The Cameras of the GDR - 7 - The Edixa Story

Part seven of the documentary "The Cameras of the GDR and the Development of the SLR". To watch the entire documentary, here is a link to the playlist: • The Cameras of the GDR... .
In this particular video we continue our story with the development of the Edixa by Wirgin, and talk about Henri Wirgin and Heinz Waaske. We trace a journey from Dresden to West Germany and back again, and finally discuss the failure of Wirgin and the Edixa, due to prevention by the cartel to allow the innovative designs of Heinz Waaske to go into production, and how Heinz Waaske had to go to Rollei to finally see the Edixa designed Rollei 35 developed.
The entire series follows the progress from the Origin in Jena, the Exakta and Praktiflex cameras, made in Dresden before WW2, through the development of the Contax S by Zeiss Ikon Jena and Dresden, and the Praktina in Dresden, how this became the Pentacon and later the Praktica of Kamera Werk Niedersedlitz (Dresden), or KW. How the various makers of lenses and cameras were consolidated at Dresden and Jena into one company, including the famous lens maker Meyer-Optik Gorlitz.
This and much more, including the movement of the intellectual property and machinery from the GDR (German Democratic Republic) to West Germany, Russia, Ukraine and Japan, with the involvement of the US Internationalists. It is an inter esting journey over 20 or so video parts, a Super Documentary, made during the winter of 2022/23 in Bromyard, UK.
Music by Lightnin' Papa Abe Ram and the Small Stones.
I hope you enjoy the videos.
Adam of Bremen-Krubally,
November 2022.

[@Rockinpeter]

Hi, thanks a lot for this interesting story. I have a small collection of 4 different Edixa's and also 2 Exakta's. When I first saw an Edixa in 1964 I thought on buying one but soon after the Pentax Spotmatic came on the market and with the revolutionary TTL measuring it was the one I bought then. But later on I remembered these Edixa and Exacta and could found some second hand into the net and so it came that I build that small collection.
Greetings from Switzerland

[@herbertwebb7215]

What an interesting history of the two cameras. I happened to inherit my grandfather’s circa 1958 Exacta. It is a wonder piece of engineering and I am fortunate to have the prism viewer, several accessories ,and 3 lenses. He traveled the US and shot over 5000 pictures using this camera in the 60’s and 70’s. You have inspired me to take it out and do some shooting with it.

[@saraofnorthwales]

It might pay, if the camera has not been used for a while, to exercise all of the slow shutter speeds to get them working properly. Open the back to do this and watch the action of the mirror and shutter. Make sure its closing completely. A good exercise is often all they need, though some will not recover. Good luck. If you cant get the body going well enough for film, can always use the lenses in a micro 4/3 camera like an Olympus Pen EPL1.

[@hit-the-road]

Thank you man! Good to see well calm wisdom. Great video and talk

[@achim.p62]

Thank you for your very interesting history of the Edixa. I'm born and living in Wiesbaden the home of the Wirgin manufacrure. My Mother was working there and often told me of her work there and the precise manufacturing there.
Maybe this was one of the reasons that photography became a hobby.
I think I have to look forward to find such a precious camera to buy.
Greetings from Wiesbaden, the home of the Edixa. 😊
Yours Achim

[@saraofnorthwales]

The Edixa camera is one of my favourites. I tried to get waist level finder version of this camera but failed to find one at the right price. Competition is hot on Ebay for these cameras, yet I feel they can still be found with a lens for less than 65 euro. They are a good investment at that price as they will only go up in value. If you buy one, make sure it is working and the lens is free of fungus. Ask the seller then bid high. If you find one with a case that is always a good sign it is not a faulty re-sold one and the condition will be higher. Best of luck.

[@psaltiveri]

Great story, I just finished fixing an edixa mat CDS, very interesting camera, and the waist level viewfinder is out of this world, I fidn it that helps you to compose a lot better than a pentaprism.
Very robust camera and satisfying shutter sound, beautiful indeed.

[@ChrisTDownTheRabbitHole]

Thank you very much for the story I am waiting for my first Edixa Reflex to arrive :)
Keep it up!

[@andrewcomerford9411]

Even the legendary Leica R4 had Japanese electronics - those of the Minolta XD-7.

[@philmtx3fr]

Hi Adam, do you think the edixa electronics is a good camera. The look seems impressive but it s quite rare and so expensive.