GORGEOUS EXAKTA VXIIa 35MM GERMAN SLR ENSEMBLE!

Description

Offered for sale here is the absolutely GORGEOUS, 1958, Exakta VX IIa modern classic, German, 35mm, SLR ensemble. This showcase entry into the Exakta SLR camera lineup is often chosen as the most beautiful! Its distinctive feature of the raised Exakta logo on its name plate always seems to set it apart from the other versions.
INCLUDED IN THIS GREAT GERMAN EXAKTA SLR OUTFIT ARE:
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A stunningly beautiful and amazing, 1958, Exakta VX IIa 35mm camera that bears serial number: 915931. Note: The cosmetics are very nice and all functions appear to be operative, The rear shutter curtain has a bit of a wave to it, I checked in very bright sunlight and no leaks were detected. However, I am including a new/old stock pair of shutter curtains so some where down the line, you can have them changed and then you should be good for another fifty-five years. All of the shutter speeds are working, but they have not recently been professionally checked for accuracy. It comes with the dimpled version "Ihagee" body cap and the correct, blue-tipped, film take-up spool.
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A factory boxed, Schacht "Travemat" Cell-Prism that bears serial number: 420523. It was designed by Schacht's renowned, Chief Optical designer, Ludwig Bertele. A. Schacht was a lens maker based in Ulm, West Germany, founded in 1959 by Albert Schacht, who had previously worked at Carl Zeiss and Steinheil. This fine metered prism is fully active and it has gorgeous cosmetics!! It originally used the now outlawed, 1,35v mercury battery. Although there are several battery alternatives, I simply use an inexpensive, LR-44 1.5 volt alkaline battery with an ASA compensation to equalize the difference. There are other optional, power alternatives. This baby comes in its original, factory box with its Styrofoam inserts; its original,
Travemat Operating Instructions ~ Exakta
, 20 pages with foldout, 3⅛” x 3⅛” in size for box fit. This booklet also covers the Schacht lens system; nice reference. It also has a dedicated, eyepiece cover; to prevent meter readings from being misled by tricky back-light or incident light from the side. This eyepiece cover is marked,"A Schacht Ulm" (Germany). It will also accept the Exakta rubber eye-cup (not included). It is equipped with a ground glass focusing screen with a 6mm split-image, center spot for easy focusing, two (2) LR-44 1.5V alkaline battery in the Travemat and two (2) still fresh in their package. Finally, there is the often missing, rectangular, glass screen cover/protector that is marked: "Schacht Ulm Donau".
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An interchangeable, Ihagee Dresden, version 2 penta prism, eye-level, finder - version 2; it bears serial number: 79590 and "VX Germany". It also comes with a ground-glass with split-image, range-finding center spot. There are nine (9) different types of these 26mm x 38mm glass screens that are easily interchangeable. They also are the same size as the screens used in the included, Schacht "Travemat" metered, Cell-Prism.
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A VERY NICE, Zeiss Jena Biometar 80mm 2.8. Its official name because it was made in West Germany is "aus Jena Bm ". Due to the striped black and white design of the focus rings and aperture rings, this version of the Biometar is most commonly referred to as a "ZEBRA". Its image quality is stellar and its color rendition is amazing!! Focusing is easy for a manual lens. It has legendary bokeh!The build quality, like the camera, is as solid as a tank!! This 80mm "Biometar" is a GREAT change to use as your normal lens to carry around! Using a mild-telephoto, 80mm as your normal lens adds a slightly magnified, view that changes your style of photography; everything is closer, clearer and more interesting perspective!
The image quality of this lens is great. While shot wide open the center of the image is very sharp, while the rest of the image creates a unique bokeh which is almost twirling and creamy. This makes this lens a great companion for portraiture and artistic photography. Even when mounted on a digital camera this vintage lens produces images with an almost analog like feel. Used on a classic 35mm camera this lens is a classic portrait lens that is highly renowned and sought after for its’ specific bokeh. Bottom Line: "Zeiss is Nice!" It comes with a blank, Zeiss, slip-on, front lens cap and a bayonet-locking, rear lens cap.
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A New/Old Stock, Tiffen 49mm Skylight filter that comes with its clam shell case, Tiffen filter data sheet and its factory box.
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A New/Old Stock, Vivitar BB size, universal lens case, model number: 0686099 It was probably was intended for a wide angle lens, but with the addition of a little more dense foam, it provides the appropriate security that the above, elegant Zeiss Zebra 80mm f2.8 "Biometar" rightly deserves.
It comes in its original factory box with its unused, lens case strap on-board.
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A vintage (1970's) "old hippie", embroidered, camera strap.  This beautiful, multi-colored, adjustable 38" length, camera strap is a comfortable 2-inch wide and its tasteful motif adds even more class to the modern classic SLR camera. It comes with black leather, camera body protectors, along with black polymer, swivel snap hooks that provide quick-release fro the camera. The strap has a navy blue, slip-resistant, backing. This strap is from the "Camera Caddy Series" that was made by Ambico in Lynbrook, New York - U.S.A.
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An original,
"How to use the Exakta VX IIa"
; printed in Germany, in English by Ihagee Camera Works in October 1957. Its front cover and fold-out of diagrams of parts are loose from the spline. This manual is complete and loaded with illustrations. It shows signs of use and age, but it remains completely legible. Although this instruction manual is originally for the Exakta VX IIa, version 1, it is close enough to provide acceptable instructions.
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An original,
"Exakta Pocket Guide"
by the great Exakta guru, Werner Wurst. This 1959 booklet sports an Exakta VX IIa on the cover and it is fine manual for operation and techniques written by the Master himself. It has 72 pages and it measures 6" BY 4" in size, which is a nice fit for the camera bag.
This great 1958, Exakta VX IIa 35mm SLR camera, its Zeiss lens and its other accessories are all in
EXCELLENT CONDITION optically, mechanically and cosmetically!!!
There are very light and minor signs of use and age. The beautiful glass is free of scratches,cleaning marks, separation, fungus, etc. The shutter curtains are light tight. in excellent condition. The multi-coated optical surfaces of the lenses are clean. These are great looking lenses with gorgeous cosmetics and smooth focusing action. There
may
be some usual fine specks of dust in the lenses, but not enough to affect the contrast. This presence of minor internal minor dust is even found in many NEW lenses, as with most all of the used lenses found on eBay. This outfit has NOT been recently professionally cleaned, lubricated, or adjusted. I think you will be very happy with their condition and their dynamic performance!
The Ihagee Exakta VX IIa camera and its Zeiss 80mm zebra lens are both fine examples of high quality, German photographic design and engineering. These modern classic pieces will make fine additions to your film/digital arsenal. They are nice jewels for the collection shelf and great tools for the art of photography!!
I encourage you to carefully read the description, examine the photos, and ask any questions before you bid. I will attempt to answer any questions that you may have to the best of my knowledge.
Have fun and good luck with your eBay buying!!