Praktica Appreciation Thread
-
A
- Thread starter Sewin
- Start date
Recent Classifieds
-
Want to Buy WTB Olympus MotorDrive 2 with Control Pack and Charger
- Started by nbagno
-
Want to Buy WTB - Canon 110ED
- Started by cptrios
-
Sold NIKON D800 (read)
- Started by Acere
-
Want to Buy WTB Konica Hexar RF
- Started by axestrata
-
For Sale Multiple Signed Photographic Books
- Started by tallenpatterson
Forum statistics
MattKing
Moderator
You did not get my point... As you referred to more cameras being returned than being sold, this might have added somehow to production volume... A lame joke of mine.
And on some markets the Prakticas had hardly competition. Those mostly weird designed west-german SLR's? And japanese SLR's long time did not appear on some markets.
And on some markets the Prakticas had hardly competition. Those mostly weird designed west-german SLR's? And japanese SLR's long time did not appear on some markets.
I have a Praktica LTL, which I haven't used in MANY years - perhaps thirty! -, since I went to Pentax and the mighty LX. I unearthed it recently and the shutter sounded correct, at least to the ear. The slow speeds sounded good. My 50mm f1.8 "kit" lens needs a CLA, since the auto diaphragm is sticky. That lens, BTW, is quite sharp, easily capable of 11 x 14 enlargements, and focusing down to about18 inches is really nice! What other SLRs can do this, and why not?
I haven't tried the meter, but I imagine its fine. This is a camera heavily used, bounced off the sidewalk at least once! It has, IMHO, the best implementation of stop-down metering in a 42mm SLR that there is, excluding the Spotmatic F which is of course full aperture metering.
While the LTL is not the best in fit and finish, and the viewfinder could be brighter, for a rugged workhorse camera, capable of taking abuse and continuing to work, and work well, it is a winner.
I haven't tried the meter, but I imagine its fine. This is a camera heavily used, bounced off the sidewalk at least once! It has, IMHO, the best implementation of stop-down metering in a 42mm SLR that there is, excluding the Spotmatic F which is of course full aperture metering.
While the LTL is not the best in fit and finish, and the viewfinder could be brighter, for a rugged workhorse camera, capable of taking abuse and continuing to work, and work well, it is a winner.
That extreme extension is found at most CZJ and Meyer standard lenses from the Pentacon era. And unique.
I can only assume why other lens manufacturers did not offer such: they may thought such too much for the image quality. But then they offered for their lenses extension rings etc. ...
Maybe barrel length was another issue to reject such extension.
Point taken. But it was so nice to be able to shoot reasonable close up shots without a lot of prep and lugging extra gear. And since of my close up shots were flowers, etc., where curvature of field made little difference if such had occured, it was of no concern to me. Shooting stamps, etc., would have been a differemt matter. I did have a set of tubes, and used them with a tripod for really close work. I still have the tubes and they work just fine on my Spotmatic F....without open aperture metering, of course.
Exactly and this is why I typically hint at this feature when speaking of these lenses. Compared to the Canon FD 1.8 lens these german lenses yield a factor-2 gain on scale!
In general I find min. focusing distance overlooked in lens reviews.
In general I find min. focusing distance overlooked in lens reviews.
That would be 14 inches, correct? Since down to 18 inches most 50mm lenses can do.
Then you got lenses very different from mine.
I look at the average what was available in those days, and not a few high-end 1.4 lenses. And at this average standard lenses 60cm is the norm. And as said even one most poular Canon 1.8 double Gauss only went to 60cm.
I look at the average what was available in those days, and not a few high-end 1.4 lenses. And at this average standard lenses 60cm is the norm. And as said even one most poular Canon 1.8 double Gauss only went to 60cm.
This is correct. I'm deducting only from the lenses I have (or had), therefore Nikkor AI 50 mm f/1,8 - down to 45 cm, Canon FD 50 mm f/1.4 - down to 45 cm, Leica R 50 mm f/2.0 down to 50 mm, however the focusing ring goes past the mark. Minolta AF 50mm f/1,7 down to 45 cm, Yashinon 50 mm f/1,4 down to only 60 cm.
We should not overlook that in those days SRL's still had standard lenses from Germany and Asia, that were of the Tessar, even Cooke type.
I got an Asian Tessar-type lens with even just front element focusing! It goes down to 90cm.
The most produced dubble-Gauss lens, the Helios, started with 55cm, and it its last version had 50cm.
I got an Asian Tessar-type lens with even just front element focusing! It goes down to 90cm.
The most produced dubble-Gauss lens, the Helios, started with 55cm, and it its last version had 50cm.
I'm not sure I follow. In general, the longer the focal length (of a non-macro dedicated lens), the longer the minimum focal distance. And vice versa.
e.g. a standard 50 mm lens focuses down to 45 cm, a 200 mm lens down to 150 cm (I'm generalising of course).
e.g. a standard 50 mm lens focuses down to 45 cm, a 200 mm lens down to 150 cm (I'm generalising of course).
Last edited:
I stand corrected. Now I see what you mean. But it is rather a matter of scale.
However the focal length, though together with the usable angle of view or coverage, basically sets the image scale.
But as lenses can be designed for different image scales at same focal length, what you say is an approximation.
(The early Symmars (their name already indicates this) were even marketed as universal lenses. For use at infinity or small scale at noon and for macro work at the studio at the evening.)
However the focal length, though together with the usable angle of view or coverage, basically sets the image scale.
But as lenses can be designed for different image scales at same focal length, what you say is an approximation.
(The early Symmars (their name already indicates this) were even marketed as universal lenses. For use at infinity or small scale at noon and for macro work at the studio at the evening.)
This is an interesting piece of data. Even today's APO Symmar LF lenses (well, sadly discontinued) were promoted as universal lenses that can do everything well. Here is the link, orginal one doen't exist any more: https://www.arca-swiss-magasin.com/contents/fr/large_format_apo_symmar-l.pdf (sorry for drifting away from the original theme)
-
- nusproizvodjac
- Deleted
Hi! I just bought a Praktica BC1 and I love this camera, but unfortunately the shutter selector is not working. If I change the shutter speed I see that the indicator leds showing the correct value, but the shutter always shots at the same speed (maybe 1/1000?). Any idea how I can fix it?
The B-series is a bit complex; there are models with shutters that are controlled pure-mechanically, pure-electronically or that are controlled both ways.
Your model is controlled both ways. This means setting a shutter time will actuate the shutter-curtain delay by means of a clockworks. So there is a chance for repair...
Your model is controlled both ways. This means setting a shutter time will actuate the shutter-curtain delay by means of a clockworks. So there is a chance for repair...
Here are the disassembly instructions. http://www.rileyelf.free-online.co.uk/Praktica/ I have a BM with the same problem. I need a cataract operation so my repair won't be attempted until next year. My guess is a timing resistor or capacitor has opened. Six months ago, the camera didn't work properly until the battery had been in the camera for 15 minutes; now it has totally failed.
| Photrio.com contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links. To read our full affiliate disclosure statement please click Here. |
PHOTRIO PARTNERS EQUALLY FUNDING OUR COMMUNITY:  |