Exakta EXA 24X35mm SCANNED DIRECTLY User manual

Digitally signed by Mike ButkusMike                DN: cn=Mike Butkus, o=Butkus
                              camera manuals, ou=butkus.org,
                                 email=mike@butkus.org, c=US
                                    Date: 2020.10.03 00:41:45 -04'00'Butkus

Please, operr these two pages fully so that the two
tables are visible and you can refer to them while
reading the text. All the parts of the EXA that are
important for operating the camera bear the same
     numbers on the tables and in the text.





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                                      o
                      finder-hood with frame-finder rear sight 19 -  back wall of
 20 :  protecting cover for hinged focusing magnifier
 2l  :  button for foldirig magnifier up and down
 22    finder-hood catch     - 23    lens     - 24 -  lens bayonet catdr
 25 :  distance ring
 26 :  stop ring
 27 :   shutter release knob
 27a: movable release locl<
28 :  milled knob for interchange of finder-hood and special prism
29 :  contact nipple "F" regular flash
30    contact nipple "X" electronic and regular {lash    -31    red mark 0n camera    -32    red mark on lens    -33    Special Prism (delivered as accessorv)    -35 :  Loops for carrying
There may be slight deviations between the camera models and the illustrations in ihis booklet

The 35 mm EXA
is yours now and we wish you good ludr with it. The camera will give you mudr pleasure, for
it is handy, easy to operate, and ready for use at a moment's notice. So it is well suited to be
your constant companion.
We would advise you, however, to read this instruction booklet attentively
before setting out to make photographs with your new camera. Having acquired suflicient ex-
perience in correctly manipulating all parts that eventually lead to taking pictures, you will
obtain better results in every case and avoid damaging the camera medranism.
You are, no doubt, well aware oI the unique advantages ol the EXA which is a single-lens
reflcx camera. In its interior there is a small mirror whidl rellects the image taken by the
lens on to the ground-glass focusing screen. For that reason the luture picture is always
strictly the same as the rellex image. This image permits critical focusing and composition of
the picture on the ground-glass screen to an unexcelled degree of precision.
We hope and wish you will obtain excellent results with the EXA and are at your disposal
{or all questions concerning your camera.



                                 DRESD EN A 16 (Germany)

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Belore loading the camera
it is advisable to get thorouhgly acquainted with the camera without iilm.To begin with, one should
train onesell to master all the movements   : to release the shutter, to open and shut the camera, to
use the finder-hood, to compose and locus the picture, always handling the camera as though it
where loaded with lilm.  It is only when a complete mastery ol the camera has been aciieved that
it should be loaded with lilm. To start with, the use ol an old exposed film is recommended.
A. How to open and shut the camera badi
Press camera back catcl (1) to the Lelt (Ill. 3), and open hinged badr (11) completely. When
closing the camera, care must be taken that the camera back engages correctly in the groove
on the body oI the camera. Press back (11) lightly towards camera body until the catdr (1)
snaps into position.
B. How to open and shut the
finder-hood
When the catch (22) is pressed inward, the
finder-hood automatically opens into working
position  (lll. 4). A detailed description ol the
various possibilities whieh  it offers for compo-
sition and observation ol the image, will be
Iound in section E oi this booklet. For the
present let us stress the most important lact

                                                                             Ill. 3

Iil.4
                                       only: The ground-glass image is always strict_
                                          ly the same as the future photograph. Tt ut i"
                                   the reason why the ground-glass image is the
                                      decisive faclor ior all operations which lead to
                                       taking a picture: composition, choice of frame,
                                             critical focusing, stopping down. The degree oI
                                   brightness oi the ground-glass image even
                                    permits oi determining the exposure time fairly
                                       accurately. - Ii there is no image visible in the
www.butkus.us                         Iinder-hood, wind the film transport knob {4)
                             once in the direction of the arrow as far as
                                                      it will go.
                                  Before shutting the linder-hood make sure that
                                       the focusing magnifier is in its neutral (vertical)
                                     position (Section E). Then, beginning at either
                                   side, fold down the side walls, the back
                                 wall (19), and finally the front part until  it
                               snaps into position (IIl. b).

