Exakta Vx Ihagee Dresden 35mm camera
Jun 27, 2020 17:56:34 #
Going back to the Exakta models - this was the preferred camera for scientists and astronomers right through the mid 60s, for good reason. There were tons of accessories for microscope and telescope use, the famous film cutter allowed for taking short rolls for immediate development, and the long shutter speeds were extremely useful in scientific applications. Such users didn't care much about automatic diaphragms and instant return mirrors. The left handed features of the camera never bothered me at all, and I'm probably the least ambidextrous person on the planet.
Once the brand moved to West Germany, the quality, features, and overall usefulness dropped like a rock. The version you have is one of the earlier ones, and still has a large variety of very high quality glass available.
Embrace the uniqueness of this camera in the context of its time, and use it as it was designed to be used. It's a beautiful piece of kit and its value is increasing rapidly as today's generation of film users seem to love the look and feel of it.
Andy
Once the brand moved to West Germany, the quality, features, and overall usefulness dropped like a rock. The version you have is one of the earlier ones, and still has a large variety of very high quality glass available.
Embrace the uniqueness of this camera in the context of its time, and use it as it was designed to be used. It's a beautiful piece of kit and its value is increasing rapidly as today's generation of film users seem to love the look and feel of it.
Andy
Jun 27, 2020 18:15:37 #
It does not have all the bell and whistles that other cameras had. But it is very utilitarian. One of mine went on a swim in a lake in Canada. Since we were on a 7 day canoe trip way out in the wilderness, I had to do the best I could. We beached the half sunk canoe. Built a fire and started drying out equipment. Only my camera and one lens got soaked. Since the VX1000 comes completely apart, I set all the parts next too the fire. Rotating everything every half hour. The camera dried out nicely. Even the Pentaprism dried OK. My Vivitar 35mm did not survive. The diaphram rusted in place. My other lenses were in zip lock bags as well as my film. The dead Vivitar becam my stick shift knob on my car. The camera lasted another year until I traded it for a Exackta RTL with meter. The best feature of those cameras were the hundreds of lenses available. My photos in college always put other cameras to shame since I had All Zeiss lenses then. The Exa and Exackta cameras were like a Timex. They take a licking (swim) and keep on shooting.
Jun 27, 2020 19:24:35 #
amatt662 wrote:
I inherited this camera from Dad, among others cameras 25 yrs ago. I primarily shoot digital with my Sony A7III, but recently I pulled it out the closet. I became curious and want to learn more about it and learn to use it. Can anyone share their experiences with this camera. Thanks!
Takes me back!
My first slr was a pre-war Ihagee “Kine Exakta” the FIRST 35mm slr. And I shot Exaktas, Exactas, and Exas from 1954 until I went digital at fin de siecle. Amazingly durable, versatile cameras that got one used to shooting manual.... or else! By the late 60s one could pick up used Exaktas/Exactas wearing a variety of amazing glass for a song. I still have several that I bought for “parts”. And I took to carrying a changing bag in my kit to take advantage of the ability to slice off the exposed portion of a roll of Pan-X with built-in blade and replace with Kodachrome as needed.
One damned handy camera that was served by an extraordinary orchestra of amazing glass by Zeiss, Schneider Kreutznach, and others!
O.K. Now I’m gonna cry......
Dave
Jun 28, 2020 00:13:01 #
That along with a 400mm f/4.5 Kilfitt lens.
--Bob
--Bob
AndyH wrote:
PS: It was good enough for Jimmy Stewart in Rear Window!
Jun 28, 2020 14:25:40 #
amatt662 wrote:
I inherited this camera from Dad, among others cameras 25 yrs ago. I primarily shoot digital with my Sony A7III, but recently I pulled it out the closet. I became curious and want to learn more about it and learn to use it. Can anyone share their experiences with this camera. Thanks!
I too inherited a couple of Exaktas.
1) s/n 623833 Exacta Jhagee Dresden (sadly, the reflex mirror is broken and no other markings)
2) s/n6 XIIa 857558 Exakta Varex IIa Jhagee Dresden
also: Zeis Biotar 5,8 cm s/n 2826228 and a Steinheil München Culminar 1:4.5 135mm VL s/n 910946
Any further information would be most interesting.
Sarben
Jun 28, 2020 14:28:46 #
I bought one while I was stationed in Germany back in the 50s. I've used it all the time and until the digital revolution and have loved it. It's still in perfect working order after 70 years. If you can get the manuals, read them, it was amazing camera for the time. Unbelievable functions including being able to load from cassette to cassette. You could cut the film out of the camera after taking a few shots and go to your dark room and print them out. Many times I used this function. Here are two pictures of the camera and the carry case with all the s lenses and finders. It took wonderful pictures. I heartily recommend you go online and get a manual for it and read it and find out about all its wonderful mechanical functions. You wont regret it.
Jun 28, 2020 14:47:36 #
Jun 28, 2020 16:10:09 #
Hanson wrote:
I used Minolta in the 60s. Very durable and much better-made than Exakta. Lenses were higher quality too. Minolta later collaborated with Leica and produced many nice bodies and lenses.
That's why I moved on to Minolta from the Exakta.
Jun 28, 2020 17:13:33 #
Jun 29, 2020 08:38:41 #
Jun 29, 2020 09:04:02 #
Thanks for the useful info from all. After cleaning the view finder up ( namely dust) and loading film, and with the help of mylightmeter , an app; I am composing shots. The real question soon to be learned is whether or not the camera is properly functioning. We'll see.
Jun 29, 2020 09:15:50 #
It was an adjustment for me with the shutter on the left side. My Dad was a lefty. It is likely what appealed to him about this camera. I found at first, tough to hold the camera, working the focusing etc. from the opposite side and pressing the shutter using my left hand. The more I shoot with it, the more comfortable it is.
Jun 29, 2020 12:13:10 #
[quote=amatt662]It was an adjustment for me with the shutter on the left side. My Dad was a lefty. It is likely what appealed to him about this camera. I found at first, tough to hold the camera, working the focusing etc. from the opposite side and pressing the shutter using my left hand. The more I shoot with it, the more comfortable it is.[/quo
One of the nice features was when you triggered the shutter release, you triggered it towards your face, which led to less vibration and a steadier camera. By the way, do you have both finders, the waist level one and the pentaprism ?
One of the nice features was when you triggered the shutter release, you triggered it towards your face, which led to less vibration and a steadier camera. By the way, do you have both finders, the waist level one and the pentaprism ?
Jun 29, 2020 12:15:08 #
Jun 29, 2020 12:17:54 #
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