EXAKTA varex II a. Talk to me

[bass_junkie83]

I have been offered one of these from someone having a loft clear out.

I am not really interest much in film, but i do have a soft spot for old, well made anythings.

I have no idea on it's condition, working or cosmetic, or what she want's for it. I would like to try and find a bit of background info before asking her too many questions.

I have googled it, found a few pictures and it is very pretty, but that's about it.

So if anyone knows much about these, i would be very interested to hear.

 

[joxby]

I like how it has eye level finder and a waist level finder, all in one.
Unusual for 35mm SLR.

 

[Coaster]

The Exacta was the first 35mm SLR. I used a pair of these as a pro many years ago. If it has the f2 Pancolar, snap it up.

 

[awp]

I could never afford it - I used it's little brother the EXA 11A

 

[Flash In The Pan]

I could never afford it - I used it's little brother the EXA 11A

I've got one of those , can't remember if it's an a or a b though

 

[ekimeno]

Its the camera James Stewart used in the film Rear Window, or a version of it with that bloody long lens he used for spying on his neighbours

 

[Coaster]

I've got one of those , can't remember if it's an a or a b though

I think you'll find that the IIb had the film cutting knife built into the body and the IIa didn't.

 

[Flash In The Pan]

I think you'll find that the IIb had the film cutting knife built into the body and the IIa didn't.

Dug it out, it's a IIa...

 

[Ambermile]

I think you will find it's the other way around... the a has the knife

Remember to push the advance lever back to the start position - it bloody hurts if you don't! Also remember that the mirror sits up until you advance to the next frame - don't leave the camera in the sun else the curtains will get a nice big hole burnt into them! The viewfinders are great *but* if you take one out don't put it down on the screen as you will scratch it for sure, there is no "rebate" for the screen so it's pretty much flush with the bottom of the assembly.

 

[pepper]

Sounds like Arthur's talking from bitter experience here?

I've got a VX1000 sitting around doing nothing are they similar?

 

[ujjwaldey8165]

VX1000 is quite a different beast - some don't consider it a proper Exacta

 

[Ambermile]

Sounds like Arthur's talking from bitter experience here?

Could be, could be... but in truth it's very bitter actually

 

[Flash In The Pan]

The IIa...

 

[Ambermile]

Ah - confusion here! That's the EXA IIa, the Varex bodies have the knife, the kamikaze advance lever and the pyromaniacal curtains.

 

[awp]

The IIa...

that's the one I had!