IHAGEE EXA 1B

Name: Ihagee Exa 1b
Brand: Ihagee

The Ihagee Exa 1b is a 35mm single-lens reflex (SLR) camera built in East Germany under the Ihagee brand by KW (Kamera-Werkstätten) after German camera manufacturing was reunified under the Pentacon umbrella. It is a late evolution of the Pentacon Exa line and one of the final iterations of a long series of compact, fixed-pentaprism SLRs. They were designed for amateur and enthusiast photographers who wanted reliable mechanical operation and the M42 screw-mount lens system.

Overview

The Ihagee Exa 1b was introduced in 1977 as a successor to the Pentacon 2 and earlier Exa models. The line goes back to the original KW Exakta series of the 1930s. It was made at the VEB Pentacon Dresden facility in East Germany, as part of a broader effort to modernize and standardize SLR production under the Pentacon brand. The mechanical simplicity and durability of the earlier models stayed. It was sold mainly in Eastern Bloc countries and Western Europe as an affordable, fully mechanical SLR with through-the-lens (TTL) metering and a compact, lightweight chassis.

The Exa 1b was aimed at amateur photographers and students, and it put reliability and ease of use ahead of advanced automation. It had a vertically traveling, focal-plane cloth shutter, a fixed pentaprism housing, and a flip-up rewind crank. Its predecessors shared these, but here they were refined for better ergonomics and metering accuracy. Unlike earlier Exa models, the Exa 1b had a CdS (Cadmium Sulfide) TTL full-aperture metering system with a match-needle display in the viewfinder, which made exposure settings more intuitive. It had no aperture-priority or shutter-priority automation. You set exposure by hand from the meter reading.

The Exa 1b was one of the last Ihagee-branded cameras made before East German camera manufacturing declined in the mid-1980s. It sits between the classic mechanical SLRs of the 1950s - 60s and the electronic models that followed. It kept compatibility with the big ecosystem of M42 lenses, including those from Carl Zeiss Jena, Meyer-Optik, and Schneider-Kreuznach, which appealed to budget-conscious photographers who wanted good optics.

Specifications

Specification	Value
Type	35mm Single-Lens Reflex (SLR)
Film Format	35mm (135 cartridge)
Years Produced	1977–1985
Lens Mount	M42 × 1mm screw mount (Pentax Universal)
Shutter	Vertically traveling cloth focal-plane shutter; speeds 1 sec to 1/1000 sec, plus B (bulb)
Metering	TTL CdS metering at full aperture with stop-down activation
Exposure Modes	Manual only; meter-assisted exposure
Viewfinder	Fixed pentaprism with central split-image rangefinder, microprism collar, and match-needle exposure indicator
Dimensions	138 × 82 × 50 mm; weight approximately 580 g (body only)

Key Features

TTL Full-Aperture Metering: Utilizes a CdS cell for accurate exposure readings without requiring lens stop-down, improving viewfinder brightness during composition.
Match-Needle Exposure System: A needle in the viewfinder indicates under/overexposure; user adjusts aperture or shutter speed until the needle centers relative to a fixed marker.
M42 Lens Compatibility: Supports the widely available M42 screw-mount lens system, including pre-set and automatic diaphragm lenses.
Mechanical Shutter Operation: Fully functional without batteries; meter requires a single PX625 (1.35V mercury) or equivalent modern substitute (e.g., Wein Cell or adapter with 1.5V zinc-air).
Compact, Lightweight Body: One of the smallest full-frame 35mm SLRs of its era, with a die-cast aluminum chassis and textured polymer grip.

Historical Context

The Ihagee Exa 1b came out during a period of consolidation in East German optics, after several pre-war camera manufacturers merged into VEB Pentacon Dresden. The original Ihagee company, famous for the Exakta series of the 1930s - 50s, had been absorbed into this state-owned conglomerate by the 1960s. The "Ihagee" name was kept as a brand for export models, particularly in Western markets where the name carried historical prestige.

The Exa 1b was developed as a cost-effective successor to the Pentacon 2 and earlier Exa 500/501 models, with incremental improvements in metering and ergonomics. It competed with other budget mechanical SLRs such as the Soviet Zenit-TTL, Hungarian Gamma-Rex, and early Chinese models like the Seagull DF. By the late 1970s, though, Japanese manufacturers such as Pentax, Minolta, and Canon were rapidly advancing electronic SLR technology. They introduced aperture-priority and TTL off-the-film (OTF) metering systems that outperformed the Exa 1b’s simpler design.

Technically limited as it was, the Exa 1b found a niche among photographers in Eastern Europe and developing markets. It had rugged construction, was easy to repair, and worked with high-quality East German optics. Production continued until 1985. Declining demand, plus mechanical SLRs being made obsolete by autofocus and electronic automation, led to the line being discontinued.

Collectibility & Value

Today the Ihagee Exa 1b is a modestly collectible camera, valued more for its history and mechanical charm than for practical use. In good working condition it typically sells for $50 - $120 USD on the secondary market. Prices run higher for examples with original lenses (such as the Carl Zeiss Jena Pancolar 50mm f/1.8) or in mint, boxed condition.

Check several areas before buying. Test the shutter’s accuracy at all speeds, especially 1/1000 sec, which can stick if the mechanism is dry. Check the CdS meter, which often fails from aging cells or corroded contacts. Look at the light seals, which commonly degrade and cause light leaks. The flip-up rewind knob is prone to breakage. The self-timer mechanism is present but delicate, and it is frequently non-operational in surviving units.

The shutter is fully mechanical, so the Exa 1b is still usable with modern film. The meter is the problem, because accurate metering relied on obsolete mercury batteries. Enthusiasts often use zinc-air replacements (e.g., Wein Cell) or modify the meter circuit to take 1.5V batteries, though this requires minor technical skill.

Similar Cameras

Pentacon 2 – Direct predecessor with similar design but less refined metering.
Zenit-TTL – Soviet SLR with TTL metering and M42 mount; heavier and less refined.
Praktica Super TL/TL 3 – West German M42 SLRs with more advanced metering and build quality.
Fujica ST705 – Japanese M42 camera with aperture-priority automation and superior ergonomics.
Yashica Electro AX – Late M42 model with full auto-exposure, representing the pinnacle of the mount’s evolution.

Repair & Maintenance

The Ihagee Exa 1b requires a PX625 (1.35V) mercury battery for meter operation. Modern alternatives include the Wein Cell (1.35V zinc-air) or hearing aid batteries with voltage regulation. The mechanical shutter operates without power. Common issues include sluggish shutter speeds from dried lubricants, sticky mirror movement, and degraded CdS cells. The self-timer and film advance linkage are prone to wear. Repair is feasible for experienced technicians familiar with M42-era SLRs, though spare parts are limited. Regular cleaning, lubrication, and light seal replacement are recommended for long-term preservation.