Praktica F.X 2

Praktica F.X 2 image by Jaap Schelvis (Image rights)

The Praktica F.X 2 was produced by VEB Kamera-Werke Niedersedlitz (the renamed KW) from March 1958 to June 1959. This 35mm film SLR has the M42 lens mount and a mechanically controlled horizontal-run rubberised cloth-blind type shutter with twin settings for fast and slow speeds: B, 1/2, 1/5, 1/10, 1/25, 1/50, 1/100, 1/200 and 1/500 sec. It has a fixed waist-level view finder with condenser type ground-glass focusing screen and simple sport view finder. For X- and F-synchronisation there are two flash coaxial sockets at the front of the camera body. The F synchronisation had been modified to 10 milliseconds before complete shutter release and this modification is indicated by the dot between the F and the X in the model name. The camera does not have an instant-return mirror so the viewfinder blacks out after each exposure.

Praktica F.X 2 sport view finder image by Jaap Schelvis (Image rights)