Difference between revisions of "Praktica"

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It became a long-lasting series of SLRs produced by [[KW]] and then by [[Pentacon]]. The last Praktica produced was the '''BX20s''', discontinued in 2001.
 
It became a long-lasting series of SLRs produced by [[KW]] and then by [[Pentacon]]. The last Praktica produced was the '''BX20s''', discontinued in 2001.
 +
 +
==Overview==
  
 
The first m42 camera is said to be the original "Praktica," which resembles the Praktiflex but has a redesigned body and viewfinder hood. Versions of the Praktica exist with no flash sync, multiple sets of vacublitz terminals, single PC socket, and/or special terminals recessed in a oval-shaped divot on the bottom of the camera. Some of these blur into later models with specific names, but all are labeled merely as "Praktica."
 
The first m42 camera is said to be the original "Praktica," which resembles the Praktiflex but has a redesigned body and viewfinder hood. Versions of the Praktica exist with no flash sync, multiple sets of vacublitz terminals, single PC socket, and/or special terminals recessed in a oval-shaped divot on the bottom of the camera. Some of these blur into later models with specific names, but all are labeled merely as "Praktica."
 +
 +
The early Prakticas are fairly typical of 50's SLR's, with a shutter bearing a resemblance to the original [[Leica]] focal-plane shutter: the shutter speed dial rotates in one direction when being cocked, then rotates quickly in the opposite direction when fired. Part of the dial is lifted up and turned relative to the whole to change the setting. Similar to other Leica-type shutters, though with an important distinction, a second timer must be engaged for slow speeds. The difference from, say, the [[Leica III]], is that this timer is engaged with a simple on-off switch, and its settings are on the same dial as the fast speeds.
 +
 +
The most consistent hallmark of the series would be the front-mounted shutter release. This placement originates in the Praktica's birth at a time when waist-level finders were standard on SLR's. Top-mounted shutter release would be less ergonomic when using the SLR at waist or chest height. There is a school of thought that the front-mounted shutter release allows a steadier grip and thus sharper handheld pictures.
  
 
The subsequent named models in the first series of Prakticas all consistently have two types of sync: X, universally, and one of several kinds of flasbulb sync, whether M, F, or "F." which is a delay slightly longer than "F". PC sockets became standard during the lifetime of the FX model, which also exists in a Vacublitz model.  
 
The subsequent named models in the first series of Prakticas all consistently have two types of sync: X, universally, and one of several kinds of flasbulb sync, whether M, F, or "F." which is a delay slightly longer than "F". PC sockets became standard during the lifetime of the FX model, which also exists in a Vacublitz model.  
  
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F.X2 redesigns the viewfinder hood, compromising its core functionality somewhat<ref>this finder hood is very short when raised and often requires being shielded with the hand in overhead light</ref> in exchange for being able to put a removable pentaprism much closer to the focusing screen. F.X3 adds a bumper for Contax/Pentax-style automatic lenses, actuated directly by the shutter release. Large fixed prisms were added in the next model, the "Praktica IV." More drastic redesigns followed.
+
F.X2 redesigns the viewfinder hood, compromising its core functionality somewhat<ref>this finder hood is very short when raised and often requires being shielded with the hand in overhead light</ref> in exchange for being able to put a removable pentaprism much closer to the focusing screen. F.X3 adds a bumper for Contax/Pentax-style automatic lenses, actuated directly by the shutter release. Large fixed prisms were added in the next model, the "Praktica IV."  
 +
 
 +
More drastic redesigns followed. The IV B introduced a built-in meter, the Nova remodeled various aspects of the body, and subsequent models introduced more and more modern features, moving away from the now-archaic model of SLR that the first Praktica was an example of. The shutter release would be redesigned, while remaining on the front of the camera, the rotating dial would vanish (and not be lamented), and TTL metering would become standard. Eventually the line pioneered the metallized plastic covering that would become standard on Japanese SLR's in the 70's, though with the lag of technology in the Eastern Bloc, the line would never regain its former prestige or place as a high-end cutting-edge SLR.
  
 
For other Praktica products, like compact cameras, 120 rollfilm cameras or digital products, please refer to the [[Pentacon]] pages.   
 
