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Jesito
Joined: 24 Aug 2007
Posts: 5745
Location: Olivella, Catalonia, (Spain)
Expire: 2015-01-07
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 Posted: Wed Aug 13, 2008 5:54 pm Post subject: Working on Exaktas... |
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Jesito wrote:
Vacation time, so camera repair time 
Before starting to disassemble the Exa original that Attila was so kind of sending me, I've started to try to fix the two non-working EXA500 that I own, to get a feeling on how the Ihagee engineers work.
Later on I'll put some pictures on how to disassemble the EXA500. It's quite laborious, but there are no reversed screws (as in the Spotmatics).
It took me a couple of hours to have both cameras fully naked. (Photo porn below, so please go on at your own risk ).
The two cameras have similar mechanics (but not the same).
By comparing the two, is easier to spot faults. See the folded lever at the right one:
When opening the second one, a screw head fall into the table...
By comparison, it's easy to spot where it comes from:
Now, looking for info on the curtains. I don't understand yet how they work. But I love the vertical design instead of the more common horinzontal one.
More to come...
Jes.
_________________
Jesito, Moderator 
Jesito's backsack:
Zooms Sigma 70-300, Tamron 35-135 and 70-210 short, 70-210 long, 28-70 CF Macro, 35-70, 35-80, Vivitar 70-210 KA, Tamron 70-250.
Fixed Industar-50, , Tamron 24mm, Tamron 135mm, Sands Hunter 135mm, Pancolar 50mm, Volna-3, many Exakta lenses
DSLR SIGMA SD9 & SD14, EOS 5D, Sony A700 and NEXF3, Oly E-330, E-400, E-450, E-1
TLR/6x6/645 YashicaMat, Petri 6x45, Nettar, Franka Solida, Brilliant
SLR Minolta X300, Fuji STX II, Praktica VLC3, Pentax P30t, EXA500, EXA 1A, Spotmatic(2), Chinon CM-4S, Ricoh, Contax, Konica TC-X , Minolta 5000, 7000i, 3Sxi, EOS 500 and CX
Rangefinders Chinon 35EE, Konica C35 auto, Canonet 28, Yashica Lynx, FED-2, Yashica electro 35, Argus C3 & C4, Regula Cita III, Voigtlander Vitoret (many), Welta Welti-I, Kodak Signette 35, Zorki-4, Bessa-R & L, Minolta Weathermatic, olympus XA2
Compact Film Konica C35V, Voigtlander Vitorets, Canon Prima Super 105, Olympus XA2 and XA3
Compact Digital Olympus C-5050, Aiptek Slim 3000, Canon Powershot A540, Nikon 5200, SIGMA DP1s, Polaroid X530, IXUS55, Kodak 6490, Powershot G9 and G10
CSCCanon EOS-M, Samsung NX100 and NX210, Lumix G5, NEX-F3 |
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Katastrofo
Joined: 26 Feb 2007
Posts: 10405
Location: USA
Expire: 2013-11-19
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| Posted: Thu Aug 14, 2008 3:49 am Post subject: |
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Katastrofo wrote:
Jes, the one I have reads "Exakta 500" but looks the same as the two you
have. I haven't tried it yet, but I wish you success in this endeavor! |
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Jesito
Joined: 24 Aug 2007
Posts: 5745
Location: Olivella, Catalonia, (Spain)
Expire: 2015-01-07
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| Posted: Thu Aug 14, 2008 4:44 am Post subject: |
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Jesito wrote:
Thanks Bill, maybe yours is a more recent one. Mines are serials 352629 and 320518 (the serial# can be seen in the bottomside of the body, once the cover opened). Even being the same design, both have different mechanisms in some places.
Exakta was the "pro" line whilst Exa was the consumer one. And the EXA500 was the last produced so maybe the marketing guys decided to rename it in some moment to give it more appeal...
Jes.
