This is a very unique old camera. As you might know, the Praktina FX was one of the very first "system SLRs" and was a professional grade camera. They are exquisitely robust cameras and have a whole host of add-ons, including the first motor drive I believe.
What makes this camera so unique is also what makes it so ugly. The Praktina name has been thoroughly carved out, as well as the Praktina symbol on the top plate. I've seen a similar camera that had another name plate pasted over the Praktina name, hence the weird amber adhesive. This was done for reasons regarding post-WWII Germany as I understand it. The case says, "Made in Germany (East)". I'd love to know more about the history if you'd care to share; I know I wouldn't be alone.
The case is rather ratty and has rusted metal. The camera is in pretty good shape surpsingly; reflex housing is immaculate. Shutter works within reason; it is sticky below 1/30th IIRC and the shutter curtain has a pin hole or something that appears to have been patched. I shot a roll thru this camera and all the pictures came out surprisingly well, but most had a circular white spot where light entered said pinhole. Since there is no auto-return mirror, this showed up on most of my pictures taken outside.
The lens says CZ Jena, which means Carl Zeiss! I believe it is a Biotar, since it is 58mm f/2. The lens has internal dust and fungus, but surprisingly it takes decent pics with a very dreamy quality.
Comes with a Kopil "Folding Bellowscope", which has a scale of magnification and exposure compensation. It's dirty, but looks like it could be light tight... fingers crossed.
All in all, this is a collectors piece that you can put film through. CLA the shutter, fix the pinhole, clean the glass and you've got a sweet camera with an interesting background. It is a heavy camera and just feels really good. Beautiful German nickel/steel(?) and great leatherette.
I saw a camera with the same tell-tale signs of post-WWII goings-on that sold on eBay for over $200. I'm not expecting to get that, but hey I'd take it!
Make me an offer if you're interested and we'll go from there. I can also provide some pictures taken with the camera if you're intersested; they're just on my other computer at the moment.
What makes this camera so unique is also what makes it so ugly. The Praktina name has been thoroughly carved out, as well as the Praktina symbol on the top plate. I've seen a similar camera that had another name plate pasted over the Praktina name, hence the weird amber adhesive. This was done for reasons regarding post-WWII Germany as I understand it. The case says, "Made in Germany (East)". I'd love to know more about the history if you'd care to share; I know I wouldn't be alone.
The case is rather ratty and has rusted metal. The camera is in pretty good shape surpsingly; reflex housing is immaculate. Shutter works within reason; it is sticky below 1/30th IIRC and the shutter curtain has a pin hole or something that appears to have been patched. I shot a roll thru this camera and all the pictures came out surprisingly well, but most had a circular white spot where light entered said pinhole. Since there is no auto-return mirror, this showed up on most of my pictures taken outside.
The lens says CZ Jena, which means Carl Zeiss! I believe it is a Biotar, since it is 58mm f/2. The lens has internal dust and fungus, but surprisingly it takes decent pics with a very dreamy quality.
Comes with a Kopil "Folding Bellowscope", which has a scale of magnification and exposure compensation. It's dirty, but looks like it could be light tight... fingers crossed.
All in all, this is a collectors piece that you can put film through. CLA the shutter, fix the pinhole, clean the glass and you've got a sweet camera with an interesting background. It is a heavy camera and just feels really good. Beautiful German nickel/steel(?) and great leatherette.
I saw a camera with the same tell-tale signs of post-WWII goings-on that sold on eBay for over $200. I'm not expecting to get that, but hey I'd take it!
Make me an offer if you're interested and we'll go from there. I can also provide some pictures taken with the camera if you're intersested; they're just on my other computer at the moment.
