Kenneth Wajda Buying a Film Camera: EXAKTA V 35mm Camera

Discussing the Exakta V 35mm Camera
SUBSCRIBE for more reviews each week.
Kenneth Wajda, a professional commercial photographer who still shoots film, walks you through the ins and outs of buying vintage film cameras, which ones to buy, which to avoid, how much to pay and other tricks for making sure you get a working camera and a good deal!
Tips on Leica, Nikon, Canon, Olympus, Pentax, Minolta, Yashica, Fuji, Mamiya, Rolleiflex, Hasselblad, Praktica, Exakta, Zorki and more!

[@jonlouis2582]

I have a few of these, I happen to think they are the most beautiful cameras ever designed. I know not everyone shares my admiration of these great cameras. The only ones I have that work were serviced before I used them.The lenses are superb.

[@kennethwajda]

Mine works fine, but it's hard to see the WLF in bright sunlight I've found.

[@Exakta66]

25, 50, 100, etc were common until the sixties when they standardized 30, 60, 125, etc...the speeds are generally fairly accurate on Exaktas, I've used my 1938 66 until several years ago, until it needed a CLA. which yours does...you can find the spools on eBay, if you check regularly though hopefully you found one by now...also, if you have trouble with the shutter not working properly, make sure the slow speed knob is parked completely...ie, fully counterclockwise... One of the best things about Exaktas has always been the fact that there are so many excellent lenses available for relatively cheap, although some things like the Angenieuxs and the Macro-Steinheils and the like have gotten rather expensive in recent years...take it from someone with over 160 Exakta lenses, though I've been collecting since 1980...and let me tell you, things were real cheap back then...

[@kennethwajda]

+Alan Jankowski Wow, that is quite a picture all those Exaktas. Thanks for the update. I am still looking for the spool. Maybe found one this week. I have an offer in on a camera that's broken but has the spool. Best regards!

[@Exakta66]

+kenneth wajda Good luck, and if you still can't find one, let me know...I'm in the Exakta Topica and Yahoo forums, I'm sure someone has an extra kicking around...I probably do if I really looked...you can see the difference in pictures on the net btw...go to Page 2 here... www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjE-vuTodfJAhVDHD4KHQUqAR8QjRwIBw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fphoto.net%2Fclassic-cameras-forum%2F00QKMl&psig=AFQjCNFOH3uwaDxZChLB6AJ3jGORMOuPaA&ust=1450041896767359

[@kennethwajda]

+Alan Jankowski Thanks! So, I think I need a green or black. I have a blue here that doesn't fit. That other one I bid on didn't work out, so still looking. Let me know if you see one, please. Thanks again!

[@Exakta66]

+kenneth wajda I just posted a message to the Exakta Google group...here's the e-mail, if you're interested in joining: [e-mail] It's not very active these days, we used to be on Topica, and it was fairly active about 15 years ago, but things change...anyway, posted the link to your video here, so someone may contact you direct...we shall see...

[@kennethwajda]

+Alan Jankowski Thanks, Alan. I'll look it up. Appreciate it.

[@juliawho3896]

Mine works perfect 👍 thanks

[@ianwilkinson4602]

I had to put a new rear shutter curtain in mine after a previous owner had put one in which was way to narrow and had crumpled, it was not easy, finding the way into the camera was "interesting" to say the least, but it gave me the opportunity to do some cleaning and then some lubricating of gears etc., using an a small artists paint brush and watch oil. Shutters work ok and I am about to reassemble ready for a trial run,fingers crossed. I have three other Exakta's and eight Exa's including four EXA500 that were jammed solid, I think you might call it an obsession. I also bought a couple of lovely AKW Arette Super P cameras, one with snakeskin covering, was listed as broken but it works fine, the other is in transit. All good fun during covid-19 lockdown. cheers.

[@kennethwajda]

Yes. Thanks for your comment. Make photographs with that beauty.

[@lucamontefiori4128]

It most likely needs some retentioning of the second shutter curtain

[@kennethwajda]

Yep!

[@sherimao]

Hi! Can I ask what film does this take?

[@kennethwajda]

35mm film.

[@Wiencourager]

You don’t need a take up spool for this camera, just use an empty cartridge. The camera was designed to do that

[@kennethwajda]

Ah, well I ended up getting one. Thanks.

[@Mc007Queen]

I'll stick to my Konica Auto S2 with the more Superior lens

[@kennethwajda]

:-)

[@handel1111]

What an ugly camera

[@kennethwajda]

Beauty is in the eye of the camera holder!

[@thomasmoje5926]

@@kennethwajda sticking shutter blinds notwithstanding: love those old mechanical cameras..note complete lack of plastic parts on the exterior..most cameras had all metal bodies and machined metal parts back then. Always had a fascination with those old Exaktas, Prakticas and Leicas for that reason.

[@user-rl1mp3zu6p]

Then you should really use it, the result will be completely different

[@johnmoore901]

Ugly?? I think it's a work of art, pure German engineering genius.