Видео

I got a real pretty shiny VX IIa with some shutter issues for very little about a week ago. Case looks new. Then I bought another in rough shape with a biotar lens that looks dirty dull, spotty and yellow in the aluminum. Owner is clueless..father had a pawn shop. Looking forward to experimenting to polish it. Dremel, diamond powder, metal polish, 000 steel wool, etc. And a mask. Then some kind of oil to keep it from oxidizing.

I purchased a few Leica R mount lenses over a couple of years to use for digital photography. Out of curiosity I bought an original Leicaflex for a great price on eBay. I used the Leicaflex non-stop for a matter of weeks. I decided to purchase a Leicaflex SL as a backup. One thing that stands out is the viewfinder window on the camera. It is absolutely the best of any SLR. I also use my R mount lenses with my Nikon F and F2 and the images are outstanding. I may be one of the few that prefers Leica SLRs to the traditional rangefinder.

Thank you for providing a brief, yet effective history of the Ihagee Exakta cameras. I got started collecting these cameras through the lenses. A few years ago I got back into film photography with the Topcon RE cameras which also use an exacta mount. I had purchased a couple of lenses and then began to notice that I can actually purchase a camera with the lens at the same price, or at time even lower cost. The art deco style design is beautiful. The cameras are also sturdy. My first time out with one the original strap snapped. The camera fell to the ground but was not damaged. Remarkable. Just recently, I purchased a Varex iib since I already have a couple iia cameras. The camera that I received had a mixture of parts which did not seem to be done outside the factory. I kept the camera and today received a complete iib that works great. I am not too fond of the Pentacon/Exakta camera.

Anyone know of someone in North America who repairs Exaktas?

Excellent, a real camera lovers camera. Love your almost guilt ridden admission of collecting cameras, I have that look too.

I have the previous model SL and I agree that it’s insanely over engineered and also read that they were sold at a loss. Wonderful lenses and a superb slr shooting experience with a purely mechanical manual camera.

Great collection! I got hooked on Prakticas years ago. Not hard to find and affordable.

Beautiful cameras.

Excellent, thanks for doing this. Just came across these, trying to look for a decent condition one. This info really helps.

I am loving this video, as a professional giggity I feel that it is simply my pride and passion and this video truly helped me in disecting the oranges I found in the skibidi. Although I am old around 79 my samsung smart toaster is still collapsing the economy as much as the germans. This video has inspired me to reach beyond lengths reachable by even the massive trumpet. The quantam nasa computer cannot cope with such tedious amounts of X squared and as such the Exakta Camera Collection brings me to tears of joy once again.

Hi! An exakta varex iib noob here! does anyone know how I can remove and attach new lenses to it?

Fascinating. I recently bought a Kine Exacta 1936 Version 1 (round window) at auction. It is currently in Gorlitz being serviced. To fill the space I picked up an Exa 500 and an RTL1000 because it had a MOG Oreston on it 😄

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.

Thank you, I learned a lot.

Very interesting my vx1000 sill works fine after 50 years all the Exakta's from the IIa suffer from the winder problem but the VX had the additional problem of the mirror not dropping in some camera's I have read it was more a change lubrication used from the IIa onwards you have to remember Exakta's on the whole still work whereas many other's packed in decades ago

I acquired dozens of cameras over the years, amounting to several collections, but never got into Exakta. However, I did talk a friend into doing so. One of my biggest collecting scores occurred in a small shop in the wilds of Utah while shopping for a self-timer accessory to replace the one which had just blown up on me. A very dusty display item buried in among many others: Exakta VXIIa, mounting a late model Zeiss Biotar 75mm 1.5. ($150). It became a souvenir for my friend to enhance his collection.

I think I’ll choose the VI-L (6L) for the simple fact that the frame lines can be changed. Great review. Beautiful camera.

Your correct the camera is beautiful I'm just worried about the cost of film, developing & prints if you don't do it yourself. I think the cost would put some people off buying film cameras and yet they are much nicer to use than an all digital all bells & whistles camera.

Have you seen any Exacta Jr.'s? They shoot in 127 format and wider than 3x2

How do I tell what I have, I don’t see speeds of 1000, but I do have removable view finder?

Huh. I had a Vx500. It ran fine for years. And the lens was overly sharp: too much detail.

Great content!

Very interesting trip through the range, fascinating video, I adore the VX Varex 11a simply a work of art. Kind regards John Moore.

I saw an Exakta VX 1000 with a Carl Zeiss lens at the old market in Skopje for only 20 euros. Was trying to figure out what it was.

You have a great collection and I enjoyed seeing and listening to your knowledge of the Exakta line. I also collected a few starting with the Varex VX and think the Exakta are the most beautiful of my camera collection. I agree with you that the quality of the camera was going downhill starting with the 11B, my model winds roughly and the VX1000 even winds worse like you said, feeling the shutter could break. By the early 60s Pentacon was pressing in on Ihagee and the state no longer wanted to support this foreign owned company since it was wrapped up in so many legal battles, R&D department barely functioned and the company was allowed to die a slow death.

I own three Canon VT and VT Deluxe rangefinders, matched with three Voigtlander wide angle Leica screw mount lenses.(21,25,and 35mm). Like your lovely Canon P, they are superbly made, serious alternatives to Leicas.👍🌟🌟🌟📷

Would you the shutter is quieter than the canon ae1?

nice video..

Amazing! I hve an R4s and looking for a Leicaflex SL! Cool Leica!

Very nice and and mint condition. Btw wher did you get the camera and how much?

Nice to see Exakta being reviewed! When I used to work in retail, I remember the film-cutting blade in the Varex line sliced quite a few customers fingers. Definitely a "love-it-or-hate-it" camera.

Great review ... I don't need one of these but I really really want one, they one of the most beautiful of all cameras

Very helpful, I've got a exa 500 with 2.8 domiplan lens ,with a erc.

Well done.

该更新视频了

The demise began with the IIb,besides the original prism for your IIa is made and looks much more beautiful than those IIb prism.

Main problem with the meter is you cannot buy the accurate battery for it,Mercury is banned now,1,35 v voltage is needed. Another problem is the contact in the battery compartment ,a tiny piece of steel that easily can corrode or broke .It's definitely not on par with the cameras overall quality at all. The meter in my SL2 works precise enough for slide film.

Several years ago I was fortunate to purchase a mint Retina IIIC at a flea market for the sum of $17. Wonderful quality, beautiful photo results but I ended up selling it because I found it to be too fussy to operate.

I just got one with a 50mm Summicron.... cant wait to start shooting with it! The camera is in mint condition.

That is a distinguished choice.

Many Thanks for the review. I have a Leicaflex SL2 as well. Does your viewfinder illusmination work? May I ask how much PPP charges for the CLA on a Leicaflex SL2?

I really enjoyed your video. Looking forward to seeing some pictures.

I love the Canon P, and my 7s. It does feel good to be shooting film again.

Congratulations!

Ah I'm very jealous, the Leicaflex is an absolute gem. Congratulations on a great purchase.

Congratulations 🥳

Such a useful video!

Awesome Review! I think i will get one, due to your recommendation.. Thank you. Stay safe please.

Such a helpful video, thank you so much!

My Canon P is running fine, 60 years old. I bet it's never even had a CLA. The most problem free 35mm camera ever made...:)