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| − | The '''Exa''' is a [[35mm]] [[SLR]] made in [[Dresden]], Germany by [[Ihagee]]. It was introduced in 1951, and began a long-running series of [[Exa|Exa models]] | + | The '''Exa''' is a [[35mm]] [[SLR]] made in [[Dresden]], Germany by [[Ihagee]]. It was introduced in 1951, and began a long-running series of [[Exa|Exa models]], which ran alongside the venerable Exakta line. |
| − | Between 1951 and 1962, a number of cosmetic and minor technical changes were made in the design of the camera. A type-numbering system for these devised by Clément Aguila<ref>Aguila, Clément ''Exakta Cameras 1933-1978'', <nowiki>ISBN</nowiki> 0-906447-38-0. Cited by [[McKeown]].</ref> is widely used<ref>By McKeown, in Olaf Nattenberg's [http://www.exaktapages.com/ Exakta and Exa Pages] and in Jack Dugrew's [http:// | + | ==Description== |
| + | It is a simplified budget counterpart of the Exakta Varex cameras (the Exakta V and VX); indeed, the first models, made in very small numbers in 1950, were labelled Exa Varex<ref>[[McKeown]], p 422.</ref>. | ||
| + | |||
| + | While the body is smaller and thicker, and this is the main outward difference from the Exakta Varex, the real difference is in the shutter: in place of a Leica-style focal plane shutter, the mirror doubles as the 'opening' shutter blade, and a curved metal piece is the 'closing' blade<ref>The medium-format KW [[Pilot Super]] has a very similar shutter mechanism.</ref>, a form of guillotine shutter similar to some used in early [[large format]] cameras, as well as some panoramic cameras. This shutter is not capable of either very fast or slow speeds; the range is from 1/25 sec. to 1/150 sec<ref>The very earliest model claimed a top speed of 1/250 second ([[McKeown]]).</ref>. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Viewfinder== | ||
| + | |||
| + | The viewfinders on all of the original models are removable, and a number of different prism and waist-level finders (fully-featured, with built-in loupe, and most folding to offer a direct-vision frame finder), were available. The original waist-level finder includes a prong that enters a hole on the top of the camera, which prevents exposures when the hood is closed. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Lenses== | ||
| + | |||
| + | All "internal bayonet" Exakta lenses should mount on an Exa, and the shutter release is in the proper place to be actuated by automatic lenses' aperture couplings. Later Exaktas added a ''second'' set of bayonet flanges for larger lenses, ''outside'' the camera, which was not present on the original Exas. It may be possible to retrofit an Exa with the later bayonet ring, though one questions the utility of this. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Shutter== | ||
| + | |||
| + | The Exa's shutter is a fairly uncommon type, though it is perhaps a more intuitive solution to the engineering problems of a body shutter than, say, the focal-plane shutter it replaces here. However, it is decidedly a compromise in most regards. The ways that a leaf shutter and a focal-plane shutter each achieve their maximum speeds (obstructing the light path at its narrowest, in the case of the former, and exposing part of the film at a time, in the case of the latter) are both impossible for a shutter that occupies a middle position. Exposure is controlled as on a focal plane shutter, by the width of the slit, but the area of film that the slit exposes is much larger with more diffuse edges. Making the slit narrow enough to achieve an exposure of even 1/500th (as on many low-end SLR's and rangefinders of the time) would be impossible for this reason. On the other hand the limitation to only moderately fast speeds is due to the expense (at the time) of including a slow speed timer, and is not intrinsic to the design, as the presence of bulb exposure indicates. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Like all Exaktas, the shutter release button is on the ''left'' and on the front of the body, not on the top plate<ref>The rewind-release button is on the right, where those unfamiliar with the camera might expect the shutter release to be.</ref>. The shutter release is threaded for a cable release, though it is often covered by the aperture coupling of automatic lenses. | ||
| + | |||