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C. Shutter and film transport
The EXA camera possesses a very simple
and sturdy shutter. In order to observe how
 it works, open the back oi the unloaded camera
or remove the lens (see Section D). With the
release oi the shutter Ior exposure the mirror
swings upwards into a position parallel with
 the focusing screen so that no stray light can
get into the camera. Therelore no image is
visible when a picture has been taken and
the shutter has not been wound up again.
The shutter speeds are set by means ol tbe
lever {14), it does not matter, wether this is
done belore or alter winding up the shutter.
The mark on the lever must come to lie
against the mark ol the speed required Ol. 6).
The figures engraved on the camera top plate
indicate fractions of seconds, so that e. g. 25
stands ior lfzs sec. Release by pressing the
shutter release knob (27) gently (Ill.7). A cable
release can be screwed into the release button

                                                       IIL 7

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 D. How to locus the BXA

 The lens (23)ol the EXA isinterchangeable,
 but the camera should always be kept
 with the lens or it will be spoilt by dust.
The front element of the lens should be
 protected by a lens cover whidr must be
taken off belore making an exposure. To
remove the lens press the lens catdr (24)
lightly towards the Iens (lll.8) and, holding
the lens by the baclr ring, turn it to the
left, until the red mark on the camera (31)
comes to lie opposite the red dot on the
lens {32), and the lens can be lifted irom
the camera body. - To insert a lens this
procedure is reversed: lnsert lens (23) into
the bayonet mount so that the red mark
on the lens (31) comes to lie against the
red mark on the camera body (32). Now
the lens is turned to the right until it  is
heard to slip into the cat& (24) on the
camera.


                                                 8    ?                                                     Ill'

Ilt. I
                                 The best way to arrive at critical sharpness
                                             is to turn the distance ring (25J to and fro
                                            until the main subject appears absolutely
                                      sharp on the focusing screen in the finder-
                                             hood. The ligure on the distance ring (25)ihat
                                      comes to lie opposite the red mark, indicates
                                                to whidr distance the lens is set (lens-to-sub-
                                                   ject distance)  (lll. 9-11).
                               The diaphragm is adjusted by turning the
                                          knurled stop ring (26) until the stop required
                                                    is opposite the red mark. The figures on the
                                             ring indicate the efiective lens opening,  i. e.
                                low figures (2.9, 4, etc.) :   large aperture
                                                                                      :  short exposure time
                                     high ligures (22,16, etc.) :  small aperture
                                                                                      :  long exposure time
                           When increasing (or decreasing) the lens
                                            aperture, shorter (or Ionger) exposure time
                                            is required, namely for one stop double
                                                    (or half) the normal exposure time; e. g. il the
                                       normal exposure is 1/ro sec. Ior an aperature

www.butkus.us                                        Ill.10

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of f/8, it will b,  tlzt sec. Ior llTl or                                                     1/166 sec. for f/5.6. A reduction oi lens aperture (higher
figures) produces an increase in depth of lield, that is to say, also points some distance in
front oI a n d behind the main subject focused at appear to be sharp. For  f urther details see
the iollowing table. For instance: lens set at 5m, stop 8: extent ol depth of fieldiromS.02m
to 15.08 m, but lens set at 5 m, stop 4: extent ol depth ol field from 3.76 m to 7.47 m.
The lenses of the EXA have the disiance ring [25) behind the iront siop ring (26)(lll.9-11).
The depth ol field scale engraved in the back ring of the lens mount tells practically
the same as the table. The aperture figures
diverge from either side ol the red index
mark. The index lines on the left hand side
indicate the distance in meters from which
sufficient sharpness can be expected, those
on the right hand side the distance in
melers up to which sharpness can be expected
(: rauge of depth ol field). The respective
clistances are opposite the figures oi the
aperture chosen. Il the aperture iigure on
the right hand side comes to  lie to the
right oi ihe inlinity sign (o) sharpness will
extend to inlinity. Taking Illustration g as
an example: Iens set ai 5 m., stop 8: range of                                                                                         .grpr*flsharpness lrom about 3 m. to nearly 15 m.