_________________
Jesito, Moderator
Jesito's backsack:
Zooms Sigma 70-300, Tamron 35-135 and 70-210 short, 70-210 long, 28-70 CF Macro, 35-70, 35-80, Vivitar 70-210 KA, Tamron 70-250.
Fixed Industar-50, , Tamron 24mm, Tamron 135mm, Sands Hunter 135mm, Pancolar 50mm, Volna-3, many Exakta lenses
DSLR SIGMA SD9 & SD14, EOS 5D, Sony A700 and NEXF3, Oly E-330, E-400, E-450, E-1
TLR/6x6/645 YashicaMat, Petri 6x45, Nettar, Franka Solida, Brilliant
SLR Minolta X300, Fuji STX II, Praktica VLC3, Pentax P30t, EXA500, EXA 1A, Spotmatic(2), Chinon CM-4S, Ricoh, Contax, Konica TC-X , Minolta 5000, 7000i, 3Sxi, EOS 500 and CX
Rangefinders Chinon 35EE, Konica C35 auto, Canonet 28, Yashica Lynx, FED-2, Yashica electro 35, Argus C3 & C4, Regula Cita III, Voigtlander Vitoret (many), Welta Welti-I, Kodak Signette 35, Zorki-4, Bessa-R & L, Minolta Weathermatic, olympus XA2
Compact Film Konica C35V, Voigtlander Vitorets, Canon Prima Super 105, Olympus XA2 and XA3
Compact Digital Olympus C-5050, Aiptek Slim 3000, Canon Powershot A540, Nikon 5200, SIGMA DP1s, Polaroid X530, IXUS55, Kodak 6490, Powershot G9 and G10
CSCCanon EOS-M, Samsung NX100 and NX210, Lumix G5, NEX-F3 |
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luisalegria
Joined: 07 Mar 2008
Posts: 6602
Location: San Francisco, USA
Expire: 2018-01-18
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| Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2008 6:23 am Post subject: |
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luisalegria wrote:
You have inspired me !
I bought a "parts" camera with an allegedly intact shutter curtain, and I will try to restore my old Exakta's.
_________________
I like Pentax DSLR's, Exaktas, M42 bodies of all kinds, strange and cheap Japanese lenses, and am dabbling in medium format/Speed Graphic work. |
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luisalegria
Joined: 07 Mar 2008
Posts: 6602
Location: San Francisco, USA
Expire: 2018-01-18
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| Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2008 6:23 am Post subject: |
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luisalegria wrote:
You have inspired me !
I bought a "parts" camera with an allegedly intact shutter curtain, and I will try to restore my old Exakta's.
_________________
I like Pentax DSLR's, Exaktas, M42 bodies of all kinds, strange and cheap Japanese lenses, and am dabbling in medium format/Speed Graphic work. |
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Jesito
Joined: 24 Aug 2007
Posts: 5745
Location: Olivella, Catalonia, (Spain)
Expire: 2015-01-07
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| Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2008 7:32 am Post subject: |
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Jesito wrote:
| luisalegria wrote: |
You have inspired me !
I bought a "parts" camera with an allegedly intact shutter curtain, and I will try to restore my old Exakta's. |
Luis,
First try to fix the "parts" camera. Maybe is not so damaged.
I've been able to open two EXA500s and I've stopped before the shutter mechanism. Both have it broken, one is wildly stuck with a folded lever (brute force approach of the previous owner) and the other one is wildly broken. I'm waiting for a couple of service manuals. Arriving there is not difficult but the shutter mechanism working (in the EXA500) is not evident.
Which models are you trying to fix?.
Good luck in your quest!
Jes.
_________________
Jesito, Moderator
Jesito's backsack:
Zooms Sigma 70-300, Tamron 35-135 and 70-210 short, 70-210 long, 28-70 CF Macro, 35-70, 35-80, Vivitar 70-210 KA, Tamron 70-250.