| + | There is a lever on top of the camera on the photographer's left, to set the shutter speed. This can be moved before or after cocking the shutter. | ||
| + | Film advance and rewind are by simple milled knobs. There is a manually-reset frame-counter, with a knurled ring to set it. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The low maximum shutter speed limits the usefulness of the camera with long lenses-- and additionally, a consequence of the curved shutter design was cropping of the top and bottom of the image when long lenses, extension tubes, or bellows were used, described as "marginal vignetting" in the instruction manual. This began to appear with 70mm lenses, and was obvious at 100mm and above. Of course, one might never know this from looking in the viewfinder. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==History== | ||
| + | |||
| + | Between 1951 and 1962, a number of cosmetic and minor technical changes were made in the design of the camera. A type-numbering system for these devised by Clément Aguila<ref>Aguila, Clément ''Exakta Cameras 1933-1978'', <nowiki>ISBN</nowiki> 0-906447-38-0. Cited by [[McKeown]].</ref> is widely used<ref>By McKeown, in Olaf Nattenberg's [http://www.exaktapages.com/ Exakta and Exa Pages] and in Jack Dugrew's [http://exaktaphile.net/captjack/CameraPage.htm Captain Jack's Exakta Site] among others</ref>. This recognises six major types/versions, distinguishable by changes in the finish of the lens mount, the number, finish and synchronisation class of the [[flash sync]]hronisation sockets, and the style of the nameplate, among other features. Sub-types of some of the types are recognised. | ||
[http://www.wrotniak.net/photo/exakta/exa-serial.html Andrzej Wrotniak] made a very sensible classification, listed on his website. It is multi-dimensional in setup, without being complicated. It is an improved version of the Aguila and Rouah classification in their 2003 edition of Exakta cameras 1933 - 1978. | [http://www.wrotniak.net/photo/exakta/exa-serial.html Andrzej Wrotniak] made a very sensible classification, listed on his website. It is multi-dimensional in setup, without being complicated. It is an improved version of the Aguila and Rouah classification in their 2003 edition of Exakta cameras 1933 - 1978. | ||
| + | |||
==Common specifications of the versions== | ==Common specifications of the versions== | ||
| − | * Lens: interchangeable, Exakta bayonet mount; | + | * Lens: interchangeable, original Exakta bayonet mount; ''many'' manufacturers<ref>Ihagee did not produce their own lenses. Instead, they relied on many of the major optical firms of their day to each produce a series of lenses for their cameras, eg. Carl Zeiss Jena, Meyer-Optik Görlitz, Schneider-Kreuznach and E.Ludwig. The lenses from these makers, in terms of the number and variations of lenses produced, are the most plentiful. Maybe over 80% of the Exaktas are equipped with normal focal length lenses from these firms. The lens sold with the camera was at one point usually the cheap and basic Meritar from E. Ludwig, a slow manual lens of fairly flimsy construction. In latter days Exas are often seen with the Meyer Domiplan, a very basic 50mm sold on many later Exas and Exaktas, to the point where along with the Meritar, the Domiplan is the most common Exakta mount lens and a ready replacement for the Meritar. </ref> |
| − | *Lens release: via | + | *Lens release: via an exposed lever on the left of the lens flange |
| − | *Shutter: mirror | + | *Shutter: vertically acting guillotine using the mirror as one component; due to this maximum speed is limited to 1/150, speeds: 1/25-1/150 +B |
| − | *Shutter release: | + | *Shutter release: on front of the body, available to aperture levers/plungers on various automatic lenses |
| − | *Viewfinder: | + | *Viewfinder: standard Varex finders, with option for exposure interlock (WLF have prong that blocks exposure if the hood is closed.) |
| − | *Finder release: via a | + | *Finder release: via a slider beneath the Exa logo |
| − | *Mirror: | + | *Mirror: part of shutter, non-returning |
| − | *Bodies: | + | *Bodies: metal, robust construction |
==Exa Version 1== | ==Exa Version 1== | ||
| Line 20: | Line 47: | ||
*There are many cosmetic variations also | *There are many cosmetic variations also | ||
