aperture priority functionality
shutter speeds from 1 sec. to 1/1000 sec.
LED shutterspeed indicator in viewfinder
TTL flash measuring
flash synchronisation 1/90sec.
EV correction switch from -2 to +2
AEL switch
selftimer, 10 sec.
fresnel focus screen with microprism (95% coverage)
optional winder
PB (Praktica Bayonet) mount
light measuring through silicium cell
powered by 6V PX28 battery
size: 141x88x49mm
weight: 510 gr.
An entire generation of photographers learned the tricks of the trade on Praktica’s L range of cameras. From the late 1960s, the giant East German camera works of Pentacon in Dresden created a range of sturdy, simple 35mm SLR cameras that were sold in the hundreds of thousands on the other side of the Iron Curtain, giving countless photographers a cheap and reliable first step into proper photography.
Some of the most common of these were the MTL models. The MTL 5 and 3 were both released around 1984; classic-looking chrome and black leather screw-mount SLRs, manual shutter speeds up to 1/1000th of a second and metering to ISO 1600, flash sync at 1/125th of a second and usually partnered with a Zeiss Jena 50mm lens. It was no-frills, but a perfect student camera; the Praktica had a simple centre-weighted meter, but everything else was manual. If the batteries ran out of juice, you could still able to take pictures if you were confident enough to guess the exposure.
The MTL 3 and 5 were followed by the 5B in 1985, and, a few months later, the MTL 50, the last in a long line of Praktica cameras using the M42 lens mount. Some 25 years after production stopped, the MTL 50 is still a really useful tool for anyone wanting to get stuck into film photography.
Prakticas had an undeservedly bad rep in the 1980s and 90s – and often from people who’d never shot with one. Politics might have been part of it – consumer goods from the former Soviet bloc were usually derided for their crudity and lack of sophistication. But the MTL-marque Prakticas were simple and sturdy. The metal shutter at the camera’s heart makes a hell of a clack, but is incredibly reliable. As photographers developed their skills, and had more disposable income, many sold their Prakticas; used examples soon filled second hand camera stores and charity shops.
By the time the Praktica MTL 50 was released, all-manual cameras using screw lenses were decidedly old hat; the first generation of auto-focus cameras were hitting shops, and cameras were losing their metal shells in favour of more lightweight, plastic ones. About the only major update the MTL 50 had over previous models was replacing the metering match needle with LED lights showing under or overexposure.
I learned basic photography on a Praktica MTL 5B about 15 years ago, having decided to put my autofocus Canon EOS in a drawer. I used it for a couple of year before giving it to a friend so he could do the same; the Praktica introduced me to the screw-mount system, which allows you to build up a decent bunch of lenses (and spare bodies, if you want them) for next to nothing, and the Praktica was followed by several other camera bodies using screw mount lenses.
Then in 2012, I found a Praktica MTL 50 on eBay for £25; about half the price I paid for my MTL 5B more than a decade before. It seemed a bargain too good to ignore.
The Praktica might not be lightweight, quiet or bristling with features, but it’s one of the cheapest system SLR outfits you can buy. Nearly 300,000 of these were made up until the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, and any that have managed to solider on til now are likely to give years more service.
So what’s so good about these old Prakticas? It’s the simplicity, on top of that legendary shutter (reputed to be cleared for over 100,00 exposures). The centre-weighted metering works perfectly fine in 95% of lighting conditions, and the placement of the shutter button on the front of the camera is a much more natural place for your fingers than the camera top plate; shoot a few films on a Praktica, and you’ll wonder why more camera designers didn’t do the same thing.
Pentacon also developed a special loading mechanism that helped make sure films were loaded safely. The film was placed behind a small plastic tab in the film chamber, and then fed onto the roll underneath two wires that help clamp down on the film as it’s wound on. It’s a pretty ingenious system, and one that makes mis-loading a Praktica pretty difficult.
