My German Exakta 35mm SLR Camera Collection - The Exakta II ca 1949

Well here is my first video on my vintage film collection.
I begin with the Exakta family of 35mm cameras
Trapezoidal body design.
SLR without install retrun mirror.
Bayonet lens mount when most others used threaded monts.
Waist level viewfinder
1/25 to 1/1000 sec on one shutter speed dial.
.5-12 second shutter speed on the second dial.
All mechanical!
I paid $20 initially back in the mid 60s and it is the camera that got me started as a teen into the serious world or photography.
I did use a 6x6cm twuin lens reflex as well by thae Exakta was my work horse.
Archeic as heck to use but is was so precise at the time that it became the Camera most used in Laboratory, Industrial and all sorts of rechearch situations!
If you want to see the rest and I will just do that in one video, please let me know. If not I can stop here and go onto another subject!
Thanks
Joe
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Please watch: "EPSON P800 Chip Decoder unfortunately DID NOT WORK!"
• EPSON P800 Chip Decode...
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[@theartofmakingphotography]

I would say making new memories with a great film camera from the past along side your digital camera with getting the best from both worlds. Thank you for making this fabulous review with sharing your lovely vintage camera with us all. Jonathan William Fay 🍀

[@azvedicgurukul]

Exacta cameras are mechanical works of engineering art with some of the finest lenses ever produced. They were far ahead of their time and offered craftmanship, durability and mechanical elegance that are sadly gone from the modern world. I have digital cameras yes. But I still have all my old Nikon glass and FTN. I envy you for being able to mount a Meyer Optic Gorlitz lens or Carl Zeiss Tessar directly on your camera! It's sad that some people just don't understand or appreciate excellence anymore. Well done!

[@derekbailey2436]

A great trip down memory lane of a camera that was one of the milestones in camera technology. Thanks.

[@cheo1949]

Glad you enjoyed it. The Exakta was iconic back in the day.

[@MichaelRusso]

Nice collection. I have just recently purchased a couple Exakta's as I like to developing film.

[@ianwilkinson4602]

Nice video Jose, I have nine Exa's and Exakta's, most needed a good bit of tlc to function. I still have three that so far I am unable to fix, one an Exa500 is beyond help I think. One of my favourite cameras is an ARTIMA Arti-6 a 6x9 format 120 roll film camera made in England, it is made from bakelite and the design is art deco, the lens unscrews into position with click stops that equate to a range of focusing positions, it hasn't got an amazing lens but it performs well, it's all about fun. Cheers from Wales

[@christ5469]

Awesome video

[@cheo1949]

Thank you Chris!

[@utube321piotr]

Great video, great passion.

[@cheo1949]

Thank you kindly!

[@utube321piotr]

@@cheo1949 one week ago I was looking to buy some anniversary edition of an Exakta IIa, however I noticed that a lens was wobbly in the mount. Looking closer, the three mount "teeth" around perimeter hole did appear quite worn and I passed this camera, which was priced at 50USD . Don't know if if it just a mounting plate that can be replaced or something deeper. If the mounting is in such poor shape, then the shutter mechanism is high mileage as well. I love the design of these old Exaktas and will keep an eye on a much less used piece. Best of luck.

[@hayderassam]

Great review of the Exakta family , I love these cameras and bought a Varex IIa recently and just managed to get a Biotar lens to go with it :)

[@cheo1949]

Good choice!

[@a.f.w.froschkonig2978]

A lot of sympathy for you and your hobby !

[@cheo1949]

Why sympathy?

[@a.f.w.froschkonig2978]

Jose Rodriguez I like the calm style of your explanations. You seem to be very happy with your collection. That is a feeling that your video is sending to the world. I grew up with Voigtlaender and then the japanese took over the market. Reluctantly I turned to digital Cameras in 2006. To my surprise analog film is still available. Thanks to videos like yours I am motivated to use my favorite Olympus OM2 Equipment again. And may be collect an Exakta...

[@PaoloMarcelli]

Thank you for this video friend, it's really beautiful to see how these cameras works :3

[@cheo1949]

+ADCSFXworks Printing Center Isn't it! Like i said, if you missed the film era because of age and came directly into the digital era, you really missed one awesome experience and adventrure. I truly believe it would make one a better more well rounded photographer.