Fixed Industar-50, , Tamron 24mm, Tamron 135mm, Sands Hunter 135mm, Pancolar 50mm, Volna-3, many Exakta lenses
DSLR SIGMA SD9 & SD14, EOS 5D, Sony A700 and NEXF3, Oly E-330, E-400, E-450, E-1
TLR/6x6/645 YashicaMat, Petri 6x45, Nettar, Franka Solida, Brilliant
SLR Minolta X300, Fuji STX II, Praktica VLC3, Pentax P30t, EXA500, EXA 1A, Spotmatic(2), Chinon CM-4S, Ricoh, Contax, Konica TC-X , Minolta 5000, 7000i, 3Sxi, EOS 500 and CX
Rangefinders Chinon 35EE, Konica C35 auto, Canonet 28, Yashica Lynx, FED-2, Yashica electro 35, Argus C3 & C4, Regula Cita III, Voigtlander Vitoret (many), Welta Welti-I, Kodak Signette 35, Zorki-4, Bessa-R & L, Minolta Weathermatic, olympus XA2
Compact Film Konica C35V, Voigtlander Vitorets, Canon Prima Super 105, Olympus XA2 and XA3
Compact Digital Olympus C-5050, Aiptek Slim 3000, Canon Powershot A540, Nikon 5200, SIGMA DP1s, Polaroid X530, IXUS55, Kodak 6490, Powershot G9 and G10
CSCCanon EOS-M, Samsung NX100 and NX210, Lumix G5, NEX-F3 |
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luisalegria
Joined: 07 Mar 2008
Posts: 6602
Location: San Francisco, USA
Expire: 2018-01-18
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| Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2008 7:46 am Post subject: |
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luisalegria wrote:
I'm sorry to hear of your problem.
You do need parts. Perhaps these can be made from brass ?
Mine are VXIIb's, and also, maybe, the experience will help in CLA of a VX which is in better condition.
_________________
I like Pentax DSLR's, Exaktas, M42 bodies of all kinds, strange and cheap Japanese lenses, and am dabbling in medium format/Speed Graphic work. |
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bob955i
Joined: 15 Apr 2007
Posts: 2495
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| Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2008 7:26 pm Post subject: |
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bob955i wrote:
@ Luis:
The VX, Varex IIa, IIb and VX 1000 are all very similar to each other mechanically and if you manage the IIb, you'll manage the VX.
Removing the mechanics from the body is virtually identical for all these models although there are three things you must remember:
1. When removing the lens mount, watch out for any spacers/shims located behind it - sometimes they/it can be paper. Take note of where they go and keep them safe if your camera has them.
2. Cock the shutter before removing the cocking arm - you can refit it once the top plate is removed. Don't release the shutter without the arm being fitted as you may find that various parts will fling themselves wildy in all directions....
3. After cocking the shutter, fully wind the slow speeds dial - this is pretensioned so don't remove the knob with it unwound as it will wind down further and it will be very difficult to refit it later. Again, don't release the shutter until you refit the parts you remove.
I can show you where all the screws that you need to remove in order to separate the mechanics from the body shell are should it be necessary.
Something else to consider is that because the mechanisms can be separated from the body, if you have a scabby looking body with good curtains and mechanics and a mint body with poor curtains, you can swap them over as long as both bodies are the same model. If you intend to use the camera, check the focusing at the film plane if you do that though as it may be affected. |
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luisalegria
Joined: 07 Mar 2008
Posts: 6602
Location: San Francisco, USA
Expire: 2018-01-18
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| Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2008 7:43 pm Post subject: |
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luisalegria wrote:
Thank you !
Those are potential landmines, indeed.
I have Upton's disassembly instructions, but I was considering buying his repair manual.
_________________
I like Pentax DSLR's, Exaktas, M42 bodies of all kinds, strange and cheap Japanese lenses, and am dabbling in medium format/Speed Graphic work. |
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bob955i
Joined: 15 Apr 2007
Posts: 2495
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| Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2008 8:03 pm Post subject: |
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bob955i wrote:
| luisalegria wrote: |
Thank you !
Those are potential landmines, indeed.
