Ihagee factory brand from the 1930s and 1940s

Exakta 6x6 / Exakta 66, Model 1939: Development of the Exakta 6x6 began in 1937 at the Ihagee camera factory in Dresden. The camera featured the familiar trapezoidal body, interchangeable lenses, and a fixed waist-level viewfinder. Shutter speeds ranged from 12 seconds to 1/1000th of a second. The film advance lever was located on the bottom of the camera body. It used the 120 roll film, which is still standard today. The first cameras were offered in 1939. Prices ranged from 200 to approximately 400 Reichsmarks. The night-vision Exakta 6x6, equipped with faster lenses (up to f/1.9), cost up to 600 Reichsmarks, depending on the lens. However, due to the more complex film transport mechanism of roll film compared to perforated 35mm film, significant functional problems arose. This was one of the reasons for the cessation of production at the end of 1939. With approximately 1500 cameras produced, these Exaktas are now rare collector's items.

Exakta 6x6 / Exakta 66, Model 1951: According to Richard Hummel in "Self-Reflex Cameras from Dresden," approximately 350 post-war Exakta 6x6 cameras with minor technical modifications were manufactured in Ihagee in 1951. These modifications included the installation of an interchangeable waist-level viewfinder, a reversed operation of the rapid-wind lever, and the addition of carrying lugs to the front of the camera body. Flash synchronization for vacuum flash lamps was retained, and the option of using electronic flash units was also available. However, the film transport problems of the pre-war model could not be resolved, preventing the commencement of mass production and ultimately leading to the discontinuation of the model.
Since very few pre-production cameras have surfaced, the figure of 350 Exakta 6x6 cameras remains disputed, as do the claims regarding the existence of 10,000 "Ur-Praktinas," a first generation of Pentina cameras, and the mass production of the Exa-0 without carrying lugs (Exa Varex).

Exakta 6x6 / Exakta 66, Model 1952/1953: A completely new design, the vertical Exakta 6x6 was first shown at the Leipzig Autumn Fair in 1952 (magazine ?Die Fotografie?, issue 10, 1952) and went into production at the end of 1953. This high-quality camera was intended to bring success to the Ihagee camera factory in the 6x6 format. Even then, the removable back allowed the use of interchangeable film holders. The waist-level finder was also interchangeable (as were the focusing screens), thus enabling the use of a planned prism attachment. Variable flash synchronization, exposure times from 12 seconds to 1/1000s, and a split reflex mirror completed the technical features. Production of one of the most beautiful and unusual Exaktas ceased in 1954 after approximately 2200 6x6 cameras had been delivered, due to further malfunctions in the film transport mechanism.  

Ihagee's booth at the Leipzig Autumn Fair 1952
(magazine ?Die Fotografie? issue 10, 1952)

Exakta 6x6 at the Leipzig Autumn Fair 1952 (Magazine ?Die Fotografie? Issue 10, 1952)

Today, the three Exakta 6x6 models represent special rarities for the Exakta collector, with correspondingly high prices.

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