Exakta Repairs and DIY

A VX1000 dropped in my lap yesterday with three prisms, one being the Travemat metering prism. Attached was a 50mm F2 Pancolar, tight to the point of not being able to turn it, but good glass. The other lens, probably a cheap 135mm Tele-Lentar F2.8 is at least double coated with good glass and focuses easily. The body needs mirror foam at least; The leather is perfect, and has barely a mark but it stinks like from a fire. I've left it out overnight and the odor has diminished. The leather bag it came in has the same smell inside but only dust on the outside. It's been sitting from what I can tell in the top of a closet for years so I'm wondering if the bag is the source.
Other accessories came with it and I'm thinking of getting it cla'd and using it. Has anyone experience with DIY repairs on these cameras cause I know there is a manual out there but I believe it's for the older VX series. Otherwise I could use a recommendation for a repair person if anyone has one.

I'd also like to ask for a recommendation on a short to medium telephoto up to and including 135mm which I'm liking more and more, and if I should invest in getting the Pancolar cla'd or just buy another.

Thanks, W

for a short tele on an exakta, can't go wrong with the steinheil. I have one, it works.

On the body, its going to be very close on the inside to a VX, probably only minor differences. what it isn't like is any japanese camera on the planet! Lots of people that have done shutter jobs on japanese camera get shocked when they get the bottom off an exakta.

The stuck lens, first things first, get a little bit of lighter fluid in it. That should loosen up the grease, but its going to migrage into the apeture and onto the glass pretty shortly after you do that, so you will be tearing the lens down. Scary at first, but its actually very easy. Its 4 elements in 3 groups, childs play and a great place to start learning some repair!

Btw, those meter prisms, if working, are a pretty good find.

Myself and another local shooter have dared eachother to shelve all our other 135 slr cameras and shoot only our exaktas in the comming year. For both of us, that means giving our cameras a CLA, and in his case, a fresh set of curtains. (I think mine will probably survive, if they don't, then he can do mine too! )

If you carefully use only 1 or 2 drops of lighter fluid on the lens, it won't migrate (done that literally with dozens of lenses).

The Zeiss Jena 135 f/4.0 is supposed to be very good and is quite common (don't like 135mm myself).

My tip: The Schacht Travenar 90 f/2.8 (uncommon but usually inexpensive). Has nearly the identical performance and signature of the Carl Zeiss 85mm f/2.8 for C/Y and Rolleiflex.

Rol_Lei Nut said:

If you carefully use only 1 or 2 drops of lighter fluid on the lens, it won't migrate (done that literally with dozens of lenses).

The Zeiss Jena 135 f/4.0 is supposed to be very good and is quite common (don't like 135mm myself).

My tip: The Schacht Travenar 90 f/2.8 (uncommon but usually inexpensive). Has nearly the identical performance and signature of the Carl Zeiss 85mm f/2.8 for C/Y and Rolleiflex.

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$254 on Ebay BIN. Doesn't seem too cheap, or is it?

Thanks for info guys..

waynecrider said:

$254 on Ebay BIN. Doesn't seem too cheap, or is it?

Thanks for info guys..

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Less than $300 for quality glass is always a good deal. You get what you pay for in this world.

waynecrider said:

$254 on Ebay BIN. Doesn't seem too cheap, or is it?

Thanks for info guys..

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I got my Schacht 90mm in Exakta mount for around € 50 (about $ 60)...

There are Schacht 90mm lenses in M39 mount being sold by a couple of notorious rip-off shops. Those same shops might offer the Exakta one at an outrageous price as well if they have one.
But the normal market value is still "cheap"...

An Exakta can be a very enjoyable camera to use and the results first rate.

The repair book you want is written by Niles Upton. It is excellent and sells for about $50.

Many (spelled almost all) old exaktas need a CLA. New curtains is a major undertaking because they have to be exactly in the correct position. In addition, new curtains are extremely hard to find and must be made. Some exaktaphiles have used some black acrilic paint or have used something called liquid electrician tape with some success to repair the existing curtains. You will find postings on the net about these attempts.


Wes

Wes Martinson said:

An Exakta can be a very enjoyable camera to use and the results first rate.

The repair book you want is written by Niles Upton. It is excellent and sells for about $50.

Many (spelled almost all) old exaktas need a CLA. New curtains is a major undertaking because they have to be exactly in the correct position. In addition, new curtains are extremely hard to find and must be made. Some exaktaphiles have used some black acrilic paint or have used something called liquid electrician tape with some success to repair the existing curtains. You will find postings on the net about these attempts.


Wes

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I'm lucky in the fact that the curtain is perfect. All I have to do is replace the foam and fix the 50mm lens. Yesterday I looked at Photosig for pictures taken with the 50 Pancolar lens and it looks like a good lens.

Good deal on the curtains! Just so you know, if they do get pinholes that you can paint them with Tulip soft fabric paint. The color to use is ebony with the matte finish. Used it on mine and no more problems with light leaks (form the curtains).

Scott

Chaska said:

Good deal on the curtains! Just so you know, if they do get pinholes that you can paint them with Tulip soft fabric paint. The color to use is ebony with the matte finish. Used it on mine and no more problems with light leaks (form the curtains).

Scott

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Thanks Scott thats a good one. Btw, what about use on a bellows? Any thoughts.