Kine Exakta / Kine Exacta

  • Type: Kine-Exacta Type 5 or according to an other classification: Kine-Exakta Type 1.2 - post-war model with "c" spelling; or according to a third one: Kine-Exacta I - Post War Version 2.2
  • Serial No: 617715
  • Manufactured: 1948
  • Manufacturer: Ihagee, Dresden, Germany
  • Shutter: Focal plane horizontally travelling textile curtain
  • Slow shutter speeds: 12, 11, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 1/2, 1/5
  • Slow shutter speeds with self timer: 6, 5, 3, 2, 1 1/2, 3/4, 1/5
  • Fast shutter speeds: B, Z, 1/25, 1/50, 1/100, 1/150, 1/250, 1/500, 1/1000
  • Lens: Meyer-Optik Görlitz Primagon 1:4.5/35
  • Aperture: 4.5-22 stopless
  • Lens Serial No: 1826515
  • Lens mount: Ihagee/Exakta/Exa bayonet
  • Last CLA: 06/2011

Kine Exacta / Kine Exakta Type 5

Kine Exacta / Kine Exakta Type 5

Kine Exakta was the World's first 35 mm SLR camera. It was in production from the spring of 1936. (In fact the prototype of the Russian Sport preceeded it in 1934 but it was not ready for the mass production until 1937.)  The 'Kine' in its name refers to the Cinema, where the standard 35mm film was used for motion pictures at that time. In fact, the first self-made 35mm still cameras were used by motion picture makers to take quick test shots. This heritage can be found in the Kine Exakta in the form of a small embedded film cutting blade next to the film cassette compartment. It can be used to cut out the exposed part of the film to develop it quickly without waiting for the rest of the roll to be exposed. (See the small hooklike blade in the center of the picture below.)

Kine Exacta / Kine Exakta Type 5

Ihagee was a serious player on the medium format market producing quality folder and reflex cameras. The predecessor of the Kine Exakta was the VP Exakta, an SLR using 127 (Vest Pocket) film, hence its name. Both of them was designed by Karl Nüchterlein, a forgotten genius. The VP Exakta was a superior camera in 1933 with shutter speeds 12s to 1/1000, focal pane shutter, interchangeable bayonet-mount lens and, before 1940, wind lever cocking the shutter and putting the mirror in position. The Kine Exakta continued this path in the 35mm film market.

Kine Exacta / Kine Exakta Type 5

Now let's see the shutters. There are two of them - one for short speeds and one for long speeds and self timer. Using the short speeds from 1/25 to 1/1000, B and Z is quite simple. Cock the fast shutter with hte film wind lever an set the speed with the disc on the left. (You have to pull up the disc and rotate it in the direction of the arrow until the inner dot matches the desired speed number.) B means Bulb mode; shutter stays open until the release button is pressed. Z means that shutter opens for the first press of the release button and closes for the second - remaining open between the two.

To use long exposure times you have to cock the fast shutter and set the left disc to Z or B. Then cock the slow shutter turning the right disc counterclockwise until it stops and set the desired long speed using the longer scale (from 1/5 to 12).

The self timer can be accessed using the shorter scale (from 1/5 to 6) on the right side disc. If you want to use long exposition with the self timer you just cock the fast timer and set it to B or Z. Then you cock the slow shutter and set the desired time on the shorter scale.

To use short times with the self timer you should cock the fast shutter and set it to the desired speed. Then you cock the slow shutter and set it to any speed on the shorter scale.

So you have 20 normal speeds and 15 with self timer! Sophisticated enough? And one more thing. You cannot release the shutter with the finder hood closed; there is a shutter lock mechanism preventing unwanted expositions.

Kine Exacta / Kine Exakta Type 5


[More to come soon...]

