Ihagee Exa 1c

Ihagee Exa 1c 35mm SLR Film Camera Body - Good Condition | Classic Vintage German Mechanical SLR Featuring Modular Waist-Level Viewfinder Compatibility and Universal M42 Screw Mount

Introductory Paragraph The Ihagee Exa 1c is a beautifully tactile, fully mechanical 35mm SLR film camera body produced in Dresden, Germany. Celebrated for its unique modular engineering, it allows users to swap between standard prism finders and waist-level viewfinders for creative composition choices. Utilizing a universal M42 screw mount, this highly scannable Exa body offers an organic, fully manual analog shooting experience that makes it a favorite for student photographers and vintage collectors alike.

Key Features

• Universal M42 screw lens mount system architecture, unlocking native compatibility with legendary vintage lenses like Helios, Takumar, and Carl Zeiss glass.

• Modular interchangeable viewfinder system array, letting you swap between standard eye-level pentaprisms and classic waist-level hood finders.

• Fully mechanical vertical-travel shutter mechanism layout, operating reliably across all speeds without requiring any internal battery power.

• Tactile bottom-mounted film advance lever design, offering an uniquely satisfying, smooth mechanical stroke to prepare your next frame.

• Integrated dual-action mechanical shutter release configuration, featuring a secure safety locking lever to prevent accidental double exposures.

• Built-in manual film type index reminder indicator dial, helping you keep immediate track of loaded black-and-white or color film rolls.

• Robust all-metal industrial chassis body construction, showcasing classic mid-century East German engineering built for long-term reliability.

Condition Report Good condition. Body: Shows standard light signs of past creative handling, including typical minor surface scuffs on the black plastic body trim and light bright marks on the chrome top plates. The film door latches tightly, and the internal tracking rails are completely clean. Sensor/Optics: The reflex mirror assembly is clean. The optical path through the viewfinder grid is bright, offering clear framing layout visibility. Mechanics/Electronics: Fully operational. The mechanical shutter fires consistently across all speeds, the frame counter advances correctly, and the manual film transport winds and rewinds uniformly.

Specialist Note "The Exa 1c is celebrated among vintage camera purists as a wonderfully quirky and indestructible piece of German engineering. Because it is completely mechanical, it never requires batteries—making it completely transparent and ready to shoot in any climate. Its true secret weapon is the modular viewfinder; popping a waist-level finder onto this body changes how you interact with your subjects, making it an incredibly creative tool for street and documentary projects."

What's Included

• Ihagee Exa 1c 35mm SLR Film Camera Body (S/N: Checked / Secure)

Technical Specifications

• Brand: Ihagee (Exa)

• Model: Exa 1c

• Camera Type: 35mm SLR Camera

• Film Format: 35mm Roll Film (Standard 135 Format)

• Lens Mount: M42 Screw Mount

• Shutter Speed Range: 1/175s to 1/30s + Bulb

• Focus Type: Manual Focus Only

• Exposure Control: Fully Manual Mechanics

• Category: 1. Cameras ▸ 35mm SLR Camera

• Battery Type: None Required (Fully Mechanical)