Some problems here... 1st, the RTL 1000 was NOT a West German camera. Although it cannot be considered one of the original Ihagee Exaktas, it was built in East Germany, not West. Johan Steenbergen, the founder of Ihagee, did try to relaunch his company in the west, but the cameras were not of the same quality, and were obsolete, compared to the Japanese offerings of the time. But they were quite different from the RTL 1000, which actually was a camera made by Pentacon, which took over operation of the Exakta factories and combined them with the Praktica cameras. Secondly, although the VXiib cameras were not as ornate as the iia's, they were not a cheapened version. In fact, they were an improvement in that they used the modern shutter speed times, i.e ⅛, 1/15, 1/30, 1/60, 1/125, 1/250, 1/500, and 1/1000. This meant that they could be used with more modern light meters because the speeds were more or less in multiples of 2, like all "modern" film cameras. I have a couple of these earlier cameras, and the quality is consistent. I also have an RTL 1000, which is actually a pretty good camera, and much more in line with what followed. It has two shutter releases, one on the left that allows its use with all the older lenses that require that left shutter release. It's not a bad camera at all, but the Japanese, by this time, were superior in just about every way. One of my favorite cameras is the Topcon RE Super, which is an Exakta bayonet mount, but with more modern features and a superior build quality. Nevertheless, nice video - it's great to see these old cameras showcased!

I just got a IIa off ebay. Of course the curtain was rippled and pin holed. I was able to rescue it by using liquid tape. I mixed it with a little Naptha so it would be less thick. Applied it with a brush, wiping any extra off with a Q tip. After a few layers, the curtain flatten and was once again light proof. Using this method, the curtain does not look butchered. I will be testing it to see how successful my application works.

great video! just a little corection: the RTL 1000 was also manufactured in east germany but after Ihagee had been merged into pentacon. the camera was designed in tandem with the Praktica LLC and looks and functions extremely similar.

I fell in love with Exaktas the moment I saw my great grandfathers Exakta varex vx. I recently have gotten into shooting film and actually learned on this camera I inherited which definitely was a challenge as a first time film shooter but the photos turned out great! I was lucky enough to inherit the base 50mm lens a telephoto lens and a P.Angenieux Paris 28mm f/3.5 Retrofocus lens which looking into it online do I now realize how much its worth... Overall amazing camera to shoot and I am so lucky to have had a relative that shot this camera and saved all the lenses.

Great historical video from someone experienced with the Exaktas in practical use over the decades. Thanks for making this.

Very cool videos (both part 1 & 2) and awesome collection! Thank you for sharing with us and taking a stroll down memory lane. I really find it fascinating that you've had these for so long. So cool my friend and thanks again for sharing! Cheers,

Just love those old Exaktas up through the VXIIa (all the ones with the beautiful Exakta script logo on the front plate)..they are works of art.

Interesting video, and nice collection. I have been a lover of the Exacta line since I bought my first Topcon, an RE, in 1967. Every time I looked at an article on Topcon, there was always something in the article that referred to the Exacta. I bought my first Exacta, a VX IIa, in the mid 70s, and it has always been one of my favourite cameras. It still works beautifully, but I don't shoot much film anymore. As you said, they are beautiful instruments, as were all the high quality cameras of the day, and they are just a joy to have around.

The last one seems to be built by Pentacon, looks exactly like Pentacon SuperTL1000 without a dof-preview lever.

Thank you for your video. How do you select the long pause / slow speed on the right button? Do you need first to put the left speed on a given position? Other than that question, my base Exacta works well.

Which one would you prefer? :)

Thank you for sharing your collections and learnt a lot.

Hey friend, I refilled my OEM T6174 yellow cartridge and I got a perfect nozzle check of my B-500DN, it has been used for just 5000 prints and it's built to print like 20k pages per month, so it's like new! Thank you for your videos about how to refill the PRO 3800 carts, that helped me alot with these that have a pretty similar valve :)

Are the lenses and view finders interchangeable between different Exactas? Great video. Thanks.

Where can I find part 1?

I would be happy with one of those VX haha

The IIb isn't made cheaper. In fact, their curtains are much more reliable than the IIa.

Not ISA, but ASA.

Can you email me? I have questions regarding parts/lenses for the Exakta VX camera.