I got Lucky with Ebay
Mar 17, 2021 19:55:26 #
By far the best way to buy a camera is to go to a real store, fondle the thing for a while, and then break out your credit card. You get to see what it really looks like, you get to play with all the knobs...er menus, and you get to ask questions. I can't think of a better way to kill an hour or so.
Usually my strain of G.A.S. (a strange affliction that effects photographers called gear acquisition syndrome) manifests itself in a compulsion to buy old cameras and lenses. That means that I'm usually doing my shopping on ebay or some other online outlet. Many times you get your hopes up and click on the "buy" button. Then, you wonder each day if the item that is going to be delivered will live up to your expectations. I've come to accept that "close to my expectations" is usually about as good as it gets. When you don't want to pay top Dollar, you usually don't get top grade equipment. Many times I'll get lenses that require some kind of minor repair. I'm pretty good at cleaning fungus or dust from the elements, and I can usually remove oil that has migrated to the aperture blades. It is all part of the hobby, I figure, and I've gotten some pretty good lenses and cameras at very reasonable prices over the years. Still, I've never really scored what I would call a "treasure for peanuts" purchase.....until this happened.
The description of the camera (actually a padded briefcase full of camera "stuff")was promising. "Owned by a 90 year old photographer who bought this equipment new. He recently passed away and I inherited the gear. I have no use for it, so I'm selling it." The camera is an Exacta Varex IIa. There are three lenses: The first is a 35mm from a company I never heard from; but got good reviews on the internet. The second, and the star of the show is a Carl Zeiss Jena Biotar 2.0 50mm. The third lens is a 135mm lens that I could not find much information on. Also included was a gigantic flash unit that actually works, a waist level finder, a light meter that probably works, but needs a battery that I'm going to have to order, and a cable release.
I was amazed to find that the equipment looks almost brand new belying its age. I have not yet nailed down a date; but I think this camera was made in the late 1950s or 1960s. It is a really beautiful camera and it is a bit quirky. The film winder is on the left side of the camera . The right side of the camera is reserved for the slow speed dial. The red numbers are delay, and the black numbers are shutter speeds. You turn the dial to wind the clock mechanism, then you set your shutter speed to a speed between one and twelve seconds. Then when you trip the shutter release, the shutter opens and the dial turns making that mechanical whirring sound of a geared timer, and after the time runs out, it closes the shutter.
Sometimes you get lucky! Here are some photos.
Usually my strain of G.A.S. (a strange affliction that effects photographers called gear acquisition syndrome) manifests itself in a compulsion to buy old cameras and lenses. That means that I'm usually doing my shopping on ebay or some other online outlet. Many times you get your hopes up and click on the "buy" button. Then, you wonder each day if the item that is going to be delivered will live up to your expectations. I've come to accept that "close to my expectations" is usually about as good as it gets. When you don't want to pay top Dollar, you usually don't get top grade equipment. Many times I'll get lenses that require some kind of minor repair. I'm pretty good at cleaning fungus or dust from the elements, and I can usually remove oil that has migrated to the aperture blades. It is all part of the hobby, I figure, and I've gotten some pretty good lenses and cameras at very reasonable prices over the years. Still, I've never really scored what I would call a "treasure for peanuts" purchase.....until this happened.
The description of the camera (actually a padded briefcase full of camera "stuff")was promising. "Owned by a 90 year old photographer who bought this equipment new. He recently passed away and I inherited the gear. I have no use for it, so I'm selling it." The camera is an Exacta Varex IIa. There are three lenses: The first is a 35mm from a company I never heard from; but got good reviews on the internet. The second, and the star of the show is a Carl Zeiss Jena Biotar 2.0 50mm. The third lens is a 135mm lens that I could not find much information on. Also included was a gigantic flash unit that actually works, a waist level finder, a light meter that probably works, but needs a battery that I'm going to have to order, and a cable release.
I was amazed to find that the equipment looks almost brand new belying its age. I have not yet nailed down a date; but I think this camera was made in the late 1950s or 1960s. It is a really beautiful camera and it is a bit quirky. The film winder is on the left side of the camera . The right side of the camera is reserved for the slow speed dial. The red numbers are delay, and the black numbers are shutter speeds. You turn the dial to wind the clock mechanism, then you set your shutter speed to a speed between one and twelve seconds. Then when you trip the shutter release, the shutter opens and the dial turns making that mechanical whirring sound of a geared timer, and after the time runs out, it closes the shutter.
