Sogal Posted January 24, 2023 Share Posted January 24, 2023 I have recently inherited an Exacta Varex VX - family heirloom - with a vague instruction to "do whatever you can with it." Convincing my local repair shop in Portland, Oregon, has not been successful; neither has calls to a few out of town shops. I have never repaired a camera, but in general, with instructions and the right tools, I am moderately handy. Do you know of any alternate source for Upton's book? Does anyone here have a copy they are done with and are willing to part with (i'll pay). This camera is destined to sit on a shelf - hoping its destiny can be changed with help from this community. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kmac Posted January 24, 2023 Share Posted January 24, 2023 What's the problem with the camera ? Are just looking to get it inspected to see if it is in good working order or not ? If mine ever breaks down, it can stay broken down ... I'll just buy another one .... looking at them is like looking at a WW2 tank, how would you get it apart, and then get it back together again so it works ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sogal Posted January 25, 2023 Author Share Posted January 25, 2023 @kmac the camera needs a cla and new shutter curtains. it seems to "work" i.e. nothing feels broken. but who knows what gremlins lie among its complicated innards. i can let this sit - i do not have any exacta specific fetish - but it's a family heirloom that means something to people who mean a lot to me; it would make all of us happy to see this particular contraption brought back to operational status. getting it apart and the harder part of getting it back together again is why i'm looking for the book; that book that anyone who has it swears by, is my last hope for a phoenix! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCL Posted January 25, 2023 Share Posted January 25, 2023 Having owned several Exaktas in the past, personally, I'd not try to CLA it myself, although I've occasionally done several simple cameras. You're much better off finding a good technician so you don't end up with lots of camera parts and a camera which doesn't work as it should. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuck_foreman1 Posted January 25, 2023 Share Posted January 25, 2023 (edited) They are generally widespread and have not changed much in the 50+ years of production..only the later models suffered in quality parts and assembly. Most often the curtains are old and crispy. Rick Oleson has a guide for 15,00 that coverrs lots of camera models with hand drawn guides.. I believe this model is covered there. Is the Upton books so long out-of-printthat it's not available? 'Tempus Fugit" Another inquired.. what's wrong with it? It may yet work or be in some semblance of working.... The reference to a Tank is quite the case. There is a forum contributor from India whio has some experience with repairs etc and might be able to guide you if you ask the right questions. IF you search this forum for Exacta you will find his name ..abbreviated is SP. I noted now you've said it appears to be working.. then shoot a roll of something and see what it needs. Edited January 25, 2023 by chuck_foreman1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuck_foreman1 Posted January 25, 2023 Share Posted January 25, 2023 Possible sources links etc Seems to imply a copy of the book can be ordered via email... may need to paste link http://www.exaktaphile.net/vx2ar/bookbuy.html multiple sourceshttp://www.ihagee.org/books.htm more links related to Exakta http://www.peterlanczak.de/ihagee_link.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sogal Posted January 25, 2023 Author Share Posted January 25, 2023 @chuck_foreman1 I've contacted the author at the exactaphile link and have not received a response - hence I posted here. I've also sent a DM to @subbarayan_prasanna and am hoping for a response. Many thx for the other links!! Cheers! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuck_foreman1 Posted January 28, 2023 Share Posted January 28, 2023 I believe I mentioned Rick Oleson's "tech notes".. well I was just there and though you can buy a CD of all the notes for 15,00.. a sample of the models covered are there... not least of which is the Exacta .... https://rickoleson-brightscreen.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Exakta-VXIIa-VXIIb.pdf Good Luck :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Farrell Posted January 28, 2023 Share Posted January 28, 2023 You will need two special screwdrivers if you choose to work on your camera - to fit the wind lever and shutter speed dial screws. I modified two bits from a screwdriver set, when I replaced a shutter curtain on a IIb (I followed Rick Oleson's instructions). 