Praktica BCC

Praktica BCC electronic image by Jörg Krüger (Image rights)

The Praktica BCC electronic is an SLR-camera for 35 mm film produced by Pentacon. In the line-up of contemporary Praktica cameras it represented the model for easier use, mainly because there are only a few manual settings possible. Besides "B" and 1/60 s mechanical shutter speed, the only exposure mode is aperture priority automatic exposure. Compared to its forerunner, the Praktica BCA, features like the manual exposure correction, the self-timer, the indication of the f-stop in the viewfinder and the attachment for the motor drive were dropped. However, the BCC has a nearly identical counterpart, the Praktica BCS. Both were introduced around 1988 and produced until the end of Pentacon in 1990. They share the same instruction manual, and because the cameras were sold exclusively in the DDR the manual was published only in German. The only difference is, that the BCS has a self-timer and the BCC not. Both cameras exist with or without lever for DOF-preview. And since Pentacon became a part of Carl Zeiss Jena in 1985, both cameras bear the Carl-Zeiss-Jena label. About 15,000 pieces of the BCC were produced, the designers were Rolf Noack and Werner Hahn.

Specifications

• SLR for 35 mm film with interchangeable lenses
• Lens mount: Praktica B-mount with EDC (electronic diaphragm control)
• Shutter:
  • stepless shutter speeds from 1 to 1/1000 s, "B", mechanical 1/60 s (flash sync)
  • vertical running, three metal blades, electronically controlled
• Metering: TTL-metering with CdS-cell, center-weighted, activated with half-pressed shutter button
• Exposure mode: aperture priority automatic exposure
• Film speed: 12 to 3200 ASA
• Viewfinder shows 95% of the frame, focusing aids: split image (triple), microprisms and ground glass
• Viewfinder information with 5 LEDs:
  • red: overexposure
  • green: 1/1000 to 1/60 s
  • yellow: 1/30 to 1 s
  • red: underexposure and "B"
  • green: flash ready
• 4 batteries LR44 (1.5 V) or one V28 PX (6 V) are required
• Size: 138 x 87 x 49 mm, weight: 520 g without batteries
• lockable shutter button, thread for cable release, battery check

Links

• User's manual - German at Mike Butkus' Orphan Cameras