Exakta and Exa Appreciation Thread

[OptiKen]

The Praktica Appreciation thread that has been running here since June inspired me to start one for Exakta cameras as well.
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. Mine gives me trouble rewinding - probably because I roll my own film and don't necessarily attach it well to the spool. Because of that, I've started loading film with an additional cartridge in the take up slot. I also now take advantage of the built in slitter so that I can take part of the roll normally - slit the roll and remove the exposed cartridge- continue on with the remainder pushed or of a different subject matter completely - perhaps with flash. That way I have more control over developing the roll rather than using a one-size-fits all approach to my exposed film.
I love the semi-auto aperture feature - it makes focusing with an SLR much easier. And I like having the choice of viewfinders. I can put in the waist level finder and hold the camera upside down over my head, looking up into the finder, for shots not possible otherwise. The slow shutter down to 12 seconds also makes it one of the most versatile of all of my cameras.

Mostly, I really like the pictures I am getting out of it. It is also one of the most beautiful cameras I know of.
So, awkward or not, it is becoming a favorite of mine.

Anyone else out there who uses the Exakta system? What lenses do you like on it? Anyone try macro with it using the bellows attachment? How is that?
Please share any Exakta/Exa thoughts and experiences with us here.

 

[summicron1]

Yes, these are wonderful cameras.

My first "real" camera, after a kodak Starflash, was an Exa IIa, which I still have but didn't age as well as one would hope. However, I have others. I've also got a bunch of Exaktas, and really like using them.

One of my favorites is the earlier Exa models with the little gear-shift lever for a shutter speed selector. They are super-quiet and, being waist-level finder cameras, even very unobtrusive to use these days when everyone equates taking a picture with holding a cell-phone in front of you at arms length.

I wish the Exakta cameras had aged as well as other brands, but they are still fun to use and, in this day of Steampunk design, right up to speed, fashion-wise.

 

[alanrockwood]

I didn't take the poll because there was not a selection for love/hate. Actually, I love Exaktas more than hate them. It was my first serious camera, a VX iia with 58mm Biotar, a real classic bought in 1969. That one is long gone, but in recent years I bought several more on Ebay. I haven't used them much. The one I did use a bit has light leaks in shutter.

I think all of them probably all need some work.

 

[Theo Sulphate]

I have three Exakta VX's and one VXIIa. I would really love to have an Exa II; they are so sleek.

For lenses, Carl Zeiss Jena and Schneider, I've got about half a dozen 50-58mm, including the Biotar and an Angenieux lens, a 35/1.9 Steinheil, and Schneider 135mm and 200mm.

 

[OptiKen]

Knock on wood...
I've only acquired (2) Exacta VXs and one EXA....all from ebay.
All working without any issues.
One of the VXs is a real beater that I bought because it was cheaper than buying the viewfinder I wanted that happened to be on it. Even so, it works great.

 

[ronnies]

Exakta Varex IIa by F4ronnie, on Flickr

Kine Exakta by F4ronnie, on Flickr

EXA 1c by F4ronnie, on Flickr

Exakta RTL1000 by F4ronnie, on Flickr

Ronnie

 

[Malinku]

For the most part I love my two exakta cameras. I have a Varex VX and a VX IIB that are both in fully working condition. Being a lefty these cameras are a real joy to use. The only major issue is that the finders are very poor in low light, Making focusing really hard. Any long exposure is going to be pretty noisy due to how that system works on exaktas.

As for lenses there are tons of awesome lenses.
I have only got two a meyer-optik görlitz oreston 50mm f1.8 and a Isco-Göttingen Westar 100mm F4.5. I also had a Isco-Göttingen 135mm f2.8 Auto Tele-Iscaron that was in rough shape. Those three lenses are all very good and have a unique way they render a scene.
If you get any of the lenses made in germany it is a pretty good bet that it will be good.

Also film loading is a pain at times. it is just different and takes a bit to get use to

 

[Theo Sulphate]

Nice to see all these photos.

 

[Meyer Trioplan]

Count me among those that truly appreciate the Exakta. It was the camera that just recently got me back into 35mm. As a shooter of 120 in Folders and TLR's, I had no real desire to delve back into the smaller format, aside from maybe trying some films that I couldn't get in MF. A Praktica I had was too clunky to use and had issues, and I had no interest in using any of the cadre of SLR cameras readily available, as they all seemed to suffer a sameness in both function and looks.

That's why I like the Exakta. It's really pretty fully functioned. I don't typically use in-camera meters or A/P settings on my old 120 cameras, and unlike most other SLR's, the Exakta offers waist level finders, time exposures, and a neat assortment of great old lenses, the basics of which can be had pretty cheaply. I picked up one in July and shot a roll with it, and recently had to add another to the stable, as it makes for a great tagalong camera in 35mm. Built like a tank, yet a thing of absolute beauty, I love using this dependable camera that never needs a battery!

 

[OptiKen]

...... Any long exposure is going to be pretty noisy due to how that system works on exaktas.

I am not arguing, only curious...
How does the Exakta system contribute to extra noise in long exposures?

 

[railwayman3]

I inherited my late Father's Exakta outfit and used it for a while. A great system, but there always seemed to be one or two points on quality control....the Varex IIB body has shutter bounce on 1/1000 sec (my Dad had the same issue since it was new, and several trips back to the UK distributor failed to cure it). The Pancolor lens was definitely unsharp at full aperture, but the 2.8 Tessar 50mm was a star performer. As were the Meyer 30mm and 135mm lenses.
The Exa 500 body was fine, as were various accessories.

