Exakta and Exa Appreciation Thread

[onre]

To me it is worth having one of my cameras repaired, even if I could replace it at lesser cost. The reason is because I feel this is part of my ownership and taking care of what I have.

Most people likely will not understand this.

That's what I do as well. I dislike the current throwaway culture, and repairing devices such as these is joyful because the way they're built implies that they're meant to be serviced and repaired.

Besides, once you start to think of your hobbies in economical terms, you might end up with no hobbies at all.

 

[Trask]

Sagai -- re: the cost of fixing: I just hate to have something that isn't working properly. Makes me wonder if, in a few months when I retire, I should try learning beginner camera repair. That full/half frame Konica Autoreflex I mention -- bought it for $50 and paid over $200 to get it fully working properly. And I'm just now sending a Rolleiflex 2.8A (with Tessar) off for a CLA.

One side note re: the Konica AutoReflex: I'm on record here on APUG as not liking microprism focusing devices in an SLR, as I don't find them as easy to use as a split image. But the AutoReflex has really changed my mind, for it (alone, in my experience) is really easy to focus with its mid-1960's microprism. I don't know why, but much easier that Spotmatics etc for me.

I'm sure I'll be able to repair my Exaktas very easily, as surely they can't be complicated inside, can they?

 

[AgX]

Microprisms as split-image SLR focussing aids come in diffrent prism-/wedge-angles. For good reason.

 

[onre]

I'm sure I'll be able to repair my Exaktas very easily, as surely they can't be complicated inside, can they?

Depends on what's wrong. They really aren't that complicated.

 

[Theo Sulphate]

... I should try learning beginner camera repair. ...

Is (film) camera repair taught anywhere these days? If so, I'm interested. The repair people we respect who are mentioned on APUG will be doing repairs for only so long.

... I'm sure I'll be able to repair my Exaktas very easily, as surely they can't be complicated inside, can they?

The Exaktaphile site has a few tidbits:

http://www.exaktaphile.com/vx2ar/repair.html

 

[onre]

Useful notes:

http://rick_oleson.tripod.com/index-160.html

The whole shutter assembly comes out from the body in one piece, which is very handy, because by reinstalling lever and dials manually you can actually test-shoot it without it being mounted on the camera. With all dials off, the shutter should function as if T was selected.

DISCLAIMER: I am not professional, this is just what I've done:

- put very small drops of alcohol on bearings
- cock & fire some times, until you see old lubricant come out
- clean the old lubricant
- use a needle tip + suitable oil (I've used sewing machine oil) to re-lubricate, DO NOT OVER-LUBRICATE

I haven't taken the rollers out from the shutter frame, because mine still worked smoothly and without noise. However, the note I posted above contains some preliminary values for tightening.

Use a file to create a special round-tip screwdriver to get fast-speed dial screw out without damaging it, this helps with two other top screws too. While you have the shutter on the table, it's also really easy to check the condition of the shutter. Also, this is a good opportunity for replacing light-seals and mirror foam.

 

[sagai]

Sagai -- re: the cost of fixing: I just hate to have something that isn't working properly. Makes me wonder if, in a few months when I retire, I should try learning beginner camera repair. That full/half frame Konica Autoreflex I mention -- bought it for $50 and paid over $200 to get it fully working properly. And I'm just now sending a Rolleiflex 2.8A (with Tessar) off for a CLA.

In essence I do agree with you and with your concept.

I am solely tired of sending to repair again and again the same rig and at the end we all send it again and again.

Collectibles are a different kind of course like those gorgeous Rolleis.
I do not have any of these for the same reason though.

Merry Xmas for us and HNY too! [emoji4]

 

[Sirius Glass]

The Exakta VX is becoming my go-to camera lately for reasons unknown to me. It is awkward to say the least. Everything about it seems backwards or left-handed.

What is wrong with a left handed camera? I think that they are great. I wish there were more to choose from.

Left handed people are the only people in their right mind!

My super power is being left handed. What is yours?
​

 

[OptiKen]

My super power is being left handed. What is yours?
​

Tolerating the left

 

[Theo Sulphate]

The link I provided,

http://www.exaktaphile.com/vx2ar/repair.html

(specifically the "fraud" case) shows the internals of an Exakta quite well.

 

[onre]

The link I provided,

http://www.exaktaphile.com/vx2ar/repair.html

(specifically the "fraud" case) shows the internals of an Exakta quite well.

That page used to have a link to this sub-page, which I've bookmarked years ago, showing full disassembly of Kine Exakta (later models are very similar, all the way to VX 1000):

http://www.exaktaphile.com/repair/1.html

I have no idea why the link isn't there anymore.

 

[Theo Sulphate]

That page used to have a link to this sub-page, which I've bookmarked years ago, showing full disassembly of Kine Exakta (later models are very similar, all the way to VX 1000):

http://www.exaktaphile.com/repair/1.html

I have no idea why the link isn't there anymore.

Excellent link - a virtual gold mine. Thank you!

 

[AgX]

I don't have an Exakta, but it is interesting just to look through that manual.

 

[Xmas]

I don't have an Exakta, but it is interesting just to look through that manual.

Is that the only one you don't have?

 

[AgX]

We all have something lacking...

(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

 

[MattKrull]

 

[Theo Sulphate]

Very nice!

 

[DcAnalogue]

My Exa Ia

Here's mine..... She's lovely and works well..... ;-)

Soon il post the first roll on my Film Blog

 

[AgX]

Those Exas rather deserve a sound file, than a photograph...

 

[Xmas]

Those Exas rather deserve a sound file, than a photograph...

They were quite cheap new, even with a prism, eg as a backup for a Exackta. The EGermans 'dumped' them in the UK for exchange as late as '62.

 

[onre]

Those Exas rather deserve a sound file, than a photograph...

Yes, the shutter sound is rather... unique.

 

[AgX]

Are there any other cameras with that kind of shutter?

 

[Theo Sulphate]

Are there any other cameras with that kind of shutter?

My Exa 500 / Exakta 500 (see post #17) has a regular focal plane shutter, a pentaprism, and an instant-return mirror.

See this cool page for the taxonomy:

http://www.wrotniak.net/photo/exakta/exa-serial.html

 

[onre]

Got a cheap Meyer Lydith 30/3,5. Going to take some pictures this weekend to see how it is.

I also have a 50 mm Trioplan, which was a steal. These go for less than 50 Euro, whereas the 100 mm version is closer to 500. I have to say that I'm surprised by it - it is really sharp, and the soft bokeh is very pleasing.

(unfortunately I damaged the latter negative by careless handling while still wet)

 

[MattKrull]

I've spent the past few lunch breaks walking around with my Exa loaded with Rollei Red Bird. Because of Red Bird's special properties (ie being shot through the back of the film) the best results seem to be at low ISOs (https://www.flickr.com/photos/xabl/3460022608). So here I am walking around town with a camera limited to three stops of useful shutter speeds (1/125 - 1/30), a lens with a max usable aperture of 5.6, and film I'm rating at ISO 25. This pretty much exactly opposite of my normal operating procedure (high iso, wide aperture, fast shutter speed). I'm not making any Grand Art, but I'm having a blast. It's a really fun little camera that makes me stop and really puzzle through how I'll make a shot work.

Onre, glad you got your Trioplan cheap. Since the talk of re-releasing the trioplan they seem to go for twice that on the auction site. Which is a shame, because it's the 50mm I want for my Exa