Putting together some stuff for my studio lighting class last night, I decided on a tribute to my grandfather- and I grabbed the camera that is always sitting on my desk, the Kodak Retina IIa that he gave me, at age 10, for my first "real" camera.  Sitting on the desk, side-by-side with my Canon G9, I was struck by the similarities of the two.  Not only in size- but in what these two cameras were trying to acheive at their respective times.  The Kodak boasted a Schneider lens with a Copal shutter with speeds up to 1/500th sec.  The Canon has opened more than a few eyes with a "pocket camera" size, and a remarkable file and set of features. Both are cameras that were used by amateurs, but also by professionals who wanted something to toss into their pocket or bag- "The best camera is the camera you have with you".

I went on to take this camera up every rock-climb and mountain I climbed, and, from working with my grandfather elbow-to-elbow in his darkroom- learned how to process and print, starting me on a long and wonderful career with my grandfather, Ansel Adams and Galen Rowell as my role models.... 

Have a look at these two great cameras, and enjoy!

The Canon uses an optical viewfinder in addition to the LCD display- which shows real-time exposure and focus.  The Kodak has a similar viewfinder, but with rangerfinder focusing- a device that uses parallax- the difference between the angles of two different viewpoints to a single subject- to determine the focus distance. 

Two solutions to the same problem- how to retract the lens, but, at extension, maintain a precise lens position for critical accuracy in focus. One, a servo-driven tube-type extension.  The other- an interlocking, precise hinge and guide.

(Think Canon will ever issue a camera with an embossed leather case?  Is it too much to ask?) 

The controls from a different generation- a Copal shutter, a coupled rangefinder focus (on a collapsable lens) and a manual, mechanical film advance...  not to mention a classic 1940's logo. 

OK, here's the spec matchup... 

Canon G9                                                        Kodak Retina IIa
Dimensions- W x H x D
4.25in x 2.75in x 3in    (1.75 in closed)            4.5in x 3.25in x 3.25in (1.75 in closed)

Weight
.75lbs (with battery)                                        1.25lbs.

Lens
Canon     7.4mm-44.4mm f2.8-4.8                   Schneider-Kreuznach 50mm f2.0

Shutter
15 sec- 1/2500 sec                                           B, 1 sec – 1/500 sec

Focus
1” to inf. Auto and Manual (LCD)                     3.5” to inf. coupled rangefinder

Format
Sensor- 7.60 x 5.70 mm                                   Film- 36 x 24 mm