IHAGEE EXA IIB

Name: Ihagee Exa IIb
Brand: Ihagee

The Ihagee Exa IIb is a 35mm single-lens reflex (SLR) camera produced by the German manufacturer Ihagee between 1964 and 1966. As the final true Ihagee-designed SLR before the company's full integration into the VEB Pentacon conglomerate, the Exa IIb represents the culmination of the Exa series’ evolution, incorporating mechanical refinements and ergonomic improvements over its predecessors.

Overview

Introduced in 1964, the Exa IIb succeeded the Exa IIa and marked the last iteration of the Exa line to bear the authentic Ihagee engineering identity before the brand was fully absorbed into the state-owned East German camera combine VEB Pentacon. Manufactured in Dresden, the Exa IIb was positioned as an advanced amateur and semi-professional SLR, offering a robust mechanical platform with a simplified, reliable design. It continued the Exa series’ tradition of using a fixed, non-interchangeable pentaprism and a horizontally-traveling cloth focal-plane shutter, but introduced several refinements aimed at improving usability and durability.

The Exa IIb was designed for photographers seeking a dependable, no-frills SLR with manual control over exposure and focus. It accepted lenses via the M42 screw mount (also known as the Praktica thread mount), ensuring compatibility with a wide range of East and West German optics, including Carl Zeiss Jena, Meyer-Optik, and Schneider-Kreuznach. The camera featured a built-in selenium light meter with a center-the-needle exposure guidance system, located in the prism housing—a feature inherited from the Exa IIa but refined for improved readability.

Historically, the Exa IIb occupies a transitional space in East German camera development. While it retained the core mechanical architecture of the original Exa (introduced in 1956), it was produced during a period of increasing standardization across East German manufacturers under the Pentacon umbrella. As such, the Exa IIb shares design cues with contemporary Praktica models, particularly in its shutter mechanism and metering system, yet maintains a distinct Ihagee lineage in its body casting, shutter release layout, and film advance ergonomics.

Specifications

Specification	Value
Type	35mm Single-Lens Reflex (SLR)
Film Format	35mm (135 cartridge)
Years Produced	1964–1966
Lens Mount	M42 × 1mm screw (Praktica thread mount)
Shutter	Cloth focal-plane shutter, speeds 1–1/1000 sec + B; speeds 1–1/500 via instant-return mirror
Metering	Selenium-cell TTL meter with center-the-needle indication in viewfinder
Exposure Modes	Manual only
Viewfinder	Fixed pentaprism, eye-level, with split-image rangefinder spot and microprism collar
Dimensions	Approx. 145 × 90 × 55 mm; weight approx. 680 g (body only, no lens)

Key Features

Mechanically timed shutter with speeds from 1 second to 1/1000 second, offering high-speed performance rare in budget SLRs of the era.
Integrated selenium meter with no battery requirement—self-powered via ambient light, providing reliable long-term operation.
Split-image focusing screen with microprism collar for precise manual focusing, standard in advanced SLRs of the 1960s.
M42 lens compatibility ensured access to a broad ecosystem of high-quality East and West German lenses.
Instant-return mirror (at speeds 1/500 and slower) improved viewing continuity during rapid shooting.

Historical Context

The Exa IIb was released during a period of consolidation in the East German optical industry. By the early 1960s, Ihagee—once an independent innovator known for the original Kine Exakta in the 1930s—had become part of VEB Pentacon Dresden, which coordinated production across multiple former brands including Praktica, KW, and Zeiss Ikon. Despite this, the Exa IIb retained distinct Ihagee design elements, particularly in its shutter mechanism and body mold, differentiating it from contemporary Praktica models like the PLC or Nova.

The camera competed in a growing market for affordable, mechanically robust SLRs aimed at amateur photographers transitioning from rangefinders or viewfinder cameras. Its primary rivals included the Praktica FX series, the Soviet Zenit-E, and entry-level Japanese SLRs such as the Topcon R and early Pentax models. While lacking the automation or electronic features emerging in Japan, the Exa IIb emphasized reliability, simplicity, and optical compatibility—qualities valued by photographers in both Eastern and Western Europe.

Despite its technical merits, the Exa IIb had a short production run, ending in 1966. It was succeeded not by a direct Ihagee model, but by Pentacon-badged SLRs that further blurred brand distinctions. The discontinuation of the Exa line marked the end of Ihagee as a standalone camera developer, cementing its legacy as a pioneer of the 35mm SLR format.

Collectibility & Value

Today, the Ihagee Exa IIb is a sought-after model among collectors of East German and mechanical SLR cameras. Its status as the final true Ihagee SLR gives it historical significance, and original examples in working condition are increasingly rare. The absence of electronic components and reliance on selenium metering make it both durable and vulnerable—while the meter requires no battery, selenium cells can degrade over time, leading to inaccurate readings or complete failure. However, the camera remains fully functional without the meter, as exposure is manually set.

In the collector’s market, the Exa IIb typically sells for $150–$300 USD depending on condition, lens inclusion, and meter functionality. Fully operational units with bright, clear viewfinders and responsive shutters command premium prices. Common issues include stiff film advance levers, shutter curtain wear (especially at high speeds), and light seal degradation. When purchasing, collectors should verify shutter accuracy across all speeds, check for mirror bounce or binding, and inspect the focusing screen for cloudiness or fungus.

Due to its mechanical simplicity and shared parts with other M42-era cameras, the Exa IIb is relatively straightforward to service with the right tools and expertise. However, original spare parts are limited, and some internal components are no longer manufactured, making preservation of original condition highly valued.

Similar Cameras

Praktica FX 2 (1966–1970) – East German M42 SLR with similar build quality and selenium metering.
Zenit-E (1965–1982) – Soviet-built M42 SLR, mechanically simpler but widely exported.
Pentax Spotmatic (1964–1976) – Japanese M42 SLR with advanced CdS metering and broader international appeal.
Topcon R (1963–1967) – High-end Japanese SLR with M42 mount and precision engineering.
Fujica ST 705 (1964) – Early Fujifilm SLR with M42 compatibility and robust mechanical design.

Repair & Maintenance

The Exa IIb requires no batteries for operation, as its selenium light meter generates its own current from ambient light. However, degraded selenium cells cannot be easily repaired and often require replacement or recalibration by a specialist. The camera’s mechanical shutter should be checked for consistency, particularly at 1/1000 sec, where timing inaccuracies are common in aged units. Lubrication of the film transport and shutter mechanisms is recommended every 10–15 years to prevent gumming. Light seals should be replaced to prevent light leaks, and the focusing screen should be inspected for haze or delamination. Due to its mechanical nature and lack of electronics, the Exa IIb is considered repairable by experienced technicians familiar with M42-era SLRs, though original replacement parts are scarce.