The EXA 1a is a fully mechanical 35mm SLR camera produced in Dresden by Ihagee, part of the long-running EXA line that spanned from 1949 to 1990. Built with simplicity and reliability in mind, the EXA 1a was aimed at amateur photographers in East Germany, offering an accessible entry point into single-lens reflex photography.

This model features a distinctive flip-up mirror shutter with a maximum shutter speed of 1/175 second, making it unsuitable for fast action shots but perfectly adequate for slower-paced photography. Like all EXA cameras, it lacks a built-in light meter, though external meters or attachments were commonly used at the time. It accepts interchangeable viewfinders and uses the Exakta bayonet mount, allowing for a variety of lenses and accessories.

My particular EXA 1a is equipped with the E. Ludwig Meritar 50mm f/2.9 lens. It’s a compact, simple lens typical for this camera model. I’ve shot one roll of film with it—the results weren’t outstanding in terms of sharpness or contrast by modern standards, but they do capture the nostalgic charm of 1960s and ’70s photography. The image quality reflects what photographers of that era might have expected from an affordable, entry-level SLR.

While it may not rival professional cameras in terms of image quality, the EXA 1a remains a robust and dependable piece of photographic history, offering a uniquely analog shooting experience for collectors and vintage camera enthusiasts alike.