A Vintage SLR: Kine-Exacta by Ihagee, Dresden

I had almost forgotten how photography used to be in the early days!!! When my father died two years ago, I ran into this heavily mended, smudgy leather case, labeled "Exakta" and "Ihagee" — the leather strip for carrying the item was torn off, the color no longer black, really (or mostly). Before selling it off (or rather: in order to sell it off), I took a series of pictures, using my Nikon D300, using a flash (SB800) and a AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8GF IF-ED lens. As the D300 is a camera with a DX size sensor, the focal length at full frame would calculate to 157 mm. I should really switch to full frame, as 157 mm effective focal length is at the border of being a bit unhandy for bigger objects!

ISO 800, f/7.1 1/60 

ISO 800, f/7.1 1/60  

Note the spelling "Exakta" on the leather case: this has some significance... Upon removing the leather case, we see its content:

ISO 800, f/7.1 1/60 

Here, the labeling is "Exacta" and "Ihagee Dresden". What we have here is a close descendent of the world's very first 35mm (24 x 36 mm) SLR (single lens reflex) camera. This was first introduced in Leipzig (Frühjahrsmesse) in 1936, under the name "Exakta" — some people refer to this as Kine-Exakta. The first model featured a round focusing loupe. Prior to the war, this was succeeded by model II (rectangular loupe), then by model III (rectangular loupe, 3 connectors for external flash). After the war, production continued between 1945 and 1948, with model IV, which was also intended for exporting (as war reparation production), hence the change in the label from "Exakta" to "Exacta". Models I - III also had a slightly different wheel for the long shutter times (left side in the picture above). Interestingly, all Exacta (and Exakta) models had the shutter release button on the left side of the lens. For details on the history of this camera see Wikipedia (German), or the English version (rudimentary), or here (in German).

So, what we have here is a Kine-Exacta manufactured by Ihagee in Dresden — a version IV, from around 1946 - 1948. For details on the lens see below.

The bottom view shows the screw for mounting the cover and for mounting the camera on a tripod, plus the two handles for rewinding (or advancing) the film:

ISO 720, f/7.1 1/60 

Here's the rear view, with the film compartment and the viewfinder closed. On the left side, the film transport lever with coaxial exposure counter, the little handle for disabling the film transport (for multiple exposures), and the shutter control wheel (short exposure times); on the right, the wheel for long exposure times and the self-timer:

ISO 800, f/7.1 1/60 

On the top, we see the closed viewfinder with the rectangular focusing loupe. Unfortunately, none of the original Exacta / Exakta models had a cover for the loupe (other than the leather casing), so scratching it was almost inevitable...

ISO 640, f/7.1 1/60 

On the lens, the front adjustment controls the aperture (f/2.8 .. f/22), the rear adjustment is for the distance (minimum distance ca. 0.8 m), with indicator for the depth of field:

ISO 640, f/7.1 1/60 

The right adjustment wheel is used to control long exposure times (1/5, 1/2, 1, 2, 3, 4, ... 11, 12 sec) and the self-timer (1/5, 3/4, 1.5, 2, 3, 5, 6 sec):

ISO 450, f/7.1 1/60

Top, left side adjustments / features: film transport lever with coaxial exposure counter, the little handle for disabling the film transport (for multiple exposures), and the shutter control wheel for short exposure times (1/1000, 1/500, 1/250, 1/150, 1/100, 1/50, 1/25, Z, B). On the top of the picture: the shutter release button.

ISO 400, f/7.1 1/60

The lens (exchangeable, of course) on this model is labeled "Carl Zeiss Jena Nr.2823606 Tessar 1:2.8 f=5 cm". The picture was taken with the aperture set to the minimum, 1:22.

ISO 200, f/7.1 1/60

At the time of production, four different lenses (all f=5 cm) were available (shown in order of ascending price):

• Exaktar-Anastigmat, 1 : 3.5
• Xenar 1 : 2.8
• Zeiss Tessar 1 : 2.8 (shown here)
• Xenon 1 : 2

The focusing loupe is definitely not in good shape. The viewfinder is opened by pressing the button at the bottom of this picture:

ISO 320, f/7.1 1/80

One way to use the viewfinder was through the two rectangular openings, obviously without picture / focus control — one could call this the "sport viewfinder". As this is without optics, one had to be careful with placing the eye such that the two rectangles would approximately match, in order to have reasonable control over the field of view:

ISO 560, f/7.1 1/60

The front view with the viewfinder opened — the focusing loupe really is in bad shape!

ISO 800, f/7.1 1/60

This camera was presumably made before the invention of the pentaprism. the viewfinder is a simple lens (convex, flat bottom with focusing screen / surface); the picture seen is mirrored horizontally, but focusing works amazingly well, even without loupe — at least as long as the aperture is open!

