Praktica Appreciation Thread

[AgX]

Praktica L models of course showed up in GDR movies. But no black sample as far as I remember.

 

[cuthbert]

Hi cuthbert,still around then. Yes, it's still running.

In these last years I must confess my Praktica B kit (Flektogon 20mm, Meyer 28mm, Flek 35mm, Pancolar 50mm f1.4 MkI and II, Pancolar 50mm f1.8, Sonnar 135 mm f3.5, Vario-Sonnar 80-210mm) has become my most set, as it covers everything, the BC3, Jenaflex and BX20 are smaller and handy for stree photography, and while not as good as a Pentax LX they are somewhat very similar in ergonomics and operation.

I am surprised they are not very popular, however here there are some pics I have taken with them:

 

[Agulliver]

I do like the B-series cameras. I have two BX20S bodies, a BCA and B100...with various lenses including the Flektogon 20mm f2.8, CZJ-made Prakticar 35-70 which is one of *the* finest zoom lenses it has ever been my pleasure to use, Sigma 28-200 f4, 3x CZJ 50mm (two pancakes lenses and a Tessar), CZJ 135mm f2.8... plus various Tamron lenses with the requisite adaptor.

It's pretty common for me to have two of said bodies when I'm out and about intending to take photographs. I find them quite intuitive to use unlike other SLRs from the 80s and 90s.

 

[AgX]

I do not undestand how one can enjoy to hold and operate a BX20S camera.
I fail at the right strap lug.

I got small hands, in case that matters.

 

[cuthbert]

I do not undestand how one can enjoy to hold and operate a BX20S camera.
I fail at the right strap lug.

I got small hands, in case that matters.

The 20S is less pleasant to operate than the 20 and even less than the B200, it feels..firmsly and advancing the film feels rocky, probably because it was designed to be used on a relatibely powerful motordrive. It takes good pics.

]

 

[cuthbert]

Quick question for all the prakticants: where can I find a BX winder for my collection?

It's a piece I am missing.

 

[Agulliver]

Quick question for all the prakticants: where can I find a BX winder for my collection?

It's a piece I am missing.

eBay? That's where I got mine.

Curious piece of kit, and I am never really sure how useful it is. It works, and somehow looks like a part of the camera (as if it were a very large camera) but it's very noisy and probably drives at around 2fps. I use mine less than half the time.

Do be aware that the B-winder, which is more common, doesn't work with the BX20 or BX20S. But it will work with all the other B series cameras.

 

[Agulliver]

I do not undestand how one can enjoy to hold and operate a BX20S camera.
I fail at the right strap lug.

I got small hands, in case that matters.

Maybe it is your small hands?

I find mine is perfect, almost like an extension of my body. I'm able to operate all the functions with ease and can see every setting in the viewfinder. I even find the DOF preview conveniently located on the body. I have large hands though.

 

[cuthbert]

eBay? That's where I got mine.

Curious piece of kit, and I am never really sure how useful it is. It works, and somehow looks like a part of the camera (as if it were a very large camera) but it's very noisy and probably drives at around 2fps. I use mine less than half the time.

Do be aware that the B-winder, which is more common, doesn't work with the BX20 or BX20S. But it will work with all the other B series cameras.

I have the B-winder, the noise is terrible and it's very slow, I mean I can wind up the camera faster, I wanted to try the BX in order to see if it's more tolerable and also because rewinding a BX20 is unpleasant.

The BX winder is quite rare, I can't find it unless I am available to spend relatively a large amount of money for an entire kit.

 

[cuthbert]

Last catch on ebay: the Sonnar 300mm f4. I am close to completing my B system, just the 80mm and the 55mm remain among the "really produced" lenses.

 

[darthj]

If you want to see some black L cameras, check this Flickr album :
https://www.flickr.com/photos/85142900@N03/albums/72157632540845218

There are a few B-types and other Praktica's too in other albums.

 

[KN4SMF]

Well, I got my first and only Praktica just a couple days ago. A Hanimex Praktica Surer TL. Reminds me of my best friend in 1972 who got his for Christmas that year. I got a Mamiya/Sekor 1000 DTL that day. Actually the Mamiya was a much better camera at the time. Anyway, I'm glad to have this Praktica all these years later. The meter movement seems to be stuck. I'll have to look into that situation. Man, the fresnel rings in the screen really make the image fuzzy, don't they? I wonder what percentage of film area is seen in the finder. And the biggest problem of all is that you can barely see the little circle to center the meter needle. At first I coudn't see it at all. But now that I know where it is, it's apparently only useful if you're shooting in bright sunlight. The shutter sure trips sweet though, doesn't it? For every bad thing about the camera, you can find a good thing. Strange little machine. I believe I'll open it up and work on its problems.

