Difference between revisions of "Exa 1b"

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Revision as of 14:27, 18 August 2011

The Exa 1b is a 35mm film SLR camera, manufactured by VEB Pentacon, former East Germany, and produced between 1977-85.

VEB Pentacon licensed the production of screw-mount Exas (some late Ib version 4.4 and all Ic version 4.5 [1]) to Certo Camera Werk, Dresden-Großzsachwitz, a part of VEB Pentacon. Cameras built by Certo have serial numbers preceded with a letter C. The later models of Exa 1b have black plastic top- and bottom plates.

Exa 1b body is virtually identical to Exa Ia except rewind knob replaced with a crank and the lens mount is M42, instead of the traditional Exakta bayonet mount. The camera also has internal aperture coupling for M42 automatic lenses.

Exa 1b uses most standard Exakta viewfinders, waist-level and prism. Standard lens is Meyer Domiplan, other main lenses are Tessar, Makinon and Super Takumar.

Exa 1b is not a real part of the Exakta/Exa system, although its family relationship with Exa cannot be denied. Exa 1b renamed as Exa 1c without practically any other changes.

There are 4 versions of the Exa 1b. [1]

Specifications

This data belongs to the version 4.1 in the photos.

BODY

  • Lens release: simply screw counter clockwise
  • Focusing: simple matte glass screen,
  • Shutter: Mirror acts like a curtain as a part of the shutter, vertical moving, due to this maximum speed is limited to 1/175; half-depression of the shutter release allows a depth of field preview.
  • Speeds: 1/30-1/175 +B setting: dial under the rewind crank knob
  • Shutter release: on the left front of the camera, w/cable release socket
  • Cocking lever: also winds the film, short stroke
  • Frame counter: on the cocking lever knob, regressive type, manual setting
  • Viewfinder: eye level SLR pentaprism, interchangeable
  • Finder release: by a small lever on the back of top plate, turn it left and pull-up the finder
  • Mirror: not instant return. Mirror is actually a part of the shutter mechanism. When the shutter released, the mirror goes up as in a conventional SLR, but when the exposure is over, a second cover rotates upward to block the light. There is no real shutter curtain.
  • Flash PC socket: M and X, setting with the speeds knob
  • Back cover: removable with the bottom plate, opens by a thumb wheel on the bottom plate
  • Film loading: special take-up spool, removable
  • Others: Memory dial; Tripod socket 1/4 inch; Strap lugs; Engaving on the back cover: Made in G.D.R.
  • Body: metal; Weight:

LENS

  • Domiplan (Meyer Optik), 50mm f/2.8, fully automatic, 3 elements; filter thread: 40.5mm
  • Domiplan is the standard lens of Exa 1b.
  • Mount: M42 screw mount
  • There is a standard M42 type arc/lever on the body, that depresses the pin on the lens that closes the diaphragm blades. When the pressure is let up, the lens opens fully again. A half-depression of the shutter release allows a depth of field preview.
  • Aperture: f/2.8-f/22
  • Focus range: 0.75-12m +inf

Notes and references

  1. 1.0 1.1 According to Andrzej Wrotniak [1]

Links