For other Praktica products, like compact cameras, 120 rollfilm cameras or digital products, please refer to the [[Pentacon]] pages.   

Revision as of 17:40, 14 August 2021

4812984514_218bcafc79.jpg
image by bottledog (Image rights)

Praktica started as the name of a model of 35mm SLR from KW, introduced in 1949 and successor to the Praktiflex.

It became a long-lasting series of SLRs produced by KW and then by Pentacon. The last Praktica produced was the BX20s, discontinued in 2001.

Overview

The first m42 camera is said to be the original "Praktica," which resembles the Praktiflex but has a redesigned body and viewfinder hood. Versions of the Praktica exist with no flash sync, multiple sets of vacublitz terminals, single PC socket, and/or special terminals recessed in a oval-shaped divot on the bottom of the camera. Some of these blur into later models with specific names, but all are labeled merely as "Praktica."

The early Prakticas are fairly typical of 50's SLR's, with a shutter bearing a resemblance to the original Leica focal-plane shutter: the shutter speed dial rotates in one direction when being cocked, then rotates quickly in the opposite direction when fired. Part of the dial is lifted up and turned relative to the whole to change the setting. Similar to other Leica-type shutters, though with an important distinction, a second timer must be engaged for slow speeds. The difference from, say, the Leica III, is that this timer is engaged with a simple on-off switch, and its settings are on the same dial as the fast speeds.

The most consistent hallmark of the series would be the front-mounted shutter release. This placement originates in the Praktica's birth at a time when waist-level finders were standard on SLR's. Top-mounted shutter release would be less ergonomic when using the SLR at waist or chest height. There is a school of thought that the front-mounted shutter release allows a steadier grip and thus sharper handheld pictures.

The subsequent named models in the first series of Prakticas all consistently have two types of sync: X, universally, and one of several kinds of flasbulb sync, whether M, F, or "F." which is a delay slightly longer than "F". PC sockets became standard during the lifetime of the FX model, which also exists in a Vacublitz model.

F.X2 redesigns the viewfinder hood, compromising its core functionality somewhat[1] in exchange for being able to put a removable pentaprism much closer to the focusing screen. F.X3 adds a bumper for Contax/Pentax-style automatic lenses, actuated directly by the shutter release. Large fixed prisms were added in the next model, the "Praktica IV."

More drastic redesigns followed. The IV B introduced a built-in meter, the Nova remodeled various aspects of the body, and subsequent models introduced more and more modern features, moving away from the now-archaic model of SLR that the first Praktica was an example of. The shutter release would be redesigned, while remaining on the front of the camera, the rotating dial would vanish (and not be lamented), and TTL metering would become standard. Eventually the line pioneered the metallized plastic covering that would become standard on Japanese SLR's in the 70's, though with the lag of technology in the Eastern Bloc, the line would never regain its former prestige or place as a high-end cutting-edge SLR.

For other Praktica products, like compact cameras, 120 rollfilm cameras or digital products, please refer to the Pentacon pages.

2355086188_a6ac4dfe37.jpg 2978523956_cf64ee6aba.jpg
Ilafot shop in Dresden 1984 Dresden, Prague Street, in 1991
images by Jim Cooper (Image rights)

List of Praktica 35mm SLRs

Praktiflex

Praktica / MX / FX

354356290_6b9ee39376_t.jpg[2]

Praktica IV / V

Praktica nova

4812359991_35afca7828_t.jpg[3]

Praktica PL nova

1st L-series generation

2nd L-series generation

4306362275_eb8fbbffb1_t.jpg[4]

3rd L-series generation

4th L-series generation

45587002_71efd4d0c7_t.jpg[5]

Praktica B-series

288021754_63f68daa06_t.jpg[6]

Praktica BX-series


References

  1. ↑ this finder hood is very short when raised and often requires being shielded with the hand in overhead light
  2. ↑ image of Praktica FX 2 by Michele M. F. (Image rights)
  3. ↑ image of Praktica nova by bottledog (Image rights)
  4. ↑ image of Praktica PLC 3 by bottledog (Image rights)
  5. ↑ image of Praktica MTL 5 by Martin Taylor (Image rights)
  6. ↑ image of Praktica BCS by Uwe Kulick (Image rights)

Links

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