Exakta 66 (horizontal) (1939)

The Exakta 66 (horizontal), introduced in 1938 as one of Exakta's earliest attempts at a dedicated 35mm single-lens reflex (SLR) camera, stands as a significant early example of this pivotal format. Building on Exakta's prior experience with medium-format SLRs, this model represented a crucial adaptation to the smaller 135 film cartridge. Its most defining characteristic was its innovative horizontal orientation, distinct from the more common vertical SLR designs of the era. This arrangement housed a waist-level pentaprism finder, allowing for eye-level viewing – a significant step forward in SLR usability and user comfort compared to earlier ground-glass models. The camera featured a robust, all-metal body typical of professional-grade Exakta equipment of the period, incorporating a focal plane shutter with respectable speed ranges. While technically complex for its time, it catered to photographers seeking the precision and perspective control promised by the SLR system in a 35mm format, laying important groundwork for the explosion of SLR popularity that would follow World War II.

As an early entrant in the 35mm SLR market, the Exakta 66 (horizontal) filled a niche for advanced photographers willing to embrace the new system's capabilities. Its design prioritized function over mass-market appeal, reflecting Exakta's reputation for innovative, albeit sometimes complex, engineering. The horizontal layout and waist-level finder offered a distinct shooting experience that differed markedly from contemporary rangefinder cameras like the Leica or Contax. While it lacked some refinements found in later models, particularly the improved pentaprises that made eye-level viewing standard, its existence underscored Exakta's pioneering role in transitioning SLR technology from medium-format dominance to the burgeoning 35mm realm. It holds importance as a tangible link between Exakta's medium-format SLR heritage and their subsequent highly successful Varex series, marking a critical evolution in photographic tool design.