Praktica Appreciation Thread

cuthbert · Aug 25, 2015

AgX said:
There is said to be a japan-made Pentacon Prakticar 4.0-5.6/55-200mm autofocus lens.

I assume it to be a selfsustained AF lens like that Canon FD 35-70 from the 70s, but am puzzled nevertheless.

But can someone share some light on that Prakticar lens?

Indeed such abomination was made, and the Prakticant also had the choice of TWO AF zooms, a 55-200:

And a mighty 75-200!

Of course these zooms are rare in Germany because they weren't made by Pentacon, but were stuff ordered in the Extreme Orient by the powerful British importer, who also had the bright idea of the creation of the "Jenazoom" line, also Japanese or Korean zoom sold under "license" from Carl Zeiss Jena.

If you go on evilbay UK, you are going to find out hundreds of cheap Prakticar zooms, most of them were made by Cosina (the 35-70 is the same that came in K mount with my Exakta HS-10, my first real camera) or by Sigma. I have quite a few of them, of course none is comparable with the "real" Carl Zeiss Jena zoom I own, the Vario-Sonnar (branded Vario-Prakticar in B mount). CZJ only made two zoom, the Vario-Sonnar and the Vario-Pancolar, very high quality but very expensive, so the UK importer instead of selling them at high price (still take into account that in the UK Praktica was a "cheap" brand) decided to get them from small Japanese builders.

Same thing for the flash (of course there is a Jenaflash made in Singapore) and many other little things...to be honest they also ordered cases and straps (for the Jenaflex, for instance) that are better quality than the DDR originals.

darthj · Aug 25, 2015

Autofocus 1980s style. From left to right : Prakticar (Sigma ?) PB 55-200 mm (triggered by camera shutter, functions on all B and BX Prakticas) - Canon T80 FD 75-200 mm triggered by camera shutter, autofocus only functions on T-80) / Canon FD 35-70 mm (triggered by button on lens, unknown if it functioned on all FD).

AgX · Aug 25, 2015

The FD non-T AF works with all FD bodies.

How would that Prakticar AF lens be switched by the body? The only way to me would be by the aperture actuator.
But that would mean that there would be no focusing before releasing...

OptiKen · Aug 27, 2015

Finally! Now I can play too!
I picked this one off of the bay with the case and alternate viewfinder for $9 plus shipping (sans lens-the lens was $19 including shipping). The shutter curtain looks very good and it seems to work well.
I am anxious to load it up and test drive it.

Sewin · Aug 28, 2015

That looks very nice Ken, welcome to the club

darthj · Aug 28, 2015

Here is a different F.X2

There are "a few" different FX2 models :

http://www.dresdner-kameras.de/praktica/praktica.html#PrakticaFX2

darthj · Aug 29, 2015

Presenting the Praktica B-winders. Produce a loud whirring noise to which 1980's people were used , today you have to watch out they don't mistake you for a terrorist. I use it for normal film transport but avoid rapid burst shooting.

The Y.I.C. Auto Power Winder model B-1000

I guess this is the original model, YIC from Japan makes/made winders for any brand.

Then they were branded as Praktica

Special AM version, for the Jenaflex AM-1 I guess.

A different model, very early according to its waffled design. Also made in Japan, could be YIC too and predecessor of the B-1000.

darthj · Aug 29, 2015

And then there is a little trick : the logo is removable. Just slide it out.

AgX · Sep 2, 2015

How come that the cameras of the B-range have (slightly) longer synchro-times than those of the earlier L-range?

AgX · Sep 2, 2015

"Friday Night"

Devoted to those of us who do not have a chance to spent friday night other than play around with a Praktica-L ... :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RnpZzq4DyjQ

AgX · Sep 2, 2015

If you release in fast succession at an L-type (or maybe earlier models), do you use the index-or middle-finger?

Sewin · Sep 3, 2015

AgX said:
If you release in fast succession at an L-type (or maybe earlier models), do you use the index-or middle-finger?

Index finger for me .

AgX · Sep 3, 2015

I just got my first L-type and in this case using the middle finger seems better for me. That is new to me as that release position.

Sewin · Sep 3, 2015

Good luck and enjoy the L type.

I enjoy using my PLC3, however it uses V21 PX 4.5 batteries which are expensive, if you can track them down.

However I copied a neat cheap solution, see post 5 in this thread.

Of the manual Prakticas my favourite has to be the all mechanical L2.

Brett Rogers · Sep 3, 2015

OptiKen said:
Finally! Now I can play too!
I picked this one off of the bay with the case and alternate viewfinder for $9 plus shipping (sans lens-the lens was $19 including shipping). The shutter curtain looks very good and it seems to work well.
I am anxious to load it up and test drive it.

They are quite pleasant cameras to use. I have the previous FX model and also the optional CZJ accessory prism that rectifies the finder image. It has a roll of Pan F Plus in it at the moment. However you should not necessarily expect the faster shutter speeds to be bang on, as received. Occasionally these cameras will have issues with stiffened curtains however frequently even those will still be in reasonable condition. I think these are some of the best quality cameras Praktica made because they often only need the shutter cleaned to be working again very well. The removable film rail plate makes access for cleaning as good as it gets. The escapement is situated under the lower cover where it is very easy to access. For a focal plane shutter design they are very user friendly. I've cleaned and adjusted a few of them to make them run well again but prior to that the 1/250 and 1/500 speeds would usually taper a bit.

Check for pinholes in the second curtain, and make sure you wind on immediately after exposure to avoid pinholes when outside or use a lens cap.
Did you know that with gentle pressure on the release button, you are able to pre-fire the mirror if needed? Useful for tripod imaging. Same with the Praktica IV, probably the V, (and the Praktinas, too).
Cheers
Brett

Sewin · Sep 3, 2015

Some good advice there.

Although we don't get much sun in Wales, I wonder how many people in the past knew what a lens + sun could do to a cloth shutter curtain.

Apparently it still happens, just google and check it out , particularly Leica.

AgX · Sep 3, 2015

Well, most people using a film SLR have got one with an automatic return mirror, thus being protected against sun-burnt shutter holes.

Sewin · Sep 3, 2015

AgX said:
Well, most people using a film SLR have got one with an automatic return mirror, thus being protected against sun-burnt shutter holes.

That's correct, but it could damage rangefinders .

Brett Rogers · Sep 3, 2015

Sewin said:
That's correct, but it could damage rangefinders .

And both curtains, at that. Unless you have a Contax, of course.

darthj · Sep 5, 2015

A really special B-type for the weekend.

cuthbert · Sep 5, 2015

darthj said:
A really special B-type for the weekend.

Can you feel the difference in quality between this "professional" model and the standard B200?

AgX · Sep 6, 2015

Am slow on the uptake again...
What is so special (or just different) at that model B-200 export variation aside of that added "S" in its designation?

Or did I not see the joke?

EDIT:
As far as I got to know it just is a designation variant to indicate sale origin (CZJ Ltd. UK).

Sewin · Sep 6, 2015

cuthbert is correct. The S designates that the cameras were manufactured under stricter quality control, for professional use by German photo journalists etc.

It would be nice to have one.

AgX · Sep 6, 2015

There was indeed a GDR logo for highest quality ("S").

But,

-) that existed only until the early 60s
-) that was framed by a triangle and (as all Quality marks) located rather hidden (at the L-type at the bottom).

Sewin · Sep 7, 2015

This might help

http://www.praktica-collector.de/218b_Praktica_B200S.htm

Only 80 made apparently and look at the price when new.

And we are up to post 200!

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