Most of the time my travel camera is the Pentax ESII, one of the best screw mount cameras ever made, with aperture priority and a range of fantastic Takumar lenses. But the Praktica is a great spare body – during a recent trip to Barcelona and Morocco, I shot all of my Barcelona films on it, using the Pentacon Auto 50mm lens. Even with slide film, the Praktica’s meter was spot on, and the Pentacon Auto is a pretty capable lens. (Some of the other East German lenses, such as the Meyer Optic Orestor 100/2.8 and the Flektogon 35/2.4 are nothing less than outstanding).
I recently took the Praktica on a trip to New York for work as well; the one afternoon I had free to walk the city, camera in hand coincided with beautiful autumn sunshine. The Praktica’s Pentacon Auto lens paired well with Lomography 100 print film – though a lot of street photographers might have some issues with the noise the MTL 50 makes. This is not a quiet camera; the Praktica’s mirror makes one hell of a slap. If you’re wanting to take pictures on the sly, then you might want to use a rangefinder instead.
Tough, simple and reliable, Praktica MTLs are ripe for reappraisal. Get one while they’re still cheap.
View finder: fixed eye-level view finder (Pentaprism) with new field lens with triple rangefinder wedge, truncated microprism screen, groundglass field, built-in shutter speed meter with two red LED
Mirror: instant-return mirror
Film transport / frame counter: quick-release lever (black), Pentacon Loading-System, fold-out rewind crank (black), auto-zeroing frame counter
Lens mountM42x1
Self timer: mechanically, approx. 10 sec
Battery: PX 28 or 4xLR44
Metering system: TTL-metering using stopped-down metering controlled by a switch beside the lens mount above the shutter release knob
Flash system: X-synchronisation (1/125), accessory shoe at the top of the pentaprism, none coaxial flash socket
Flash indication: none
Aperture reflection into view finder: none
General comments: smooth, unruffled leatherette with stampings, complete black finish
The Praktica BCA Electronic is a 35mm SLR made in Dresden by Pentacon. It has aperture priority auto-exposure. The more ergonomic variant Carl Zeiss Jena Jenaflex AC-1 was made for the British market since 1986.
Type: SLR camera body
Manufacturer: Pentacon, Dresden (DDR, former East Germany)
Years of production: 1983-1990
Film: 35mm with speeds 12 to 3200 ISO
Lens mount: Praktica bayonet with EDC (electronic diaphragm control)
Producer data
Producer: VEB Pentacon Dresden Betrieb des Kombinates VEB Carl Zeiss Jena
Responsible constructor: Werner Hahn, Rolf Noack
Production period: August 1986 to December 1989
No of produced cameras: 231,806
Technical properties of the camera
Shutter type: steplessly working electronically controlled vertical-run metal-blade focal plane shutter
Exposure time (possible settings): B, steplessly automatic speeds between 1 sec and 1/1000 sec; mechanical range 1/60 sec
View finder: fixed eye-level view finder (Pentaprism, field of view: 95%) with field lens with triple rangefinder wedge, truncated microprism screen, groundglass field, LEDs- for shutter speed signaling changes their brightness with brightness of the image
Red LED for over-exposition
Green LED for 1/1000 to 1/60
Yellow LED for 1/30 to 1 sec
Red LED for under-exposition
Green LED - flash ready signal
Mirror: instant-return mirror
Film transport / frame counter: single stroke 125° wind-on quick-release lever with 25° stand off position, accepts B-motor winder, folding crank rewind knob, auto-zeroing frame counter
Lens mount: Praktica-B-mount with EDC (electronic diaphragm control)
Self timer: mechanically, approx. 8 sec delay
Battery: VARTA V28 PX (4xLR44)
Metering system: TTL-metering (12 to 3200 ASA) using electronic diaphragm control (EDC) for measurement with open aperture using a Cadmium sulphide photo-resistor, auto exposure compensation with +/- two shutter speeds in half steps, automatic exposure system with memory key, battery check facilities
Flash system: X-synchronisation (1/60), accessory shoe at the top of the pentaprism
Flash indication: yes
Aperture reflection into view finder: yes
General comments: version with Roman numerals for auto exposure correction
Praktica is a brand of camera manufactured by Pentacon in Dresden in eastern Germany, formerly within the GDR prior to German reunification in 1990. Pentacon is the modern-day successor to Dresden camera firms such as Zeiss Ikon; for many years Dresden was the world's largest producer of cameras. Currently Praktica is the only brand sold by the company; previous brands of the predecessor firms included Zeiss Ikon, Contax (now owned by the Carl Zeiss company), Ica, Ernemann, Exakta, Praktiflex, Pentacon, and many more.
