Exakta Varex IIb - Antique and Vintage Cameras

Exakta Varex IIb

1963

Ihagee

Dresden

German Democratic Republic

Image of Exakta Varex IIb

Lens:
f2.8, 5 cm Zeiss Tessar, fully automatic iris diaphragm (FAD) to f22. Depth-of-field scale. Bayonet mount. Serial no. 6860704 .

Shutter:
Focal-plane, speeds 12s - 1/1000, B, T. Delayed action. Speeds are regulated by delaying the second blind, low speeds, 1/10 - 12s run through a gear train. X, F, FP Synchronisation.

Construction:
Metal body.

Format:
36, 24 x 36 mm exposures on 35 mm film.

Focusing:
Helical to 1' 6".

Attributes:
Reflex viewing through taking lens. Split-image focusing screen with condenser. Removable roof pentaprism view-finder.
Auto-stop on film-advance. Film-advance tensions the shutter.
Film cutting knife.

Serial Number:
1024746 .

With:

  • f3.5, 30 mm Meyer Lydith, pre-set iris diaphragm to f22. Focus to 1 metre. Introduced 1964. Serial no. 3843384.
  • f2.8, 35 mm Zeiss Flektogon, fully automatic iris diaphragm (FAD) to f22. Focus to 0.6 feet. Aperture compensation for close focusing. Introduced 1961. Serial no. 9862670.
  • f2.8, 135 mm Meyer Orestor, pre-set iris diaphragm to f32. Focus to 5 feet. Introduced 1969. Serial no. 4917275.
  • Waist-level view-finder, late version c.1966, with magnifier.
  • Magnifying view-finder, comprises a body to fix into the camera and a separate lens unit that bayonets (normal lens bayonet) onto the body. Used in close-up and macro photography.
  • Extension tube set. Comprises: 5, 15, 30 mm tubes and front and rear adapters.
  • 5 mm ring. Short extension tube combined with front and back adapters in one piece.
  • Coupling rods. Comprises: 9 cm rod, 15 cm rod, connector to lens, connector to camera, 2 screws to fix connectors to cable release sockets. In box.
  • Exakta Macro bellows in box. For 35 to 125 mm extension.
  • Microscope adapter. Comprises: bayonet ring to fit camera; 30 and 15 mm extension tubes, these screw into the bayonet ring; flange, this screws onto the extension tubes and has a conical rim that clips into the draw tube connector; draw tube connector, this fits onto the draw tube of the microscope and holds the eye-piece. In box. For low power work (i.e. without the use of the eye-piece) the draw tube of the microscope can be removed, the flange of the microscope attachment will then clip directly onto some microscopes.
  • Focusing rack and bellows (Vielzweck). 2nd version. For extension between 35 and 200 mm. In box. Slide copying attachment for Vielzweck.
  • Tripod Plate. Fits to a tripod and provides a short rail to which the bellows unit (Vielzweck) or the Swing Angle attachment can be fitted.
  • Swing Angle attachment. Fits on the Tripod Plate and carries the camera which can be altered for landscape or portrait format.
  • Right-angle bracket. Fits to a copying stand and changes the camera axis from vertical to horizontal.
  • Ever-ready case. Lens hood for 35 mm lens, in box. Cable release with lock. "Accessories, Close-up Photography", pamphlet c.1969. Instruction book.

The IIb was replaced in 1967 by the VX1000 model. The focusing screen is held in the view-finder by a simple push-fit against a spring, the pentaprism and other finders are also a push-fit into the camera.

The earlier version of the Vielzweck bellows had a black crackle finish with levers to tighten the standards. The second version had a blue hammer finish and knobs in place of levers. The shape of the knobs changed from large to small. The Swing Angle Attachment is part of the Vielzweck outfit, it attaches to a tripod top and provides a short focusing rack for the camera with provision for turning the camera through 90 degrees.

References & Notes:
Wurst, Exakta Manual

Kine Exakta

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