Sometimes you get lucky! Here are some photos.
35mm Enna Werk
(Download)
Telesar 135mm f/2.8
(Download)
Carl Zeiss Jena 58mm f/2 Biotar
(Download)
Exacta Varex IIa Build in East Germany. Export model to be sold in the West.
(Download)
left shoulder. Thin film advance lever, larger dial for shutter speed, knurrled dial to reset exposure counter.
(Download)
right shoulder: red numbers are self timer. Black numbers shutter speed to 12 seconds.
(Download)
whole kit packed in briefcase with padding that was included.
(Download)
camera with waist level finder
(Download)
Mar 17, 2021 20:13:30 #
OMG. That is the model Exacta I had as my first SLR. A friend of mine sold it to me with a 50mm and 135mm lens. I took my first wildlife "telephoto" shots with that 135 at Lake Merritt in Oakland CA.
Mar 17, 2021 20:26:05 #
Our Navy photo lab at NAS Barbers point, Oahu, Hawaii, special ordered one in 1959 and assigned it to me. This in a day when 4X5" press cameras were standard issue. I was a very young Navy photographer at that time and do not remember many of the details of using it for the two years that I was at that lab but what sticks in my mind is that they had to pull strings and wait a great deal of time to receive it because it was made (as I recall) in East Germany. I still have some of the images that I shot with it.
Mar 17, 2021 20:56:48 #
Curmudgeon wrote:
OMG. That is the model Exacta I had as my first SLR. A friend of mine sold it to me with a 50mm and 135mm lens. I took my first wildlife "telephoto" shots with that 135 at Lake Merritt in Oakland CA.
That's pretty cool. I have always wondered about these cameras; but never had the chance to use one...until now.
Erich
Mar 17, 2021 21:01:18 #
Cheapshot wrote:
Our Navy photo lab at NAS Barbers point, Oahu, Haw... (show quote)
It was made in East Germany. The Biotar lens is made by Carl Zeiss Jena. Before WWII it was just Carl Zeiss; but after the war, half the engineers went to West Germany. Then there were two Carl Zeiss companies. The one that stayed in Jena was Called Carl Zeiss Jena. Many of the lenses were copied by the occupying Russians. The Helios 58mm f/2 is reputed to be a copy of the Biotar. There are conflicting opinions about this, though. I have a Helios lens also. Might have to do a comparison to see if they are really similar.
Great story about your time as a Navy photographer. Must have been fun.
Erich
Mar 18, 2021 08:12:41 #
Nice find. My first 35mm was an Exa, the Exacta’s little brother, with a bent lens and a missing take-up spool (innovated and fixed); but it took great photos.
Mar 18, 2021 10:14:00 #
Mar 18, 2021 14:55:59 #
jaymatt wrote:
Nice find. My first 35mm was an Exa, the Exacta’s little brother, with a bent lens and a missing take-up spool (innovated and fixed); but it took great photos.
I'm familiar with the Exa. If I find a nice one at the right price...who knows.
Erich
Mar 18, 2021 14:57:01 #
yssirk123 wrote:
Great find Erich - looks almost new!
I was very surprised about the condition of the camera. It far exceeded my expectations. Seems almost new. You're right about that.
Erich
Mar 20, 2021 14:40:25 #
Oftentimes one can stumble upon real treasure deals on eBay when the seller doesn't really know what they are selling and puts it up for sale as (for example) "some old camera" or "an old lens" without specifying exactly what model it is. As such, the item is then overlooked by collectors entering searches on eBay for specific cameras and lenses. Of course it is then up to you to determine what it is by carefully examining the pictures displayed.
