Exakta Varex IIa - Antique and Vintage Cameras

Exakta Varex IIa

Version of 1958

Ihagee Kamerawerk AG.

Dresden

German Democratic Republic

Image of Exakta Varex IIa Version of 1958

Shutter:
Focal-plane, speeds 12s - 1/1000, B, T. Delayed action. Speeds are regulated by delaying the second blind, low speeds, 1/5 - 12s run through a gear train. X, F, M Synchronisation.

Construction:
Metal body.

Format:
36, 24 x 36 mm exposures on 35 mm film.

Attributes:
Reflex viewing through taking lens. Ground glass focusing screen with condenser. Removable waist-level view-finder.
Auto-stop on film advance. Film advance tensions the shutter.
Film cutting knife. Film reminder dial 400 - 6 ASA.

Serial Number:
860968 .

With:

  • f2.8, 100 mm Meyer Trioplan. Pre-set iris diaphragm to f22. Focus to 1.1 metre. Depth-of-field scale. Serial no. 3751668.
  • f5.5, 180 mm Tele-Megor, Pre-set iris diaphragm to f22. Focus to 2 metre. Depth-of-field scale. With leather lens cap. Serial no. 1605321.

The IIa was introduced in 1957 as a replacement for the VX. The slow shutter speed mechanism was modified with some speeds no longer present. An F flash synchronisation socket was added. The example shown here corresponds to Version 3 of the IIa in 'Exakta Cameras' by Aguila and Rouah.

Exakta Varex IIa

Version of 1962

Ihagee Kamerawerk AG.

Dresden

German Democratic Republic

Image of Exakta Varex IIa Version of 1962

Lens:
f2.8, 50 mm Tessar, fully automatic iris diaphragm (FAD) to f22. Depth-of-field scale. Serial no. 6487861 .

Shutter:
Focal-plane, speeds 12s - 1/1000, B, T. Delayed action. Speeds are regulated by delaying the second blind, low speeds, 1/5 - 12s run through a gear train. X, F, M Synchronisation.

Construction:
Metal body.

Format:
36, 24 x 36 mm exposures on 35 mm film.

Focusing:
Helical to 0.5 metre.

Attributes:
Reflex viewing through taking lens. Ground glass focusing screen with condenser. Removable waist-level view-finder.
Auto-stop on film advance. Film advance tensions the shutter.
Film cutting knife. Film reminder dial 400 - 6 ASA.

Serial Number:
980727 .

With:

  • f4, 135 mm Zeiss Sonnar, fully automatic iris diaphragm (FAD) to f22. Focus to 1 metre. Aperture compensation for close focusing. Serial no. 6902273.
  • Extension tube set. Comprises: 5, 15, 30 mm tubes and front and rear adapters.
  • Focusing screen - Fresnel/ground glass with clear central spot, condenser. Box.
  • 49 mm screw filters: UV by B+W; Yellow x3 by B+W case, box; Orange x4 by Ceneiplan.
  • Omnica 100 outfit case. (Intro. c. 1959).
  • Zeiss Ikophot Rapid exposure meter.

The example shown here corresponds to Version 8 of the IIa in 'Exakta Cameras' by Aguila and Rouah. The previous year the IIa had been given a more modern look with a wider face plate and the Exakta name printed in block script. About this time Zeiss lenses started to be produced in black mounts with leatherette trim. The waist level finder had leatherette covering and closed in one movement. The prism finder was lower and the focusing screen condenser was made thinner.

References & Notes:
Aguila, Rouah, Exakta Cameras.

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