EXAKTA KINE EXAKTA

Name: Exakta Kine Exakta
Brand: Exakta

The Exakta Kine Exakta came out in 1936 from Ihagee Kamerawerk in Dresden, Germany. It was the world's first 35mm single-lens reflex (SLR) camera available to the public. It combined interchangeable lenses, a vertically traveling focal-plane shutter and through-the-lens viewing in a compact 35mm body.

Overview

The Kine Exakta appeared while 35mm was moving from a niche amateur format to a serious tool for professionals and enthusiasts. Before it, most 35mm cameras were rangefinders or viewfinder models. That limited framing accuracy, especially for close-up or telephoto work. The Kine Exakta added a mirror reflex system, so the user saw exactly what the lens saw.

Ihagee aimed the Kine Exakta at advanced amateurs and photojournalists, and built it for modularity and precision. It had a bayonet lens mount (the Exakta 42mm screw mount, later standardized), which allowed quick lens changes and supported a growing range of optics from Ihagee and third-party makers. The trapezoidal body, tapered toward the base, improved balance on a tripod and became a signature look of early Exakta models.

The Kine Exakta put Exakta ahead in SLR design, predating other major SLR developments by over two decades. It laid the groundwork for the Varex and VX series of the 1950s, which refined the SLR concept with pentaprisms and modular accessories. Production was limited because of World War II disruptions. The camera served as the prototype for all subsequent 35mm SLRs.

Specifications

Specification	Value
Type	35mm Single-Lens Reflex (SLR)
Film Format	35mm (135 film), 24mm × 36mm frame size
Years Produced	1936–1949
Lens Mount	Original Exakta 42mm screw mount (non-interchangeable with later Exakta mounts)
Shutter	Focal-plane shutter, cloth curtains; speeds from 1/25 to 1/1000 second, plus B (bulb)
Metering	None (uncoupled metering required externally)
Exposure Modes	Manual only; shutter speed and aperture set independently
Viewfinder	Waist-level reflex finder with ground-glass focusing screen; pop-up hood
Dimensions	Approximately 145mm (W) × 85mm (H) × 70mm (D); weight ~650g (body only, without lens)

Key Features

World’s First 35mm SLR: Pioneered through-the-lens viewing and interchangeable lenses in a 35mm format.
Vertically Traveling Focal-Plane Shutter: Allowed faster flash synchronization (up to 1/25 sec) compared to horizontal shutters of the era.
Trapezoidal Body Design: Improved handling and tripod stability, reducing camera tilt during use.
Interchangeable Lenses via Screw Mount: Supported a range of lenses from 25mm to 1200mm, including Zeiss, Schacht, and Meyer optics adapted via mount.
Cable Release Socket and Self-Timer: Advanced features for its time, enhancing usability for long exposures and self-portraits.

Historical Context

Karl Nüchterlein directed development of the Kine Exakta at Ihagee, a company founded in 1912 to produce medical equipment and which moved into cameras in the 1920s. The name "Kine" came from "cinema," since the camera used standard 35mm cine film spools. These were repackaged into proprietary film cartridges holding 12 or 24 exposures. The Kodak 135 cartridge (introduced in 1934) had not yet become widespread, so Ihagee designed its own loading system. Users had to load film in a darkroom or changing bag.

The Kine Exakta debuted at the Leipzig Spring Fair in 1936 and drew attention right away for its reflex design. Leica and Contax dominated the 35mm market then with rangefinder systems. Those were compact and precise, but they suffered from parallax error and limited macro and telephoto compatibility. The Kine Exakta solved both problems, at the cost of more size and mechanical complexity. It still gained a loyal following among technical photographers and press agencies in Europe.

World War II interrupted production, and Ihagee's Dresden factory was heavily damaged in the 1945 bombings. Production resumed after the war under Soviet oversight in East Germany. The Kine Exakta stayed in production until 1949, when the Exakta VX succeeded it. Total production is estimated at around 40,000 units, which makes it a rare camera.

Collectibility & Value

The Kine Exakta is a prized collector's item because it was the first 35mm SLR. In good working condition with original accessories (such as film loaders, cases or lenses), examples can fetch between $1,200 and $2,500 at auction or through specialist dealers. Fully restored models with rare lenses or documentation may exceed $3,000. Rarity, pre-war provenance and mechanical uniqueness add to the demand among vintage camera collectors.

Buyers should check the shutter at all speeds, because the cloth curtains are prone to sticking or tearing after decades of disuse. The leather bellows of the viewfinder hood often degrade and may need replacement. Test the film transport, including the rewind knob and frame counter, for smooth operation. The original film cartridges are obsolete, so users typically modify standard 135 cassettes or use custom loaders. The camera is purely mechanical with no electronics, needs no batteries, and can be operated indefinitely with proper maintenance.

Similar Cameras

Alpa-Reflex (1944) – Swiss-made 35mm SLR with superior optics and build, but post-dated the Kine Exakta.
Rectaflex A.1000 (1948) – Italian SLR, one of the first with a pentaprism (though the Kine Exakta remained waist-level).
Praktiflex (1949) – East German SLR, precursor to the Praktica line, influenced by Exakta design.
Leica Standard (1932) – 35mm rangefinder; contemporary but non-reflex, emphasizing portability over viewing accuracy.
Kodak Retina I (1934) – Folding 35mm camera; represented the mainstream non-SLR alternative at the time.

Repair & Maintenance

The Kine Exakta is entirely mechanical and needs no batteries. Common problems include stiff or inaccurate shutter speeds from dried lubricants. That calls for a full CLA (clean, lubricate, adjust) by a technician experienced with pre-war German cameras. Handle the focal-plane shutter gently - forcing the curtain or advancing the film without releasing the shutter can cause permanent damage. The film advance lever is prone to wear at the linkage point, and replacement parts are scarce, often requiring fabrication. Regular use, dry storage and periodic servicing keep it working. Collectors are highly encouraged to preserve original components.