EXAKTA EXAKTA II

Name: Exakta Exakta II
Brand: Exakta

The Exakta II is a 35mm single-lens reflex (SLR) camera produced by Ihagee Kamerawerk in Dresden, East Germany, during the immediate post-World War II period. As a direct successor to the pre-war Exakta VX and the transitional Exakta I, the Exakta II represented a refined iteration of Ihagee’s pioneering 35mm SLR design, incorporating improvements in build quality, shutter reliability, and ergonomics for professional and advanced amateur photographers.

Overview

Introduced in 1949, the Exakta II emerged during a critical period in German photographic industry history—rebuilding after wartime devastation and navigating the early divisions of East and West Germany. Manufactured in Dresden, which fell under Soviet occupation and later became part of the German Democratic Republic (GDR), Ihagee faced material shortages and logistical challenges. Despite these constraints, the Exakta II maintained the high engineering standards of its predecessors, reflecting Ihagee’s leadership in SLR innovation. It was targeted primarily at professional photographers and serious enthusiasts who required a reliable, interchangeable-lens 35mm SLR system at a time when such cameras were still rare.

The Exakta II built upon the foundation of the original Exakta I (1936–1947), introducing a redesigned body shell with a more robust film transport mechanism, an improved wind lever, and a reinforced lens mount. It retained the distinctive top-mounted rewind knob, folding waist-level finder as standard, and the ability to accept interchangeable viewfinders—including a pentaprism (rarely supplied at this stage). The camera featured a vertically traveling focal-plane shutter with cloth curtains, offering a range of shutter speeds from 1/25 to 1/1000 second, plus Bulb and Time settings. Flash synchronization was provided via a single PC terminal, marked "Blitz," supporting both M (medium) and X (electronic) sync through voltage selection.

Positioned as a professional-grade instrument, the Exakta II was part of Ihagee’s broader Exakta system, which included a range of interchangeable lenses, viewfinders, and accessories—making it one of the earliest examples of a modular 35mm SLR system. It preceded the more widely known Exakta Varex and Exakta VX, which would later introduce features like instant-return mirrors and through-the-lens metering. The Exakta II, however, remained a manual, non-metered camera, relying on external light meters for exposure calculation.

Specifications

Specification	Value
Type	Single-Lens Reflex (SLR)
Film Format	35mm (135 cartridge)
Years Produced	1950–1951
Lens Mount	Original Exakta Bayonet Mount (44mm diameter, 48mm flange focal distance)
Shutter	Focal-plane cloth shutter; speeds 1/25, 1/50, 1/100, 1/250, 1/500, 1/1000 sec, plus B (Bulb); no 'T' (Time) setting on standard models
Metering	None (no built-in light meter)
Exposure Modes	Manual only (shutter speed and aperture selected manually)
Viewfinder	Interchangeable; standard folding waist-level finder with ground glass, optional pentaprism
Dimensions	Approx. 138mm (W) × 88mm (H) × 54mm (D); weight approx. 720g (body only)

Key Features

Interchangeable Viewfinder System: One of the first 35mm SLRs to offer user-swappable viewfinders, including a waist-level finder and optional pentaprism for eye-level composition.
Modular Lens System: Utilized the original Exakta bayonet mount, supporting a growing range of lenses from Ihagee and third-party manufacturers like Schneider-Kreuznach and Zeiss.
Vertical Focal-Plane Shutter: Offered high-speed performance up to 1/1000 sec, exceptional for its era.
Flash Synchronization with Voltage Selector: Included M/X flash sync selection via a switch near the PC terminal, accommodating both flashbulbs and early electronic flashes.
Robust All-Metal Construction: Machined steel and brass body with leatherette covering, designed for durability in professional use.

Historical Context

The Exakta II was released at a pivotal moment in photographic history. In 1949, the 35mm format was gaining traction over medium format, particularly among photojournalists and documentary photographers who valued portability and rapid shooting. While rangefinder cameras like the Leica III and Contax II dominated the high-end market, the Exakta II offered a compelling alternative: through-the-lens composition and interchangeable lenses in an SLR form factor. This allowed precise framing and focusing, especially beneficial when using telephoto or wide-angle lenses.

Despite its technical merits, the Exakta II faced challenges in international markets due to post-war political divisions and export restrictions from East Germany. Nevertheless, it found favor among photographers in Western Europe and North America who sought innovative tools. Competitors at the time included the Alpa-Reflex (Switzerland) and the Soviet FED-2-based SLR prototypes, but few offered the same level of system integration. The Exakta system’s influence can be seen in later SLRs from Asahi (Pentax), Miranda, and others, which adopted modular designs. However, the Exakta II specifically was a short-run transitional model; the more influential models were the Exakta Varex and VX series.

Collectibility & Value

The Exakta II is a rare and sought-after collector’s item due to its short production run (1950–1951) and historical significance as a transitional model between pre-war and modern SLR design. Surviving examples are often found in Europe, particularly in former East German collections, but fully functional units with original accessories are uncommon.

When acquiring an Exakta II, collectors should inspect the shutter operation across all speeds, as cloth curtains are prone to pinholes or uneven travel after decades of storage. The film advance mechanism and rewind clutch are also common failure points due to dried lubricants. Originality is highly valued—cameras with matching serial numbers on body and lens, original viewfinders, and factory packaging significantly increase value. Reproduction parts exist but are easily identified by experienced collectors.

Similar Cameras

Alpa-Reflex (1943–1944, later Alpa-Reflex-C 1946–1953) – Swiss-made precision SLR with interchangeable lenses and modular design.
Rectaflex A.1000 (1948, Italy) – First Italian 35mm SLR, featuring a pentaprism and instant-return mirror.
Foca II (1948, France) – French SLR with similar bayonet mount and manual controls, less refined than Exakta.
Kine Exakta (1936–1947) – Predecessor to the Exakta II, sharing core design but with earlier shutter and winding mechanism.
Praktiflex (1949, East Germany) – VEB Praktica’s first SLR, simpler and more rudimentary than the Exakta II.

Repair & Maintenance

The Exakta II requires no batteries, as it is fully mechanical. However, proper maintenance is essential for reliable operation. Common issues include stiff or frozen shutter blades, inaccurate shutter speeds due to gummed lubricants, and wear in the film advance gear train. The focal-plane shutter must be cleaned and re-tensioned by a technician experienced with vintage cloth shutters. The bayonet lens mount can develop play over time; re-pinning or bushing may be necessary. Lubrication should use modern, long-lasting synthetic oils to prevent future degradation. When storing, keep the camera with the shutter uncocked and the light trap door closed to preserve the internal foam seals and prevent light leaks. Regular use is recommended to keep mechanisms functioning smoothly.