Exa Ia First Test

DcAnalogue · Jan 29, 2016

Hello APUG people!

Recently I bought for few euros a very nice Exa Ia with Domiplan 50mm. She seems new. I made a test roll and liked very much to use this little but well working camera. The Image quality too was good too, despite Domiplan being the cheaper from the Exa lenses.
Was so impressed by the camera that I've just bought an Exa Ib (M42 mount) to use with my M42 lenses....

You can see the whole test in my Film Blog

Ian Grant · Jan 29, 2016

You were lucky the Domiplan that came with my Exa 1a is unusable, you can't even see through it something has etched the front element. HAve fun they are nice quirky little cameras.

Ian

AgX · Jan 29, 2016

But that etching likely was no production fault and thus could have happened to any lens.

Ian Grant · Jan 29, 2016

AgX said:
But that etching likely was no production fault and thus could have happened to any lens.

No it's an ageing fault, I suspect it's the glass used in these lenses as aside from that the lens is in excellent condition. Pre-WWII Novars, Summars and some Tessars are prone to the same softening from airborne pollutants.

Ian

AgX · Jan 29, 2016

Interesting. So far I could relate etching to fingerprints and to mould. And my one and only Domiplane is fine (still?, have to check...)
The chemical composition will effect chemical resistance of the lens, thus there can be something behind lens-typical corrosion.
But I'm lacking experience with pre-war lenses..

Theo Sulphate · Jan 29, 2016

DcAnalogue said:

Very nice.

onre · Jan 30, 2016

These nicely highlight the fact that despite some negative reviews the Domiplan is actually a very capable lens.

Nice tonal range in many of these images. I like them.

DcAnalogue · Jan 30, 2016

Theo Sulphate said:
Very nice.

onre said:
These nicely highlight the fact that despite some negative reviews the Domiplan is actually a very capable lens.

Nice tonal range in many of these images. I like them.

Thanks guys!

In fact, I've been lucky and found a nicely working camera toghether with a good Domiplan. Yes, it's a simple triplet but doesn't work bad. Regarding the tonal range, I try to always get good shadows when metering and films such the Kentmere helps a lot to give an extended grayscale while not burning highlights. The Ars-Imago Fd developer does its job too...

Xmas · Jan 30, 2016

Lots of the optical glasses as not like window glass and are intolerant of humidity, industrial atmosphere, out gassing from lube on iris blades.

Leica and Canon mid fifties lenses... They need cleaning internally at first sign of fogging.

If you like the triplet signature you ain't alone.

outwest · Jan 31, 2016

I keep a Makro-Kilar on mine.

DcAnalogue · Jan 31, 2016

outwest said:
I keep a Makro-Kilar on mine.

Wow... seems a nice lens... but not in my budget...

outwest · Jan 31, 2016

Didn't quite know what you meant until I went and looked at what they are asking for them these days. Unbelievable!

DcAnalogue · Feb 1, 2016

outwest said:
Didn't quite know what you meant until I went and looked at what they are asking for them these days. Unbelievable!

Ahahahah! These guys on the 'bay are going crazy with prices..... Anyway not sure they really sell at these prices....

Exa Ia First Test

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