Praktica BCS

Praktica BCS electronic image by Uwe Kulick (Image rights)

The BCS is a 35mm SLR camera released by Praktica in 1989. It was a continuation of the B series of Praktica cameras. It is very similar to the B100 with cosmetic changes and an in-viewfinder LED shutter speed indication, in favour of the B100 match needle. The BCA used aperture priority and automatic shutter speed selection. The aperture is visible in the viewfinder via a small window seen above the lens. There is minimal ability to manually select shutter speeds other than for flash use (1/60th) and bulb mode. Over/under exposure of +/- 2 is available.

Specifications

• Type: SLR camera body
• Manufacturer: Pentacon, Dresden (DDR, former East Germany)
• Years of production: 1989-1990
• Film: 35mm with speeds 12 to 3200 ASA
• Lens mount: Praktica bayonet with EDC (electronic diaphragm control)
• Shutter: electronically controlled metal focal plane shutter, speeds B, 1, 1/5, 1/10, 1/30, 1/60 (flash synch.), 1/125, 1/250, 1/500, 1/1000, mechanical fixed speed 1/60 sec
• Metering: TTL with cadmium sulfide photo resistor
• Viewfinder: Pentaprism finder, shows 95% of image, ground glass screen with split image and microprism focusing aid, red, green and yellow LEDs for exposure time control
• Batteries: 4×LR44