IHAGEE EXA IIA

Name: Ihagee Exa IIa
Brand: Ihagee

The Ihagee Exa IIa is a 35mm single-lens reflex (SLR) camera made by Ihagee in Dresden, East Germany. Production began in late 1962 and continued into 1963. It is a minor update to the Exa II, with refinements to the shutter mechanism and viewfinder usability. It sits between models in Ihagee's SLR line of the early 1960s.

Overview

The Exa IIa arrived while manufacturers across Europe and Japan were standardizing instant-return mirrors, through-the-lens metering, and interchangeable pentaprisms. Ihagee had built the first 35mm SLR, the Kine Exakta in 1936, and the Exa series carried on from there. The cameras were compact, tough, and practical. The Exa IIa was an incremental improvement over the Exa II (1959-1963), aimed mainly at user complaints about shutter reliability and viewfinder brightness.

The Exa IIa was built in East Germany under the GDR, during a period of increasing economic and political constraints. It shows both technical competence and material limits. It kept the core mechanical design of its predecessors: a focal-plane shutter, a fixed non-interchangeable pentaprism, and the M42 screw mount (also known as the Universal or Pentax thread mount). It was marketed to advanced amateurs and photojournalists who wanted a durable, no-frills SLR with manual control over exposure.

The Exa IIa came after the Exa II and before the later Exa 500/5000 series. Production ran only about 18 months and ended in 1964, when Ihagee was absorbed into the state-owned Pentacon conglomerate, which pulled several East German camera brands together. It was one of the last independently developed Ihagee SLRs before the Pentacon name took over the region's photographic output.

Specifications

Specification	Value
Type	35mm Single-Lens Reflex (SLR)
Film Format	35mm (135 film), 24x36mm frame size
Years Produced	1963–1964
Lens Mount	M42 × 1mm screw mount (Universal/Pentax thread)
Shutter	Cloth focal-plane shutter, speeds from 1 sec to 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 sec, B
Sync Speed	1/60 sec
Metering	None (uncoupled meter required)
Exposure Modes	Manual only
Viewfinder	Fixed pentaprism with ground-glass focusing screen, central split-image rangefinder spot
Focusing Screen	Ground glass with central split-image prism for manual focus
Film Advance	Lever wind (single stroke, approx. 130° arc), frame counter automatic reset
Frame Counter	Counts up from 1, resets when back opened
Flash Sync	PC terminal and X-sync via hot shoe
Hot Shoe	Yes, accessory shoe (center contact may vary by unit; not all models guaranteed)
Self-Timer	Yes, mechanical self-timer with lever on front
Dimensions	Approx. 138mm (W) × 84mm (H) × 50mm (D)
Weight	Approx. 650g (body only, no battery)

Key Features

High-speed focal-plane shutter: Capable of 1/1000 sec, rare among contemporary SLRs and a hallmark of Ihagee’s engineering.
M42 screw mount compatibility: Enabled use with a vast array of lenses from Zeiss, Meyer, Schneider, and later Japanese manufacturers.
Improved shutter mechanism: Refined from the Exa II, offering more consistent timing and reduced vibration.
Fixed pentaprism with split-image focusing: Provided accurate manual focusing, a significant advantage over waist-level finders.
Compact, all-metal body: Durable construction with ergonomic wind lever and shutter release placement.

Historical Context

The Exa IIa came out during a period of rapid change in SLR design. By the early 1960s, Japanese makers like Nikon (with the F-series) and Canon were introducing modular SLRs with interchangeable viewfinders, motor drives, and TTL metering. The Exa IIa had none of these. It stayed a purely mechanical, manual camera that favored reliability and simplicity over automation. Its design was closer to earlier European SLRs than to the new system cameras.

Despite its conservative approach, the Exa IIa competed in a growing global market for affordable SLRs. It was positioned below premium models like the Praktina FX or Exakta VX, but offered better build quality than budget offerings from VEB Wirgin or Reflecta. Its main mid-range competitors were the Praktica FX2 and the Zeiss Ikon SL72, both also M42-mount cameras. Ihagee's brand recognition, rooted in its Exakta heritage, gave the Exa IIa a niche appeal among photographers who knew the lineage.

Production ceased in 1964 when Ihagee was formally merged into VEB Pentacon Dresden. That ended the Ihagee brand as an independent entity. The Exa IIa's short run and its timing mark the shift from pre-war German optical work to the state-controlled industrial model of East German manufacturing.

Collectibility & Value

The Ihagee Exa IIa is a moderately rare camera today. Surviving examples are often found in Europe, particularly in former Eastern Bloc countries. Because of the short production period and the political upheaval that followed, original, fully functional units in good condition are increasingly scarce. Collectors value it as one of the last true Ihagee designs before Pentacon took over.

Current market value ranges from €150 to €300 for working models. Cameras with clean viewfinders, smooth shutter operation, and original finish command higher prices. Check shutter accuracy (especially at high speeds), mirror movement smoothness, and the split-image focusing screen, which can become cloudy or delaminate over time. The leatherette and film pressure plate may also show their age.

Common issues include stiff wind levers, shutter curtain fraying, and degraded light seals. The camera is fully mechanical and needs no batteries, but the PC sync terminal and hot shoe should be tested for electrical continuity. Replacement parts are limited, though some components are interchangeable with other Exa and Praktica models.

Similar Cameras

Praktica FX2 (1963–1965) – East German M42 SLR with similar shutter speeds and build quality.
Zeiss Ikon SL72 (1961–1966) – High-quality West German SLR with M42 mount and advanced ergonomics.
Konica Auto-Reflex (1965) – Japanese SLR introducing aperture-priority automation, representing the next evolution.
Exakta VX500 (1962) – Later Exakta model with improved ergonomics and flash sync.
Fujica ST 705 (1964) – Japanese M42 camera emphasizing precision engineering and compact design.

Repair & Maintenance

The Exa IIa requires no batteries and operates entirely mechanically, so it holds up well in long-term storage. Regular maintenance is still recommended. Test shutter speeds with a timing meter, particularly 1/500 and 1/1000 sec, where cloth shutters tend to run off time from spring fatigue. The wind mechanism and mirror linkage benefit from light lubrication during servicing.

Replacement shutter curtains and split-image screens are hard to source, since neither is manufactured anymore. Skilled technicians familiar with vintage M42 SLRs can often refurbish or adapt components. Cleaning the viewfinder optics and replacing deteriorated light seals keeps image quality up and prevents light leaks. Non-original modifications should be avoided to maintain value.