markjwyatt
Well-known
I added a new lens to my small collection- CZJ 35mm f2.8 Flektogon. So far I like it a lot.
Coffee and Camera; Exakta,Flektogon by Mark Wyatt, on Flickr
Coffee and Camera; Exakta,Flektogon by Mark Wyatt, on Flickr
Retro-Grouch
Well-known
Even prettier than a Leica! Will I be banned from RFF for that blasphemy?I added a new lens to my small collection- CZJ 35mm f2.8 Flektogon. So far I like it a lot.
Coffee and Camera; Exakta,Flektogon by Mark Wyatt, on Flickr
markjwyatt
Well-known
The Exakta is one of the more interesting, even stylish, looking cameras with its sloping faces, cursive engravings, and rounded edges.
Pál_K
Cameras. I has it.
The 35/2.8 Flektagon on my Exakta VX IIa has a different focusing ring than yours.
Kai-san
Filmwaster
Your Flektogon is earlier than Mark's. Do you have the Macro version? If so, it was made between 1963 and 1965.
Trask
Established
Is there/are there one or more repair persons who are known for good work on Exakta cameras? CLA, replace shutter curtains, etc.
milescl
Well-known
Oleg Khaliavin of OKvintagecamera.
markjwyatt
Well-known
Mine is referred to as a "Zebra", thus the striped focusing ring. All the f2.8 Zebras had a close focusing distance (~7"). The earlier aluminum model had a longer close focus distance (I think double the zebra). My Flektogon was from around 1974.
Some peoiple refer to an "early type" that was not striped: Carl Zeiss Jena 35mm F2.8 Flektogon early type C00287 | eBay
The one pictured by the SN (6293310) is from around 1963.
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Kai-san
Filmwaster
According to Horst Neuhaus (Zeiss Objektive, 7. Ausführung by Photo but More) the first macro version had serial no. 6369001 and was released in 1963. The normal type focused down to 0.36m and the macro version down to 0.18m. All zebra versions of this lens were macro lenses (Zeiss Objektive, 8. Ausführung by Photo but More). My Flektogon 35 (1983) belongs to the last batch ever made of this lens, a so called "black nose" (Zeiss Objektive, 9. Ausführung by Photo but More). For some unknown reason this batch had four digit serial numbers from 1000 to 56xx, mine is no. 4732 (see below).
markjwyatt
Well-known
I have a CZJ 35mm f2.4 in M42 from that post 1980 series. Mine is the 555th produced in the first batch in 1980.
Camera and Coffee; Praktica, Flektogon by Mark Wyatt, on Flickr
Trask
Established
Thanks for the tip, milesci! I'll look up Oleg and give him a shout.
Pál_K
Cameras. I has it.
Mine is #6369717 and focuses to 0.18 meters. According to this,
and my serial number and minimum focus distance, this is the “macro” version. Did that lens on eBay actually sell for $400+? I’m sure I didn’t pay more than $50 for mine.
KoNickon
Nick Merritt
Very glad to have this forum. Thanks! Now, I need new curtains for a VX IIa -- anyone know Exakta experts in the US?
KoNickon
Nick Merritt
Renewing my question. Thanks for any suggestions.
milescl
Well-known
Radu at 3Rcamera might be the last person in the U.S.
KoNickon
Nick Merritt
Thanks very much -- looks like he works on a lot of the less common Exakta mount lens brands also.
markjwyatt
Well-known
I had Ross Yerkes CLA my recently acquired Exakta VX1000. I now have two working bodies, and three lenses.
KoNickon
Nick Merritt
Didn't know he worked on these. He's the Kowa man (and I have Kowa items that need his attention too). Good to know, thanks.
lynnb
Mentor
I have a Topcon RE Super I found in a charity store years ago. It came with the Topcor 5.8cm f/1.4 and 13.5cm f/3.5. I've never used the 13.5cm.
Topcon-RE-Super_2 by lynnb's snaps, on Flickr
Topcon-RE-Super_1 by lynnb's snaps, on Flickr
end of day #760 by lynnb's snaps, on Flickr
Topcon-RE-Super_2 by lynnb's snaps, on Flickr
Topcon-RE-Super_1 by lynnb's snaps, on Flickr
end of day #760 by lynnb's snaps, on Flickr
hilltime
Well-known
Had to put together some of my Exakta collection, purchased mostly 10-20 yrs ago, when Exakta was relatively inexpensive. I have sold off some of my more exotics (Angenieux, Meyer, Steinheil) which were purchased for mostly less than $100 and when they became worth (or someone willing to pay) at least 5-7 times as much, it was an easy decision. The only super rare lens I have kept is the black Meyer Domiron 50/F2 which I looked for a long time and finally found one. I have been rearranging a lot of my camera collection so it was the perfect opportunity to rediscover some of these classics and bring them out into the light! I believe one of my first collectibles was a very well used VX and I loved it for it's "differentness" and knowing that it was the SLR of choice in the early to mid 50's. Of course the SLR style had not been developed a whole lot at that time, and eventually I moved on to another classic, the Praktina, still one of my favorite camera systems.
