Praktica Appreciation Thread

[Manwithacam]

The BCX was similar to the BX20 but had a silver top plate which I believe was plastic.

 

[baachitraka]

I have received my Prakticas(L2 and MTL 5B). L2 is bit smoother in cocking the shutter than MTL 5B, may be L2 is not abused. Two cameras are clean and mechanically they are all working.

MTL 5B with Helios 44-2.

Looking a nice glass(rather unique like 44-2) for L2, any suggestions?

 

[Steve Roberts]

I have a Praktica IVF, a IVB and a V. The IVF was 'inherited' from my father. He used it semi-professionally many years ago until it fell out of the boot (trunk) of his car whilst driving along. The body and f2.8 Tessar took a bit of a battering but both still work! The focussing ring of the lens had to be largely peeled off to allow the ring to turn. The others were given to me.

I also have a Praktica Mat that I'm currently trying to repair. Information about the Super-TL is plentiful enough but most of it doesn't apply to the metering of the Mat. Any information (especially a circuit diagram) would be gratefully received.

I'm not a a fan of the later Prakticas, but the pre-L series models were robustly made and affordable and my first SLR with TTL metering was a Super TL.

Best wishes,

Steve

 

[AgX]

I'm not a a fan of the later Prakticas, but the pre-L series models were robustly made and affordable.

What are the the reasons for your turndown of the L-series?
Those plastic top and bottom caps?

 

[cuthbert]

Looking a nice glass(rather unique like 44-2) for L2, any suggestions?

CZJ Pancolar...but it's a little expensive.

 

[MartinCrabtree]

I still have my SuperTL that was given to me by my uncle. I'd love to use it however it's in need of some care I am unable to give it. Is there anyone in the states recommended for repair?

 

[Steve Roberts]

What are the the reasons for your turndown of the L-series?
Those plastic top and bottom caps?

The first time I handled one I thought it felt cheap and nasty as opposed to the predecessors which were cheap yet rugged. I didn't/don't like the feel of the film advance, where at the end of the stroke there's a disconcerting crunch. It always felt to me as if there was a problem waiting to happen and, sure enough, after my father had had a Praktica L for a couple of years (fairly new) the shutter developed a fault and wouldn't cock. In recent times, just about every L series Praktica that I've come across (L, LLC, Super TL2, etc.) at sales seems to have that or a similar shutter fault. I suppose I'm generally not a huge fan of vertically running metal bladed shutters. Even those in my preferred make of Pentax don't last for ever, with MEs and K2s that I've had developing problems which have effectively written them off. Horizontally running rubberised silk shutters seem to be much more durable, needing little more than a five-yearly service to keep them in good order.
Steve

 

[AgX]

The question is whether we see these mobile laboratories as indicators of remaining interest in camera films or as indicator of decline in the laboratory world.

Best to see it both ways...

 

[baachitraka]

@AgX seem you want to post this to some other thread...

 

[cuthbert]

The first time I handled one I thought it felt cheap and nasty as opposed to the predecessors which were cheap yet rugged. I didn't/don't like the feel of the film advance, where at the end of the stroke there's a disconcerting crunch. It always felt to me as if there was a problem waiting to happen and, sure enough, after my father had had a Praktica L for a couple of years (fairly new) the shutter developed a fault and wouldn't cock. In recent times, just about every L series Praktica that I've come across (L, LLC, Super TL2, etc.) at sales seems to have that or a similar shutter fault. I suppose I'm generally not a huge fan of vertically running metal bladed shutters. Even those in my preferred make of Pentax don't last for ever, with MEs and K2s that I've had developing problems which have effectively written them off. Horizontally running rubberised silk shutters seem to be much more durable, needing little more than a five-yearly service to keep them in good order.
Steve

That's strange: one of the cameras I use more is a K2DMD and I never had a problem with that.

I started to use Praktica recently and so far so good, same thing for my Zenit 19 who has a shutter that is probably the same as the BMS (it's electronically controlled, manual speeds), of course the vertical travelling shutter of the Nikon FM series is considered one of the most rugged and reliable shutter even made.

As an engineer I think the vertical travelling shutter is a better solution, especially if it's made of metal.

I still have my SuperTL that was given to me by my uncle. I'd love to use it however it's in need of some care I am unable to give it. Is there anyone in the states recommended for repair?

What's the problem? As I understand it's complicated because in the US Prakticas aren't common.

 

[Sewin]

Steve,

I too find it strange, and I'm also an engineer :confused: and prefer the vertical shutters.

No problems with my PLC3, BC1 and B200.

The only Praktica I've had trouble with was an LLC way back in the 70's which had a temperamental meter sometimes, but I worked that camera really hard.

I quite like my B200 with the hand grenade covering!

 

[Steve Roberts]

That's strange: one of the cameras I use more is a K2DMD and I never had a problem with that.

