Amazing Exakta

[gma]

Back in the 1960's I wanted a new Exakta VX IIb, but could not scrape together enough money to puchase one. Finally I bought a used 1937 Kine Exakta model 1 in 1969 - a real classic.

Recently I bought two VERY USED badly corroded UGLY 1950's VX parts cameras for the lenses and was surprised to find that the shutters looked and sounded great and worked at speeds 1/25 to 1/1000, B & T. I do not dare try the slow speeds or delayed timer for fear of freezing up the delicate clockwork mechanism.

I am shocked at the amazing condition of the shutters in cameras that have obviously been abused and neglected for decades. These things were really precision instruments in their day.

 

[stark raving]

GMA,

I just acquired a semi-functional V for the lens and finder that were on it. I'm going to get a copy of Miles Upton's book and try to fix it up. If you're not familiar, check out http://www.exaktaphile.com/vx2ar/book.html. Upton restored my VX in 2003, this time I want to try it myself. Besides being a fascinating (to me) vintage gadget, the thing takes damned nice pictures.

Jonathan

 

[Seele]

... I bought a used 1937 Kine Exakta model 1 in 1969 - a real classic.

is the 1937 Kine still going? I had been salivating over the 1936 for ages in the rare occasions when they turned up; about ten years or so ago the 1936 prices shot up all of a sudden, but my 1938 is still doing very well indeed.

 

[gma]

I ran one roll of film through it and put it in storage. The waist level reversed image is too quirky for me! The shutter works at 1/25 - 1/1000. The 1/25 and 1/50 are more like 1/100, but the others seem to be close to correct. I do not try to use the slow speeds or time delay features. I noticed that one exactly like mine sold for around $300 on ebay last week. Unbelievable! Mine has a patched shutter strap and could use a new shutter and CLA. I am content to display only.

The two VX specimens with prism finders can be used and I do not have to be obsessively careful with them. Both are wrecks.

 

[stark raving]

A 1936 Kine would be the "round magnifier" model. Prices shot up because of collector interest - only several thousand of these were made. But the functional specification is the same as the other Kine I variations. I would love to have any pre-war Kine, but.... my wife and I bought motorcycles this week! No more toys for me for a long, long time.

 

[gma]

Mine is the model 1, version 2 w/ rectangular magnifier. The one on ebay was the same type. I thought they are worth only about $100 even with an original Tessar f/3.5 lens.

 

[Seele]

The original Kine Exakta of 1936 was the "round magnifier", the 1937 has changed it to a larger rectangular magnifier of lower positive power, and the 1938 model added a screw hole above the bi-pin synchroniser contact for more positive attachment of the Vacublitz flashgun. Just FYI, of course.

 

[stark raving]

The original Kine Exakta of 1936 ............. Just FYI, of course.

Hark!! A fellow Exakta-geek!!! Do I know you, sir or ma'am, from one of the Exakta online forums?

Jonathan Stark

 

[Seele]

Hark!! A fellow Exakta-geek!!! Do I know you, sir or ma'am, from one of the Exakta online forums?

Jonathan Stark

Jonathan,

I am far from being an Exakta geek, I used to be active in the Exakta Circle back in the old country but nowadays I am more specialised in KW/Pentacon stuff. Never been to any of the Exakta forums, but I still use my 1938 every now and then to frighten the bystanders and small children... and make the other photographers wonder if it's the latest digital camera!

 

[johnnywalker]

Hark!! A fellow Exakta-geek!!! Do I know you, sir or ma'am, from one of the Exakta online forums?

Jonathan Stark

What Exacta forum? I have a bunch of Exacta stuff from the 50's, that I'd like to find a home for. No cameras though.

 

[stark raving]

What Exacta forum?

There are two. The newer one unfortunately seems to be having server issues recently, and response time is crawling. It is at www1.exaktalist.org.

The older one, where most of the community is posting recently, is on Topica. An introduction page with sign-up instructions is at http://members.aol.com/basmpu/index.html

If you'd like, PM me or post a list of the items you'd like to unload, and I'll cross-post it to the Topica list for you.

