 135 film casette also retrofitted in both Leica and Contax, and of course was used also in the Retina-series. The philosophy of the Retinas were, to make as good a camera as possible at the lowest possible cost without compromising with quality. Well both Kodak and Dr. Nagel made some sound and good choices, and a lot of wonderful cameras came out of that cooperation for sure.  

My collection
I have chosen to divide this Kodak section into different 4 groups and sub-sections. First of all the folding Retinas, both with and without interchangeable front lens elements and both pre- and post war models. Secondly the outstanding Retina III S, being a non folding rangefinder with fully interchangeable lenses, third the Retina Reflex SLR and finally the consumer level Retinettes. I recommend that you read all pages as a whole, as different chapters of the same story. It is very difficult to keep things apart when it comes to the "Nagel" Kodaks. To me, and as far as my collection are concerned, the Retina story ends in 1966 when the last Retina IV SLR were made, and I have deliberately chosen not to include the plastic Retina S1 and S2. Allthough not being quite clear and methodic about it, I try only to collect those Stuttgart Kodaks that have this undefined "Nagel spirit" to them. To me this "Nagel spirit" has something to do with the original philisophy of manufacturing cameras of the highest possible quality at a reasonable cost, and thus making a quality camera available for as many people as possible at a reasonable price. Dr. Nagel and Kodak in Stuttgart surely did succeed in accomplishing this, and the quantity of still functioning cameras are the best proof of this, along with the many many faithful fans and devoted followers of this idea and concept.

An incident
I remember an incident that happened when I was very young, and had just bought my very first SLR, a Petri FTee. I had a friend in school that also enjoyed amateur photography and he also had access to his fathers darkroom. We were just boys, and I used to make fun of him in the beginning because he had this ancient folding Kodak Retina, and I remember telling my father, who then gave me a firm lecture for 2 hours about the quality of this camera, and I had to unwillingly admit that the photos taken by my friend were very good indeed. I have never since made fun of anybody's camera!. Indeed the German Kodaks are not to be made fun of, but deserves a lot of respect. The collectors out there, that are totally devoted to collecting the German "Nagel-Kodaks", and unselfishly sharing all their knowledge with us certainly also deserves a lot of respect and recognition.

Need help dating and identifying Your Retina ?

Contact:

Mr. David L. Jentz from the "Historical Society for Retina Cameras"

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