Testing the Camera from Rear Window (1954) 

Particularly impressed with your pyjamas for the full homage

The film cutter was good for photojournalists. After shooting a few frames, they could cut and develop instead of having to use up the full roll.

I don't need another camera... I don't need another camera...

Honestly, I would have expected 34 minutes to be way too long, but by about 25 minutes in, I wished there was an hour left. Beautiful video.

This video is a masterpiece of nerdy perfectionism. Well done, sir!

You might try watching the Apollo 11 (2019) Documentary at minutes 17:43 and 17:55. There are several Exakta’s with the super telephoto lenses. It’s possible one may have been the 400mm f5.6 as well as Heinz Kilfitt Munchen 600mm f/5.6 Fern-Kilar C Lens. Nice work young man. It’s nice to see your passion for the history of photographic equipment and the many cameras and lenses used in films. I have collected my share of cameras I’ve seen in film. Best of luck.

btw, you can have the front lenses polished and re-coated at at small optics workshop in Görlitz/Germany (Optik Labor Dr. Prenzel).

"How did you know I have autism?"

A lovely project. I was born in 1964, when the Exacta brand had had its best years. My father owned a Praktica, I think it was the L, that he let me use on occasion. I switched to Olympus in my 20's, owned a couple of OM-1's and an OM-4 (it could spot meter), then to Leica R cameras, and eventually to Nikon when digital photography took off. I'm still a professional photographer today. Last week I documented a funeral. I took 11.000 shots shared between my Nikon Z9 and a Z6ii. 305 and a half rolls of film, in old numbers. What a fantastic search. Decades came back because of your project. My left thumb on the sprocket wheel while feeding film into so many cameras. The scent of Kodak and years spent in darkrooms. The sounds. A lot comes back. Yesterday, I noticed that I still haven't gotten rid of some of the old muscle memory in my right thumb. It still searches for the film transport lever once in a while. I think I saw Rear Window 3 times altogether, Hitchcock obviously being one of the most influential directors of all time. He paved a way to an almost palpable wall between good and bad, to a deeper psyche of man, knowing that he could capture almost infinite audiences if he used cinema to the beat. You can see even James Steward himself is impressed by his beautiful, hefty, impressive Exacta with the 400/5.6. Just don't rest the focus ring on your knee James, or you'll be rotating the whole combo away from your eye. It's hard to do stuff really close to perfect. But you did it. Loved it.

After five cameras, four lenses and two adaptors, I was really wondering if this was going to end up with, "...unfortunately I had to fracture my leg a second time because the first fracture was in slightly the wrong place, but my luck turned when I found a really good Raymond Burr impersonator on the first try."

Excellent, painstakingly researched, beautifully narrated and very interesting review (subscribed). Look forward to more of the same. Thanks for posting.

What a beautiful piece of kit. Amazing job.

I didn't even know i was interested in cameras, but i can always appreciate knowledge and enthusiasm.

Words cannot fully capture how much I enjoyed and appreciated your video! I devoured every last detail you shared; it honestly felt like a short documentary. Thanks so much!

Thanks for this interesting trip down memory lane. I am 78, retired, and bought my first camera in 1958. It was rubbish, as was my next. But in secondary school I read about SLRs, and discovered Exakta. It was a revelation, and I sought one 2nd hand. I found an Exakta Varex (1950) with only the very elegant waist level finder, and it was a year or two before I could afford a pentaprism finder. But my photo composition improved enormously. I even made my own small extension tube for some modest macrophotography, but for some time could not afford accessory lenses. A feature of early models, as in Rear Window, was the 2-pin flash sockets on either side, not superseded by coaxial till the IIa model. You did not comment on these. One side was for slower shutter speeds with both shutter blinds open; the other was for focal plane bulbs using higher shutter speeds as the shutter's slit traversed the 35mm frame. You are right, these were beautiful precision machines. I loved mine so much I bought a second camera new (a Varex IIb) when at university, winning a couple of prizes. It is sad Exakta did not survive. Mine were so reliable. My later cameras have mostly been Canon, beginning with the legendary OM-10. Keep up your meticulous approach!

He is so considerate to lower his voice so his nan can sleep in the back bedroom

Thanks for this video. Not only was it fascinating, it also persuaded me to finally get around to watching Rear Window. Such a great movie.

