Manufactured by Ihagee in Dresden, East Germany, the Exa is a highly successful and uniquely styled 35mm single-lens reflex (SLR) camera introduced in the early 1950s. Conceived as a smaller, simpler, and more affordable companion to the legendary Exakta system, the Exa inherited the same modular flexibility, including an interchangeable viewfinder system. This particular example features a classic waist-level finder that pops up for ground-glass focusing. Celebrated for its distinct trapezoidal body design, left-handed shutter release lever, and an unusual pivoting mirror-shutter mechanism, the Exa is a wonderfully quirky piece of post-war German engineering that is highly sought after by collectors of historic analog systems. KEY FEATURES Distinctive trapezoidal metal body construction with iconic Ihagee styling Modular design featuring an interchangeable waist-level viewfinder unit Shared lens mount compatibility with the extensive Exakta system Unique integrated mirror-shutter mechanism that acts as both mirror and rear curtain Left-handed front shutter release lever configuration characteristic of Ihagee cameras TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS Camera Type: 35mm Single-Lens Reflex (SLR) Camera Lens: Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar 50mm f/2.8 (marked as "aus Jena T 1:2,8 f=50") Shutter Speeds: Specialized vertical-swing shutter with speeds of 1/25, 1/50, 1/100, 1/150 plus Bulb (B) Serial Number: Body internal serial number: 595295; Lens serial number: 6844047 CONDITION REPORT Cosmetic: Good vintage condition showing normal signs of age and prior handling. The leatherette cladding is fully intact on the body panels. Light rubbing and superficial wear are present on the chrome top trim, lower baseplate edges, and viewfinder housing. Optics: The Carl Zeiss Jena 50mm lens is optically clear with minimal internal dust typical for a lens of this age, without severe scratching or major optical defects. The ground glass inside the waist-level finder remains bright and fully legible for composition. Mechanics: The film winding knob, mirror returns, and unique shutter cocking mechanism are fully operational. The shutter release trips smoothly, and the shutter curtains actuate across all available manual speed positions. Test status: This camera is being sold as a vintage collectible piece and has not been tested with film for light-tightness or precise mechanical gate calibration. WHATS INCLUDED Ihagee Exa 35mm SLR body Removable Ihagee waist-level viewfinder unit with integrated pop-up magnifier Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar 50mm f/2.8 prime lens (Exakta mount) WHY BUY THIS ITEM The Ihagee Exa combined with the renowned Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar lens is a delightfully unique, modular vintage SLR that represents a fascinating milestone in East German photographic engineering. KEYWORDS Ihagee Exa, Exa Dresden, Carl Zeiss Jena, Tessar 50mm, Waist Level Finder, Vintage SLR, 35mm Film Camera, East Germany, Ihagee Dresden, Classic Analog, Collector Camera.