About this list

This is a complete listing of 35-mm Exakta models made by Ihagee. These are what many (myself in this number) consider "genuine" Exaktas, not follow-ups, imitations, or namesakes.

The listing does not include cameras which only used the name "Exakta", really having nothing to do with the Ihagee Dresden series. There was such a West-German model (Exakta Real) in the Sixties, and some Japanese ones in the Seventies (really made by Cosina or Petri).

Also note that only the 35-mm Exaktas are listed here. This excludes the VP (Vest Pocket) Exakta cameras manufactured before 1939 and taking the 127 spooled film, as well as the 6x6 cm models.

Models and serial numbers

Every model is identified in the table according to a number of various classifications:

• The second column shows the version in my star notation. I have been using it since 2003 (along with a few more collectors); it also became quite common in eBay auctions.

  This notation is also used in Camerapedia articles on Exakta and Exa, as well as in the 2009 Polish monograph: Exakta — a Short History of Perfection by P. Fila and J. Szajta.

• A&R 2003, significantly improved over the previous one (see below), is based on the "new" (2003) Aguila & Rouah book.
• A&R 1987 is the classification from the "old" Aguila and Rouah book. It may be inconsistent and sometimes misleading, but for decades it became a de facto standard among collectors.
• Hum.1995 shows the model designation from Richard Hummel's 1995 book. Being just a flat list, this classification is not very useful, but many sources use it, as the book itself is a valuable reference.

The first column may show multiple names under which a given model was distributed (for example, "Varex" was usually replaced with "VX" in the U.S. because of trademark issues).

Serial numbers are quoted (mostly) after A&R 2003, production runs — after Hummel (sometimes broken into Hummel versions).

Clicking of any of the thumbnails will take you to the proper section of my small Exakta Gallery, with pictures and remarks on most of the models.

Additional notes:

1. Spelling versions of Kine Exakta

   All varieties of *1.2 were made in two spellings: Exakta and Exacta. I will be referring to these with the appropriate letter attached, e.g., *1.2.1.k or *1.2.3.c, if necessary.

2. Hummel variant of *1.2.2

   R. Hummel lists yet another model (004), not mentioned by A&R. It differed from *1.2.2 in details of the finder hood, and 2400 were made in 1940-43. I'll be referring to it as *1.2.2.h, and to the "normal" variant as *1.2.2.n.

   Interestingly, the same author does not mention *1.2.2.c, although usually he is very strict about spelling variants. Is it possible that this variant, clearly mentioned by A&R was just 1.2.2.k with a name plate changed for one from a previous 'c'?

3. A rare variant of the Post-War Exakta

   The 2003 A&R book refers to this model as a "Post War Exakta". A rare sub-variant has a 1/200s speed (instead of 1/250s). If necessary, we will denote it as *1.2.3.s, while the "normal" version will be *1.2.3.n.

4. A prism-ready Exakta II

   This rare version has been only recently identified; it is not listed in the 1987 A&R book or anywhere on the Web. Obviously, these cameras were made while the assembly line was being retooled for the upcoming Varex/VX. I've never seen this one; it is only described in A&R 2003.

   Hummel lists a prototype Exakta II (011) with a fixed prism, but that one was based on *2.1, not *2.2.

5. U.S. and European name plates

   All Varex models were sold in the U.S. as just "V" or "VX" as the "Varex" name was registered as a trademark by someone else. The star notation usually ignores this difference (and so does A&R 2003), but if necessary, it may refer to the U.S. (no-Varex) variants with a postfix "u" (e.g., *3.1.u for Exakta V *3.1) and to the European (Varex) ones — with an "e" (*5.1.2.e for Exakta VXIIa *5.1.2).

6. Second shutter release

   Hummel says (018) that about 100 Exaktas *3.2 and *4.1 have been factory-customized with a second shutter release at bottom-left (looking from the front). This would make it one of the rarest exotic variants. I consider this, however, to be a custom modification, not a production version, and so do A&R, who do not assign it a separate designation.

7. Film speed markings

   Weston and ASA markings were common in cameras marked as "VX" for the American market, while DIN — in those marked as "Varex VX" (European). The 1987 A&R notation was very messy here, and I'm not missing it at all.

8. External bayonet flange

   This flange was designed to accommodate larger lenses. It was included on most (but probably not all) of the Exaktas starting from *4.2.

9. Varex converted into Varex IIa

   I've never seen this version, so I'll have to depend on information from Hummel and A&R.

   A&R refer to this version as "Varex converted into Varex IIa", reporting a wide range of serial numbers and combination of various features from the preceding models. They also are clear about the Varex-only logo.

   Hummel, who at that time was Ihagee's Chief Engineer, refers to this version as a part of the Varex VX sequence (022), and claims that some were marked as "Varex VX" or "VX". If that is true, we will have to deal with three cosmetic variants:

   • *4.4.n — Exakta Varex
   • *4.4.e — Exakta Varex VX (European branding)
   • *4.4.u — Exakta VX (U.S. branding)
10. Cosmetic variations of Exakta Varex IIa *5.1.3

    A rare cosmetic variation has "Exakta" embossed and "IIa" engraved (no "Varex" or "VX"). I would denote it with an 'i' suffix, therefore using

    • *5.1.3.e — Exakta Varex IIa
    • *5.1.3.u — Exakta VX IIa
    • *5.1.3.i — Exakta IIa
11. Cosmetic variations of Exakta Varex IIa *5.2

    The versions listed in A&R books differ only in minor body etchings. All have "EXAKTA" on the name plate and "Ihagee Dresden" on the front plate, but then the following variants can be recognized:

    • *5.2.o — no other markings (A&R v3.1)
    • *5.2.m — "Mod.IIa" on the top plate (A&R v3.2)
    • *5.2.e — "Varex IIa" on the front plate (A&R v3.3)
    • *5.2.u — "VX IIa" on the front plate (A&R v3.3)
    This is consistent with the usage of 'e' and 'u' in all other models in my classification.
12. Name versions of the VX 1000

    To differentiate between different logos in exactly the same model, I will be referring to different variants as

    • *7.0.x — Exakta VX 1000 (A&R v1.1)
    • *7.0.t — Exakta TL VX 1000 (A&R v1.2)
    • *7.0.v — plain VX 1000 (A&R v2)
    • *7.0.f — Elbaflex VX 1000 (A&R v3)
    This follows the policy of not assigning a new version number if no actual changes were made to the camera.
13. Cosmetic variations of Exakta VX 500 *8.1

    *8.1 was made with two different logos:

    • *8.1.r — Exakta on the plastic name plate, and VX 500 etched on the front plate. According to A&R (who designate this as Version 1), this is a rare occurrence.
    • *8.1.n — Exakta VX 500 on the plastic name plate. This is the more common "normal" version; A&R have it as Version 2.1.
14. Cosmetic variations of Exakta VX 500 *8.2

    Again, I'll be referring to the lettering variants as follows:

    • *8.2.x — Exakta VX 500 (A&R v2.2)
    • *8.2.v — plain VX 500 (A&R v3)
    • *8.2.f — Elbaflex VX 500 (A&R v4)
15. Coupled lenses for the RTL 1000

    Exakta RTL provided automatic aperture with a special series of lenses (coupling pin) in an upward-compatible Exakta bayonet.

16. Cosmetic variations of the RTL 1000

    There are three versions and a number of variants of the RTL 1000 listed in the 2003 A&R book, differing only in nameplates and body etching. I'm simply ignoring these.