Mar 23, 2021 07:24:52 #
Omg, Erich, I must admit to experiencing a veritable cluster of...er... neuro- visceral-emotional climactic episodes while reading of your better-late-than-never introduction to the Ihagee Camerawerk Exacta:Exakta and Exa line of cameras that began the tradition of the 35mm single lens reflex. Ihagee’s first model / the “Cine Exakta” was so named to emphasize that it used standard 35mm, doubly sprockettted movie film, the standard food for the SLR world for the three score years of its pre-eminence in the photography world. Yes, my first 35mm camera was a pre-war ihagee Cine Exakta and I shot the Exakta line from 1949 to ‘98 when I sold off all my gear and drank the digital koolaid.
I still have dreams about diagnosing and repairing the amazing plethora of hang-up glitches to which long-used and well-loved Exakta/Exactas/ and Exas are subject.
After the war some amazing Leitz, Zeiss, Steinheil, and other fine glass could be had for a song / usually the low price of the Exakta or Exa body to which they were attached. Some of my best glass “came along” with used bodies I’d find in NYC pawn shops.
My heart swells in anticipation of more tales re: your experiences with the Exakta.
I am happy for you, my friend !
Dave
I still have dreams about diagnosing and repairing the amazing plethora of hang-up glitches to which long-used and well-loved Exakta/Exactas/ and Exas are subject.
After the war some amazing Leitz, Zeiss, Steinheil, and other fine glass could be had for a song / usually the low price of the Exakta or Exa body to which they were attached. Some of my best glass “came along” with used bodies I’d find in NYC pawn shops.
My heart swells in anticipation of more tales re: your experiences with the Exakta.
I am happy for you, my friend !
Dave
Mar 27, 2021 14:52:56 #
rook2c4 wrote:
Oftentimes one can stumble upon real treasure deals on eBay when the seller doesn't really know what they are selling and puts it up for sale as (for example) "some old camera" or "an old lens" without specifying exactly what model it is. As such, the item is then overlooked by collectors entering searches on eBay for specific cameras and lenses. Of course it is then up to you to determine what it is by carefully examining the pictures displayed.
I do buy a fair amount of gear from Ebay and mostly I get it by, as you mentioned, searching specific makes, or models. In this case, I just stumbled on it and did not end up in a bidding war because it was a "buy it now" price. Those are usually not the best deals; but I just wanted this set and decided to go for it.
Erich
Mar 27, 2021 14:59:45 #
Uuglypher wrote:
Omg, Erich, I must admit to experiencing a veritab... (show quote)
So far the camera is working exactly as expected. There are no light leaks. (I'm told this is an issue because the mirror is usually in the up position and, left in the sun, the light can burn pin holes in the cloth shutter. )
All of the shutter speeds seem to be accurate. The Gossen light meter that came with the kit also seems to work. It is a bit off (about a stop and a half) because I don't have a 1.33 volt mercury battery. I used a 1.5 that fit. I'll remedy that very soon. I've known about Exaktas, but have never had the opportunity to own one. I'm glad to have the opportunity now. Thanks for all the information. I'm hoping I won't need all the repair information; but it is good to have.
erich
Mar 28, 2021 11:44:42 #
Hi, Erich,
Have you put any film through your Exakta y et other than for testing shutter accuracy? I’m eager to see the results.
Sun-burnt holes in the curtain? That was a common - and often the ONLY - defect in old Exaktas I used to pick up for a song from the “used” shelves of camera stores and pawn shops.
Dave
Have you put any film through your Exakta y et other than for testing shutter accuracy? I’m eager to see the results.
Sun-burnt holes in the curtain? That was a common - and often the ONLY - defect in old Exaktas I used to pick up for a song from the “used” shelves of camera stores and pawn shops.
Dave
Mar 28, 2021 13:30:15 #
Uuglypher wrote:
Hi, Erich,
Have you put any film through your Exakta y et other than for testing shutter accuracy? I’m eager to see the results.
Sun-burnt holes in the curtain? That was a common - and often the ONLY - defect in old Exaktas I used to pick up for a song from the “used” shelves of camera stores and pawn shops.
Dave
Have you put any film through your Exakta y et other than for testing shutter accuracy? I’m eager to see the results.
Sun-burnt holes in the curtain? That was a common - and often the ONLY - defect in old Exaktas I used to pick up for a song from the “used” shelves of camera stores and pawn shops.
Dave
These are from the Exakta with the Biotar 58mm f/2 lens. Next up is a roll of color.
Erich
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