Praktica Appreciation Thread

[AgX]

I'm not sure Exakta ivolved into anything, rather produced side by side with Praktica, clearly at same plant, with minor differences to differentiate.

By then 1969/70Pentacon was absorbing Ihagee or already had finalized that. The Exakta RTL 100 thus should be seen as Pentacon camera already, the model by which Pentacon cancelled the Exakta line. As it was based on the L-type Praktica series it most likely was already made at the Praktica production line.

 

[Deleted member 88956]

By then 1969/70Pentacon was absorbing Ihagee or already had finalized that. The Exakta RTL 100 thus should be seen as Pentacon camera already, the model by which Pentacon cancelled the Exakta line. As it was based on the L-type Praktica series it most likely was already made at the Praktica production line.

There are some conflicting feeds on RTL 1000 vs. Praktica, but due to a lot of similarities between the 2, RTL was a Praktica with exception of lens mount and some minor other differences. Have both RTL and VLC and holding them side by side and operating, in a blindfold test it would be hard to distinguish the 2. The shutter release on left next to mount on RTL was to retain backward compatibility with all older lenses, so in a sense that was an advantage over VLC. At the end of the day, even though VLC was apparently produced after RTL went kaput, they were unique for the maker with VLC being sole interchangeable finder model in Praktica line.

Of course nobody should forget the Pentacon Super, but that is another story and probably shame it never made waves high enough to cause lasting tidal shift in the Western market at least trying to recognize Pentacon/Praktica contribution to the development of photographic instruments.

 

[Deleted member 88956]

I actually need to correct myself and credit others for pointing that out (Matt). One thing that is a significant departure on VLC from RTL 1000 are the electric contacts on lens mount and implied sophistication from lens control stand point, even if one could argue all mechanical RTL 1000 in this respect is one ahead in reliability or at least power dependance for lens control.

 

[AgX]

Electrical information of aperture set at the lens: first introduced by Pentacon, not in Japan.

 

[AgX]

But the Exakta-mount model had two releases at the front, one next to the mount, to enable automatic-diaphragm operation with such lenses that got an add-on release at their barrel, via that to operate the body release.

What I thought to be the auxilliary release directly next to the lens is actually the seperate release button for the self-release...
The auxuilliary button I hinted at above is at the opposing side of the lens, more upwards next to the apron.
Likely only to be activated by a pin exactly as in a cable release connector, for this an adapter has to be screwd in to connect it to the old type lens.

 

[Deleted member 88956]

That release on the left (looking from top down) is legacy compatibility with old Exakta lenses which had left hand release. The large right side mounted release is sort of a forced placement from new shutter used from Praktica range.

 

[chuck3565]

I need some help disassembling my praktica IV, but l can't figure out how to remove the speed selector. Does anyone know how?

Haven't done this in years but I think one first removes the slow fast dial. The shutter speed dial is removed using a large flat headed screw driver with a gap cut in the middle of it. To loosen the selector, turn clockwise.

 

[AgX]

"To loosen the selector, turn clockwise."
Thank you!

 

[eldiii]

Hello All!, I'm enquiring about my Black Praktica LLC. I've had this camera for several years but have never used it because the shutter speeds (with exception of the B setting) all fire at the same speed. Does anyone have any suggestions as to what is the problem? I have no problem disassembling it, but before I do I'm looking to see if anyone has already encountered this problem and a recommended solution.

Thanks and best regards!

Ed

 

[chuck3565]

It's like it's glued shut! I can't remove it... The second curtain is full of pinholes, l'll try to resolve the issue with some liquid rubber. The whole camera was jammed, but now fires nicely at all speeds, it would be a shame not to do something about the shutter.
It's in a really nice condition too, had a Primotar 50mm 3.5 attached which was free from scratches or fungus.

It's like it's glued shut! I can't remove it... The second curtain is full of pinholes, l'll try to resolve the issue with some liquid rubber. The whole camera was jammed, but now fires nicely at all speeds, it would be a shame not to do something about the shutter.
It's in a really nice condition too, had a Primotar 50mm 3.5 attached which was free from scratches or fungus.

Black Tulip fabric paint works well to cover pinholes.

 

[chuck3565]

Hello All!, I'm enquiring about my Black Praktica LLC. I've had this camera for several years but have never used it because the shutter speeds (with exception of the B setting) all fire at the same speed. Does anyone have any suggestions as to what is the problem? I have no problem disassembling it, but before I do I'm looking to see if anyone has already encountered this problem and a recommended solution.

Thanks and best regards!

Ed

You will need to disassemble the top to get to the shutter delay mechanism. I'd clean it and lubricate it with a little liquid graphite. Also, on the right side, looking at the mechanism from the back, there is a small pawl. Check to see if a spring end is on the outside of this pawl. If it isn't, the delay mechanism won't work.

