jt991

looked for a Lens forum in vain... as I'd appreciate a user opinion of the manually focused Sigma 28-105

f4-5.6 zoom.

I have been offered a good one (for my Nikon FG) and wonder how matches up to (for instance) the

*similar* :-) Nikkor 35-105

Thanks, BC.

That's all I needed to know.. and I'll go along with your opinion regarding the build quality

too.

I am considering an offer of near mint FG, (too far away at the moment to try out) but wonder whether it

will possible to see the whole of the viewfinder image whilst wearing eyeglasses ? (Obviously the FGs

viewfinder eyepiece is not as *generous* as the one an F3HP ..)

Arjun

I can assure you that the list is *alive and well* at http://lists.topica.com/lists/Exakta

If logging in (top right hand corner of the page) fails, I guess you'll have to subscribe again.

Hurrah ! a contributor to the Topica Exakta List (despite my misunderstanding that it was for

discussions) has provided the remedy; viz if the centre of the rewind button "pops down"

whilst rewinding "as it sometimes does", simply hold it in place with your index finger whilst

turning the button with forefinger and thumb.

Thanks for that URL Miha, but I had already found and looked at the Ihagee Exakta

Enthusiasts List, and have subscribed to the Topica Exakta List accordingly. I will post a

message there hoping there may, after all, be one or more Varex users there. Meanwhile

hoping one or more may respond to this thread.

As an Exakta (Varex lla) user (as opposed to a collector) for less than seven days, I am already wondering

if an English speaking Exakta forum exists. A cursory glance at the "Exakta" Yahoo Group (46 members)

revealed a surfeit of spam and a dearth of postings. (Its a modus operandi query i.e whilst rewinding a

film, for which I need expert knowledge - even after perusing the Instruction Book)

As the day when my newly acquired Varex lla draws nigh, I have assigned Ebay to search for

all things Exakta and Exacta particularly for other related publications in English.. now that

there seems a probability that other books may have been translated. Are any of you using

an Exakta VX/Varex I wonder ?

Turned out that sending the book by airmail from the UK to the USA (where Juergen is) costs

a lot more than the price I'm looking for, i.e 12.50 Euros (+ postage) - which is what I paid

the Ebay seller in Germany. Any takers within the European Union, I wonder ?

For Exakta enthusiasts who don't already know, among the books that Herr Wurst wrote was the one

named in the subject line - which I recently bought (Ebay again) even though my knowldege of German is

strictly limited. I subsequently discovered that it was translated into English, published by Fountain Press in 1960 as the "Exakta Manual -the Complete Guide to Miniature Photography with the Exakta Camera".

This book has an extra chapter covering the VX (aka Varex) lla. By a lucky chance a websearch led me to

a pristine copy in my local Book Store for 10GBP. (Now if only I can find someone who would like to buy

my German version !)

"Googling" Werner Wurst, Ihagee, or even Exakta, as the fancy takes you - is recommended..

a year has passed since Maciej posted the link to a list of normal lenses.. now alas a dead

one, specifically "seite nicht gefunden"

I must confess using the word "restored" as a generalisation when I should have said

"overhauled". The seller actually wrote : <<"...camera was recently overhauled, therefore

works properly, shutter speeds look appropriate. Glass on lens is clean, no fungus. A few

light cleaning scratches on front coating are visible from rear end only. They will not affect

pictures for sure. Shutter curtains were chemically restored, therefore are light tight.">>

To sum up, this camera has been overhauled - only its shutter curtains restored. . . As to

the theories/methods propounded in this thread regarding *chemical restoration* I shall

ask the seller what materials were used. In a phone call today, a reputable UK repairer

revealed that he uses chemical restoration, - but it does not involve liquid electrical tape,

or shoe polish !

I hope to start a separate thread on the subject once I have more info....

The one whose price I gave is Sendean (describing themselves as "London's Leading Camera

and Repair Shop" and the url is www.sendeancameras.co.uk. .

It might be worthwhile contacting Newton-Ellis (in Liverpool) as well, at www.newton-

ellis.co.uk

I am close to owning an overhauled 1958 Varex lla (from a seller often recommended on PN) , with the

shutter curtains stated as having been chemically restored. From what I have read elsewhere this is a way

to seal any pin-holes, but I would welcome reassurance from other Exacta users whose camera has

received the same treatment that "all's well" in this regard. Is there any cause for concern that it would

have been better to replace the curtains rather than restore them in this manner ? Replacement is

evidently still possible 50 years on, as I have been quoted 58.75 GBP by a reputable Company here in the

UK.

To get to the point. should I go ahead and use the camera with its restored curtains, or have them

replaced a.s.a.p ?.

Has any user of either of these two cameras found an easily obtainable substitute eyecup meant for

another SLR ?

Or even one easy to adapt ?

I have to view & focus wearing eyeglasses these days....

Thanks Chuck, but I've not yet determined Captain Jack's location (no clue found on his

website); but Miles Upton whom he recommends is definitely "Stateside". The wrong side

of "The Pond" for me, so will have to turn to one of the repairers in Germany, I guess. (No

Duty on imports- e.g. a returned repaired camera, within the European Union..)

Any Exakta user resident in the UK able to recommend a service/repair facility here ? I shall soon own a

Varex IIa so not just a CLA may be needed but perhaps new shutter curtains in time.

James T

West Yorkshire

An apology folks; a typographical oversight crept in somehow... mine is an LX, but as the TLX

shutter is (presumably) identical, the concern for reliability may still be valid

Having recently bought a second-hand TLX (1979 "vintage") and sent it over to DAG for an overhaul,

would like to find out if the TLX shutter failure experienced by Donald, recounted here a few days ago,is a

common occurrence or even a known problem. As many TLX users as possible, please respond !

James

UK citizen

vis-a-vis " the plastic right angle finder was discontinued with the launch of the LX. The LX has a different

line with the larger release button and the traditional raised rim removed. "

So although (when I finally locate one) the plastic finder will fit my C (and presumably stand in for the

metal finder bought for the B) no facility for "round the corner" work with the LX.

Unless someone using an LX reading this has come up with a working solution, or perhaps knows of a

little publicised right angle finder available ready-made for an LX ??

Not really a frivolous question :-) aimed at users of a C

(this won`t really apply to a C taken out of service and laid to rest in a display cabinet)

Soon to buy and put a C to good use, just idly wondering if any C user has ever had the white warning

lamp bulb die on them. They say the red l.e.d. took over to reduce current drain on the battery, but with

my limited knowledge of such things I suppose an l.e.d lifespan is many time

s longer than a bulb - yes ?

Much relieved to read your input Gerald, viz.

<The chains are available from Minox. State metric or imperial measurement and A/B or C/BL

chains. The LX screw thread, as used on the AX, LX 2000 and other cases is also available.)

As I could find no mention of these among the list of Accessories at the Minox (Germany)

web site.

However I have recently been offered a C in very good condition with case and chain (from

the series just before they replaced the white bulb with a red led) so likely to buy it !

Could be, but even if this is what happened, putting it back could be difficult (e.g. prising

that D ring open.. etc). And if the spring-clip is missing ...

I'll let this C pass by, but watch to see how much someone else is willing to pay for it (btw its

on eBay)