ISO 800, f/7.1 1/60

The loupe could be used to focus on a very small (part of the) field of view — a rather fiddly procedure! Obviously, this works better if the loupe isn't full of scratches...

ISO 800, f/7.1 1/60

 Side view, right hand side:

ISO 800, f/7.1 1/60

On the left side, we find the little button that opens the back cover:

ISO 800, f/7.1 1/60

Perspective onto the shutter release button (with conical thread for a mechanical cable control), viewfinder closed:

ISO 800, f/7.1 1/60

Perspective onto the 3 flash sync connectors (typical for models III and IV), viewfinder closed:

ISO 800, f/7.1 1/60

 When the rear cover is removed, we see the shutter blind (horizontal, canvas), the film cartridge compartment on the right, the winder spool on the left, and the guide roll for the film perforation. The camera serial number, 616167, is engraved above the shutter. The back cover also presses the film against the guides above and below the shutter, ensuring a flat exposure area. To the right of the shutter, there is an additional vertical bar connecting to a knob at the bottom of the camera — this was presumably used when the camera was re-functionalized as magnifying apparatus?

ISO 800, f/7.1 1/60

 Front view onto the lens (see above for details):

ISO 800, f/7.1 1/60

After removing the lens, one can see the mirror housing and the lens bajonet:

ISO 320, f/9, 1/250

The rear (bajonet) side of the lens — much simpler than current lenses, as there is no aperture control through the camera body, nor any electrical connectors / internals to the lens...

ISO 450, f/9, 1/250

So much for looking at this early SLR, over 65 years of age; the signs of use are there for good reason, as my father was an avid hobby photographer for a couple years (up till around 1955 - 1958), thereafter, unfortunately, the camera mostly saw the inside of drawers. I'm now trying to auction it — I don't think I'll make much money out of it, though...

Seeing the Royals at Windsor Castle

Between April 28th and May 3rd my wife and I spent a couple days visiting our daughter in England (London, Windsor, Stratford-on-Avon), mostly just for (mental) relaxing and sightseeing. On April 30th, we had pre-booked sightseeing tickets to Windsor Castle — and this turned out to be the only day with (cool, but) nice weather during our stay (for the rest we experienced cold, rainy, "typically British" weather). So, we took the train from London via Slough to Windsor. Coming out of the station we were greeted by the impressive fortifications of Windsor Castle (now apparently the largest permanently inhabited castle on the planet!):

Windsor Castle 2012-04-30, Southwest wall & fortifications
Nikon D300, AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 16 - 35mm f/4G ED VR
ISO 200, f/10, 1/400, 16mm (24mm equiv.)

When we made our way to the entrance (we arrived some 1.5 hours prior to the official opening of the castle gate), however, we were greeted by the following, rather devastating scenery:

Windsor Castle, South side, Castle Hill, towards entrance
Nikon D300, AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 16 - 35mm f/4G ED VR
ISO 200, f/9, 1/320, 26mm (39mm equiv.)

There was a crowd of people, all the way up to the entrance of the castle. Our first reaction naturally was "Is this the queue for visitors to the castle?" — we were about to give up, but then asked a guard about the purpose of the crowd. We were told that in about 30 minutes the Queen would "go for a walk" (whatever that means for Royals!). At first, we saw no reason to add ourselves to the large crowd, and went for a short stroll. 15 minutes prior to "the event" we returned and walked up the road, as close to the entrance as possible. People were stacked many meters deep — no chance to see much directly… still, we mingled into the crowd until we were stuck. The rule now was: don't move! If you move, only move forward! — without using our elbows. To Lea's and Deborah's dismay, the girl next to me asked her friend to carry her on his shoulders, so most of what Lea saw was that girl's butt...

Windsor Castle, South entrance & crowd
Nikon D300, AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 16 - 35mm f/4G ED VR
ISO 200, f/9, 1/320, 16mm (24mm equiv.)

Windsor Castle, South entrance & crowd
Nikon D300, AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 16 - 35mm f/4G ED VR
ISO 200, f/10, 1/400, 25mm (37mm equiv.)

(click on the images for a full size view). I was slightly closer to the passage than my companions, but just got an occasional glimpse at the passage from the entrance to the castle. I saw a number of photographers with huge tele and zoom lenses — and found myself confronted with a quick decision what lens to mount etc. — 

As there was no chance to catch anything by looking through the viewfinder I decided to leave the 16 - 35 mm zoom lens on, set to 16 mm (24 mm equivalent @ full frame), so I could catch the widest area while shooting blind (and later select the interesting section of the good shots by cropping and straightening); the weather was beautiful, bright, so I let the camera decide what shutter speed and aperture to use (at the default sensitivity setting of 200 ISO); I enabled slow speed continuous shooting (though I ended up doing single shots, at most 1 shot / second), and I left the autofocus on. This last point may have been a slight mistake, see below — though using manual focus bears the danger of accidentally altering the focus and ruining an entire series of shots.