Appreciate the extensive fact finding and explanations of the differences between years, especially impressed with the kilfit glass plate proofs. Never saw anything like that before

I am in total awe. I love doing deep dives into practically anything. Well done! It's a great movie with an iconic prop (camera/lens). You've made my day. This is awesome. Thank you for doing this and sharing it.

The world would be so bland without people like this.

Well done, Mr. Bayliss. You followed your passion and created a wonderful video that many people are enjoying.

I used to shoot a lot of film up until 10 years ago but life and the price of decent film scanners got in the way. Waching your attention to detail and clear passion has gotten me motivated to start again, it's also triggered my G.A.S! Rear Window is a fantastic film, I know what I am watching tomorrow.

What an absolute treat for an amateur photographer like me, I also love telephoto lenses and man, those were some gorgeous pieces.

Nice F, featured in Apocalypse Now.....dangling of the neck of Mr. Hopper and around my neck in the 80th, when I met Dennis on an exhibition of his photography in Kerpen Germany. Still use it (build one year before I was born) up till today. It dropped from my neck on a school trip in the 80th band on the floor of a German train cariage. All my fellow pupils thought it was done for. I laughed, picked it off the floor, cooked the shutter, and took a picture saying, "This camera shot the Vietnam War. You think it's not gonna take a little tumble?" It never saw service in its life.

One of my favorite movies, and Gorgeous Grace Kelly!!

Yours has been probably the ultimate in sheer tenacity ! The determination to get the exact combination of camera, adapter and lens was so incredible. A truly informative and perfectly researched video that needs to be preserved in a photographic historical archive. Thank Heavens that you are such a perfectionist. Well done for a wonderful video

From Romania I say to you Hat down! You made something that feels so much more! Not only the work but the passion is so present. I will follow you with much respect. Thank you!

That's what I call dedication! 👍

Successfully well researched video that equally divides the interesting subject content.

Wonderful camera and lens…. That’s truly perfectionism

I loved the photos that this setup produced.

This was actually my first 35mm film camera. It was the one I learned on ❤ But I never had the full Jimmy Stewart setup! This is amazing! Subscribed for sure 👍🏾

I know this story. This is why I now own 11 versions of the same GPS receiver from the late '90s.

Attention to detail - beautiful

I have the Kine Exacta Round Window from 1936 as well as the cute little Exa 500. I do love the style and simplicity. That's a wonderful collection you've built and a fabulous insight into both Ihagee and Rear Window. Terrific movie indeed.

Your persistence and determination to get it right was wonderful to watch. It will alter and add to my enjoyment of watching Rear Window. Thinking about films with cameras playing a central role I suppose the other obvious one is Blow Up. Thank you for posting this, the result of years of work.

Thank you for sharing this excellent documentation which left me speechless.

You have produced a very important piece of photography history. Excellent content and eloquently narrated. Your diction and pace of presentation puts others undertaking similar projects to shame. I will subscribe and recommend your work to fellow photographers. Thank you for making this video.

Thanks for all the hard work and dedication into this!

What a fun project! It gets to the heart of why many of us like shooting with vintage equipment. For me, its using old MF lenses on a digital camera. Just slow down and take time to frame and focus. Somewhat of a lost art in today's world of super automatic, do it all cameras. Thanks for the great video!

I enjoyed this greatly! Thank you for your diligent replication and presentation.

An incredibly well crafted film bringing so much detail to light. The culmination with views through the viewfinder, and excellent stills….wow. The film made me smile.

Your attention to detail and determination is staggering. An absolutely amazing and absorbing video. Thank you.

I got to use an Exacta in the 1960s. I remember that odd film cutter. Never knew how it would be useful until I watched your video. The camera was pretty primitive by the time I used it compared to Nikons & Pentaxs but it was built like a tank. I also didn’t realize it was Jimmy Stewart’s camera in Rear Window- probably my favorite Hitchcock movie. Thanks for making the connection and explaining tbe historical importance of Exacta- a story largely forgotten.

What a fascinating journey to find the camera in the film. Really enjoyed it. Thanks!

Wow, what an epic and impressive quest! Bravo!!! Certainly my top five favourite films.