*Special features of the version: | *Special features of the version: | ||
| − | **Two pairs of flash | + | **Two pairs of flash sockets of the old Vacublitz style, overlapping (i.e., the top pair (M) are interleaved with the bottom pair (X) to save space) |
| − | **Shutter setting | + | **Shutter setting by lever on top plate: speeds 1/25, 1/50, 1/100, 1/250 & B, top speed changed almost immediately to 1/150s. |
{{Flickr_image | {{Flickr_image | ||
| Line 27: | Line 54: | ||
|image= http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2256/1807769497_c7ef4c63b8.jpg | |image= http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2256/1807769497_c7ef4c63b8.jpg | ||
|image_align= center | |image_align= center | ||
| − | |image_text= Exa Version 1.1 w/ E.Ludwig Meritar 50mm f/2.9 | + | |image_text= Exa Version 1.1 w/ E.Ludwig Meritar 50mm f/2.9 and waist-level finder |
|image_by= Rick Soloway | |image_by= Rick Soloway | ||
|image_rights= with permission | |image_rights= with permission | ||
| Line 35: | Line 62: | ||
*Produced between 1953-56 | *Produced between 1953-56 | ||
*Special features of the version: | *Special features of the version: | ||
| − | **Two black | + | **Two black Prontur-Compur flash sockets (PC sockets) |
**Safety locking cap for shutter release | **Safety locking cap for shutter release | ||
*[http://captjack.exaktaphile.com/EXA%20V2.htm Exa Version 2 in Captain Jack's website] w/ Isco-Göttingen 50mm f2.8 Westar | *[http://captjack.exaktaphile.com/EXA%20V2.htm Exa Version 2 in Captain Jack's website] w/ Isco-Göttingen 50mm f2.8 Westar | ||
| Line 64: | Line 91: | ||
**The film guides of the pressure plate are omitted | **The film guides of the pressure plate are omitted | ||
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==Exa Version 5== | ==Exa Version 5== | ||
| Line 175: | Line 194: | ||
*[http://captjack.exaktaphile.com/index.htm in Captain Jack's website] | *[http://captjack.exaktaphile.com/index.htm in Captain Jack's website] | ||
*[http://www.exakta.org/org35/orgexa/orgexa.html in Maurizio Frizziero's website] | *[http://www.exakta.org/org35/orgexa/orgexa.html in Maurizio Frizziero's website] | ||
| − | *[http://www.butkus.org/chinon/exa/exa_1a/exa_ia.htm Exa | + | *[https://www.butkus.org/chinon/exa/exa_24x35/exa.htm Exa Instruction Manual at Butkus.org] |
| + | *[http://www.butkus.org/chinon/exa/exa_1a/exa_ia.htm Exa 1a Instruction Manual at Butkus.org] | ||
*Several of the Exa types are shown in the [http://exaktapages.com/Exa/album/exa.html Exa Gallery] on Olaf Nattenberg's [http://www.exaktapages.com Exakta and Exa Pages] (text in German) | *Several of the Exa types are shown in the [http://exaktapages.com/Exa/album/exa.html Exa Gallery] on Olaf Nattenberg's [http://www.exaktapages.com Exakta and Exa Pages] (text in German) | ||
| Line 181: | Line 201: | ||
[[Category: E]] | [[Category: E]] | ||
[[Category: German 35mm SLR]] | [[Category: German 35mm SLR]] | ||
| + | [[Category:East Germany]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Exakta mount]] | ||
Latest revision as of 06:03, 10 April 2023
The Exa is a 35mm SLR made in Dresden, Germany by Ihagee. It was introduced in 1951, and began a long-running series of Exa models, which ran alongside the venerable Exakta line.
Contents
Description
It is a simplified budget counterpart of the Exakta Varex cameras (the Exakta V and VX); indeed, the first models, made in very small numbers in 1950, were labelled Exa Varex[1].
While the body is smaller and thicker, and this is the main outward difference from the Exakta Varex, the real difference is in the shutter: in place of a Leica-style focal plane shutter, the mirror doubles as the 'opening' shutter blade, and a curved metal piece is the 'closing' blade[2], a form of guillotine shutter similar to some used in early large format cameras, as well as some panoramic cameras. This shutter is not capable of either very fast or slow speeds; the range is from 1/25 sec. to 1/150 sec[3].
Viewfinder
The viewfinders on all of the original models are removable, and a number of different prism and waist-level finders (fully-featured, with built-in loupe, and most folding to offer a direct-vision frame finder), were available. The original waist-level finder includes a prong that enters a hole on the top of the camera, which prevents exposures when the hood is closed.