A friend has a similar system at the time, but with some of the more exotic Zeiss lenses (Flektagon w/a's and Sonnar long focus), and these were excellent in build and performance. I think we concluded then that the more mass-produced GDR products could be iffy, but the more specialist lenses and accessories were perhaps more "hand-built". Friends at the photo club with Prakticas had similar views....great system, if you got a good one.

I sold the Exakta kit in the end and kept my Pentax outfit.....I don't, on balance, think I've regretted it.

 

[Malinku]

I am not arguing, only curious...
How does the Exakta system contribute to extra noise in long exposures?

Well what I really meant to say was slower shutter speeds as using T or B is nice and quite.
For those shutter speeds from 1/8 to 12 seconds. You wind the knob on the right and set the left speed knob to T or B. the unwinding tension on the right knob sets those shutter speeds. For the most part this system will be noisy due to age.

 

[sagai]

My Exa 1a leaves me speechless whenever I am using it.
Rock solid, inherently no possible to have light leak (curtain/tongue is metal as well), all working and working.
The only thing that I would like to have is a focusing screen that allows easy focusing in low light.

I really like this Exa 1a with a tessar on it.

 

[michr]

I have two Varexes, a 50 and an 85mm lens. A missing option on your questionaire fits my situation better. I love the camera, but I don't use it as often as I'd like. I'd really like to find some affordable (<$50) non-normal lenses for the camera so that I'd use it more.

 

[OptiKen]

I'd really like to find some affordable (<$50) non-normal lenses for the camera so that I'd use it more.

That is what sends me to eBay constantly as well. I have (2) 50mm lenses and (1) 180mm lens. I would really like to find a 28mm-35mm wide angle and a 85mm-100mm portrait lens that I can justify spending the money on. Under $50 would be great as long as they don't charge $40 shipping.

 

[onre]

I like Exaktas. The idiosyncracies of the design are part of the charm, and the lenses are well available here in Europe. I have two VX IIa, two VX 1000 and Exa Ia. Both VX IIa work, but the other one has pinholes in shutter curtain. I should try replacing it. Both VX 1000's had sticking shutters when I got them, the other one I got to work but the other one I don't dare to touch, because it turned out to be a pre-series or prototype model - the shutter is different than normal VX 1000, no 1/1000, no T. Probably more worth to a collector.

I've got three Tessars, one 2/50 Pancolar which needs cleaning, 35 mm Isco-Göttingen Westron and 135 mm Sonnar, and some accessories as well such as different finders, macro tube set, flash shoe etc.

In practice I find these quite nice to use. Also, waist level finder is really handy for street photography these days. No-one thinks you're taking a photograph when you're looking down at the finder.

 

[Theo Sulphate]

I like Exaktas...


...also, barely visible in the back, is a 50mm Angenieux lens, one of a plethora of 50mm lenses I have for the Exakta.

(Sorry for blur - photos taken in low light with my phone's camera)

 

[onre]

How nice! The Angenieux lenses are very interesting. I've understood they're of very high quality as well.

One "hidden gem" normal lens is the A. Schacht S-Travelon.

 

[Theo Sulphate]

One of the best Exakta websites:

http://www.wrotniak.net/photo/exakta/index.html

Stephen Gandy's Cameraquest page on Exakta Angenieux lenses:

https://www.cameraquest.com/ekang.htm

 

[Trask]

I have three Exakta bodies, a few normal lenses: Zeiss Pancolar 50mm f/2, an SK Xenon 50mm f/1.9, and a 58mm Biotar that's really, really stiff to focus. Unfortunately, my three bodies are having issues -- can anyone suggest a good repair shop, either in Europe or North America, for bodies and/or lenses?

I get around the fact that my Exakta bodies are not working well by using my lenses on either a Konica T3N or a newly-acquired original full/half frame AutoReflex, using a Konica adapter. View and focus wide open, press in lens button to stop down lens with left hand, press shutter release with right hand -- it works very well for me, and my double grip really steadies the camera.

 

[AgX]

I got my EXA 1B for the weird shutter. And its sound...

I find that it holds less well, than one would expect from the wedge-formed sides.

 

[sagai]

I have three Exakta bodies, a few normal lenses: Zeiss Pancolar 50mm f/2, an SK Xenon 50mm f/1.9, and a 58mm Biotar that's really, really stiff to focus. Unfortunately, my three bodies are having issues -- can anyone suggest a good repair shop, either in Europe or North America, for bodies and/or lenses?

I get around the fact that my Exakta bodies are not working well by using my lenses on either a Konica T3N or a newly-acquired original full/half frame AutoReflex, using a Konica adapter. View and focus wide open, press in lens button to stop down lens with left hand, press shutter release with right hand -- it works very well for me, and my double grip really steadies the camera.

Repair would costs you more than camera itself.
I would not bother to repair if one of mine would fail.

 

[onre]

Repair would costs you more than camera itself.

This is true for almost all 35 mm SLRs.

 

[Theo Sulphate]

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.

 

[Paul Howell]

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.

I agree, which is why I still have my first cameras, a Retina III C and Spotmatic. On a pragmatic note, also I know what I have, replacing used equipment with used equipment and you usually buy a new set problems that need to be fixed.