One of the models in this small series, the Akarex III, is ambitious with a rangefinder coupled to the lens. You change the lens, you change the rangefinder!

The range of lenses is limited: a wide-angle (Schneider Xenogon 3.5/3.5 cm), a standard lens, and a small telephoto lens (Schneider Tele Xenar 3.5/9 cm). The standard lens is available in either Schneider Xenon 2/5 cm or Schneider Xenar 3.5/5 cm, depending on the buyer's wallet.

The lens-rangefinder assembly hides a hot shoe for accessories. One may wonder what its usefulness is. There is a lens without an associated rangefinder but with a separate simple viewfinder that must be slid into this hot shoe.

During its production, the III underwent a redesign of its hood (1954). The new model is also recognizable by its new winding lever.

The Akarex III has a mounting for a specific flash on the side.

The history of the Aka brand (an acronym for Apparate & Kamerabau) is closely linked to World War II and its aftermath. The brand was founded in 1946 by the Armbuster brothers in the French sector. One of the brothers had skills in camera production, having worked for major German manufacturers of cameras and shutters. The other had a foundry and a tool factory.

Production of a central shutter camera with interchangeable lenses began in an old hotel in Wildbad. This camera was called the Akarette and aimed to be a more affordable competitor to the Leica. The first models produced negatives of 24 x 32 mm, which allowed for more shots per film. However, this was quickly abandoned in favor of the 24 x 36 mm standard. Production gradually increased with the German economy's recovery, requiring larger premises. Unable to find any in Wildbad, the company moved to the shores of Lake Constance, to Friedrichshafen, in the former pilot school. Production started there in April 1949. The range diversified with simpler models than the first Akarette, or more elaborate models with rangefinders.

In 1958, one of the brothers left the company for Feinwerktechnik, while developing a stereo camera compatible with View-Master, whose financing was a source of dispute between the brothers. This departure marked the beginning of the company's decline. Bankruptcy followed in 1960. A new company, Arette Feinwerktechnik GmbH, built cameras until 1963, using the parts still in stock.

Aka cameras are sometimes found at French flea markets. Sellers who know the history of their camera often mention its purchase by a conscript who served in Germany, either in the Black Forest or around Lindau, in the 1950s.

1 As a reminder, the French, American, British, and Soviet sectors were the result of the Yalta agreements that defined a partition of Nazi Germany between the victorious powers. Each occupying force exercised full administration over its sector. In 1949, the creation of the two German states significantly reduced the prerogatives of the four occupying nations. Military presence was maintained until after reunification in 1993.

2 Friedrichshafen is the city of Zeppelin and Dornier airplanes.

(original document in german)