Exakta Varex 2b or not 2b?

..I'm thinking of getting one of these vintage Exakta SLR cameras, but I read that the quality dropped off in the later models. My question is how does 2b camera compare with the earlier versions - especially the, more decorative, 2a? Also do these cameras have any notable idiosyncrasies??

A IIa is probably the best bet. By the IIb/VX1000 era things had been dropping off and they were less decorative.

As for notable idiosyncrasies - they are nothing but. The left hand shutter/wind was the result of a study by Exakta as the camera was designed for a right handed person: winding the film and stroking the shutter don't required much dexterity and can be relegated to the left hand; focusing however requires fine motor skills and should be done with the right hand. Before saying "Not fair to left handers," remember by that logic all the other cameras in the world are designed and best suited for left-handed people.

Neil,
I've got a IIa with the CZJ Pancolar 50mm f/2 lens. Used it a lot for several years but now I mostly shoot MF. Let me know if you want it--it needs a home with someone who'll put it to work!

Tel said:

Neil,
I've got a IIa with the CZJ Pancolar 50mm f/2 lens. Used it a lot for several years but now I mostly shoot MF. Let me know if you want it--it needs a home with someone who'll put it to work!

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The Zeiss Jena Zebra 50mm Pancolar was a great lens!.. I had the f/1.8 and f/2..

The best thing about the camera was the optics. The worst thing was the frame counter--it often skipped or jammed so I'd have to keep count in my head.