Kiev IIa

  • Type: IIa
  • Serial No: 5703793
  • Manufactured: 1957
  • Manufacturer: Arsenal Factory, Kiev, Ukraine, SSSR
  • Shutter: vertically travelling metal "curtain" shutter
  • Shutter speeds: B, 1/2, 1/5, 1/10, 1/25, 1/50, 1/125, 1/250, 1/500, 1/1250
  • Lens: Jupiter-M8 1:2 F=5 cm
  • Aperture: 2, 2.8, 4, 5.6, 8, 11, 16, 22
  • Lens No: 6516489
  • Lens mount: Contax bayonet
  • Last CLA: 10/2010

Kiev IIa

I have always wanted a Contax II. This camera is a copy of it. I was really excited when I finally got it to my hands after the CLA.

Contax meant to be the camera system to rule the 35mm market and push Leica off its trone. Contaxes were technically more advanced with their larger rangefinder base, rangefinder integrated into the viewfinder, removable back for easy film loading, sharper and faster lenses, bayonett lens mount, faster and sun-resistant vertically traveling metal curtain shutter, built in self timer and later the integrated selenium light meter.

Kiev IIa

Kiev IIa

Kiev IIa

The first Kiev rangefinders were relabeled Contaxes produced by the Karl Zeiss Dresden factory at the end of WWII. After the War the Soviet army transferred the machinery, parts and engineers from Dresden to Kiev to establish the production of the Russian Kiev rangefinders in the Arsenal factory. They even produced Contax labeled cameras in the beginnings. The Russians took some engineers from the Zeiss Jena factory as well where the legendary Sonnar lenses were made to copy them under the Jupiter name. (The same engineers who, after going back to Germany, designed the legendary Werra cameras.) The Russians modified the plans to reduce the precision needed and make the manufacturing more simple.

But let's come back to the Kiev IIa. Let me explain how this camera gradually transformed my opinion.

Kiev IIa

Kiev IIa

1. Before The First Roll
Before the first roll I was amazed by its look. The square design suits it well. The lens is a masterpiece. I loved it and hardly waited to start shooting with it.

2. Shooting the First Roll
Well, it's a strange camera. You cannot set the aperture unless you lock the focus to infinity because otherwise the aperture ring twists the whole lens setting the focus. And the rangefinder. The famous Contax rangefinder. It's almost impossible to set the focus with it because the left and the right side of the rangefinder frame matches at different distances. It's somehow too precise to be useful. Very difficult to handle. The other thing is the shutter. Setting the speed is quite problematic with that inconvenient knob which you have to pull out and twist while you are reading the speed marks engraved under the knob. The metal curtain shutter sounds great but, in reality, it's heavy like hell. It has a momentum which makes the camera "nod" after the exposition. Really. It feels strange. No, this camera will never take a single usable photo that's sure. The designers had to do something in lower shutter speeds to make it somehow nearly useable so they slowed down the speed of the curtain. Very much. Looks ridiculous. Summarizing: it's an uncomfortable, difficult, impractical thing which is basically incapable of taking sharp photos.

3. Shooting the Second Roll
I don't know, everybody likes Contaxes and Kievs so there must be something in them. I'll give it a second try. Still uncomfortable but gets better when you get used to it. First set the aperture. Part of the composition. Then match the speed. Finally set the focus. Can be used this way. The large rangefinder base definitely needs some practice but it's precise like nothing else.

4. Getting the Rolls Back from the Lab
Wow! How the hell... These photos look great! Did they really come out of that camera? Sharp, crisp and beautifully rendered. No, you cannot hate something which takes this kind of pictures. It simply must be loved. Let's put another roll of fim in it.


5. Third Roll
I love it. A great camera. It takes fantastic photos and that is what matters at the end of the day. Doesn't it?


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This is how I ended loving this camera so much. It renders almost in 3D. I haven't seen anything like this before.

WARNING!
Always cock the shutter before setting the speed. Never set the speed first or you will damage the shutter permanently. (Some later types are not vulnerable to this but you’d better not count on it.)