Anybody have / shoot an AKA Rex ?

[Luddite Frank]

I have an AKA Rex 35mm with non-coupled rangefinder that my mother picked-up for me at a yard sale many years ago...

I just rediscovered it while sorting through some boxes...


Does anyone have one or has shot pics with one ?

Am wondering if it has any potential... shutter is lazy below 1/50, am wondering if it's even worth a CLA... 😕

Thanks,

Luddite Frank

 

[Roger Hicks]

... am wondering if it's even worth a CLA... 😕

Dear Frank,

Amost certainly not. I had an AKA of some kind 20-30 years ago -- with a weird bridge-type interchangeable mount, as I recall -- and it was junk, as have been the other AKAs I've handled. Pot metal, nasty lenses, low precision... I may be misrecalling but I think not. It was still better than a Finetta, though.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

R.

 

[Luddite Frank]

Dear Frank,

Amost certainly not. I had an AKA of some kind 20-30 years ago -- with a weird bridge-type interchangeable mount, as I recall -- and it was junk, as have been the other AKAs I've handled. Pot metal, nasty lenses, low precision... I may be misrecalling but I think not. It was still better than a Finetta, though.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

R.

Roger,

Thanks for the candid assessment of AKA stuff...

I just pulled it out of the closet and have been fiddling with it... fortunately, it's a pretty clean example, and the Prontor SVS shutter works on all speeds except 1 sec. It has a 45mm / f: 3.5 coated Westar (ISCO-Gottigen) lens...

When I get bored with the Leicas, I'll run a roll of film through it and see what it can do...

regards,

LF

 

[FrankS]

I have an Akka Rette with 45mm f3.5 Schneider Kr. Xenar lens. Soft and flarey, but very interesting old-world look.