                                                         Ill.11

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      The Meritar (lll. 11) l"o" fo, the EXA has recently become available with pre-set iris
         d  i a p h r a g m as an optional extra. These lenses may be recognized by the ad justable stop ring R.
        Having decided the aperture to use for your picture, press bad< the knurled stop ring towards
         the camera body. Now turn the normal iris ring until the required stop number is set against
         the red mark and release the stop ring whidr will spring badr to its original position.
        For critical locusing use the lens at  f ull aperture and immediately before releasing the shutter
         turn the diaphragm ring up to the stop, an operation which is carried out by "Ieel" alone and
         without the necessiiy to move the camera from the sighting position.


n

R





                 7l

B. How to use uod **.h"nge the finder-hood and Special Prism
A bright ground-glass image is visible in the EXA linder-hood. It is magnified by the ground-
glass (a plano-convex lens) to such a degree that acurate locusing is possible. For more critical
focusing the built-in magnilier is employed: To bring it into position move the button (21)
upward along the guide in the finder-hood front wall  (lll. 12) while holding the index linger
along top ol finder-hood iront wall. To bring the magnilier baclr to its neutral (vertical) posi-
tion move button (21) downwards again.
The sharp outline ol the ground-glass image lacilitates eomposition and determination ol picture
                                                      Irame. While turning the stop ring (26)
                                                    the varying extent ol depth ol {ield can
                                              be observed. Focusing should always
                                       be done at iull aperiure and the lens
                                                   stopped down afterwards.
                                              Normally the camera is held at chest-
                                                           level (tll.13). Illustration 14 shows how
                                                          to hold it rvhen the magnifier is used.
                                   When using the iinder-hood vertical
                                                       pictures can be taken at right angles
                                               to the oblect to be photographed, so
                                                              that the photographer can work without
                                            heing hindered or observed (Ill. 15).

                                                                                     III.12                           T2

www.butkus.usIl1. 13
The Special Prism (see Section F) permiis vertical pictures
in direct vision and shows an upright and laterally correct
image. Control ol the ground-glass image is also possible
when turning the camera upside down and looking up into
the finder-hood  (Ill. 16), as it is necessary when shooting
lrom behind a wall, over a crowd, etc. In order to use the
finder-hood (18) as a lrame-finder  (Ill. 18), bring magnifier
into working position by moving button (21) upwards and
swing protective cover (20) Iorward. The rectangular opening
in the finder-hood bad< wall (19) serves as frame-finder





                                                                    Il. 15

IIl. 16
rear sight (lll. 1z). The use of the frame-iinder is parti_
cularly indicated for sports shots etc.
The BXA is a two-system camera: the finder-hood is inter-
changeable and can be replaced by a Special prism (ilI. 19
and 20). This special prism (see also Ill. 1 and2) is delivered
separately as a camera accessory and specially designed





            Ill. 18




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   74

lil.21
for snapshots. The camera is raised to eyelevel position
{lll. 21) and the object to be photographed  is viewed in
direct vision through the finder. The Special Prism shows
an upright and laterally correct reflex image which corre-
sponds to nature in all details lor both vertical and horizontal
pictures (Ill. 22). The image in the Special Prism moves in
the same direction as the object. Holding the camera at
eyelevel  it is easy to follorv moving subjects.

Interchange of finder-hood
Close iinder-hood (18). Push milled knob (28) downwards
and lift closed finder-hood (18) lrom camera body (Ill. 19).
When replacing the iinder-hood insert finder-hood carefully
in perpendicular direction into the opening and press it
down until it snaps in audibly. The Special Prism (33) is
inserted into and removed irom the camera in exactly the
same way as the linder-hood (18).
              Neveruselorce!




                                                   16

nI.28      www.butkus.us
 F. How to load rhe EXe
The EXA uses perforated miniature cine-iilm
 of 35 mm, width for 36 exposures  71f 2x7 in.                        ?#
 l:24 x 36 mm.) on a sirip ol the usual lenght
 oi 1.60 m. The lilm is supplied eitherin factorylilled
 cartridges or an empty cartridge is loaded with refill
film or with bulk lilm. For iurther details apply to
your photo dealer. When using bulk lilm no special
trimming ol the lilm end is necessary except
rounding off the angles.
Open camera hack (see Section A). The film cham-
ber (2) of the BXA is provided with a casselte
guide (D) (see legend in margin of illustration). The
loaded lilm catridge should therefore be inserted
from beneath the camera so that the mouth of the
cartridge lies against the edge of the guide. The
lilm is then led over the rollers and sprodrets to the
transport spool (10). Insert pivoi (7) oi rewinding
knob (6) into hollow part oI cartridge so that the
groove ol the pivot (7) engages in the bar of the
centre spool. The cartridge must not be larger than


