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 5.1[]

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

Version 5.2[]

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 5.2[]

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