Punctually, at 11:45 local time, the Queen's Rolls Royce appeared at the entrance to the castle, followed by another car — and there she was, in the rear of the car, as I could see at a quick glimpse — I lifted my Nikon above my head and took shots by pointing into approximate directions, merely making sure I did not tilt the camera too much (I hate the extra work with correcting geometric distortions!):

Windsor Castle, Royals arriving on driveway
Nikon D300, AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 16 - 35mm f/4G ED VR
ISO 200, f/8, 1/250, 16mm (24mm equiv.)

The car stopped, and Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II stepped out of the car, followed by HRH Prince Philip:

Windsor Castle, Queen Elizabeth II has stepped out of the Rolls
Nikon D300, AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 16 - 35mm f/4G ED VR
ISO 200, f/8, 1/250, 16mm (24mm equiv.)

After she greeted the welcoming committee, she (unfortunately) turned around and was guided towards the south-eastern side of the street/place, where she was welcomed by a crowd of kids (presumably scholars of  Eton College) who occupied the eastern side of the passage, opposite our position. Prince Philip at first followed her at some distance:

Windsor Castle, Queen Elizabeth II moves on to greet the crowd
Nikon D300, AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 16 - 35mm f/4G ED VR
ISO 200, f/8, 1/250, 16mm (24mm equiv.)

Inevitably (with autofocus) someone would lift a camera into the focus area of mine, causing an off-focus shot; I might have avoided some of this either by using manual focus (see above) or by restricting the focus area to the center — but when shooting blind, you never know where the area of interest is:

Windsor Castle, Queen Elizabeth II moves on to greet the crowd
Nikon D300, AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 16 - 35mm f/4G ED VR
ISO 200, f/8, 1/250, 16mm (24mm equiv.)

You might wonder what this "pro photographer" is doing with his 400 mm telephoto lens — merely a couple feet from the Royals — I think I was far better off using a wide angle lens and cropping!!
While in the back the Queen was interacting with the crowd, Prince Philip (luckily for us!) turned to the other side of the street and was walking towards us:

Windsor Castle, Queen Elizabeth II greeting crowd, Prince Philip approaching
Nikon D300, AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 16 - 35mm f/4G ED VR
ISO 200, f/9, 1/320, 16mm (24mm equiv.)

Windsor Castle, Prince Philip approaching crowd
Nikon D300, AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 16 - 35mm f/4G ED VR
ISO 200, f/9, 1/320, 16mm (24mm equiv.)

Windsor Castle, Queen Elizabeth II greeting crowd, Prince Philip approaching
Nikon D300, AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 16 - 35mm f/4G ED VR
ISO 200, f/9, 1/320, 16mm (24mm equiv.)

Windsor Castle, Queen Elizabeth II greeting crowd, Prince Philip approaching
Nikon D300, AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 16 - 35mm f/4G ED VR
ISO 200, f/9, 1/320, 16mm (24mm equiv.)

Windsor Castle, Prince Philip approaching crowd
Nikon D300, AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 16 - 35mm f/4G ED VR
ISO 200, f/9, 1/320, 16mm (24mm equiv.)

For a split second I saw him standing 3 - 4 meters away from us, now talking to people behind the fence, so I kept shooting blindly — certainly no master photos, but still reasonable (I think), and completely unexpected for us as casual visitors to the castle:

Windsor Castle, Prince Philip talking to people in crowd
Nikon D300, AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 16 - 35mm f/4G ED VR
ISO 200, f/9, 1/320, 16mm (24mm equiv.)

Windsor Castle, Prince Philip talking to people in crowd
Nikon D300, AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 16 - 35mm f/4G ED VR
ISO 200, f/9, 1/320, 16mm (24mm equiv.)

Windsor Castle, Prince Philip talking to people in crowd
Nikon D300, AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 16 - 35mm f/4G ED VR
ISO 200, f/9, 1/320, 16mm (24mm equiv.)

Windsor Castle, Prince Philip talking to people in crowd
Nikon D300, AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 16 - 35mm f/4G ED VR
ISO 200, f/9, 1/320, 16mm (24mm equiv.)

Windsor Castle, Prince Philip talking to people in crowd
Nikon D300, AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 16 - 35mm f/4G ED VR
ISO 200, f/9, 1/320, 16mm (24mm equiv.)

