IHAGEE EXA 1C
The Ihagee Exa 1c is the last of the Exa series of 35mm single-lens reflex (SLR) cameras made under the Ihagee name. It ends a line that started in post-war East Germany.
Overview
The Exa 1c was introduced as the last model in the Exa line. The series began in the early 1950s with the original Exakta cameras and went through numerous variants under the Exa name starting in the 1960s. It was designed as an affordable, fully mechanical 35mm SLR for amateur photographers and students who wanted reliable, durable equipment without the complexity or cost of electronic systems. It was built during the final years of East German camera manufacturing, before the political and economic shifts of the late 1980s led to the dissolution of state-owned photographic enterprises.
The camera has a vertical-travel focal-plane shutter, M42 screw-mount lens compatibility, and through-the-lens (TTL) metering with a cadmium sulfide (CdS) cell. Many of its Japanese contemporaries needed a battery to fire. The Exa 1c keeps a fully mechanical shutter at all speeds, so it works without battery power - except for the meter.
The Ihagee brand pioneered 35mm SLR design with the Exakta series in the 1930s - 1950s. It was phased out by the late 1960s as Pentacon consolidated East German camera production under its own name. The original Ihagee company of Dresden was renowned in the 1930s and 1940s for that pioneering work (notably the Exakta VX), but by the 1980s the brand had been fully absorbed into the East German conglomerate VEB Pentacon. So the Exa 1c was not a standalone innovation. It was a rebranded and slightly refined version of existing Praktica technology, sold under the old Ihagee name for export and domestic use. Production ceased around 1987, before the fall of the Berlin Wall and the eventual privatization and closure of Pentacon's camera operations.
Specifications
| Specification | Value |
| Type | 35mm Single-Lens Reflex (SLR) |
| Film Format | 35mm (135 cartridge) |
| Years Produced | |
| Lens Mount | M42 × 1mm screw mount (Pentax thread) |
| Shutter | Focal-plane, vertical-travel metal blades; speeds 1–1/1000 sec, B |
| Shutter Speeds | 1, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/15, 1/30, 1/60, 1/125, 1/250, 1/500, 1/1000 sec, Bulb (B) |
| Metering | |
| Exposure Modes | Manual only; metering requires battery |
| Viewfinder | Fixed pentaprism, eye-level, with split-image rangefinder and microprism collar |
| Film Advance | Manual lever (90° throw), single stroke |
| Frame Counter | Automatic reset; counts up from 1 |
| Flash Sync | X-sync via PC terminal and hot shoe; 1/30 sec sync speed |
| Battery | 1 × PX625 (1.35V mercury) or 1.5V alkaline equivalent (e.g., Wein Cell) |
| Dimensions | Approx. 140 mm (W) × 90 mm (H) × 50 mm (D) |
| Weight | Approx. 580 g (body only, no battery or lens) |
Key Features
- Fully mechanical shutter up to 1/1000 sec ensures reliable operation without batteries.
- TTL CdS metering with match-needle indicator in the viewfinder for accurate exposure guidance.
- M42 screw mount offers compatibility with a vast range of manual-focus lenses from Zeiss, Meyer, Pentacon, and third-party manufacturers.
- Vertical-travel metal shutter provides quieter operation and improved durability over horizontal cloth shutters.
- Compact, lightweight body design enhances portability while maintaining robust metal construction.
Historical Context
The Exa 1c came out while the East German camera industry was struggling against a flood of advanced, electronically controlled SLRs from Japan. By the mid-1980s, models like the Canon AE-1 Program, Nikon FE2, and Pentax ME Super dominated global markets with aperture-priority automation, TTL flash, and integrated motor drives - features far beyond the Exa 1c. It still served a niche market in Eastern Bloc countries, and among budget-conscious photographers in Western Europe who valued mechanical reliability and lens interchangeability.
The Ihagee name was largely symbolic. It leaned on the brand's historical prestige to set the camera apart from the more utilitarian Praktica badge. In reality, the Exa 1c was functionally identical to the Praktica Super TL2 and LLC, differing mainly in badging and minor cosmetic details. It was assembled at the Pentacon factory in Dresden with shared components and tooling, which fits the centralized production model of East German industry. Despite its dated technology, it was well regarded for its build quality, smooth film advance, and precise shutter mechanism.
Collectibility & Value
Today the Exa 1c is a niche collectible, valued more as the final Exa model than for technical performance. Because of its late production date and mechanical simplicity, many units still work. Original examples with an unblemished finish and clean viewfinders are increasingly rare.
Collectors should check the shutter for consistency across all speeds and look at the light seals, which often degrade and cause light leaks. The CdS meter needs to be tested too. It may need recalibration, or a replacement battery adapter if using modern 1.5V cells. The original PX625 mercury battery is obsolete, so users often substitute Wein Cells or zinc-air alternatives to keep the metering accurate. The all-metal construction is durable, but the leatherette and viewfinder coatings may show age-related deterioration.
Similar Cameras
- Praktica Super TL2 – Nearly identical internally; same shutter, meter, and body.
- Pentax Spotmatic SP – Contemporary M42 SLR with similar mechanical design and TTL metering.
- Yashica FX-3 – Compact M42 SLR with match-needle metering and reliable build.
- Fujica ST801 – High-quality M42 camera with advanced metering and robust construction.
- Zenit-12XP – Soviet-era M42 SLR with similar mechanical layout but lower build precision.
Repair & Maintenance
The Exa 1c uses a 1.35V PX625 mercury battery (now obsolete), which powers the CdS meter. Modern replacements such as the Wein Cell (1.35V silver oxide) are recommended, because the higher voltage of standard 1.5V alkaline cells causes overexposure. The mechanical shutter needs no battery and works at all speeds on its own. Common problems are sluggish shutter speeds from dried lubricants, sticky film advance levers, and degraded light seals. Repair is feasible through specialists familiar with Praktica/Exa platforms, though original spare parts are limited. Routine maintenance means cleaning the mirror, replacing light seals, and servicing the shutter and film transport every 5 - 10 years for regular users.
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Related Models
- Ihagee Exa 1a (1964-1977)
- Ihagee Exa 1b (1977-1985)
- Ihagee Exa 500 (1966–1969)
- Ihagee Exa IIa (1963-1964)
- Ihagee Exa IIb (1964-1966)
- Alpa Alnea 7 (1952)
- Alpa Prisma Reflex
- Agfa 254
- Agfa ActionCam (1995)
- Agfa Agfaflex