Exakta A chrome

The Exakta A chrome represents a significant step in the popularization of the 35mm single-lens reflex (SLR) format during a crucial period in photographic history. Produced by the Ihagee Kamerawerk in Dresden between 1937 and 1939, it followed the groundbreaking Kine Exakta, the very first practical 35mm SLR introduced in 1936. The "A chrome" designation denotes a specific variant, likely featuring a chrome-plated top cover or body accents, distinguishing it from earlier all-black models. As part of Exakta's initial wave of 35mm SLRs, the A chrome maintained core design principles: a body housing the focal-plane shutter, a prominent pentaprism housing atop the prism (though likely the simpler reflex hood in earliest versions), and the front lens mount for interchangeable Exakta lenses. While sharing the fundamental SLR mechanism with its predecessor, the A chrome iteration offered refinements in ergonomics and finish, cementing Exakta's reputation for providing sophisticated yet accessible 35mm SLR technology to serious amateurs and professionals transitioning from larger formats. Its production period ended before WWII halted manufacturing, marking it as a bridge between the earliest SLRs and the post-war resurgence of the format.

This model embodies the Exakta contribution: bringing the reflex viewing system directly to 35mm film users. It featured a robust, metal-bodied construction typical of high-end German pre-war cameras, complete with a reliable vertically-traveling focal-plane shutter offering speeds up to 1/1000th second. The system relied on waist-level viewing via the reflex hood or the optional pentaprism for eye-level composition, a significant advantage over contemporary rangefinder cameras for critical focusing. The A chrome facilitated the use of a growing range of Exakta-mount lenses, enabling photographers to explore different focal lengths and specialize in areas like portraiture or sports. Its existence, alongside the Kine Exakta and subsequent models, directly influenced competitors and established the 35mm SLR as a viable and increasingly popular professional tool, paving the way for the SLR dominance that would later unfold in the 1950s and 1960s.