Jonathan

 

[mfobrien]

My daughter and I recently began using an Exakta Exa (she bought hers for $25, and mine was about the same). My first SLR was an Exa 1a. Nearly foolproof camera. Would love some extras for ours...what do you have?

 

[Mark Layne]

I have many exaktas including a few of Jim Upton's.
I recently found in a junk pile a nice embossed IIa. The shutter functioned well but was deteriorating into pinholes. I mixed some PLASTI-DIP with turpentine and painted the curtains. It is now light tight and functional.

Anyone want to comment on the Angenieux lenses-mine seem to be soft in the corners

Mark

 

[stark raving]

Anyone want to comment on the Angenieux lenses-Mark

Yeah- folks with more funds to spend than me keep the prices of Angenieux's beyond my reach!

 

[Kinetic]

Is it wroth it? to buy an Exa 1a with Carl Zeiss lens? Sort of 47euro or 62 dollars.I really love the way it looks and does photos.Should I go for it? Should I ask for money around to get it?

 

[Rol_Lei Nut]

Is it wroth it? to buy an Exa 1a with Carl Zeiss lens? Sort of 47euro or 62 dollars.I really love the way it looks and does photos.Should I go for it? Should I ask for money around to get it?

Well, which Carl Zeiss (Jena) lens?

*Some* of those lenses alone can be worth 10 times that.
If the lens is of a more normal variety (Tessar or "T"), I'd say you might be able to find that kit for less.

 

[Kinetic]

Well they come with the camera.I will see them when I buy it.And on a site a guy was selling some carl zeiss jena.They have the price with which I am buying the camera now.)You are right, they are more expensive.

 

[OldBodyOldSoul]

Two Exaktas fell into my lap (Varex VX and VX 1000), together with an extra WL finder and couple of lenses. I shoot Nikon and enjoy it a lot but these two look extremely nice and seem to work great.
My only problem is I have to either stand upside down or cross my arms so I can advance the film and press the shutter with my right hand. Or shoot autoportraits all day long.
By the way, anyone knows if these lenses are any good?
Meyer-Optik Gorlitz 35mm f/4.5 Primagon, 50mm f/2.8 Domiplan, 100mm f/2.8 Trioplan and Carl Zeiss Jena 135mm f/4 Sonnar?

 

[Rol_Lei Nut]

By the way, anyone knows if these lenses are any good?
Meyer-Optik Gorlitz 35mm f/4.5 Primagon, 50mm f/2.8 Domiplan, 100mm f/2.8 Trioplan and Carl Zeiss Jena 135mm f/4 Sonnar?

The 135 Sonnar is spectacular! Might need a good lens shade to give its best.
Trioplan, as the name says, is three-element. Rather soft, but a good flattering portrait or pictoral lens.
Primagon is o.k. Just used one briefly, without noticing anything especially good or bad about it apart from its extreme slowness.
Domiplan was a cheap, entry level lens. Still better than many zooms, though...

 

[Kinetic]

Wel I got the camera.It's a beauty.And has the Carl Zeiss Jena lens.Damn.I put a film in it and I am off to test it.I will post pictures of it tonight so you guys can tel me what you think about it.It's like morning Christmas for me, right now!

 

[Rol_Lei Nut]

Wel I got the camera.It's a beauty.And has the Carl Zeiss Jena lens.Damn.I put a film in it and I am off to test it.I will post pictures of it tonight so you guys can tel me what you think about it.It's like morning Christmas for me, right now!

But *which* Carl Zeiss Jena lens?? :confused:

 

[Kinetic]

Well, Carl Zeiss Jena 50/2,8 Tessar.But camera looks like brand new.Just that the lens work a little bit hard.I turn it damn slow at one point.I do not know where I can go and get them oiled a little bit .But it's ok, I can manage.

 

[Kinetic]

I hope you guys like it.I sure love it.Made two films with it already, but did not get them developed yet.Soon!