A last-minute market find, the Ihagee Exa I is a quirky little 35mm SLR made in East Germany during the 1950s and 60s. Built by Ihagee in Dresden, it’s fully mechanical, features a waist-level finder, and is surprisingly compact for how solid it feels.
I’ve since finished the roll I loaded and was genuinely impressed by the results. The images were sharper and more focused than expected—especially considering I wasn’t fully confident in my manual focusing. The shutter mechanism initially confused me. Instead of a traditional focal-plane shutter, the Exa I uses a two-stage metal curtain system. One flap opens, then another closes, and one of these is actually connected to the mirror. It’s an odd but fascinating design that’s unique to the Exa series.
Overall, it’s a beautifully made little camera with a lot more capability than its modest look suggests. Definitely one that’s earned its place on the shelf and in the rotation.