 

[chuck3565]

You will need to disassemble the top to get to the shutter delay mechanism. I'd clean it and lubricate it with a little liquid graphite. Also, on the right side, looking at the mechanism from the back, there is a small pawl. Check to see if a spring end is on the outside of this pawl. If it isn't, the delay mechanism won't work.

Forgot to mention. Don't use isopropyl alcohol to clean. It melts the plastic gears that were coal based. Naphtha works well.

 

[eldiii]

Forgot to mention. Don't use isopropyl alcohol to clean. It melts the plastic gears that were coal based. Naphtha works well.

Awesome! Thank you for the suggestion! Regards!

 

[pentaxpete]

YO !! Christmas came in MARCH 2019 !! I was GIVEN a Clean MTL5 3 lens outfit with 'Hunter Effects Filters' and Agfa Vista 200 24 exp and a Sunpak SP140 flash at Club last Friday by our Club Web-Master who got it from his Cousin. Batteries were all corroded in flash but I have cleaned it out and now works and there was a spent Mercury battery in Camera ( Luckily NO Leakage) . Camera is 'Mint' and lenses have NO Fungus; All marked 'Carl Zeiss Jena DDR' I used the Agfa Vista 200 for first tests-- came out a bit 'Thin' even though I had given it extra exposure due to no doubt bad storage for years since the Donor went 'Digital'
Praktica MTL 5 3 lens outfit by Peter Elgar, on Flickr
35mm f2.4 Carl Zeiss Jena MC Flektogon DDR

MTL 5 35 lens by Peter Elgar, on Flickr
135mm f3.5 Carl Zeiss Jena MC

MTL 5 135 lens 03 by Peter Elgar, on Flickr

 

[markjwyatt]

Hi pentaxpete. I left you a message on your gallery print of the ducks in a pond. I do like the 35mm f2.4 Flektagon, and I have my own MTL5 body (I got for around $8), it works, meter works, and it is a little later model so no mercury batteries; self timer lever is not present. My Gossen SBC meter went out, so for the moment (at least until I revive another meter or fix this one) it just became one of my main cameras! I like shooting with the Prakicas. I have the MTL5 and an LTL3 (which has a small light leak and I do not think the meter works). I pair the MTL5 (and some other M42 cameras) with my Zeiss Ultron and a few other adapted lenses and some less illustrious M42 lenses. If everything is good, that is a really nice outfit.

 

[AgX]

....self timer lever is not present.

I meanwhile reject L-models if they got that lever.

I consider it in the way to hold the camera nicely and even worse the lever itself is bad designed with its sharp edged ridge. A provocation.

What do you guys think?

 

[markjwyatt]

...Now I can add that I have a Practika VF (late model with instant return mirror). Just bought it in Classifieds from PGraham3. I will run a roll through it.

 

[markjwyatt]

I meanwhile reject L-models if they got that lever.

I consider it in the way to hold the camera nicely and even worse the lever itself is bad designed with its sharp edged ridge. A provocation.

What do you guys think?

I certainly do not need it.

 

[Fin]

I was GIVEN a Clean MTL5 3 lens outfit

Noice! A while ago I think I paid about £20 for an MTL5b, with 2 and a bit lenses; Pentacon 135mm thing, Paragon 35mm something-or-other and 2x Zeiss Tessars which were in bits, one of which I successfully rebuilt. Finally got round to using it, and I'd forgotten what solid feeling cameras these were. They were fairly cost reduced budget cameras, but also pretty well built.

One for free, particularly with Zeiss lenses is quite a win!

 

[GRHazelton]

My Praktica LTL sadly besmirched with a Hanimex sticker has the self timer lever. It never bothered me; I never used it. The camera still works, despite heavy use many years ago and having been bounced off a sidewalk! BTW, the Praktica uses a bridge metering circuit, so the voltage difference between a mercury cell and a silver oxide cell should make no difference.

 

[pentaxpete]

markjwyatt :YES found and replied to message about Comrade Petrrov --- now been in Hospital for Sigmoidoscopy so not very 'active' -- I DID do a full aperture test on the Flektogon and it is sharp . Under x6 magnifier cannot see any difference with f5.6 -- not scanned negs because of Hospital but also bad connection in scanner power cable.

 

[Huss]

Saw this on an electronic billboard at the mall. Funny out of all the cameras out there, a Praktica would be used!

 

[AgX]

Interesting, but I do not get what that SLR-ikon (to name it this way) is hinting at at all at that billboard.
(Slow on the uptake again...)

 

[Theo Sulphate]

Interesting, but I do not get what that SLR-ikon (to name it this way) is hinting at at all at that billboard.
(Slow on the uptake again...)

They may be hinting at travel, where perhaps a camera is indicative of what tourists carry.

That we have 26 Photrio pages discussing the Praktica shows that the camera indeed has respect.

 

[AgX]

Prakticas, Zenits, Canon A's were all millionsellers. Reason enough to talk about them. We just have chosen the Prakticas.