Back in the 1960's I wanted a new Exakta VX IIb, but could not scrape together enough money to puchase one. Finally I bought a used 1937 Kine Exakta model 1 in 1969 - a real classic.

Recently I bought two VERY USED badly corroded UGLY 1950's VX parts cameras for the lenses and was surprised to find that the shutters looked and sounded great and worked at speeds 1/25 to 1/1000, B & T. I do not dare try the slow speeds or delayed timer for fear of freezing up the delicate clockwork mechanism.

I am shocked at the amazing condition of the shutters in cameras that have obviously been abused and neglected for decades. These things were really precision instruments in their day.

GMA,

I just acquired a semi-functional V for the lens and finder that were on it. I'm going to get a copy of Miles Upton's book and try to fix it up. If you're not familiar, check out http://www.exaktaphile.com/vx2ar/book.html. Upton restored my VX in 2003, this time I want to try it myself. Besides being a fascinating (to me) vintage gadget, the thing takes damned nice pictures.

Jonathan

... I bought a used 1937 Kine Exakta model 1 in 1969 - a real classic.

is the 1937 Kine still going? I had been salivating over the 1936 for ages in the rare occasions when they turned up; about ten years or so ago the 1936 prices shot up all of a sudden, but my 1938 is still doing very well indeed.

I ran one roll of film through it and put it in storage. The waist level reversed image is too quirky for me! The shutter works at 1/25 - 1/1000. The 1/25 and 1/50 are more like 1/100, but the others seem to be close to correct. I do not try to use the slow speeds or time delay features. I noticed that one exactly like mine sold for around $300 on ebay last week. Unbelievable! Mine has a patched shutter strap and could use a new shutter and CLA. I am content to display only.

The two VX specimens with prism finders can be used and I do not have to be obsessively careful with them. Both are wrecks.

A 1936 Kine would be the "round magnifier" model. Prices shot up because of collector interest - only several thousand of these were made. But the functional specification is the same as the other Kine I variations. I would love to have any pre-war Kine, but.... my wife and I bought motorcycles this week! No more toys for me for a long, long time.

Mine is the model 1, version 2 w/ rectangular magnifier. The one on ebay was the same type. I thought they are worth only about $100 even with an original Tessar f/3.5 lens.

The original Kine Exakta of 1936 was the "round magnifier", the 1937 has changed it to a larger rectangular magnifier of lower positive power, and the 1938 model added a screw hole above the bi-pin synchroniser contact for more positive attachment of the Vacublitz flashgun. Just FYI, of course.

The original Kine Exakta of 1936 ............. Just FYI, of course.

Hark!! A fellow Exakta-geek!!! Do I know you, sir or ma'am, from one of the Exakta online forums?

Jonathan Stark

Hark!! A fellow Exakta-geek!!! Do I know you, sir or ma'am, from one of the Exakta online forums?

Jonathan Stark

Jonathan,

I am far from being an Exakta geek, I used to be active in the Exakta Circle back in the old country but nowadays I am more specialised in KW/Pentacon stuff. Never been to any of the Exakta forums, but I still use my 1938 every now and then to frighten the bystanders and small children... and make the other photographers wonder if it's the latest digital camera!

Hark!! A fellow Exakta-geek!!! Do I know you, sir or ma'am, from one of the Exakta online forums?

Jonathan Stark

What Exacta forum? I have a bunch of Exacta stuff from the 50's, that I'd like to find a home for. No cameras though.

What Exacta forum?

There are two. The newer one unfortunately seems to be having server issues recently, and response time is crawling. It is at www1.exaktalist.org.

The older one, where most of the community is posting recently, is on Topica. An introduction page with sign-up instructions is at http://members.aol.com/basmpu/index.html

If you'd like, PM me or post a list of the items you'd like to unload, and I'll cross-post it to the Topica list for you.

Jonathan

My daughter and I recently began using an Exakta Exa (she bought hers for $25, and mine was about the same). My first SLR was an Exa 1a. Nearly foolproof camera. Would love some extras for ours...what do you have?

I have many exaktas including a few of Jim Upton's.
I recently found in a junk pile a nice embossed IIa. The shutter functioned well but was deteriorating into pinholes. I mixed some PLASTI-DIP with turpentine and painted the curtains. It is now light tight and functional.

Anyone want to comment on the Angenieux lenses-mine seem to be soft in the corners

Mark

Anyone want to comment on the Angenieux lenses-Mark

Yeah- folks with more funds to spend than me keep the prices of Angenieux's beyond my reach!