        L7

1|l.24
    the dramber (2) or else  it will not be possible to
    shut the camera. Make sure that the free end of
    the lilm runs straight into the film track (9, {ilm
    guide), the emulsion (mat)side ol the lilm show-
   ing towards the lens. Take care not to pull
   more than 10 cm. of lilm lrom the cartridge.
   Remove take-up spoollrom lilm dramber(3)and
   push free end of film under spring of take-up
    spool until lilm keeps fast (Ill. 24). The lilm is
   wound into the take-up spool withthe emulsion
    side outwards (See Diagramm 25). Insert take-
   up spool (5) again and make sure that the groove
    ol the pivot oi the Iilm transport knob (4) en-
    gages in the bar ol the centre spool. The strip
    ol film must run perlectly straight lrom lilm
     irack io lilm transport sprockets (10) and take-up
    spool  (Ill. 26).
   When closing camera back (11) make sure that
    cartridge, film, and spool are kept in their
   proper positions.
/  Now )6 "blind" exposures must be made:
   Open iinder-hood (1 8) as d escr-ibe d in S ection B.

      IIl.25                                 18

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 ll there is no image rri"ibl" in the rt"U".-J:l;:: $
wind {ilm transport knob (4) up to the stop in    lif
the direction ol the arrow. Release by pressing   li:l
shutter release knob (27): Iirst "blind" expo-          ,
sure. Wind knop (4) again up to the stop and                           I
release again: second"blind"exposure.Wind    rlili
Iilm transport knob a third time as lar as itwill                                                    i
go: an unexposed piece of iilm is brought into        , .t
position in the image lrame (8). Now set picture         '.
counter (15) bV turning the milled knob with     l;ii
the right hand forelinger in the direction of the        :ri].;
arrow (Ill. 27) uniil No. 1 points to the picture
counting marh, and the camera is ready for the lirst "real" exposure.
If one does not wish to rewind the exposed lilm after 36 exposures into the cartridge, but to
remove  it lrom the camera in a second cartridge, the procedure is strictly the same as described
above. Simply remove take-up spool (5) and replace it by a second cartridge. Spare cartridges
are on sale for this purpose, or used ones may be employed. [n order to load the cartridge,
open it and lix lilm on its centre spool. Place it into lilm ehamber and make sure that the
pivot oi the iilm transport knob (4) engages in the bar ol th centre spool and that the lilm is
wound up emulsion sicle o u t wa r d s. Illustration 28 shows the path the lilm must take.



       19

lll. 27
                               G. How to ehange films  (II. paee 1e)
                                                          II the iilm is wound on the take-up spool be-
                                       longing to the camera, one length of lilm will
                                  take more than 36 exposures. Even  il ihe
                                          picture counter points 1o "36" already, one or
                               two more exposures can be made, until the
                                            film transport knob (4) cannot be wound any
                                      more. Now the film must be rewound in the
                                          following manner: Holding tlrecamera in your
                                                   lelt hand, press down the button (16) with the
                                      thumb, while the other hand turns the rewind-
                                 ing knob (6) in the direction ol the arrow
                                                                (Ill. 29). As long as the lilm is being rewound,
                                   the iilm transport knob (4) will rotate in an
                                          anti-clod<wise direction. Once the iilm is re-
                                 wound into the cartridge, the transport knob (4)
                                                 will stop. Now open the camera (see Section A)
                               and remove the cartridge containing the ex-
                                 posed lilm. To make the camera ready ior
                                   loading and regular iilm lransport again,
www.butkus.us                      make sure that the small reversing lever (17)

                                                                        Ill. 28                                 20

www.butkus.us                                                                   Ill. 29
is pushed at once towards the camera badt
and springs bad< again (Ill. 30)
If, on the other hand, the lilm is wound into
an empty cartridge instead ol into the take-up
spool, only 36 exposures can be made. As soon
as the counter (15) points to "36", make two
more "blind" exposures, so that all 36 exposed
irames will disappear into the cartridge. Open
camera bad<, iake out leeder cartridge, open
the latter and detadr the lilm end lrom the
centre spool. This done, remove the take-up
cartridge and wind up the rest ol the lilm by
turning the top of the centre spool.