I have a K2DMD and a straight K2. The K2 was (until it packed up) one of my favourite cameras. However, the shutter became very sluggish to the point where it would open and not close again. Being a long-standing favourite, I sent it to Harrow Technical rather than investigating the fault myself and the verdict was that the shutter mechanism had developed an irreparable fault (as opposed to there being any electronic control reason for the problem). The DMD had meanwhile also developed exactly the same fault, so I thought better of sending it for repair. I can't help wondering whether it's a matter of something having broken down with time and may yet have a look myself on the basis of there being nothing to lose.

Meanwhile my ancient KXs, KM, MX, ES2, Spotmatic etc continue to plod on regardless!

Apologies for being off Praktica topic here.

Steve

 

[Steve Roberts]

Steve,

I too find it strange, and I'm also an engineer :confused: and prefer the vertical shutters.

No problems with my PLC3, BC1 and B200.

The only Praktica I've had trouble with was an LLC way back in the 70's which had a temperamental meter sometimes, but I worked that camera really hard.

I quite like my B200 with the hand grenade covering!

I've no experience of the later Prakticas, but I'm sure they will have benefited from more experience of vertical shutter manufacture.
Do bystanders dive for cover when you whip out the B200??
Steve

 

[Sewin]

Hi Steve,

Its a nice heavy feeling grenade, all I need to go with it now is a Zenit photosniper !

 

[sagai]

I have a BMS with the 50/1.4 lens on it, very much like it, do not know why am I not using more frequently though

 

[cuthbert]

I have a K2DMD and a straight K2. The K2 was (until it packed up) one of my favourite cameras. However, the shutter became very sluggish to the point where it would open and not close again. Being a long-standing favourite, I sent it to Harrow Technical rather than investigating the fault myself and the verdict was that the shutter mechanism had developed an irreparable fault (as opposed to there being any electronic control reason for the problem). The DMD had meanwhile also developed exactly the same fault, so I thought better of sending it for repair. I can't help wondering whether it's a matter of something having broken down with time and may yet have a look myself on the basis of there being nothing to lose.

Meanwhile my ancient KXs, KM, MX, ES2, Spotmatic etc continue to plod on regardless!

Apologies for being off Praktica topic here.

Steve

That's alarming as I do have both cameras. :O

 

[cuthbert]

I have a BMS with the 50/1.4 lens on it, very much like it, do not know why am I not using more frequently though

View attachment 111201

The 50/1.4 Prakticar is a good candidate for best 1.4 ever:

The problem is that like all the good Prakticar lenses is rare and expensive, I spent a prohibitive amount of money for the CZJ Vario-Sonnar in B mount (called of course Vario-Prakticar), hopefully it will perform well but I've never spent £100 for a zoom before.

Let's not talk about the 80/1.8...it's better!

 

[sagai]

Mine was roughly 15 USD kind of in local currency with an original hard case leather holder

 

[MartinCrabtree]

What's the problem? As I understand it's complicated because in the US Prakticas aren't common.

Just age more than likely. Sticky erratic shutter that occasionally doesn't work. Just needs a good CLA.

 

[cuthbert]

Just age more than likely. Sticky erratic shutter that occasionally doesn't work. Just needs a good CLA.

Perhaps it's something you can do it yourself with some patience...good luck with the camera, sometimes you just have to shoot several times until it does work properly.

However, I received the infamous Vario-Sonnar (that in B mount is called Vario-prakticar), I still have to finish the film but in terms of quality it's above and beyond any cheap Japanese zoom in B mount, it also came with a case made of real leather with red plush:

I also suspect that for the B200 and the other high range Prakticas of the late 70s they were using the same rubber used on the lenses to ensure a good grip, that was an interesting and vaguely funky idea.

 

[Manwithacam]

I managed to fix my 50mm f1.8. It was, just as I suspected, that a wire had become disconnected and just needed re-soldering. Everything is working now.

 

[Manwithacam]

I repaired my 50mm f1.8 the other day. The problem was just as I suspected, a loose wire.

I re-soldered the wire and re-assembled the lens and everything was working fine.

 

[Sewin]

Well done, nice neat job.

 

[GRHazelton]

My first 35mm SLR was a Praktica LTL, marketed by Haminex here in the states. I bought it in about about 1972. It came with a 50mm f1.8 Orestron, IIRC, quite a good lens which focused down to about 12 inches. And why not? The purchase price also included a hideous everready case made of fake leather and shiny plastic. Ech! I never used it.

I also added an Accura 28mm, a Haminex 135mm f2.8, and a Tamron 200mm f3.5 Adaptamatic, or whatever name they were using for their intercangeable mount lenses. The 28 and 135 were mediocre, but the 200 is very good, with a tripod mount. With a set of extension tubes I was ready to go.

The Praktica gave excellent service. The ergonomics are excellent, it has IMHO, the best implementation of stop down metering there is, the camera never gave any problems, despite being bounced of a sidewalk on occasion. The shutter still sounds accurate, but the 50mm needs cleaning. Sticky diaphragm. The 28 packed it in years ago, and the 135 never was very good. The Tamron is fine, a metal monster of the old school.

 

[Manwithacam]

Well done, nice neat job.

It wasn't that neat, that was the before picture [emoji4]