Lenses
All "internal bayonet" Exakta lenses should mount on an Exa, and the shutter release is in the proper place to be actuated by automatic lenses' aperture couplings. Later Exaktas added a second set of bayonet flanges for larger lenses, outside the camera, which was not present on the original Exas. It may be possible to retrofit an Exa with the later bayonet ring, though one questions the utility of this.
Shutter
The Exa's shutter is a fairly uncommon type, though it is perhaps a more intuitive solution to the engineering problems of a body shutter than, say, the focal-plane shutter it replaces here. However, it is decidedly a compromise in most regards. The ways that a leaf shutter and a focal-plane shutter each achieve their maximum speeds (obstructing the light path at its narrowest, in the case of the former, and exposing part of the film at a time, in the case of the latter) are both impossible for a shutter that occupies a middle position. Exposure is controlled as on a focal plane shutter, by the width of the slit, but the area of film that the slit exposes is much larger with more diffuse edges. Making the slit narrow enough to achieve an exposure of even 1/500th (as on many low-end SLR's and rangefinders of the time) would be impossible for this reason. On the other hand the limitation to only moderately fast speeds is due to the expense (at the time) of including a slow speed timer, and is not intrinsic to the design, as the presence of bulb exposure indicates.
Like all Exaktas, the shutter release button is on the left and on the front of the body, not on the top plate[4]. The shutter release is threaded for a cable release, though it is often covered by the aperture coupling of automatic lenses.
There is a lever on top of the camera on the photographer's left, to set the shutter speed. This can be moved before or after cocking the shutter. Film advance and rewind are by simple milled knobs. There is a manually-reset frame-counter, with a knurled ring to set it.
The low maximum shutter speed limits the usefulness of the camera with long lenses-- and additionally, a consequence of the curved shutter design was cropping of the top and bottom of the image when long lenses, extension tubes, or bellows were used, described as "marginal vignetting" in the instruction manual. This began to appear with 70mm lenses, and was obvious at 100mm and above. Of course, one might never know this from looking in the viewfinder.
History
Between 1951 and 1962, a number of cosmetic and minor technical changes were made in the design of the camera. A type-numbering system for these devised by Clément Aguila[5] is widely used[6]. This recognises six major types/versions, distinguishable by changes in the finish of the lens mount, the number, finish and synchronisation class of the flash synchronisation sockets, and the style of the nameplate, among other features. Sub-types of some of the types are recognised.
Andrzej Wrotniak made a very sensible classification, listed on his website. It is multi-dimensional in setup, without being complicated. It is an improved version of the Aguila and Rouah classification in their 2003 edition of Exakta cameras 1933 - 1978.
Common specifications of the versions
- Lens: interchangeable, original Exakta bayonet mount; many manufacturers[7]
- Lens release: via an exposed lever on the left of the lens flange
- Shutter: vertically acting guillotine using the mirror as one component; due to this maximum speed is limited to 1/150, speeds: 1/25-1/150 +B
- Shutter release: on front of the body, available to aperture levers/plungers on various automatic lenses
- Viewfinder: standard Varex finders, with option for exposure interlock (WLF have prong that blocks exposure if the hood is closed.)
- Finder release: via a slider beneath the Exa logo
- Mirror: part of shutter, non-returning
- Bodies: metal, robust construction
Exa Version 1
- Produced between 1951-52
- There are 5 sub-versions [8]
- There are many cosmetic variations also
- Special features of the version:
- Two pairs of flash sockets of the old Vacublitz style, overlapping (i.e., the top pair (M) are interleaved with the bottom pair (X) to save space)
- Shutter setting by lever on top plate: speeds 1/25, 1/50, 1/100, 1/250 & B, top speed changed almost immediately to 1/150s.
