5 Frames with an Exa 500 – by Dale Willetts

Dale Willetts replied:

Comment posted: 21/06/2018

Thanks. Yes I use the Epson software, I let it use auto exposure but turn off most of the other options so I get a fairly flat scan and then use lightroom to fine tune.

Malcolm Myers replied:

Comment posted: 21/06/2018

Thanks, I never usually have enough time play with things in Lightroom, perhaps I'll have to make time!

Dale Willetts replied:

Comment posted: 21/06/2018

Thanks very much. Appreciate the compliment.

Dale Willetts replied:

Comment posted: 24/06/2018

Thank you. I think it's 70/30 camera/photographer. It is an interchangeable lens camera and I believe there was a full range of lenses.

Terry B replied:

Comment posted: 24/06/2018

Andrew, There were a number of Exa cameras and which one may view as paired down Varex's. The simplest, something like a 1a, has a metal roller shutter with speeds from 1/30 to 1/175 B. This type of shutter limits lens compatibility as some w/a lenses are physically too deep and will foul the shutter, and there will be a limit to the practical use of the longer tele lenses and which, although they will fit, there will be noticeable image cut-off caused by the shutter. Although limited in performance, these cameras are well built and can be fun to use. The better options are the Exa IIa and IIb, Exa 250 and 500. These have a fixed penta-prism but incorporate a conventional shutter with conventional horizontal run cloth curtains. As indicated, top shutter speeds are 1/250 or, in the case of the Exa 500, 1/500. There are any number of lenses made for Exakta cameras, all by third party optical companies. For best compatibility, those with the shutter release on the body of the lens should be chosen, as this also controls the shutter release. Excellent w/a's will be found with Zeiss Jena Flektagons or, less expensive, is the Meyer 30mm Lydith which is a decent performer for its price. Meritar and Domiplan are entry level 50's but perform reasonably well when stopped down. Next in line will be something like the Zeiss Jena Tessar which is readily available, with the top Jena 50 being the f2 Pancolar. For a 135, you can't go far wrong with the Jena f4 Sonnar. Overall, Zeiss Jena and Meyer Optic provided a range from 20mm to a 1,000mm cat lens. Some Exakta mount lenses will be found without the lens shutter release as these were intended for the Exakta RTL cameras, which are simply re-badged Prakica's, by no means real Exakta cameras. I've a couple of Japanese lenses, a 35 and 135 that have a T2 Exakta mount, and have fully manual pre-set diaphragms. I hope this helps.

Dale Willetts replied:

Comment posted: 24/06/2018

Thanks. The way I do it is for two hours total. Agitate for 30 seconds at the start then three agitations every half hour.

Clive W replied:

Comment posted: 24/06/2018

'You can never really go wrong with a German camera.' I think he's done well to get anything right with this one! My parents had a IIb - apparently the same as this but without even the 1/500 top speed. It was horrible! Theirs also had the reviled Domiplan 50mm/2.8 lens, which at least had a cute combined stop-down lever and shutter-release-presser but gave such a murky image in the viewfinder that what was supposed to be an SLR had to be used pretty much as a scale-focus camera. I used to think it was just how cameras were in those (mid-1960s) days, but I've since acquired a Nikkormat FTN from the same period and it's like night and day - literally so in the viewfinder! The Nikon feels heavy and clunky, but can be used as easily as a modern camera; the Exa feels like an antique. I don't know how prices compared back then, but I know cameras were generally less affordable than now, so I imagine my newly-married parents bought what they could afford.

Dale Willetts replied:

Comment posted: 25/06/2018

Thanks Ken, hope it's going to be working properly. I use a 1/100 ratio. 1my rodinal per 100ml of water. I was also worried about it pooling which is why I do two hours with the three agitations every half hour.

Dale Willetts replied:

Comment posted: 15/03/2020

Hi Harry, Thank you I'm glad you enjoyed the article. Keep safe. Dale.