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ph. Posted February 1, 2023 Share Posted February 1, 2023 if you are willing to wait for perfection, Master mechanic Andrea Schønfelder at Olbrich's repair shop in Göttingen will fix any old east German camera, I recently had my Exacta "vest pocket" from the late 1930es expertly revived by her team there. p. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Naka Posted February 2, 2023 Share Posted February 2, 2023 I would contact "international camera" in San Diego. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sogal Posted February 2, 2023 Author Share Posted February 2, 2023 @Gary Naka, @ph., @John Farrell, @chuck_foreman1 -> many thanks for your suggestions. I was just about to jump into this when I saw suggestions for the two repair shops! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sogal Posted February 3, 2023 Author Share Posted February 3, 2023 @ph. I received a response from Andrea Schønfelder saying he is willing to take on the repair, again thanks! I am in the US...what service have you used for international shipping. DHL and FedEx are quoting in excess of $200 for one way shipping... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCL Posted February 3, 2023 Share Posted February 3, 2023 I encourage you to investigate USPS international shipping rates, which are significantly less than what you show for Fedex & DHL. You don't need the fastest delivery, which costs more, so should be able to find a much more agreeable rate. FWIW I've never paid more than $40 USD to/from Japan, and usually had delivery within 5-6 days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sogal Posted February 3, 2023 Author Share Posted February 3, 2023 @SCL 🙂 that's where i was headed next 🙂 Thx! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
subbarayan_prasanna Posted February 4, 2023 Share Posted February 4, 2023 Sogal Hi! I sent you a reply today. Let me know the details. CLA is simple; no problems there. Fixing new curtains takes some patience and effort, time too. I think that I can do these repairs still, slowly. Except for the slow speed clock work, I am still enthusiastic about renewing the Exakta VX series. At 85 years, in and out of hospitals a few times I am at 50% energy level now. But functional and mentally alert, as can be. Greetings & regards to all at Photo.Net Forum on Classic Manual Cameras. Hope come back with some pictures. Adios! subbarayan prasanna 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Seaman Posted February 4, 2023 Share Posted February 4, 2023 32 minutes ago, subbarayan_prasanna said: Greetings & regards to all at Photo.Net Forum on Classic Manual Cameras. And greetings and regards to you SP. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuck_foreman1 Posted February 4, 2023 Share Posted February 4, 2023 Hi SP.. I think about you often!! So pleased you'Re posting here .. ie that your health issues haven't dimished your desires and interest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sogal Posted July 18, 2023 Author Share Posted July 18, 2023 I got my Varex VX back after a complete overhaul of both lens and body from Andrea Schønfelder. Thanks for @ph. for pointing me to Andrea! There was something fitting for the camera to go back to its birth place to be reborn. Andrea did a wonderful job on resurrecting this very battered camera. I also had very little hope for the Biotar. I am very happy with the results! Thx to @chuck_foreman1, @John Farrell for the tips. Very special thanks for @subbarayan_prasanna for offering to sit beside me and teach me to fix it myself! I just could not be in Bangalore 🙂 Hope you are in good health again. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuck_foreman1 Posted July 19, 2023 Share Posted July 19, 2023 (edited) That'S Great!! That 'Biotar... is a fine lens!! The successor, IIRC is the Pancolar...these were Planar type lenses... and the Biotar is CZJ at its finest!! Edited July 19, 2023 by chuck_foreman1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sogal Posted July 19, 2023 Author Share Posted July 19, 2023 I've heard so much about the Biotar and that close up pic of flowers is actually "dreamy" like may others have described - i don't think i've had that reaction to any other lens 🙂 (ok, except for an accidental shot with a flare from a Rikenon). I also have a CZJ Tessar on a Werra. To my eyes, the portrait and landscape pics look very similar - shockingly similar in fact; i have to shoot a similar close up with the Tessar at 2.8 and see what comes out. Now that i've got this new toy, i'm looking forward to playing around with them together. Again, grateful to all on this forum! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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