I have a confession...

Lord Minty · 23rd July 2007, 20:36

I don't quite know how to say this but...

I've got a German camera!

No, none of that West German stuff, but from the wrong side of the Berlin Wall...

I do hope you'll forgive me

EnEnGee · 24th July 2007, 11:52

Not an Exacta is it?

I am currently reading "The Berlin Wall" by Frederick Taylor, a fascinating if scary read. It appears that the world was on the verge of major conflict many times over the posturing between east and west over this border.

In the book is a photograph of an East German soldier, Konrad Schumann making a run for it and jumping the barbed wire that constituted the border barricade in the early period after the border between East and West Berlin was closed in August 1961.

The photograph was taken by a rooky 21 year old press photographer, probably the most famous picture he ever took. The irony was not lost on the author that the photograph was taken on an East German Exacta camera.

Lord Minty · 24th July 2007, 20:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by EnEnGee

Not an Exacta is it?

Almost, but not quite. It's an Exa II, which was the 'cheap' Exakta range. It's about the same age as me and would have cost about £50 new when a brand new BMC Mini would have cost £500! A Canon 30D of it's day if you like.

It's a lovely piece of machinery, more like a clock, and you can see where the parts are hand made when you take the back off to put a film in. It's all manual of course, no meter and manual stop down lenses, and a top shutter speed of 1/250s!

I'd love a proper Exakta, a Varex or VX1000 but it's finding a good one.

My other film cameras all come from the home of the 35mm film SLR too, Prakticas from Dresden.

Exakta really are a lesson in how a brand can go from the best in the world to nothing - much in the way that Rover died.

Departed · 25th July 2007, 18:51

I have a couple of Russians to go with my East German Praktica. Haven't been used in years though, and worth nothing on Fleabay, but I can't bring myself to just bin them. A bit like all those car bits......

JohnDotCom · 25th July 2007, 23:04

I remeber a Zenit E I believe, a good starter camera for many in the mid 60's.

BMC123 · 26th July 2007, 00:44

I had a Zenit E

the "photosniper kit" Just like this:

but... it was stolen

In hindsight, maybe not such a bad thing as living in Northern ireland during the "troubles" and carrying one of those was not maybe such a good idea :SHOCKED:

I bought a Chinon 35F EE compact with the insurance money, and it gave me many years of sterling service, and I still have it.

23rd July 2007, 20:36	#1
Lord Minty Avid contributor Rover 75 1.8 Connoisseur SE Saloon in Royal Blue pearlescent 2004/54 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Bedford Posts: 169 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I have a confession... I don't quite know how to say this but... I've got a German camera! No, none of that West German stuff, but from the wrong side of the Berlin Wall... I do hope you'll forgive me __________________ Royal Blue like it's owner....

24th July 2007, 11:52	#2
EnEnGee Posted a thing or two CDT Tourer (SORN) & 2.0 V6 Saloon Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Sittingbourne Posts: 1,058 Thanks: 2 Thanked 11 Times in 8 Posts	Not an Exacta is it? I am currently reading "The Berlin Wall" by Frederick Taylor, a fascinating if scary read. It appears that the world was on the verge of major conflict many times over the posturing between east and west over this border. In the book is a photograph of an East German soldier, Konrad Schumann making a run for it and jumping the barbed wire that constituted the border barricade in the early period after the border between East and West Berlin was closed in August 1961. The photograph was taken by a rooky 21 year old press photographer, probably the most famous picture he ever took. The irony was not lost on the author that the photograph was taken on an East German Exacta camera. Last edited by EnEnGee; 26th July 2007 at 10:17..

26th July 2007, 00:44	#6
BMC123 Posted a thing or two 2004 1.8 Connoisseur SE, 1999 XJ8 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Northern Ireland Posts: 1,163 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	I had a Zenit E the "photosniper kit" Just like this: but... it was stolen In hindsight, maybe not such a bad thing as living in Northern ireland during the "troubles" and carrying one of those was not maybe such a good idea :SHOCKED: I bought a Chinon 35F EE compact with the insurance money, and it gave me many years of sterling service, and I still have it. __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

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25th July 2007, 18:51	#4
Departed Retired -- Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: -- Posts: 3,785 Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts	I have a couple of Russians to go with my East German Praktica. Haven't been used in years though, and worth nothing on Fleabay, but I can't bring myself to just bin them. A bit like all those car bits......

25th July 2007, 23:04	#5
JohnDotCom * Rover 75 FaceLift Tourer CDTi 170BHP Auto ConnSE 2005 Model Starlight Silver Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Abergele Posts: 28,735 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 5 Posts	I remeber a Zenit E I believe, a good starter camera for many in the mid 60's.