Exakta Vx Ihagee Dresden 35mm camera
Jun 29, 2020 12:20:00 #
Jun 29, 2020 12:24:52 #
amatt662 wrote:
No , only the pentaprism.
That's too bad. The waist level finder was very interesting. It had a built-in 10 X magnifier to really focus your image. Many time I used it and got a razor sharp images.
Jun 29, 2020 12:34:55 #
Leitz
Loc: Solms
amatt662 wrote:
No , only the pentaprism.
Please use "Quote Reply" so you won't appear to be talking to yourself.
Jun 29, 2020 13:15:03 #
Dlevon wrote:
That's too bad. The waist level finder was very interesting. It had a built-in 10 X magnifier to really focus your image. Many time I used it and got a razor sharp images.
If this camera functions then I will look into a waist level finder.
Jun 29, 2020 13:37:49 #
amatt662 wrote:
If this camera functions then I will look into a waist level finder.
Waist level finder is in the image.
Jun 29, 2020 15:01:44 #
Hey there, Exakta 56, who are you? I was a Navy photographer in Japan 56-58, had a couple Exaktas for slides and bought a Rollei at the Atsugi NAS PX, and then was given a Miranda (which could take Exakta lenses via an adapter) for writing an English instruction manual. Norwood Hazard, GreenHaz@aol.com
Yes, Exakta, fantastic idea for a camera, way ahead of its time. With some ideas, like left-hand operation, not subsequently adopted, despite their usefulness. Weaknesses: shutter is a fabric curtain traveling immediately in front of film, plus a mirror which did not return to viewing position until film was wound, therefore an image of the sun could be formed on the curtain during that interim, the burned hole producing an overexposed spot on subsequent frames. The traveling shutter had a lubricant on its bearings which congealed overtime, resulting in inaccurate shutter speeds and even the leading edge of the curtain getting jammed at an odd angle. Both of these might be a problem for amat66. The deal with the Exakta is that was on the market 10 years before Pentax, Minolta, or any other excellent but late-arriving through-the-lens cameras. I went to Topcon because it had a built-in light meter, removable reflex finder, interchangeable focusing screens, and could use the Exakta lenses (which included Steinheil and Zeiss lenses, as good as Leicas at the time); the Navy & National Geographic followed suit as well.
As for shooting film with amat66's camera; do you really want to learn photography? It would be a good platform to start with. But photography has a lot of science in it, whereas digital does a lot of the science for you. And results are now, not a week from now after the film has been processed and the prints made!
Yes, Exakta, fantastic idea for a camera, way ahead of its time. With some ideas, like left-hand operation, not subsequently adopted, despite their usefulness. Weaknesses: shutter is a fabric curtain traveling immediately in front of film, plus a mirror which did not return to viewing position until film was wound, therefore an image of the sun could be formed on the curtain during that interim, the burned hole producing an overexposed spot on subsequent frames. The traveling shutter had a lubricant on its bearings which congealed overtime, resulting in inaccurate shutter speeds and even the leading edge of the curtain getting jammed at an odd angle. Both of these might be a problem for amat66. The deal with the Exakta is that was on the market 10 years before Pentax, Minolta, or any other excellent but late-arriving through-the-lens cameras. I went to Topcon because it had a built-in light meter, removable reflex finder, interchangeable focusing screens, and could use the Exakta lenses (which included Steinheil and Zeiss lenses, as good as Leicas at the time); the Navy & National Geographic followed suit as well.
As for shooting film with amat66's camera; do you really want to learn photography? It would be a good platform to start with. But photography has a lot of science in it, whereas digital does a lot of the science for you. And results are now, not a week from now after the film has been processed and the prints made!
Jun 29, 2020 18:29:48 #
Jun 29, 2020 21:31:43 #
rmalarz wrote:
That along with a 400mm f/4.5 Kilfitt lens.
--Bob
--Bob
Always wanted one of those, Bob! Just for the look of it.
Imagine showing up at a sporting event with one!