I'm so glad to get this video in recommendations. Fascinating project, and very well presented. Eager for more videos like this!

Awesome video. Such a great history lesson on this amazing camera. Thanks so much for making this!

Incredible attention to detail. Enjoyed watching your research unfold. I love learning about vintage gear and Rear Window near or at the top of my all time favorite movies.

I've looked into this camera too. Thank you for all your exhaustive research. This is a great video!

Excellent. Thanks so much. One of my fav films.

This was absolutely amazing and the pictures were so good

A very comprehensive and detailed video! Buying 5 camera's just to find 'the one' shows your dedication on this project. Subbed 👍.

My god, the sound of that shutter... Absolutely gorgeous!

This is the most calming video I think I have ever watched

Impressive and interesting! Thank you for your time and effort sir, shedding light on a beautiful piece of film and photography history

A really interesting documentary of your painstaking project. Thanks!

A totally engaging video, and has got me interested in Exakta cameras. The production on this video is excellent, nobody jumping around, or over loud brash distracting music. Many thanks and you have a new subscriber. Regards Rob.

What a fantastic showcase of an unusual and interesting project. Thanks for sharing

Excellent stuff. Now I have to resist Exakta cameras and lenses. Thanks for that.

Wow! I cannot tell you how happy I am to have stumbled across this video! A terrific homage to a great film and a great piece of camera craftsmanship (and history). Very well done!

Great and detailed video, it's clear that you've put a lot of work into the research of the camera and lenses !

Absolutely stunning documentary of this project. I would love to see more of these replications. The light blue pajamas were a nice touch too.

SPLENDID! I always wondered about the camera and lens in Rear Window. Many thanks!

Amazing.. i can imagine the smell of those cameras

This is a wonderful video. Your attention to detail was great. I also appreciated how informative you were.

What a great topic and so well presented and researched - this was absolutely amazing to watch - well done and thank you for you time and effort sir!!

Absolutely fascinating.

The attention to detail is amazing and really appreciate your passion for for film photography.

Really cool exercise. Definitely interested in seeing more of these!

I appreciate the time and effort that you have put into this video!

Beautiful camera.

I appreciate your dedication to this project 👏👏

Very interesting. You got me when I saw the words Rear Window, a film that I really liked and for it's use of a 35mm camera.

Brilliant. BRAVO! 👊🏼

Fantastic video, loved every second.

what a fantastic dedication, congratulations for the result!

Your attention to detail is so perfect. I think I'm gonna buy one of those Cameras.

Very cool. Another cool movie camera would be Charles Bronson’s set up from 1975’s “The Mechanic” it plays a starring role in a movie about a hitman who photographs his victim before deciding on how to dispatch them. He also has an odd Quasar attachment featured prominently.

This video was the tipping point in which I finally got into film photography, and ended up buying a kine Exakta, which is what I used to shoot my first full roll of film! Thank you for the inspiration, and such a fantastic video!

Great job ....looking forward for more ..thank you

Beautiful cameras. Beautiful movie. :)

Such an interesting, informative video, thank you

Wonderful video! I've always wondered about this camera. Thank you...

Excellent presentation, thoroughly enjoyed it.

Wow, I watched that all the way from start to finish. Many thanks for a surprisingly interesting presentation. [Thumbs up]

You really did do some in depth research. Very interesting and informative video. Thanks for sharing.

I was very pleasantly surprised by the quality and thoroughness of this video. Excellent work! Subscribed

Please make this a series! This is top tier stuff! Thanks for the video!

Thanks for making this. Really interesting.

Thank you. I truly enjoyed your journey with this camera and lens. I would never have looked at this camera until I watched your video. I am now in the hunt. :)

you are one hell of a collector and that lens is very good for its age.

I really enjoyed this video. Thanks for making it.

Fascinating. Thank you.

very enjoyable video,cant wait for your next one

Wowza. You accomplished what I have always been curious about

I can understand you. The relieving “ahhhh” when you have found everything and put it together.

Ooh, looking forward to this!! Love the film…👍📸

Chapeau,, what a gem of a video. Even more, I'm from Munich, and I never heard about Kilfit before. Thank you very much.

What an incredible camera journey! Those are lovely cameras, I must look out for one to add to my collection.😊