[@PaoloMarcelli]

Jose Rodriguez I had just one film camera, but it was a recent one, i think a konica minolta :) Sadly I'm 19 years old and I missed the film era

[@cheo1949]

+ADCSFXworks Printing Center Yeah but it's never too late to explore that era. Remember that it was because of what they did, that we have what we currently have. I even study the processes that were used during the civil war ( 1860s ). Those photographed paved the way for me and the rest of us. I am really thrilled that someone as young as you is interested on the process. Most young people only do phone pics and facebook. They will never know what true quality can be and pleasure that fine art photgraphy can bring to you! Don't stop my friend and I am always here to help you out!

[@PaoloMarcelli]

Jose Rodriguez Thank you, really :) I'd love to start amateur photography, but it's too expensive for me, here in Italy we're living a very bad situation, maybe a day when i'll move to germany i'll be able to buy some equipment :) The other day I printed a photo with my Officejet Pro 8620 in "General Office" quality on plain paper just to test the General Office quality, and my mum thought it was printed with a professional photo printer haha. Sometimes someone asks me to print photos with my iP7250, telling me "A4 resolution max. quality" and they give me a 320x240 resolution image...

[@cheo1949]

+ADCSFXworks Printing Center I think I will get me one of theolder WF 4030 as they are only $150 on AMAZON and have full 3rd party support. I just need a good higher volume printer for my office.

[@paradiseroad6405]

...I have three VXs...the nicest one I bought on Ebay... ...two lenses...58mm and 135mm...a leather case...barely used...perfect condition...$109 !...

[@andrewhowarth4578]

Just discovered your channel. Well done! Andy As for the nasty comment guy, I've found that the majority of film users and advocates these days are Millennials and Gen Z folks. You're where the cool kids are, old fogeys are the digital folks these days.

[@cheo1949]

Welcome aboard! Thank you!

[@jjock3239]

This old fogey is 77, and has never stopped playing with mechanical film cameras. I haven't shot any film lately, but I am planning to again.

[@ianwilkinson4602]

I am 77 but I use film way more than digital, mostly 6 x 9 format 120/620 film, but also 828,127, 35mm, and APS when I can find it :-) but like Andy everything is scanned onto the computer etc,, I did have a darkroom (bathroom) once, because I did some developing of b&w film but it was too much of a chore. So pigeon holing is not an accurate "science". cheers.

[@gotcameras]

Thank you ..... :)

[@cheo1949]

+gotcameras You are welcome.

[@Nicholasishappy]

hey there will always be haters out there! only started trying out film a while back but there is something about film that makes it precious. every shot counts and I don't get that in digital with the 'instant gratification'! thanks for sharing

[@cheo1949]

Thank you!

[@CARANDTRAIN]

Thank you for your video. How do you select the long pause / slow speed on the right button? Do you need first to put the left speed on a given position? Other than that question, my base Exacta works well.

[@jonneville2287]

Back in the 1990's, I used to shoot 4x5, mainly architecture, and only when the budget allowed. You really knew about careful composition, accurate metering (hand held, of course), and learnt very quickly how to read light. Not only was the film expensive, but the camera was slow to operate. I think anyone who thinks they are a photographer should use one of these cameras for a day, and see how you go. Know about tilts, swings, and shifts, and manipulating depth of field. Then you can call yourself a photographer. Blazing away with a digital camera and selecting one or two decent shots from 200, then fixing them in PS, is not photography - not even close. You are merely a casual "snapper". Good video, Joe, keep the vintage stuff coming, and just ignore the morons.

[@cheo1949]

You nailed it! Most people haven't got a clue today.

[@14dolphins11]

Hello , I was wondering if you new a good Camera repair shop for service . I just purchased the Exacta V , and the camera has a loose rewind lever . Thanks !

[@Albanez39]

Hello. I'm just a 24 year old boy who only used film for consumer point and shoot cameras, but I really love vintage lenses now that I'm using a digital SLR. I bought a Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar 50/2.8 lens today for less than $10. It has a weird mount though; I'm confident it's an Exacta mount, but from what I read, there are 4 different types of Exacta mounts that were used for the Carl Zeiss lenses. The bayonet mount is then followed by 10mm cylinder which also houses one of those aperture pins. My lens has a a bumpy cover on the focus ring that appears to be some sort of hard leather. Do you know anything about this lens and this specific Exacta mount? Can it be adapted?

[@cheo1949]

I would assume you probably could but it's been so many years that I have been out of the film game that I can't really answer for sure.

[@vangstr]

Long live film!

[@cheo1949]

Nothing like it!

