EXAKTA
Exakta is a well-known camera company in Germany. They produced many lines of cameras over the decades. One well-respected line was the HS series of SLR cameras from the late 1980's.
The HS line initially was made in Japan by Cosina -- and used the Pentax K-mount -- but at some point, the manufacturing was moved to China -- and you guessed it -- Seagull manufacturing.
Exakta HS-40
It is unclear if the HS-40 was made by Cosina or Seagull, but the lens has
that distinct Seagull "look". In any case, the camera retained the
Pentax K-mount.
Then along came the Exakta HS 50.
Exakta HS 50
For some unknown reason, the Exakta HS 50 was not labeled the "HS-50", and more importantly, it used the Minolta Rokkor lens mount. Apparently sold from 1988-1990, the HS 50 was undoubtedly intended to be sold mainly in Germany where Exakta cameras are well known. It is simply a re-badged Seagull DF-300 (model 1) with a better-known name. The typical normal lens is a 50mm f1.8 that was obviously made by Seagull as well, but it is often seen with Exakta lenses, such as this 35-70mm zoom.
That's not too surprising because Exakta sold several lenses -- made by various companies, such as Koboron -- to fit on Minolta, and other, cameras. These are usually easy to spot, such as this one, which is clearly labeled "Made in Japan". Seagull made the camera, but it did not make the lens.
The features were the same as the DF-300 (model 1), such as the film tab holder on the back,
and the motor drive connections on the bottom.
Although not many were made, it was available in chrome or black -- just like the Seagull DF-300 (model 1).
| Shutter | Shutter speeds |
Flash synch speed |
TTL meter- ing? |
ISO settings |
Auto expo- sure? |
AE lock? |
View- finder info |
Flash shoe |
Sensa- switch? |
PC plug? |
Multi- expo- sure? |
Cable release plug? |
Stop down button? |
Self timer? |
Mirror lock-up? |
Motor drive option? |
Battery used for |
Film indicator |
|
| Exakta HS 50 | cloth, horizontal |
4-1,000 B |
1/60 | Y | 12- 3200 |
Y | Y | Shutter speed scale |
Dedicated | Y | N | N | Y | N | Y | N | Y | meter | Tab holder |