The Exa range of cameras was a simpler and cheaper option to the Exakta, as they shared most of the Exakta accessories they were often used as a second body in an Exakta outfit. The model shown here was known as the Exa and was introduced in 1952, it was replaced by the Exa 1 in 1963, there was also an Exa II with built-in pentaprism. The shutter fitted to the Exa (i.e. pre Exa 1) was a simple curved plate having a variable aperture attached to the bottom of the mirror. The shutter covers some of the lens opening which prevents long-focus lenses from being used (greater than 100 mm) as well as long bellows extension. The film spools of the Exa are placed slightly in front of the focal plane giving the body a trapezoidal shape.