|
| Exa Version 1.1 w/ E.Ludwig Meritar 50mm f/2.9 and waist-level finder image by Rick Soloway (Image rights) |
Exa Version 2
- Produced between 1953-56
- Special features of the version:
- Two black Prontur-Compur flash sockets (PC sockets)
- Safety locking cap for shutter release
- Exa Version 2 in Captain Jack's website w/ Isco-Göttingen 50mm f2.8 Westar
- Exa Version 2 in F.W.Tappe's website w/ Meyer-Optik Görlitz Trioplan 50mm f/2.9
Exa Version 3
- Produced in 1954
- Numerous variants exist
- Special features of the Exa Rheinmetall:
- System Exa VEB Rheinmetall Sömmerda [9] engravings instead of Exa Ihagee Dresden on the front plate
- Engraving Rheinmetall is on the back of the waist level view finder
- Most features are identical to version 2
|
| Exa Version 3 w/ E.Ludwig Meritar 50mm f/2.9, image by Mario Reisner (Image rights) |
Exa Version 4
- Produced between 1956-59
- Special features of the version:
- Similar with Versions 2 or 3, except for the Exa Ihagee Dresden logo
- Flash PC sockets are chrome, not black
- Added a removable spindle in the hinge, thus the back cover can be detached
- The film guides of the pressure plate are omitted
Exa Version 5
- Produced between 1959-60
- Special feature of the version:
- This model is identical to version 4 except Exa logo on the front plate is embossed, not engraved like in all other versions
|
| Exa Version 5 (1959) w/ Meyer-Optik Görlitz Lydith 30mm f/3,5 (Zebra) image by Süleyman Demir (Image rights) |
|
|
| ||||||
| Exa Version 5 (1959) w/Waist level finder; w/SLR prism finder; w/Teleconverter
Images by Süleyman Demir (Image rights) | ||||||||
Exa Version 6
- Produced between 1960-62
- There are numerous variants of the version
- Special features of the version:
- New rectangular shape of the front plate
- New black and white Exa name plate
|
| Exa Version 6 (1961) w/ aus Jena Pancolar 50mm f/2 (Zebra), image by Süleyman Demir (Image rights) |
|
|
| ||||||
| Exa Version 6 (1961) w/SLR prism finder; w/Waist level finder; Modular system
Images by Süleyman Demir (Image rights) | ||||||||
Notes
- ↑ McKeown, p 422.
- ↑ The medium-format KW Pilot Super has a very similar shutter mechanism.
- ↑ The very earliest model claimed a top speed of 1/250 second (McKeown).
- ↑ The rewind-release button is on the right, where those unfamiliar with the camera might expect the shutter release to be.
- ↑ Aguila, Clément Exakta Cameras 1933-1978, ISBN 0-906447-38-0. Cited by McKeown.
- ↑ By McKeown, in Olaf Nattenberg's Exakta and Exa Pages and in Jack Dugrew's Captain Jack's Exakta Site among others
- ↑ Ihagee did not produce their own lenses. Instead, they relied on many of the major optical firms of their day to each produce a series of lenses for their cameras, eg. Carl Zeiss Jena, Meyer-Optik Görlitz, Schneider-Kreuznach and E.Ludwig. The lenses from these makers, in terms of the number and variations of lenses produced, are the most plentiful. Maybe over 80% of the Exaktas are equipped with normal focal length lenses from these firms. The lens sold with the camera was at one point usually the cheap and basic Meritar from E. Ludwig, a slow manual lens of fairly flimsy construction. In latter days Exas are often seen with the Meyer Domiplan, a very basic 50mm sold on many later Exas and Exaktas, to the point where along with the Meritar, the Domiplan is the most common Exakta mount lens and a ready replacement for the Meritar.
- ↑ according to Andrzej Wrotniak and F.W.Tappe
- ↑ In 1954 the Ihagee plants in Dresden got problems with their production capacity. So they startet up a production in the Rheinmetall plants in Sömmerda. The production in Sömmerda was finished soon in the beginning of 1955 with the quantity of 15000-21000 cameras
Links
- in Andrzej Wrotniak's website
- in Captain Jack's website
- in Maurizio Frizziero's website
- Exa Instruction Manual at Butkus.org
- Exa 1a Instruction Manual at Butkus.org
- Several of the Exa types are shown in the Exa Gallery on Olaf Nattenberg's Exakta and Exa Pages (text in German)
