Exakta Roll-Paff-Reflex No.20

The Roll-Paff-Reflex No.20 represents Exakta's significant early foray into the 35mm format during the formative years of small-format photography, spanning the critical period from 1921 to 1932. Produced by the German ICA, which became part of Zeiss Ikon and later Exakta, this camera occupies a transitional phase in the brand's development. While not the iconic Exakta SLR that later defined the company, it embodies the experimental spirit and engineering ambition of the era, utilizing the emerging 135 film cassette for potentially more compact and portable imaging compared to larger plate or roll-film cameras. Its name, incorporating "Reflex," strongly suggests it likely employed a reflex viewing system, potentially a waist-level finder, though the exact configuration remains undocumented within the given information. Constructed during a time when camera design was rapidly evolving, the No.20 would have offered users the advantages of 35mm photography – smaller size, faster handling, and potentially lower film costs – while still maintaining the robust build characteristic of mid-20th century German camera manufacturing. Its production run of over a decade indicates it served a specific niche market and gained some recognition among early adopters of the 35mm format before more sophisticated SLRs took hold. Characterized by its straightforward operation and durable construction typical of the period, it stands as a noteworthy example of early 35mm camera technology.