Jump to content

A Praktica Revisited


Recommended Posts

<p>I've had an ongoing love affair with Praktica SLR's extending back over forty years. While still a student, my first SLR camera was a Praktica Nova B with a Domiplan lens, probably the least esteemed combination in Praktica history, but I took some nice photographs with it. Well, they pleased <em>me</em>, and while other classier cameras came and went over the next four decades I upgraded the Prakticas now and then, and began collecting them more seriously about five years ago.</p>

<p>This PLC3 uses the world-first Pentacon Electrical Diaphragm Simulation system, which permits TTL metering at full aperture, rather than the stopped-down metering that was previously the norm; this was introduced in 1969 with the Praktica LLC model. In 1975 the PLC 2 appeared followed by the PLC3 in 1978; these cameras required the Pentacon Electric lenses to provide open-aperture metering, the lenses having three electrical contact points that came into contact with three points on the lens mount when the M42 thread was screwed fully home. Here's how it looks:</p><div>00eIXy-567142484.jpg.3590bd61c326ff3a1952793daa657b36.jpg</div>

Link to comment
Share on other sites

<p>Non-Electric lenses could be used, but only with the lens stopped down in traditional fashion, these Praktica using an in-viewfinder center-the-needle procedure, still my favorite among the various systems.<br /><br />Basically, the PLC3 Camera is a rugged, well-built and (to me) handsome camera, with the excellent Pentacon quick film loading system that uses two opposing bars to fold and trap the film's leader, one of the best and simplest such gadgets around. The somewhat noisy metal shutter has speeds from B to 1/1000th, but it's reliable, accurate and virtually indestructible. The shutter is mechanical and the metering was designed to run on on the now-defunct 4.5v PX21 cell, but I'm indebted to our<strong> Subbarayan</strong> <strong>Prasanna</strong> who pointed out quite early in the piece that a 1.5v AA cell is of the same dimensions and the meter will operate perfectly on the lower voltage. Which saves a lot of fiddling around with stacks of button cells and other inconvenient devices. The pebble finish of the covering wears extremely well and provides an excellent grip. For me the crowning glory is the 50mm Pentacon f/1.8 lens, a lens that endured for many years in the Praktica range. Starting out as the Meyer-Optik Görlitz Oreston, with variations only to mounts and coatings it became the Pentacon, Pentacon Electric and the Pentacon Prakticar in the last Praktica "B" series. It's a truly great lens, one I use frequently on my DSLR's; I'll post some samples from a new roll of Kentmere 100 processed in PMK Pyro, with scans from an Epson V700 using Silverfast SE software.</p><div>00eIXz-567142584.thumb.jpg.9a58d7425bbca2a302e05299d6de75c0.jpg</div>
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

<p>Nice images. I too have a soft spot for the all-mechanical Prakticas, but the crappy viewfinder, I could never come to terms with (save perhaps for the MTL-50 which received an upgrade in that department and the VLC models with the interchangeable finders). Also the AA battery thing is a convenient solution, but I'm pretty sure that the lower voltage doesn't permit deflection of the needle across the whole range of the light meter, so it's good for showing correct exposure, but you can't over- or under-expose at will, at least based on the needle (you can always simply go up or down one or two stops by changing speed or aperture ignoring the meter).</p>
Link to comment
Share on other sites

<p>IMHO, the whole L series is the high point of Praktica development particularly in terms of a fine design, well executed. My personal favorite among these are the VLC models with the removable prism.</p>

<p>The gods help me, I do so love these souvenirs of the Workers' and Peasants' State. This is, of course, not strictly explainable in rational terms.<br>

Thanks for a very welcome post!</p><div>00eIZN-567148984.jpg.8f2b3d920cf0f6124d22a268b97decde.jpg</div>

Link to comment
Share on other sites

<p>Very fine results. Love the look you get. Excellent tone and sharpness... While I have a soft spot too for DDR cameras, I avoided these early on as yet another line (Praktica) of cameras... I am now so unfocused on models and lines that, camera slut that I am, I will take anything. I may yet go for the VLC model... but that means I will need a second screen etc and then the whole thing goes crazy again. I have the Contax Pentacon line and may yet go for one of these Pentacon 1.8 lenses. I have the Pancolar in Exacta mount. In M42 there are so many desirable lenses. <br />I like that you have been consistent in keeping this line as collectible and the later or last "B" model you showed a year back was excellent too. I love success stories with batteries! </p>
Link to comment
Share on other sites

<p>If anyone experiences meter range issues using a AA battery (as Christos mentioned), you can still get Exell 4.5V PX21 alkaline batteries online. I prefer the MTL50 as it takes a PX28 battery, and the LED metering is nice too. Another favorite is the LB2, which is basically an L with a built-in, accurate selenium meter.</p>

<p>Nice results with the Pentacon lens. Like the Meyer Oreston, the close focusing distance is handy, and I think the multicoatings are an improvement over the Oreston, which I found to be a bit flare-prone.</p>

<p> </p><div>00eIZq-567150684.JPG.bbf6d826acdcb66cd171acadd7d0edfe.JPG</div>

Link to comment
Share on other sites

<p>My luck with a Nova 1B and with a Domiplan lens was not so good. The 1B must have been the most poorly made SLR I have ever owned. I traded it for something. The Domiplan came with an Exakta VX500. I traded the Domiplan for a 50/2 Pancolar. The lens was good but I did not like the camera so I traded both away. Late last year I got a 50/1.8 Pentacon marked auto and MULTI COATING on the front. I must have used it only once or twice so far. This year it should get some more use and I will see how it compares to my other M42 standard lenses. </p>
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...