I have Upton's disassembly instructions, but I was considering buying his repair manual. |
Miles Upton is highly respected in the Exakta field so buying his manual would be a very good start - I have reprints of the original factory manuals for the Varex IIa and VX 1000 but in German and so was considering buying his manual myself.
If you need shutter curtain material, I can recommend Aki Asahi - he also does light seals and camera covering materials:
http://aki-asahi.com/store/
http://aki-asahi.com/store/html/curtains/shutter-curtain.php |
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luisalegria
Joined: 07 Mar 2008
Posts: 6602
Location: San Francisco, USA
Expire: 2018-01-18
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| Posted: Tue Aug 19, 2008 1:29 am Post subject: |
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luisalegria wrote:
Thank you for the referral, though I hope to avoid the shutter curtain replacement.
Famous last words, probably.
_________________
I like Pentax DSLR's, Exaktas, M42 bodies of all kinds, strange and cheap Japanese lenses, and am dabbling in medium format/Speed Graphic work. |
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rick_oleson
Joined: 26 Feb 2007
Posts: 386
Location: Lexington Kentucky USA
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| Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2008 10:54 am Post subject: |
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rick_oleson wrote:
I've never had occasion to work on an Exa, but in general I have found that stiff shutter curtains are a common problem in East German SLRs of that period (Exaktas, Pentacons, Praktinas etc). There's a pretty good chance that the camera will run better with fresh curtains....
Thanks for posting those photos by the way, they're great!
Rick
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I don't know what I want to be when I grow up |
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Jesito
Joined: 24 Aug 2007
Posts: 5745
Location: Olivella, Catalonia, (Spain)
Expire: 2015-01-07
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| Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2008 4:15 pm Post subject: |
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Jesito wrote:
| rick_oleson wrote: |
I've never had occasion to work on an Exa, but in general I have found that stiff shutter curtains are a common problem in East German SLRs of that period (Exaktas, Pentacons, Praktinas etc). There's a pretty good chance that the camera will run better with fresh curtains....
Thanks for posting those photos by the way, they're great!
Rick |
Hi Rick, thanks for the advice. These seem to have the shutter curtains in good shape. I can exercise them by turning the corresponing sprockets, and they show quite fine.
The problem with both of them is the mechanism to wind the curtains and load the firing spring. In one case it's stuck, in the other just broken.
I've ordered reprints of the original breakdown and repair manuals, so I'm waiting to receive them to be able of progressing (without damaging anything).
I'll keep posting as sonn as I get some progress.
Jes.
_________________
Jesito, Moderator
Jesito's backsack:
Zooms Sigma 70-300, Tamron 35-135 and 70-210 short, 70-210 long, 28-70 CF Macro, 35-70, 35-80, Vivitar 70-210 KA, Tamron 70-250.
Fixed Industar-50, , Tamron 24mm, Tamron 135mm, Sands Hunter 135mm, Pancolar 50mm, Volna-3, many Exakta lenses
DSLR SIGMA SD9 & SD14, EOS 5D, Sony A700 and NEXF3, Oly E-330, E-400, E-450, E-1
TLR/6x6/645 YashicaMat, Petri 6x45, Nettar, Franka Solida, Brilliant
SLR Minolta X300, Fuji STX II, Praktica VLC3, Pentax P30t, EXA500, EXA 1A, Spotmatic(2), Chinon CM-4S, Ricoh, Contax, Konica TC-X , Minolta 5000, 7000i, 3Sxi, EOS 500 and CX
Rangefinders Chinon 35EE, Konica C35 auto, Canonet 28, Yashica Lynx, FED-2, Yashica electro 35, Argus C3 & C4, Regula Cita III, Voigtlander Vitoret (many), Welta Welti-I, Kodak Signette 35, Zorki-4, Bessa-R & L, Minolta Weathermatic, olympus XA2
Compact Film Konica C35V, Voigtlander Vitorets, Canon Prima Super 105, Olympus XA2 and XA3
Compact Digital Olympus C-5050, Aiptek Slim 3000, Canon Powershot A540, Nikon 5200, SIGMA DP1s, Polaroid X530, IXUS55, Kodak 6490, Powershot G9 and G10
CSCCanon EOS-M, Samsung NX100 and NX210, Lumix G5, NEX-F3 |
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bob955i
Joined: 15 Apr 2007
Posts: 2495
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| Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2008 7:03 pm Post subject: |
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bob955i wrote:
| luisalegria wrote: |
Thank you for the referral, though I hope to avoid the shutter curtain replacement.