The firm collapsed after German reunification but was resurrected in partnership with Schneider Kreuznach. Praktica today produces many products under various brands such as auto industry products, 3D LCD screens, and still cameras and lenses under their own Praktica brand and also more known international brands.
Among the innovative legacies of the predecessor firms are the roll film SLR camera in 1933, the 35mm SLR in 1936, and the pentaprism SLR in 1949. After WWII the company's products were best known in the Eastern Block countries, though some were exported to the west. They currently produce both budget lenses (mostly small, not very durable, and having manual focus, but good in optical quality) and higher priced products[citation needed]. They also produce optical equipment for the space programs of the US, Western Europe, and Russia. Praktica was and is a very popular brand in the UK.
Producer: MECHANIK Kamera-Werkstätten VEB Niedersedlitz
Responsible constructor: Siegfried Böhm
Production period: August 1950 to September 1951
No of produced camerasas a part of 1st variation: 24,805
Technical properties of the camera
Shutter type: mechanically controlled horizontal-run rubberised cloth-blind type shutter with twin settings for fast and slow speeds
Exposure time (possible settings): B, 1/2, 1/5, 1/10, 1/25, 1/50, 1/100, 1/200,1/500
View finder: fixed waist-level view finder with condenser type ground-glass focusing screen, simple sport view finder
Mirror: no instant-return mirror
Film transport / frame counter: knob film advance, loose film take-up spool, manual frame counter
Lens mount: M42x1
Self timer: none
Battery:none
Metering system: none
Flash system: with one flash contact at the front of the camera body
Flash indication: none
Aperture reflection into view finder: none
VEB Pentacon Dresden was an East German camera maker formed as VEB Kamera- und Kinowerke Dresden in 1959 by amalgation of Zeiss Ikon, Kamera Werke, Belca, Altissa, Welta, and cine film specialist Aspecta. In 1964 it was named Pentacon. Originally Pentacon was the export model name for the Contax D, since the use of the name Contax had been prohibited for the East German company VEB Zeiss Ikon. The new name had been coined from Pentaprism and Contax. The company produced its own shutters. Known is the Pentacon-Prestor leaf shutter.
The SLR production of VEB Pentacon essentially concentrated on the Praktica SLRs.
In 1968 VEB Pentacon Dresden became Kombinat VEB Pentacon Dresden, being merged with Mentor, Certo, Ihagee, Meyer, the camera industry of Freital and further specialized companies.
After the end of the Soviet bloc and just before German Reunification Pentacon was placed into the hands of the "Treuhand", a state-owned company charged with privatizing all the state-owned companies of East Germany. However, led by West-German business people, the Treuhand simply closed many companies. The first big hit against the East German economy was taken by the Pentacon group. On 2nd October 1990, one day before Reunification, Pentacon's liquidation began. The final day of production was June 30th 1991. The company still had 3331 employees. The next day it had just 232 who had to finish liquidation.
The only investor who had been interested in saving Pentacon was Heinrich Mandermann, the man who once had saved the lens maker Schneider-Kreuznach and who also was the co-founder of the camera trader Beroflex. But he waited until after liquidation to buy parts of the company from the Treuhand - thus getting them cheaper, including one of the modern Pentacon buildings which once served for military production. This part of Pentacon, now the new Pentacon GmbH, is still located in Dresden, and includes a service office for older cameras, camera production being outsourced to South Korea. The camera and lens brands represented by the new Pentacon are Praktica, Exakta, and Schneider Dresden, the enterprise employing about 150. Among its own products are amazing scanner cameras.
he Praktica super TL is a 35mm SLR manufactured by Pentacon in Dresden (DDR, former East Germany).
