A Look Back at the Exakta RTL 1000: East German Engineering
The Exakta RTL 1000 is a solid reminder of when cameras were made to outlive their owners. Built in East Germany, this 35mm SLR leans more towards industrial tool than fashion accessory: angular, purposeful, and surprisingly reassuring once it’s in your hands.
The first time you handle a purely mechanical camera like the RTL 1000, the weight is what hits you first. The shutter speed dial clicks with a deliberate, almost stubborn certainty, and the viewfinder feels like opening a small window into another era — bright enough, but with an honesty and grain that modern electronic finders often polish away.
Design, controls, and usability
The RTL 1000 uses the M42 screw mount, opening the door to a deep ecosystem of classic lenses, including the bundled Meyer-Optik Oreston 50mm f/1.8. Shutter speeds are selectable via a traditional top-plate dial, and film advance is handled by a metal lever with a satisfyingly mechanical stroke.
The camera’s TTL metering system was advanced for its day, but the heart of the RTL 1000 is its mechanical shutter. With or without a battery, you can load film, set exposure using a handheld meter or sunny 16, and keep shooting.
Mechanical reliability and battery use
Only the TTL meter needs a battery (originally a 1.35V cell). The shutter, mirror, and film advance work fully mechanically, a big plus for long-term reliability. Many users run these cameras for decades with only occasional maintenance, such as foam replacement or a basic CLA (clean, lube, adjust).
The Character of the Meyer-Optik Görlitz Oreston 50mm f/1.8
The Meyer-Optik Görlitz Oreston 50mm f/1.8 is the secret sauce in this kit. It’s not a clinically sharp, modern autofocus lens; it’s a storyteller. Wide open at f/1.8, the Oreston renders with a soft glow and thick, painterly bokeh that gives portraits and details a cinematic feel.
Rendering, bokeh, and color
Stopped down to f/4–5.6, the Oreston becomes surprisingly sharp with good contrast, yet still holds onto a gentle, organic look. Colors tend to be slightly warm and rich, with a subtle vintage cast that works beautifully for street, portraits, and everyday storytelling.
Out-of-focus areas melt into a smooth blur, especially at close distances. The lens’s character is particularly appreciated by digital shooters adapting it to mirrorless bodies: the combination of modern sensors and vintage glass can produce a unique, non-generic aesthetic.
Why creators love this 50mm
Compared with modern autofocus 50mm lenses, the Oreston trades speed and clinical precision for a more deliberate, tactile experience. The long-throw focus ring encourages careful composition, and the clicky aperture ring invites you to think about depth of field one stop at a time.
Shooting with the RTL 1000 in the Modern Era
On film: slowing down with intention
Loading a fresh roll of 35mm film into the Exakta RTL 1000 is a small ritual that sets the tone for the shoot. You advance the leader, check your frame counter, and listen to the satisfying “snick” of the shutter at varying speeds. It’s a camera that invites you to pre-visualise each frame instead of machine-gunning through dozens of exposures.
Because the RTL 1000 is purely mechanical in operation, it’s ideal for long-term, sustainable use. You are not tied to proprietary batteries or fragile electronics; as long as the shutter curtains and mirror mechanism are healthy, it just keeps going.
On digital: adapting the Oreston lens
The Oreston 50mm f/1.8 adapts beautifully to modern mirrorless cameras via an M42 adapter. Brands like Sony, Fujifilm, Canon and others all offer low-profile adapters that retain infinity focus and preserve the lens’s original character.
On digital, focus peaking and magnified live view make manual focusing much easier than it ever was on film. Many creators use the Oreston as a portrait lens or as a “look lens” for video work, adding subtle swirl and creaminess that can be hard to replicate with modern optics.
Buying the Exakta RTL 1000 and Oreston 50mm Second-Hand
What to check before you buy
Because these cameras and lenses are several decades old, condition matters. When shopping second-hand — whether locally or online at a specialist like DutchThrift.com — run through a simple inspection checklist:
- Inspect shutter curtains for light leaks.
- Replace mirror foam if degraded.
- Use Wein cells or silver-oxide substitutes for the TTL meter.
- Load fresh film and test shutter speeds across the range.
- Listen for even shutter sound across speeds.
- Look for haze or fungus — minor dust is fine.
- Ensure infinity focus engages smoothly.
- Confirm meter function or prepare for handheld metering.
Price expectations and value
For a working Exakta RTL 1000 with the Meyer-Optik Oreston 50mm f/1.8, you can usually expect to pay around €80–120 depending on cosmetic condition, accessories, and whether the meter is fully functional. Clean examples from trusted second-hand specialists may cost a little more, but they often come properly checked and ready to shoot.
If you are already exploring other analog cameras or building a collection of vintage camera lenses, this kit offers excellent value as both a user camera and a conversation piece.
Why This Vintage Duo Still Matters
In a world of touchscreens and silent shutters, the Exakta RTL 1000 with Oreston 50mm f/1.8 is a refreshing counterpoint. It encourages slower, more intentional photography while giving you an image signature that stands out from the hyper-correct look of many modern lenses.
Choosing a second-hand kit like this is also an inherently sustainable act. Instead of new plastics and electronics, you are keeping high-quality mechanical tools in circulation — cameras and lenses that were built to be serviced, not thrown away.
Whether you shoot exclusively on film, adapt the Oreston to your digital mirrorless body, or do a mix of both, this East German duo still has a lot to offer. It is a practical, affordable way to explore classic mechanical photography with a distinctly artistic rendering.
If you ever decide to branch out, vintage SLRs like the RTL 1000 pair nicely with other film bodies and even classic videocameras for a fully analog workflow.
FAQs
Can I use the Oreston 50mm f/1.8 on modern digital cameras? Yes. With an M42-to-mirrorless adapter (Sony E, Fuji X, Canon RF, etc.), it retains infinity focus and delivers dreamy, character-rich images.
Do I need a battery for the Exakta RTL 1000 to work? No. Only the TTL metering requires a 1.35V cell; the camera works fully mechanically without it.
What makes the Oreston 50mm lens different from modern autofocus lenses? It trades technical sharpness for vintage rendering — smooth focus, unique color tone, and soft bokeh beloved by creators.
How much should I expect to pay for a working Exakta RTL 1000 set? Around €80–120 depending on condition and included accessories.
Curious to experience this classic East German combo for yourself? Explore our curated selection of second-hand analog cameras, characterful camera lenses, and vintage videocameras at DutchThrift.com and give a timeless tool a second life.