 

[AgX]

I am presbyope and that eyepice is the only one at SLRs I tried which I still can use without glasses or correcting lenses.
The object must be very dim to make reading the meter scale impossible, but yes a contrast of the static marks as with those moving ring indicators would be better.
I guess they marks could be blackened once the screen has been taken out.

 

[KN4SMF]

Congrats on your first Praktica! Before you go and open the camera, l need to warn you that it's fairly complicated to work on, lots of little springs in the winding mechanism that easily get lost. For the meter you'll need a battery, a PX625. The meter was designed to be used with a mercury battery but this one works just fine. If you are wearing glasses, you'll need them for shooting with this beauty, since the viewfinder glass has some strange diopter. The viewfinder covers (based on some of my photos) more than 90%, but l can't speak of the magnification. All in all, you got yourself a mighty little machine, good luck using it!

I'm going to have to get the top off this Super TL. The viewfinder needs cleaning from the inside and there is a meter problem. The needle doesn't come up.i haven't found any free information on too cover removal. Certainly can't use the camera like this. But otherwise it's in beautiful cosmetic condition.

 

[AgX]

However, the Super TL belongs to model-family preceeding the L-family.

 

[AgX]

Here an an L-series model not everyone can afford.

 

[Cholentpot]

Just got an MTL3 with a haminar 35 2.8, 135 2.8 and a Pentacon 50 1.8

Ran a test roll and the negatives look ok, maybe a bit thin. Testing the shutter against my F3 it seems to be exactly a stop off at lower light and just about right in normal light. Interesting camera, the shutter is not where I'm used to. Camera and lenses are super clean.

 

[AgX]

Here an an L-series model not everyone can afford.

You guys seem unable to read european decimals...

 

[hsandler]

I just picked up this camera, marked as a Praktica LTL. However, the leatherette, plastic-tipped winder, rewind knob and split screen focus aid in the viewfinder are all consistent with later models, specifically the MTL 5. Does anyone know if this variant of LTL was supposed to have existed? Maybe someone serviced an MTL 5 at some point and put an LTL top cover on it. I have not found any index of Praktica serial numbers vs. model or date to check against.

Praktica LTL by Howard Sandler, on Flickr

 

[Rodocarda]

I just got a Praktica BMS electronic with a 135F2.8 lens. I am a lont time Nikon user but I read some interesting reviews about praktica and pentagon and I decided to give it a try.
The shutter and advancing seems to work fine (I haven't bought the batteries yet) but the viewfinder is very dark, to the point that I am able to focus only in full light. As I only have that one lens I wonder whether it could be a lens issue or a viewfinder issue, and if it's a known problem.
Update: I found the lens being stuck to the smallest aperture, I will try to see if I am able to release the aperture mechanism, but any suggestion will be more than welcome

 

[GRHazelton]

I just got a Praktica BMS electronic with a 135F2.8 lens. I am a lont time Nikon user but I read some interesting reviews about praktica and pentagon and I decided to give it a try.
The shutter and advancing seems to work fine (I haven't bought the batteries yet) but the viewfinder is very dark, to the point that I am able to focus only in full light. As I only have that one lens I wonder whether it could be a lens issue or a viewfinder issue, and if it's a known problem.
Update: I found the lens being stuck to the smallest aperture, I will try to see if I am able to release the aperture mechanism, but any suggestion will be more than welcome

As a long term Praktica user (LTL) the Praktica doesn't have the brightest viewfinder, but at f16 few cameras would be at their best . That sounds like the immediate source of your problem. Hope you enjoy your BMS!

 

[hsandler]

I just got a Praktica BMS electronic with a 135F2.8 lens. I am a lont time Nikon user but I read some interesting reviews about praktica and pentagon and I decided to give it a try.
The shutter and advancing seems to work fine (I haven't bought the batteries yet) but the viewfinder is very dark, to the point that I am able to focus only in full light. As I only have that one lens I wonder whether it could be a lens issue or a viewfinder issue, and if it's a known problem.
Update: I found the lens being stuck to the smallest aperture, I will try to see if I am able to release the aperture mechanism, but any suggestion will be more than welcome

Could it be the lens has a manual/auto diaphragm slide switch on the side and it's in the manual mode? Many of the old M42 lenses have this, my Pentacon 50mm f1.8 included.

 

[baachitraka]

Is asking price of €150/- for Praktica BX20 with 50mm Pentacon lens any reasonable? I am bit surprised and should I bring the sanity to the seller?

 

[removedacct3]

For some reason or the other, BX20 and, especially BX20s, camera's are quite popular. Nevertheless, I would pass on a BX20 with a Pentacon 50 for 150 euro's .... it's a bit too much of a good thing.

 

[Deleted member 88956]

Is asking price of €150/- for Praktica BX20 with 50mm Pentacon lens any reasonable? I am bit surprised and should I bring the sanity to the seller?

That's closer to 75 max for reasonable.