That camera was also available with a black topcover. A special version of the Praktica Super TL was sold in The Netherlands as the Pentor Super TL. It was also sold by Hanimex as the Hanimex Praktica super TL, Hanimex Super TL and Hanimex Pro TL. Porst in Germany sold it as the Porst Reflex FX6 while Foto-Quelle sold it as the Revueflex SL. In the United States it was sold as the Cavalier STL-I.
It features an M42 lens mount and stop-down TTL metering and a focal plane shutter. Year: 1968-76
Type: Reflex 24x36
Film: 35mm
Speeds: B, 1/1, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/15 1/30, 1/60, 1/125, 1/250,1/500
Produced around 1968-1975 VEB Pentacon AG Dresden, Germany
Film type 135 (35mm)
Picture size 24 x 36mm
Lens M42 screw-mount Meyer-Optik Oreston 50mm 1:1.8-16
Filter size 49mm threaded
Shutter cloth focal plane
Shutter speeds B, 1-1/500
Viewfinder SLR
Exposure meter TTL CdS
Battery originally PX675 mercury
Aperture preview button
two PC sync – X, F – but no shoe (?!)
The Praktica Super TL 3 is a 35mm film SLR with an M42 mount, built by Pentacon Dresden in the former DDR (East Germany). It was produced from March 1978 to January 1980.
The Praktica Super TL 3 was introduced in March 1978, showing no fundamental changes when compared to its predecessors. However, some minor detail changes were introduced:
Brighter and larger view-finder image with a new Fresnel lens with a combination of a microprism and split image range-finder;
Hot shoe and additional PC flash socket on the camera body at the base of the lens mount with two fully galvanically isolated circuits, which permit the use of two flash systems (dual flash);
A redesigned shutter, which is even quieter and vibration-free;
Additional (+/-)-symbols in the view finder for signalling under- or over exposure;
New non-slip grip surface.
The camera was produced from March 1978 to January 1980 Kombinat VEB Pentacon through Dresden. Made almost 100 000 cameras. Designer was Rolf Noack. The camera was equipped with a metal, vertical plane shutter of a speeds B, 1/1, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/15 1/30, 1/60, 1/125, 1/250, 1/500 X-sync to 1/125s.
Pentaprism viewfinder was the Fresnel lens and micro-notch, the camera also has a built-in TTL metering (behind the lens) and-return mirror.
Shutter: Mechanically controlled vertical-moving metal-blade focal plane shutter.
Viewfinder: Fixed eye-level viewfinder (Pentaprism) with Fresnel lens with microprism and split-image range-finder as focusing screen, needle metering indication with (+/-)-symbol.
Film transport/Frame counter: Quick-release lever, Pentacon Loading-System, fold-out rewind crank, auto-zeroing frame counter.
Self timer: None.
Metering System: TTL-metering using stopped-down metering controlled by a switch beside the lens mount above the shutter release knob.
Shutter Speeds: B, 1/1, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/15 1/30, 1/60, 1/125, 1/250,1/500.
Lens mount: M42x1.
Flash system: X-Synchronisation (1/125), accessory shoe at the top of the pentaprism, coaxial flash socket at the camera body for dual flash systems.
The Praktica MTL 5 B is a 35mmSLR made in Dresden, East Germany by Pentacon between 1985 & 1989. About 567,000 examples were produced[1]. It is a minor upgrade from the Praktica MTL 5. It features TTLexposure metering, triggered by a stop down button next to the front-mounted shutter release. A match-needle display on the right side of the viewfinder indicates whether the chosen combination of shutter speed and aperture will lead to under-, over-, or correct exposure. The meter is powered by a battery fitted in the base. On early models a PX25 mercury battery was required; later models used the LR44 alkaline. Batteries are not required if metering is not used. Film speed set by lifting and rotating the shutter speed dial.
The metal-curtained focal plane shutter runs vertically at speeds from 1s to 1/1000s, plus B (bulb) for long exposures. The film speed setting ranges from 12 ASA (12 DIN) to 1600 ASA (33 DIN). Interchangeable lenses utilize the M42 screw mount, with the Zeiss Jena-copy Pentacon 1.8/50mm non-coated lens being most commonly found.
The MTL 5 B was also sold by Foto-Quelle as the Revue ML.
