Exa II

Exa II version 5.2 (1962) image by Süleyman Demir (Image rights)

Exa II is a 35mm film SLR camera made by Ihagee Kamerawerk Steenbergen & Co, Dresden, former East Germany and produced between 1960-63 with quantity 88.700 units. It is in long lasting Exa SLR series of Ihagee.

The Exa II line was introduced earlier than Exa I, in 1959, and manufactured concurrently with first Exa, and then Exa I models until 1963, to be replaced with Exa IIa and later, IIb. The prism is permanently fixed with a plain groundglass, and the camera has a regular focal-plane shutter running vertically. The wind lever is not as smooth as that of Exa Ia, probably because of a different shutter mechanism. The body shape, size, and weight are similar to those of the Exa I line, and the feel and finish somewhat better.

There are two versions of the Exa II according to Andrzej Wrotniak.

Version 5.1Edit

• Produced between 1960-63
• A&R 2, Hummel 063
• Fixed viewfinder
• Film winding lever
• Focal plane shutter in geometric progression from 1/2-1/250
• Two cosmetic variants are known

images by Süleyman demir

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Version 5.2Edit

• Produced in 1962
• A&R 1.1,1.2, Hummel 063
• The difference than version 5.1 is the rewind knob not grooved on the side

Specifications of version 5.2Edit

• Engraving on the top plate: Ihagee Dresden
• Lens release: lever on the lens flange
• Focusing: simple matte glass screen, ring and scale on the lens
• Shutter: Focal plane cloth vertical shutter; speeds: in geometric progression 1/2-1/250
• Setting: dial on the left of the top plate
• Shutter lock lever: on the back of the top plate
• Shutter release: on front of the camera, w/ cable release socket
• Cocking lever: also winds the film, on the right of the top plate
• Frame counter: decreasing type, manual reset, on the winding knob
• Viewfinder: eye level SLR pentaprism, fixed
• Mirror: not instant return
• Re-wind knob: on the left of the top plate, on the shutter speeds dial
• Re-wind release: near the cocking lever
• Flash PC socket: on front of the camera, bulb and electronic flash markings near the speeds dial
• Cold-shoe: none
• Memory dial : on the winding knob
• Self-timer: none
• Back cover: hinged, opens by a latch on the left of the camera
• Special removable take-up spool
• Tripod socket: ¼"
• Strap lugs
• Body: metal; Weight:

• Lens: Standard lens is Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar 50mm f/2.8, 4 elements,
• Fully automatic type, no internal aperture coupling, diaphragm always in open position, pressing the plunger on the lens closes the aperture to the pre-set f number then the shutter releases
• Exakta bayonet mount, filter thread 49mm
• Aperture: up to f/22; setting: ring and scale on the lens
• Focus range: 0.50 - 15m +inf

images by Süleyman Demir

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LinksEdit

• in Wrotniak.net by Andrzej Wrotniak
• in Exataphile by Captain Jack
• in Exacta.org by Maurizio Frizziero
• in Photo.net
• Exa II on www.collection-appareils.fr by Sylvain Halgand