Windsor Castle, Prince Philip talking to people in crowd
Nikon D300, AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 16 - 35mm f/4G ED VR
ISO 200, f/9, 1/320, 16mm (24mm equiv.)

Windsor Castle, Prince Philip talking to people in crowd
Nikon D300, AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 16 - 35mm f/4G ED VR
ISO 200, f/9, 1/320, 16mm (24mm equiv.)

Meanwhile (2.5 minutes later, that is), the Queen had (apparently) moved on down the street, and Prince Philip started following her. A few moments later, the Queen's Rolls Royce followed the Royals — I took a couple shots from the car (just for the record); on the shot below I have marked the mirror image of my arms holding the camera in the middle window of the car — proof that I saw nothing at all with my naked eyes…

Windsor Castle, The Royal Rolls, departing
Nikon D300, AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 16 - 35mm f/4G ED VR
ISO 200, f/8, 1/250, 16mm (24mm equiv.)

That was it for our encounter with the Royal Family! The street soon cleared up, and (thanks to the pre-ordered tickets) we were lucky to be among the first to enter the castle, once the gates opened for the public, some 30 minutes later (OK, it takes another 20 minutes to get through the security checks). We enjoyed visiting the castle! Photography is only allowed outside buildings, though — so, I conclude this post with just two representative shots from that afternoon:

Windsor Castle, garden below central tower
Nikon D300, AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 16 - 35mm f/4G ED VR
ISO 200, f/10, 1/400, 17mm (25mm equiv.)

It was an interesting day — with an encounter that we would not have dreamed of!

Windsor Castle, palace guards, patrolling
Nikon D300, AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 16 - 35mm f/4G ED VR
ISO 200, f/6.3, 1/160, 35mm (52mm equiv.)

A Light Leak in my D300?

In summer 2009,  some 18 months after switching to the Nikon D300 body, I noted a strange artifact on some of my photos. Here's a sample shot that highlights the problem:

18 - 200 mm super zoom @ ISO 200, 27 mm, f/11, 1/320"

Initially, I didn't even notice the defect which was most conspicuous when it fell onto a clear sky or other monotonous area. I just thought "strange!" — and patched it away in Aperture. My primary suspicion was that this may be a reflection caused by the skylight filter that I used to protect the front lens of my 18 - 200 mm VR super zoom lens: sun light (the artifact seemed to be linked to pictures taken in bright sunshine) can be reflected from the filter in front of the sensor, then reflected back on the backside of the UV or Skylight filter, producing an extra reflex / artifact — this is a known phenomenon. However, if this was the problem, why then would the artifact always appear in the same location??

My next thought was that it might be some object / dust particle towards the back end of the zoom lens, which might explain why the artifact looked like a diffraction pattern (with dust on the sensor I would expect well-defined, dark spots). So, I was hoping that better lenses would cure the problem. Wrong.

In spring 2010 I switched from the super zoom to professional (full frame) quality 70 - 200 mm f/2.8 and 16 - 35 mm f/4 lenses; I did not use an extra UV filter, just to make sure this does not cause extra headaches. The lenses produced very good, high quality, clear images — but sure enough, the problem was still there! Sometimes it took while to realize the issue was present, like here:

70 - 200 mm f/2.8 @ ISO 200, 105 mm, f/10, 1/400

But once I realized that it was at a given location in the raw image, it became hard to ignore it:

One some background it wasn't easy to make it disappear — sometimes I needed to use Photoshop, or at least very careful patching in Aperture. Here's a close-up look at the artifact in the above shot:

Now I was more worried about my camera body. But — if it wasn't the lens(es), could it still be some strange kind of dust particle on the sensor filter? I took a series of blank, defocused shots of a uniform surface, at various lighting conditions — nothing at all, not the tiniest sign of sensor dust anywhere, let alone such (not so) funny circles!

So, I continued investigating and noted that the artifact only showed up when I had direct sunlight on the camera body — and particularly when the sun was almost or directly in the picture. My hypothesis then was that only a tiny light leak at some distance from the sensor plane would explain the circle-like diffraction pattern on photos, and why it would only appear when direct sunlight fell onto the front part of the camera body. In October 2010, I sent the body to Nikon for repair, along with pictures highlighting the issue. The warranty had expired, but the repair was done at no cost; the repair sheet spelled out some warning about not letting dust enter the body — but I'm sure this was not the issue! I took some shots with the sun in the picture — and I'm glad to report that the problem is gone and has since not reappeared:

24 - 120 mm f/4 @ ISO 200, 36 mm, f/10, 1/400"

24 - 120 mm f/4 @ ISO 200, 36 mm, f/14, 1/800"