Andy
Jun 30, 2020 13:20:39 #
[quote=woodyH]Hey there, Exakta 56, who are you? I was a Navy photographer in Japan 56-58, had a couple Exaktas for slides and bought a Rollei at the Atsugi NAS PX, and then was given a Miranda (which could take Exakta lenses via an adapter) for writing an English instruction manual. Norwood Hazard, GreenHaz@aol.com
Yes, Exakta, fantastic idea for a camera, way ahead of its time. With some ideas, like left-hand operation, not subsequently adopted, despite their usefulness. Weaknesses: shutter is a fabric curtain traveling immediately in front of film, plus a mirror which did not return to viewing position until film was wound, therefore an image of the sun could be formed on the curtain during that interim, the burned hole producing an overexposed spot on subsequent frames. The traveling shutter had a lubricant on its bearings which congealed overtime, resulting in inaccurate shutter speeds and even the leading edge of the curtain getting jammed at an odd angle. Both of these might be a problem for amat66. The deal with the Exakta is that was on the market 10 years before Pentax, Minolta, or any other excellent but late-arriving through-the-lens cameras. I went to Topcon because it had a built-in light meter, removable reflex finder, interchangeable focusing screens, and could use the Exakta lenses (which included Steinheil and Zeiss lenses, as good as Leicas at the time); the Navy & National Geographic followed suit as well.
As for shooting film with amat66's camera; do you really want to learn photography? It would be a good platform to start with. But photography has a lot of science in it, whereas digital does a lot of the science for you. And results are now, not a week from now after the film has been processed and the prints made![/quot
There was something about the whole process which is fascinating. Back in the 50s I don't remember many cameras having a built-in light meter, if any. I had a Weston master three, which still works, amazingly. My camera is the Exacta Varex IIA, which is the european model. which I purchased in western Germany when I was stationed there in the 50s. It still works today! Even though I've been in the digital age for years I still don't get the same enjoyment of taking pictures that I did with my exacta. It was downright fun! I bet if you ask many Exacta owners they'll say the same thing.
Yes, Exakta, fantastic idea for a camera, way ahead of its time. With some ideas, like left-hand operation, not subsequently adopted, despite their usefulness. Weaknesses: shutter is a fabric curtain traveling immediately in front of film, plus a mirror which did not return to viewing position until film was wound, therefore an image of the sun could be formed on the curtain during that interim, the burned hole producing an overexposed spot on subsequent frames. The traveling shutter had a lubricant on its bearings which congealed overtime, resulting in inaccurate shutter speeds and even the leading edge of the curtain getting jammed at an odd angle. Both of these might be a problem for amat66. The deal with the Exakta is that was on the market 10 years before Pentax, Minolta, or any other excellent but late-arriving through-the-lens cameras. I went to Topcon because it had a built-in light meter, removable reflex finder, interchangeable focusing screens, and could use the Exakta lenses (which included Steinheil and Zeiss lenses, as good as Leicas at the time); the Navy & National Geographic followed suit as well.
As for shooting film with amat66's camera; do you really want to learn photography? It would be a good platform to start with. But photography has a lot of science in it, whereas digital does a lot of the science for you. And results are now, not a week from now after the film has been processed and the prints made![/quot
There was something about the whole process which is fascinating. Back in the 50s I don't remember many cameras having a built-in light meter, if any. I had a Weston master three, which still works, amazingly. My camera is the Exacta Varex IIA, which is the european model. which I purchased in western Germany when I was stationed there in the 50s. It still works today! Even though I've been in the digital age for years I still don't get the same enjoyment of taking pictures that I did with my exacta. It was downright fun! I bet if you ask many Exacta owners they'll say the same thing.
Jun 30, 2020 13:34:21 #
Jun 30, 2020 22:25:54 #
RWR
Loc: La Mesa, CA
Thank you for posting that well done photo. First time I heard of Rexagon lenses. My best lenses are Kilfitt, Novoflex, Steinheil and Zeiss, also have Isco, Lydith, Meyer, as well as bellows, extension tubes, waist level and a magnear finder with lens, &c. Hopefully your VX is in good working order. When (if) I get back home, I’ll try to post some photos of my Exakta and Exa gear (stuck in La Paz at present.)
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