EXAKTA EXAKTA II

Name: Exakta II
Brand: Exakta

The Exakta II is a 35mm single-lens reflex (SLR) camera made by Ihagee Kamerawerk in Dresden, East Germany, in the years right after World War II. It followed the pre-war Exakta VX and the transitional Exakta I. Ihagee refined its 35mm SLR design with better build quality, a more reliable shutter and better ergonomics, aimed at professionals and advanced amateurs.

Overview

The Exakta II was introduced in 1949, while German camera makers were rebuilding after the war and the country was splitting into East and West. Dresden fell under Soviet occupation and later became part of the German Democratic Republic (GDR). Ihagee dealt with material shortages and logistical problems. The Exakta II still held to the engineering standards of its predecessors. It was aimed mainly at professionals and serious enthusiasts who needed a reliable, interchangeable-lens 35mm SLR system, at a time when such cameras were still rare.

The Exakta II built on the original Exakta I (1936-1947). It got a redesigned body shell, a stronger film transport mechanism, an improved wind lever and a reinforced lens mount. It kept the top-mounted rewind knob, the folding waist-level finder as standard, and interchangeable viewfinders, including a pentaprism (rarely supplied at this stage). The shutter is a vertically traveling focal-plane type with cloth curtains. Speeds run from 1/25 to 1/1000 second, plus Bulb and Time. Flash sync comes through a single PC terminal marked "Blitz," which supports both M (medium) and X (electronic) sync through voltage selection.

Ihagee sold the Exakta II as a professional instrument. It belonged to the wider Exakta system of interchangeable lenses, viewfinders and accessories, which makes it one of the earliest modular 35mm SLR systems. It came before the better-known Exakta Varex and Exakta VX, which later added instant-return mirrors and through-the-lens metering. The Exakta II has neither. It is a manual, non-metered camera, so exposure comes from an external light meter.

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

In 1949, the 35mm format was gaining ground on medium format, especially with photojournalists and documentary photographers who wanted portability and fast shooting. Rangefinders like the Leica III and Contax II dominated the high end. The Exakta II offered something different: through-the-lens composition and interchangeable lenses in an SLR body. That allowed precise framing and focusing, particularly with telephoto or wide-angle lenses.

Despite its technical merits, the Exakta II had a hard time in international markets because of post-war political divisions and export restrictions from East Germany. It still found buyers among photographers in Western Europe and North America who wanted 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. Later SLRs from Asahi (Pentax), Miranda and others adopted modular designs. The Exakta II itself was a short-run transitional model. The more influential ones were the Exakta Varex and VX series.

Collectibility & Value

The Exakta II is a rare, sought-after collector's item. Production was short (1950-1951), and it sits between pre-war and modern SLR design. Surviving examples turn up mostly in Europe, particularly in former East German collections. Fully functional units with original accessories are uncommon.

When buying an Exakta II, check the shutter at every speed. Cloth curtains tend to get pinholes or uneven travel after decades of storage. The film advance mechanism and rewind clutch are also common failure points, thanks to dried lubricants. Originality counts for a lot. Matching serial numbers on body and lens, original viewfinders and factory packaging all raise the value significantly. Reproduction parts exist, but experienced collectors spot them easily.

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 is fully mechanical and needs no batteries. Common problems include stiff or frozen shutter blades, inaccurate shutter speeds from 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, and re-pinning or bushing may be necessary. Use modern, long-lasting synthetic oils for lubrication. For storage, keep the shutter uncocked and the light trap door closed to protect the internal foam seals and prevent light leaks. Regular use is recommended to keep the mechanisms moving.