Exa viewfinder

[Stephen]

I had been looking for the original type of waist level finder for the Exakta Exa I have, which cam with the plain top waist finder, with leather finish.

I managed to source a good condition pentaprism for it with split image screen, from Ebay, came from Dresden of all places, but it really needed the old type viewfinder, with the sports finder built into the top plate.

A type 2 early 1950's viewfinder turned up on EBay, and most unusually it remained at a low price of £9.99, a fraction of what some have fetched recently.

In very good condition, hardly a mark, and a box from a New York supplier, with a good condition screen. The screen on these versions is matt surface only as it is not the same screen as later models. The top of the screen is the viewfinder condenser, making the screen thicker than the later types of interchangeable screens.

It has got the lever interlock that prevents firing the shutter with the viewfinder in the down position. It is compatible with all Exa and Varex models, but not the RTL model made by Practika.

The magnifier gives a good image, and the front flips up to give a sports finder, which is very useful.




The lens fitted to the Exa is also a new acquisition, an E.Ludwig Meritar 50mm F2.9,which on previous experience gives good performance, except full open aperture, where it is bit soft. It needs a good clean up, just a bit dusty, but only on the outside. The Meritar is a three element lens, and remained in production for many cameras over the years.

Stephen.

[Rachel]

Here is my Exa 1. It's in nice condition but shutter speeds faster than 1/60th don't always work with the shutter sometimes not opening.

[Peltigera]

I bought a Exakta waist-level finder mostly because it was very cheap and I didn't have one. On trying it out, I found I actually prefer using it to a pentaprism finder for landscapes - it completely alters (and improves) the way I compose the picture. Focusing is not so easy but I tend to use the hyperfocal distance for landscapes so it really doesn't matter.

[Stephen]

I agree about the direct sports finder, obviously it works at max brightness at all times! no lag, delay, or loss of image during exposure, all of which plague most digital cameras.

Exakta accessories can be a minefield on prices, this one was quite cheap, but I have seen them for £50+ on Ebay.

On an Exa with odd speeds, it is lubrication of the main bearings that is behind it, and as the shutter comes out in a crate, as a working unit outside the camera, is not too bad to service at home. Use a good oil, Nano oil, Labelle Silicon, or clock types, or real sewing machine grade oil as minimum. Do not use sticky car grades.

Apart from blinds having holes there is little to go wrong with the Exa. I have never seen a worn out example, they are very hard wearing. Even the blinds are easy to replace, as soon as suitable black cloth is found.

It can pay to replace the mirror, the silvering going tarnished, or patchy, makes the viewfinder dim. Other makes from scrapped cameras may fit.

Stephen.

[Rachel]

Feb 20, 2014 5:43:51 GMT -5 Peltigera said:

I bought a Exakta waist-level finder mostly because it was very cheap and I didn't have one. On trying it out, I found I actually prefer using it to a pentaprism finder for landscapes - it completely alters (and improves) the way I compose the picture. Focusing is not so easy but I tend to use the hyperfocal distance for landscapes so it really doesn't matter.

All my Exakta/Exa focussing screens are of the thick condenser type. I am always impressed by how bright these focussing screens are.

[SidW]

Feb 20, 2014 5:43:51 GMT -5 Peltigera said:

... Exakta waist-level finder ... I found I actually prefer using it to a pentaprism finder for landscapes - it completely alters (and improves) the way I compose the picture ...

I agree. I grew up with an Exakta II (not interchangeable) and since then I've always had anglefinders for the various Minolta and EOS SLRs I've used.

[melek]

I also have an Exa, and I tried a prism finder on it.

I concluded that the camera is too small for use with a prism finder. I think it has something to do with the left-handed shutter release. My little Exa has a Tessar that requires you to preset the aperture.

And the "shift-lever" control for the shutter speeds also makes it better for using the waist-level finder.

Here's my Exa:



(Sorry about my name on the photo. I did that to try to stop eBay sellers from stealing my photos. It didn't work, and eBay has never backed me on any of my complaints.)

[philbirch]

Beautiful cameras. I much prefer a waist level finder rather than a eye level. My Nex is almost always used in this way. Unfortunately my best WL camera, the Agfa Flexilette has the magnifier constantly in the up position and too high too. I cant figure out how to fix it.

Attachment Deleted

Anyone??

[Deleted]

I've always thought my Exa is easier to operate with a WL finder -- especially since it doesn't have an auto return mirror. No need to keep your eye to the viewfinder after an exposure.

[Stephen]

Feb 21, 2014 10:28:59 GMT -5 philbirch said:

Beautiful cameras. I much prefer a waist level finder rather than a eye level. My Nex is almost always used in this way. Unfortunately my best WL camera, the Agfa Flexilette has the magnifier constantly in the up position and too high too. I cant figure out how to fix it.
Anyone??

It must be simple answer, a bent tab on the arm of the magnifier support, or a missing stop screw or stud in the hood structure near the end of the swing.
It could be a missing part, but less likely than just a stud/screw hole with a missing tiny bit. The hood structure might be distorted a bit and the first check is to hold the magnifier in the correct position, and look for what should have engaged to hold it there.
I have not handled enough Agfa TTR to be of more direct help... rather rare cameras these days as well.

Stephen.

[philbirch]

Thanks Stephen but I cant see anything. Of course comparing it against another would be best but as you say they're rare!