[@allansseguya9166]

Jose Rodriguez I like this video

[@fearlessleader1436]

Jose, can you get regular camera speeds as well as the special speeds offered on this camera? Thanks Mike

[@cheo1949]

If you mean the Exacta? You only can shoot at the speeds that are on the dial. The second dial provides slow speed up to several seconds.

[@fearlessleader1436]

Jose Rodriguez Yes . So the slow speed is an extra dial besides the standard speed dial, correct?

[@cheo1949]

Yes.

[@pinklemonlady]

Hi, I received a exakta vx iia from my husband. It was his grandfather's and it is believed he purchased it over in Europe when he was stationed there. I am curious about the difference in plates. Mine does not have the chrome like you show but has the black name plate like the vx ib. Any ideas on why the difference? I am excited to use it as I haven't shot film since my late teens and am now an amateur photographer and feel using film could greatly enhance my ability on the technical side.

[@cheo1949]

Gee. I am not sure why there would be a difference in the plate plating. Maybe someone who knows a lot more history can answer. But as long as it is a genuine Ihagee Exacta you should be fine. Make sure the shutter curtains are operating perfectly.

[@pinklemonlady]

oh okay.. yes, it is engraved vx IIa on the front top portion of the camera. So the black plate then it's engraved IHAGEE DRESDEN then under that engraved in smaller font VX IIa. I also have a smaller camera EXA which I figured was just another version of the Exacta.

[@pinklemonlady]

+Cookie Monster ok. the exacta has property of ussr engraved on the bottom. does this mean anything? it is the opinion of my father in law that his dad bought the camera overseas.

[@pinklemonlady]

+Cookie Monster okay. I already know that the camera isn't worth much. at least here... it seems 100 to 200 is going rate. thanks for all the info!!!!

[@patyoung5330]

It is my understanding that the black models were made for military field use. The black was non-reflective in the field.

[@mark83915]

I came across a few working ones. Some are mint but one has sticky curtains. Does anyone repair these?

[@cheo1949]

The only guy in New York that did those repairs back in the 80s was called The Exacta Camera Company and I think he is either out of business or passed.

[@mark83915]

Jose Rodriguez Ok thank you for the response. Great videos on these cameras.

[@cheo1949]

Thank you!

[@johnrflinn]

After a long search I have found three repair shops that replace the curtains and do CLA's on Exacta cameras. It may take them 3 months but eventually you get a great camera back and pictures without circular light leaks from the pinholes in the shutter curtain. The companies are: Key Camera Service in Longmont CO., www.yelp.com/biz/key-camera-service-longmont Dave's Camera Repair in Chelsea MI www.davescamera.net/ and Blattworld Warning: do not send camera to their old address given at their website. You will never see it again (don't use 34 Franklin Ave, Brooklyn NY) The right address is: Blattworld 60-18 Fresh Pond Rd, Maspeth, Queens, NY 11378 ph 855-267-4700 www.foresthillstimes.com/view/full_story/27484461/article-Robert-Blatt--BlattWorld?instance=lead_story_left_column Blattworld supplies the new replacement curtains for the Exacta VXiia camera and others. Another great discovery for Exakta cameras...If you carefully grind down the protuberance on the lens release lever on the Exakta to about 1mm or replace it with a Topcor lens release lever you can then use the excellent Topcor lenses with the Exakta mount. It is only the little knob that gets in the way. Check out the specs on Topcor lenses: www.dyxum.com/dforum/re-auto-topcor-lenses_topic108389.html Do not confuse the Re auto Topcor lenses with the inferior UV Topcor lenses that have a different mount.

[@johnrflinn]

Just one more thing to add. When you mount Topcor lenses on an Exakta you also have to remove the leather camera case as it gets in the way. Once you mount the lens it will slip back on as there is enough clearance between the camera and the lens.

[@nautilusagency]

Dear Jose, I noticed that almost all your Exaktas have a "soft" shutter button that my model doesn't have (Exakta Varex IIa) . Do you know where could I find it? Thanx in advance.

[@cheo1949]

Back in the day they were available. Maybe Ebay?

[@nautilusagency]

Just tried. Nothing for the moment. But I'll wait for a lucky bid. Thanx.

[@cheo1949]

Our babies seem to still be popular to collectors. It might take a while for a button to become available.

[@nautilusagency]

Thank you so much! Precious advices!

[@nautilusagency]

Thank you so much Cookie Lover. Do you use an Exakta too? I'd like to learn how to get the best pics from it.

[@macbookdieter]

Anyone service these cameras, I have two.

[@cheo1949]

I do not know of anyone currently.

[@lob3503]

Frank Marshman (Camera Wiz) still does