JULY 2025 – A Kodak Retinette 1B (Type 037) viewfinder camera with an AgfaPhoto APX 100 black-and-white film and a three-pack of Kodak Gold films. Photo © Mark Zanzig/zanzig.com
The story behind the image
The other day someone – apparently a younger reader – sent me an email asking what kind of films would be used with a Kodak Retinette 1B (Type 037)?
A funny question for those who grew up with films, but a serious one by younger folksstarting to explore analog photography. So, here is the simple answer: A Kodak Retinette 1B (Type 037) uses standard 35mm film which is also known as “135 format”. That’s the classic film used in analog cameras since the 1930s. The negative format is 24 x 36 mm, and the films are still produced today.
You might find them even in your drugstore around the corner. Alas, the big German drugstore chains still carry black-and-white negative film (AgfaPhoto APX 100) and Kodak Gold color negative film. In my experience, these films are all OK and an affordable choice. Also, the drugstore chains also offer developing services. If you just go for negatives, these services are really good and affordable.
On the pack, watch for the figure “135” that indicates the film format, and the number of exposures which are typically 20, 24, or 36 images. I recommend to always pick the 36 exposure films, simply because you get a better price/performance ratio and have to exchange the film less often.
If you are looking for more specific films like slide films or high/low ISO films you will have to look online or talk to your local professional photo dealer.
The high resolution image
| Capture Date & Time | 06-JUL-2025, 13:58 |
| Location | Munich, Germany |
| Camera | Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G (SM-G990B2) |
| ISO | 500 |
| Exposure | 1/30 sec. at f/1.8 |
| Digital Image Source Format | JPEG, 24 bits/pixel, sRGB |
| Edited Image Format | JPEG, 24 bits/pixel, sRGB |
| Edited Image Dimensions | 2682 x 2252 Pixels |
| Copyright | © by Mark Zanzig/zanzig.com |
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