IHAGEE EXA 500

The Ihagee Exa 500 is a 35mm single-lens reflex (SLR) camera made under the Ihagee name by VEB Pentacon Dresden between 1966 and 1968. It is a mid-tier mechanical SLR with a top shutter speed of 1/500 second and a hinged film back, which makes loading easier than on earlier Exa models. It is one of the last developments in the Exa series before Ihagee was absorbed into Pentacon.

Overview

Ihagee introduced the Exa 500 in 1966, during a period of consolidation in the East German optical industry under Pentacon. It succeeded earlier Exa models such as the Exa 50 and Exa 1a, with a faster shutter mechanism and updated body construction. It was sold to amateur and semi-professional photographers. The controls were straightforward and manual, and the camera was reliable and affordable in the competitive postwar European market.

The Exa 500 kept the core design of its predecessors: simple, durable, and built around the Exakta bayonet mount, which had been a hallmark of Ihagee SLRs since the 1930s. Later Pentacon models adopted the M42 screw mount, but the Exa 500 stayed with the older Exakta standard (also known as the "DKL" bayonet in some variants, though not applicable here). Users with existing Exakta-mount lenses could carry on as before. The camera has a fixed pentaprism viewfinder with a ground-glass focusing screen. Split-image focusing aids were not standard and may have been available only on later production runs or as replacements, to help with accurate manual focusing.

The hinged rear door is the Exa 500's distinguishing feature. It opens downward via a latch on the left side of the body. Earlier Exa models needed the complete back removed for film loading. The hinge simplified reloading and reduced the risk of dust entering the film chamber. The body is mostly metal, with a black enamel or black wrinkle finish, typical of Eastern Bloc camera manufacturing of the era. The feature set is modest, but the camera was well-regarded for its solid build and precise mechanical operation.

Specifications

Key Features

• 1/500 sec shutter speed: One of the faster mechanical shutter speeds available in its class at the time, enabling sharper handheld photography in bright conditions.
• Hinged film back: Simplified film loading compared to earlier Exa models that required complete back removal.
• Exakta bayonet mount: Compatible with a wide range of high-quality East German lenses, including Carl Zeiss Jena and Meyer-Optik designs.
• Fully mechanical operation: No batteries required; reliable in diverse environmental conditions.
• Split-image focusing aid: Integrated into the focusing screen for improved manual focus accuracy.

Historical Context

The Exa 500 came out during a transitional phase for Ihagee, which by the mid-1960s had become part of the VEB Pentacon conglomerate in Dresden, East Germany. Western manufacturers like Nikon, Canon, and Pentax were moving into electronic metering and faster production cycles. Eastern Bloc producers focused on refining proven mechanical designs. The Exa 500 followed that approach, with mechanical refinements over earlier Exa models.

It competed indirectly with cameras such as the Praktica FX series (also Exakta-mount) and the Soviet Zenit-E, though it lacked their widespread export presence. In Western markets, Japanese SLRs like the Pentax Spotmatic and Nikon F overshadowed it, with through-the-lens metering and broader lens ecosystems. Within the Eastern Bloc, and among budget-conscious photographers in Western Europe, the Exa 500 was valued for its durability and compatibility with high-performance Carl Zeiss Jena lenses.

Collectibility & Value

Today the Ihagee Exa 500 is a niche collectible, appreciated by enthusiasts of Cold War-era optics and mechanical SLRs. It is moderately rare outside of Germany. Well-preserved examples typically sell for €100 - €200 in the collector market, depending on condition and included accessories. Buyers prefer fully functional units with clean viewfinders and smooth shutter operation, since aging cloth shutters and lubricants can degrade over time.

When buying an Exa 500, inspect the shutter at all speeds (particularly 1/500 and 1 sec) for consistency, check for mirror slap noise, and verify that the film advance and rewind mechanisms work smoothly. The hinged back should seal tightly. Worn hinges or damaged light seals can compromise film integrity. Original leather cases and manuals increase value. The camera is all-mechanical, so it remains usable with modern 35mm film.

Similar Cameras

• Praktica FX 2 (1966) – West German SLR with similar Exakta mount and mechanical shutter, but with later models offering metering.
• Zenit-E (1965) – Soviet 35mm SLR with M42 mount, fully mechanical, widely exported and extremely durable.
• Fujica ST 601 (1968) – Japanese SLR with CdS metering, M42 mount, representing the next generation of user-friendly SLRs.
• Konica Autoreflex (1965) – Japanese SLR with open-aperture metering, competing in the same amateur market segment.
• Topcon RE Super (1963) – Professional-grade Japanese SLR with excellent optics and build, though significantly more advanced and expensive.

Repair & Maintenance

The Exa 500 needs no batteries and is entirely mechanical, so it is reliable and long-lasting when properly maintained. Common issues include sticky shutter curtains (especially at intermediate speeds), worn light seals around the hinged back, and dried lubricants in the film transport mechanism. The cloth focal-plane shutter is susceptible to pinholes or tears if mishandled or stored improperly. The mirror and shutter linkage may need lubrication after decades of inactivity.

Repair parts are limited but can sometimes be sourced from donor Exa bodies or Praktica models with similar mechanisms. Because of the camera's age and regional specificity, specialized repair knowledge is recommended. Routine maintenance should include cleaning the viewfinder and focusing screen, replacing light seals, and checking film pressure plate alignment. When stored, the camera should have the shutter released and the film advance disengaged to reduce spring tension.

Market Value

┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ IHAGEE EXA 500                                                  Nov 2026 │
├──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ High      $130                                    Latest            $130 │
│ Median    $56                                     Trend                — │
│ Low       $36                                     Volume           ~1/mo │
├──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│   $200 ┤                                                                 │
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│   $114 ┤                                                                .│
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│     $0 ┤                                                                 │
│        ├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────│
│    vol │█                                        █       █              █│
│        └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────│
│         2026-05                      2026-07                      2026-08│
└──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

eBay Listings

Recently sold on eBay: $36–$130 (median $56, based on 4 completed sales, past 12 months)

Ihagee Exa 500+ Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar Exakta Zebra 50mm F/2

$71.41

Vintage Ihagee EXA 500 35mm SLR Film Camera Body Only SN 295

$70.00

Ihagee Exa 500 SLR Camera Body 35Mm

$43.12

Ultra-Rare Orig. Ihagee Exa Oberkappe - Brass - Prototype Ex

$1,122

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