Praktica Appreciation Thread

[darthj]

Before we reveal the camera one last part, the control unit. With lots of cables. I actually managed to plug all of these in the right sockets and the whole thing seems to be working, only I don't know how yet. Have to read the manual first.

 

[AgX]

That exposure time indicator is great.
That 17m switch would be to indicate the alternate use of plain back and longfilm back I guess.
I assume that 3-10sec control sets the intervall between exposures in series mode.

 

[darthj]

And finally the camera. You guessed it right AGX, it is the infamous SR899 GSK (Geräuscharme Kamera). The "low-noise" camera used by the STASI, the former East-German Secret Service.

Technical details : http://www.praktica-collector.de/197X_Praktica_SR899.htm

It was on my collector's list, then I found this rather complete one (the databack is missing) for a not unreasonable price so I bought it as my own Christmas gift. It's the only present I got.

It uses a 17m film magazine (450 pictures) but it should work with a normal 36 exposures film too.

 

[AgX]

As I got it right I guess the next time I'm around in your part of the woods I can come along to play with it...


I did not know about the data back. But in the photo of the film chamber one can see a patch inserted into the body, covering part of the image area.
I assume the data exposing was done via transparencies (dials etc.) and not by LED matrix. Have you got any information on this?

EDIT: I was right, data exposing was via flash, thus no matrix.
But still I do not know whether by readymade dials etc, or by handwritten inserts.

So, you know what to look for next.
(Luckily I'm not a collector...)

 

[AgX]

Only a few weeks ago I read about that winder, but thought it too rare to get hold of, thus I did not consider it here for quite some time.

 

[darthj]

While the camera was a good deal, for the databack the seller asked 120 Euro extra. Which was really too much for a camera that will never be really used. Or I have to put it beside the road on a tripod and watch every car passing by brake like hell when the driver notices the "device".

 

[AgX]

I I think that camera should be used, for some bonafide project. But I got some command thingies for more modern type 135 SLRs myself and have not used them yet.

But that longfilm back yields more possibilities than mine.



Aside of that the camera is as far as I know the only system surveillance-camera (SLR based) with all its special accessories.
Have you tried the winder? Is it really more quiet than commercial ones of that period?
(The mirror is static, but the shutter seemingly not noise-damped.)

 

[darthj]

No, I switched it on but didn't try anything else. First I have to get through the manual. I do not expect to find a 17m film roll (at least not at an affordable price) so I'll have to find out how it works with 36 exposures. According to the manual it doesn't work with 12 or 24 exposures film.

 

[AgX]

With a veiled or remote camera 12-or 24-exp cassettes do not make much sense.
A technical reason for not working with these could be that the winder shuts off by being triggered so by an exposure counter, which is set at 36.
Maybe the longfilm switch at the command station sets that counter at 450.

 

[onre]

If that were mine, I would create a 35 mm time-lapse of something.

 

[Sewin]

Interesting.

Agx I too noticed the little flap.

 

[Alan Johnson]

I used to shoot Prakticas and I have another little puzzle for the afficionados, anyone recognise these, I have a nearly full set of them:

 

[darthj]

Aren't these covers of the Pentacon fan club magazine distributed in the UK ? And those 2 on the cover are disguised STASI "representatives" ?

 

[Alan Johnson]

Yes indeed, "Praktica Photography" was the Journal of the UK Pentacon Club.It did not appear to be political, more a commercial venture as it was subsidised by VEB Pentacon and the importers CZ Scientific Instruments Ltd.We had a proper magazine just like those guys with "Leica Fotografie"

 

[Sewin]

I remember the Pentacon Club, but never got around to subscribing.

I'd hang on to them Alan as they are difficult to get hold of.

 

[skorpiius]

I have a Praktica LTL that was my dads sitting just a few feet away from me. I never used it because I found it impossible to judge focus through the viewfinder, it's so dark and fuzzy. Is this typical? the lens is a Raynox 2.8 28mm

 

[Sewin]

That's odd. Shouldn't be dark and out of focus particularly as its a 28mm lens.
I'm not familiar with the lens, is it a manual stop down.
Difficult to say what the problem is, could be in the viewfinder / prism?

 

[darthj]

Slowly the Praktica collection is growing ... This is a late 1983 B200 with smooth instead of waffled leather.

 

[Sewin]

darthj,

You'll like using that, I've the B200 with hand grenade style covering

 

[darthj]

The B-range cameras are my favourite Praktica's.

 

[Sewin]

The B-range cameras are my favourite Praktica's.

Same here, I've a BC1 too plus a full set of lenses, underrated in my opinion.

 

[Alan Johnson]

Apart from the rare CZ Jena zooms for the B series, some zooms were made in Japan and Korea.
I believe the Korean 35-70 f3.5-4.5 by Samyang was quite popular.
http://praktica.planetaclix.pt/lenses.html
I also have a 28-70 f3.5-4.5 (attachment).
This seems to be quite rare, perhaps because it was not introduced till near the end of camera production, IDK.

 

[AgX]

In your link above this lens:
4.0-5.6/55-200mmAF 52mm Japan Autofocus Version

is listed under lenses made for the Praktica B range. That makes no sense.
Seemingly the Prakticar brand was also used to brand (asian) lenses made for other cameras than Prakticas.

 

[Alan Johnson]

This link mentions that the af lens to which you refer was sold as a Sigma for other cameras:
http://allphotolenses.com/lenses/item/c_702.html
There were some lenses branded Carl Zeiss Jena for other cameras,I don't know of any branded Prakticar.

 

[baachitraka]

My Praktica L2 was broken and I have asked about the repair cost. I got an estimate of €50 which seems 10x more than what I have paid for the camera.

I don't shoot much with it. Will you repair for that price?