Exakta 66 + Xenator 80 MF

Hi all,

 

Having seen these pictures from flickr comparing Xenotar 80 MF and Planar 80 2.8. (Please note not intent for a

war between Hass and Exakta quality...)

 

 

I really wanna try it out. However, searching ebay for about several weeks, seems there is not available!

 

Will it be that kind of very rare and expensive camera?

 

Hope you could offer me some insight on price level and where to buy! Thanks a lot!

 

Cheers.

Albert

Albert, the late Exakta 66 is a very slightly improved Pentacon 6. The two cameras have the same lens mount. So if you must have and use an "Exakta 66" Xenotar, buy one and get a P6 or Kiev 60 body.

I don't know how many Exakta 66 cameras were ever made. What I remember reading is that these were actually Pentacon 6 cameras from the former East Germany. They were remanufactured in what was West Germany and had different cosmetics. Today you can probably get more flexible and higher quality Mamiya, Bronica and even Hasselblad equipment for less. The Mamiya RB67 cameras also have built-in bellows which will get you closer than the Exakta and standard lens by itself. I have no doubt that nice work can be done with the Exakta but it will not be better work than what you can do with Mamiya, Bronica, Hasselblad and Pentax medium format equipment. When new medium format film equipment was seling at higher prices the Exakta was a less expensive way to get into medium format SLR photography.

The Exakta is the last incarnation of the Pentacon. They were more rugged but shared a few problems. One of the most important differences was the coupled prism. They are rather rare and when they show up they are on the expensive side. (I'm also looking out for one)

 

If you want to get in the pentacon 6 system on the cheap then the Pentacon 6 TL and Kiev 60 are possible. both share the same lens mount as the Exakta. However, both a Pentacon and a Kiev might need some TLC before going out with them. Do a search here and on the net in general. Both are subject to love-hate feelings.

I don't know if the Xenotar is significantly better than the standard Zeiss Jena Biometar, so that's another chance to save money. FWIW I think the Biometar I use with my Arax (Kiev} 60 is every bit as good as the Xenotar on my Rollei 2.8E (which is NOT the same as the SLR version of the Xenotar).

Thank you for referring to my Comparision of Xenotar v.s. Planar on flickr.

Here you can find the entire comparision shots as a whole set.:)

 

The reason for myself why I did the Xenotar v.s. Planar set was, because I wanted to find out which Camera/Lens

matches my own Shooting style and rhythm when I'm out in the field, but not to compare which Camera/Lens is superior.

 

It's true that Exakta 66 is the incarnation of the Pentacon Six. I actually compared the Inner Structure design with my

own Exakta 66 and Pentacon Six, and it was obvious that both Cameras are 99.9% indentical when you open it and

check them out from inside. The biggest problem about my Exakta was, that the frame starts to Overlap towards the end

of the roll, and it seems like this symptom is a common problem mostly on this type of Camera including Kiev 60,

Pentacon Six....also on Pentax 6x7.

I've also had the chance to use the TTL-Prism with my Exakta 66, but I didn't like it, as the Finder frame would be

narrowed down to around 80% of the actual frame, so I would say it's not worth to try to get it paying too much.

Toshihiro,

 

I did a similar test with the same exact setup as you. My conclusion was that the Xenotar could it own up against the Zeiss Planar. Where it really shines is in B & W film. Do you have any other Schneider lenses for your Exakta 66? I have the 60mm Curtagon and the 150mm Xenotar. Both lenses are nice and hold its own against their Zeiss counterpart.

 

Check out BaierFoto. Rolf Baier has a fix for the film overlapping problem that will help resolve the big overlap problem as all Exakta 66, Pentacon 6, and Kiev 6-60 experience.

 

I use the original WLF and non-TTL prism on my Exakta 66. Rolf Baier sells an adapter plate PLUS the latest Kiev 45 TTL prism as a kit. These prism are calibrated and will work perfectly on the Exakta 66.

 

Check out the Kiev Forum on DelphiForums and also http://www.pentaconsix.com/.

Lots of information regarding lens testing.

 

Glad to heard of other Exakta 66 users. BTW, your photos and your friend's photos are great.

The Exakta 66 lenses from Schneider have the same optical formula as those made for the Rolleiflex 6000 series cameras.

At the time it was a cheap method to use the best glass for the lowest price. I happen to have an old product brochure of

the Exakta 66, stating it to be: "The camera for real men" (well, in German that is). I remember my brother must have an

Exakta 66 with 80mm Xenotar. It must still be in new state as he has almost never used it. Cool beast. He had both a

prism and a waist-level finder with it. I'm not sure but maybe he wants to sell. I'll ask him.

I have done this test many times with several TLR Rolleiflexes. The consistant difference I found is that the Planar is a little

less contrasty and the Xenotar is a little cooler in color rendition. The Planar on the 2.8F and older models shows a tiny bit

more flare than the Xenotar which probably accounts for the slightly less contrast. But the FX that I got last year with the

HFT coated Planar is now contrastier than my Xenotar and the HFT Planar shows less flare than the single coated Xenotar.

But still the difference is too slight to worry about it.

Thanks all! Your opinions/views are very useful and educational(to me :))

 

Toshihiro, much thanks. I should have quoted your name instead just a link. Hope you don't mind. Love your

pictures and your works on D T.

 

Erik, really enjoy the "The camera for real men" adv! I won't buy the lens if I saw your message! Poor me!

 

Evan, the link is very useful...I almost quit my idea to buy Exakta 66 and purchase a pentaxon next to me. :)

 

Lucky me, I just got a mint Xenotar MF lens from an old second hand shop with lens cap, official hood and

BOXES!!! It cost me about US$550. I suppose I did pay an "above average" price for it. However, it looks so

lovely...couldn't help

 

However, I am not able to find Exakta 66 body. Meanwhile, I mount it on my S5 Pro. Really love the creamy color

rendition it gives me...hmm...how can I explain it? Kinda difficult...(btw, I gonna sell my Nikon 85 1.4 with

this one, of course, they are different lens)

 

Hope to see more of your comments/opinions on it, especially your testing experiences on TLR vs Hass vs Exakta!

Albert or Be,

 

Glad to hear that you manage to secure a Mint Xenotar, lenshood and original box. Try to look for 60mm Curtagon (Rare!), 150mm Xenotar, 250mm Xenotar, and just maybe the Schneider zooms (RARE!!).

 

As for the Exakta 66 bodies, be aware that there were 3 versions, MK1, MK2, and MK3. GO to the Pentaconsix.com website and all will be explain there. The 55mm Arsat PCS lens is a very sharp PCS lens. You will not go wrong with that. The 50mm Flektogon (I believe that Toshihiro is also using) and the 120mm Biometar are additional lenses that can be had inexpensively. Both are amazing for the price.

 

The Pentacon 6 bodies can be upgraded by either the factory in Dresden, Germany or by BaierFoto. If i decide to sell one of my Exakta 66 bodies, I will let you know. Otherwise in the meantime, enjoy the Pentacon 6 bodies as they are not that bad once it undergoes a CLA.

Thanks Evan,

 

Just wanna to have an idea how much it cost me to buy a Exakta 66 Mk3 body right now.

 

I have a friend gonna have a biz in Germany. Hope he could find me one. ^^;