Apparently the Exakta line became progressively worse as the forces of darkness
slowly exerted control over what had been a strangely independent maker in East
Germany. Anything from the '50's was built like a tank with beautifully
engraved front panels (like both of mine) and weighs a ton. After that came a
slow decline in quality until by the early '70's, they were the same old
EastBloc junk with M42 mounts.
Hard to use the Varex because it is a left-handed camera. Wind is on the left,
trigger on the left front, transport from right to left and you have to adjust
the focus with your right. Really, really weird.
I've picked up a few extra accessories (another prism, another split screen)
but can't find lens caps anywhere so if anyone has Exakta rear caps, body caps
or ZeissMeyer/Schact 49mm front caps I'd love to hear from you. That's bayonet,
not screw.
Andrew Fildes
afildes@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
On 07/01/2011, at 9:35 AM, Jim Nichols wrote:
> Hi Andrew,
>
> The Exa is a rugged beast, and, though its shutter speeds are limited, it
> keeps going like the Energizer Bunny. My Exakta, as well as my very heavy
> Schneider lens, had delicate mechanisms that are no longer maintained by any
> shop that I could locate. I never had a Varex; perhaps they hold up better.
>
> Jim Nichols
> Tullahoma, TN USA
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Andrew Fildes" <afildes@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> To: "Olympus Camera Discussion" <olympus@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Sent: Thursday, January 06, 2011 4:26 PM
> Subject: Re: [OM] Might be of interest to Olympus list EP 2
>
>
>> If he wants to go retro, he should do it properly on the cheap. I just
>> picked up an Exakta kit for $150. Varex IIa with prism and split image
>> screen, original Exa, four lenses (inc. a 90/2.8), extension tubes. All
>> looks barely used. These are perhaps the prettiest cameras I've ever
>> owned. I believe that the Varex sold for $3-400 in the 1950's. That's M9
>> territory now.
>> I am going to have to shoot some silver.
>> Andrew Fildes
>> afildes@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> --
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>>
>
>
> --
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