B series Prakticas have bright viewfinders in contrast to the L series. I would guess there is oil on the aperture blades. Working the lever on the back of the lens back and forth might make it usable for a while.
B series Prakticas have bright viewfinders in contrast to the L series. I would guess there is oil on the aperture blades. Working the lever on the back of the lens back and forth might make it usable for a while.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
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?
Interesting. My old LTL, bought in perhaps 1972, has rather plebeian leatherette covering, no plastic tip on the advance lever, and a self-timer. Focus aid is a microprism circle.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
New member and first post so I hope someone's still reading this thread.
I have a Praktica IV (several actually) with a jammed shutter - jammed cocked.
Having taken several to bits out of curiosity I have a good idea how to open them up; but here's the problem.
The advance lever can only be removed when the shutter is released - but I can't release the shutter so I can't get the top cover off - catch 22.
I know the camera isn't valuable but I hate to be beaten by inanimate objects.
Anyone know how to release the shutter?
Sorry to hear that. Are Praktica VF's similar? I have one, and the lower speed settings do not work ("B" works), so I suspect I need to get a cover off (I was thinking maybe the lower).
Any online instructions for older Prakticas (preferably in English, but German could work).
Rick Oleson aka Very reliable.Finally a diagram for removing the top cover. (I was reluctant to post this as I can't acknowledge the origin -View attachment 241232 I can't quickly find the site it came from - if anyone recognises it please let me know).
Welcome to Apug !
Thanks for that - never considered checking Flickr
Quite right - just pulled out 3 of the hundreds I have trying to find detailed info on these old models.Welcome to Apug !
Link #2 is for the Praktina
Thanks for that - never considered checking Flickr
Information on repairing the early Prakticas is hard to find - I've spent HOURS searching and either it's well hidden or simply not there (or my search technique is rubbish).
To ask the obvious: you are lining up the red triangles on the speed selector when trying the low speeds?
links you may find useful if not seen already:
https://www.rangefinderforum.com/classics/forum/messages/20735/16844.html?1256997248
https://www.rangefinderforum.com/classics/forum/messages/6899/5957.html?1147650201
https://www.rangefinderforum.com/classics/forum/messages/6899/6502.html?1148165155
Finally a diagram for removing the top cover. (I was reluctant to post this as I can't acknowledge the origin -View attachment 241232 I can't quickly find the site it came from - if anyone recognizes it please let me know).
Information on repairing the early Prakticas is hard to find - I've spent HOURS searching and either it's well hidden or simply not there (or my search technique is rubbish).
To ask the obvious: you are lining up the red triangles on the speed selector when trying the low speeds?
links you may find useful if not seen already:
https://www.rangefinderforum.com/classics/forum/messages/20735/16844.html?1256997248
https://www.rangefinderforum.com/classics/forum/messages/6899/5957.html?1147650201
https://www.rangefinderforum.com/classics/forum/messages/6899/6502.html?1148165155
Finally a diagram for removing the top cover. (I was reluctant to post this as I can't acknowledge the origin -View attachment 241232 I can't quickly find the site it came from - if anyone recognises it please let me know).
If you remove the bottom plate, you'll see a gear train. The gear bearings will have gummed up lube. If you don't want to lose springs or mess up the timing, I've had luck heating the gears while flushing them with a solvent, then dropping thin synthetic oil on the top of the pivots while heating the gears with a heat gun on low. Good luck.Information on repairing the early Prakticas is hard to find - I've spent HOURS searching and either it's well hidden or simply not there (or my search technique is rubbish).
To ask the obvious: you are lining up the red triangles on the speed selector when trying the low speeds?
links you may find useful if not seen already:
https://www.rangefinderforum.com/classics/forum/messages/20735/16844.html?1256997248
https://www.rangefinderforum.com/classics/forum/messages/6899/5957.html?1147650201
https://www.rangefinderforum.com/classics/forum/messages/6899/6502.html?1148165155
Finally a diagram for removing the top cover. (I was reluctant to post this as I can't acknowledge the origin -View attachment 241232 I can't quickly find the site it came from - if anyone recognises it please let me know).
I took a Praktica BC1 with me on a two-year European bicycle tour in 1984. It did just fine, despite being subjected to the usual searing heat and sub-zero temperatures, rainstorms and everything else that nature throws at you when you're cycling nearly every day for 3-8 hours and youth hosteling and camping. I was still using it in 1989 when it finally died due to getting thoroughly soaked in a final rainstorm. I loved that camera, and I doubt any of your Nikons or Canons or Minoltas could stand up to what my Praktica took in its stride. I suspect most folks who say Praktica cameras are no good have never used one.How about posting your results from your Praktica, good and bad experiences,stories etc.
I took a Praktica BC1 with me on a two-year European bicycle tour in 1984. It did just fine, despite being subjected to the usual searing heat and sub-zero temperatures, rainstorms and everything else that nature throws at you when you're cycling nearly every day for 3-8 hours and youth hosteling and camping. I was still using it in 1989 when it finally died due to getting thoroughly soaked in a final rainstorm. I loved that camera, and I doubt any of your Nikons or Canons or Minoltas could stand up to what my Praktica took in its stride. I suspect most folks who say Praktica cameras are no good have never used one.
I took a Praktica BC1 with me on a two-year European bicycle tour in 1984.
What surprises me in hindsight is that I have not come across one electric lens, but a few electric bodies. Best explanation is statistics and small numbers.
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