Famous last words, probably. |
Regarding shutter curtain condition, it can be a bit of a lottery although I've found that of my collection, it's been the newer VX 1000 that has been more consistent in this.
I have the following:
VX - shutter fires OK but curtains starting to crack.
Varex VX - curtains excellent with no cracks, stiffness or pinholing.
Varex IIa late - curtains excellent with no cracks, stiffness or pinholing.
Varex IIb x 2 - curtains badly cracked on both.
VX 1000 x 3 - curtains excellent with no cracks, stiffness or pinholing. |
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luisalegria
Joined: 07 Mar 2008
Posts: 6602
Location: San Francisco, USA
Expire: 2018-01-18
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| Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2008 7:57 pm Post subject: |
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luisalegria wrote:
I got my new VXIIb for "parts", and, unfortunately, it is in wonderful shape. So I got a "user" not a "loser". Its in much better shape than my old VXIIb. The shutter curtain is perfect, the only things wrong I can see is that it sticks a bit on winding (though that works) and it won't cock when the speed is set to 1/60.
The curtain on this one seems like ordinary fabric, while my old VXIIb is rubberized.
_________________
I like Pentax DSLR's, Exaktas, M42 bodies of all kinds, strange and cheap Japanese lenses, and am dabbling in medium format/Speed Graphic work. |
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Attila
Joined: 24 Feb 2007
Posts: 57865
Location: Hungary
Expire: 2025-11-18
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| Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2008 8:09 pm Post subject: |
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Attila wrote:
 Cool! I have also this camera. Today I bought a 4/25mm lens with Exakta mount should be next cam what I would like to test.
_________________
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Items on sale on Ebay
Sony NEX-7 Carl Zeiss Planar 85mm f1.4, Minolta MD 35mm f1.8, Konica 135mm f2.5, Minolta MD 50mm f1.2, Minolta MD 250mm f5.6, Carl Zeiss Sonnar 180mm f2.8
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luisalegria
Joined: 07 Mar 2008
Posts: 6602
Location: San Francisco, USA
Expire: 2018-01-18
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| Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2008 9:49 pm Post subject: |
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luisalegria wrote:
What 4/25 lens is that ?
You find the nicest things !
_________________
I like Pentax DSLR's, Exaktas, M42 bodies of all kinds, strange and cheap Japanese lenses, and am dabbling in medium format/Speed Graphic work. |
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bob955i
Joined: 15 Apr 2007
Posts: 2495
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| Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2008 9:53 pm Post subject: |
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bob955i wrote:
Probably the Flek.
I have one too. |
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Attila
Joined: 24 Feb 2007
Posts: 57865
Location: Hungary
Expire: 2025-11-18
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| Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2008 9:57 pm Post subject: |
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Attila wrote:
Flektogon 4/25mm in "leatherette" finish.
We have a pretty busy and cheap local photo shop. Relative easy to find eastern block products just need to visit frequently they are not sitting much time on shelfs. Before I establish this site they kept plenty of good lens for months without buyers. People would buy only Nikkor etc. Now it is dramatically changed, thanks for all of us! Good gears found very fast new home.
_________________
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Items on sale on Ebay
Sony NEX-7 Carl Zeiss Planar 85mm f1.4, Minolta MD 35mm f1.8, Konica 135mm f2.5, Minolta MD 50mm f1.2, Minolta MD 250mm f5.6, Carl Zeiss Sonnar 180mm f2.8
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