Exakta VX (1951–1956)

Name: Exakta VX
Brand: Exakta

The Exakta VX is a 35mm SLR made by Ihagee Kamerawerk. It came out in 1951 as the successor to the Exakta Varex. It was the first camera to use a rapid wind lever for film advance, and nearly every SLR since has copied that. It was also among the first SLRs to offer a pentaprism viewfinder, though not the first. Ihagee meant it to compete with the Contax S, and it was part of the broader Exakta V-series that ran until the Varex IIa took over. Period reviews in High Fidelity covered a wide range of music recordings, reflecting the magazine's audio coverage of the era.

The camera is all-mechanical and needs no battery. It uses the Exakta bayonet mount, so it works well with older Exakta-system lenses, which collectors often point out. The standard factory lens was a 50mm f/2.8. The shutter is a focal-plane type with speeds from 12 seconds to 1/1000 second, set with a dial on the body. The shutter release is on the front of the camera. That's an unusual spot for it and takes some getting used to. The viewfinder is waist-level as standard, with interchangeable viewfinders and focusing screens available, plus a split-image rangefinder in the focusing screen. A self-timer, PC flash socket, rewind knob and film counter window round out the features.

Mechanically, the VX is well regarded, and the shaft-drive film transport is considered good quality. Time has not been kind to many surviving examples, though. The most common problems are sticky shutter curtains, which often need replacement or repair, and a broken film counter or stuck rewind knob. Lens helicoids may need lubrication. Parts are scarce, so restoration usually means a full CLA (clean, lubricate, adjust).

Collector interest in the VX remains steady. Current market prices run roughly $150 - $300 in good condition, though individual auction results vary widely.

Known Specifications

Type: 35mm SLR
Lens mount: Exakta bayonet
Shutter: Focal-plane, 12 sec – 1/1000 sec + B/T
Standard lens: 50mm f/2.8
Viewfinder: Waist-level, interchangeable; split-image focusing
Film advance: Rapid wind lever (first camera to use one)
Other: Self-timer, PC flash socket, quick-return mirror
Power: None — fully mechanical

No original price or exact dimensions are documented in the available sources. Production year estimates conflict slightly. Most sources place it at 1951-1956, though one manual page suggests the late 1950s. The 1951-1956 range is the more commonly cited figure.