Ihagee Exakta Varex IIa SLR camera and case

The German company Ihagee manufactured several different versions of the Exakta camera. This particular model is an Exakta Varex II, a 35mm SLR camera. It is accompanied by a Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar 28/50 lens (Ihagee never manufactured its own lenses for the Exakta cameras) and a brown leather case to protect and hang it round one’s neck.
The first SLR cameras with 35mm film appeared in Germany in 1924 and were an instant success because of their small size, light weight, affordability and versatility.
Cameras soon became a fundamental tool in the practice of archaeology. They allowed (and still allow) archaeologists to precisely document a dig site before it is irreparably damaged during the excavation process. Thanks to extant photographs from the past, we also know the former condition of monuments or cultural assets that have been altered or deteriorated over time, making them invaluable allies in our efforts to research, preserve and share heritage.