Exakta's Strangest Finder?

The road to your modern Nikon F5 or Canon EOS 1n was not a quick or easy one. In the early 1950's, the proud East German firm of Exakta held most of the 35 SLR market.  Alas, it had a rather dim ground glass finder.  Worse, it suffered from blackout after each exposure, until the film was advanced and brought the mirror down. 

The enterprising German firm of Novoflex saw the answer, auxiliary viewfinders on the bottom of the camera for 50 and 135 lenses (there was no place to mount them on the top of the camera.) 

Thus was born the upside down Exakta, complete with NO finder blackout and bottom right hand lever advance.    Wonders never cease.  For some unknown reason, Novoflex' brilliance did not translate to record breaking sales in the marketplace.  Today the Novoflex Exakta viewfinder is not that easy to find.

Revised: November 25, 2003 .  Copyright � 1998-2002  Stephen Gandy. All rights reserved.    This means you may NOT copy and re-use the text or the pictures in ANY other internet or printed publication of ANY kind.  Information in this document is subject to change without notice.  Other products and companies referred to herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies or mark holders.