Difference between revisions of "Praktiflex"

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The '''Praktiflex''' is a [[35mm]] SLR film camera, manufactured by  Kamera-Werkstätten VEB Niedersedlitz, ([[KW]]) Dresden, former East Germany and produced between 1939-49.
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KW was the third manufacturer to introduce a 24×36 [[SLR]] camera; only the [[Kine Exakta]] and the Russian [[Sport (SLR)|Sport]] preceded it.
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Also, the Praktiflex was the world's first small-format SLR camera with a returnable mirror and with a screw mount for interchangeable lenses.
 +
 +
Its successor, the [[Praktica]], became a very long and successful series of models.
 +
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The Praktiflex has a special 40mm in diameter screw thread lens mount, and takes only [[Praktiflex lenses]]. The [[42mm screw lenses|42mm thread mount]] became available from about 1947, and was thus initiated by this manufacturer. This lens mount became practically an universal industry standard, until about 1975 when the need for increased exchange of information between camera and lens made the bayonet mount a more practical arrangement.
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There are many models and variants of the Praktiflex. They could be divided two main generations. <ref> Generation, model and version IDs are as to [http://www.praktica-collector.de/079_Praktiflex_15th.htm  Mike's Praktica Collection]</ref>
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The first generation includes pre-WW2 models and the second generation includes post-WW2 models.
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==First generation specifications==
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*Produced between 1939-46
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*Lens: offered with various brand's lenses <ref name="lens">[[Praktiflex lenses]]</ref>
 +
*Mount:  M40x1 screw type
 +
*Focusing: via condenser type ground-glass focusing screen
 +
*Shutter: horizontal-run rubberised cloth-blind type shutter speeds: 1/20-1/500, +B
 +
*Shutter release knob: on the top of the camera
 +
*Mirror: Instant return, of a sort. The mirror is raised as the shutter release is pressed, and falls back under gravity ''when the button is released'':<ref name=EP>[http://www.earlyphotography.co.uk/site/entry_C565.html Praktiflex] at [http://www.earlyphotography.co.uk Early Photography]</ref> similar to the shutters on 1920s large-format SLRs like the [[Soho Reflex]]
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*Viewfinder: Waist-level view finder with condenser type ground-glass focusing screen (Stevens Screen), fixed,  w/ magnifier and eye level sports finder
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*There are some variants with special coloured leatherette like red, blue, gray.
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*Some variants have no strap lugs and some variants have strap knobs
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{|class=floatleft
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{{Flickr_image
 
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|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/s-demir/5296355723/in/pool-camerawiki
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|image_source=http://www.flickr.com/photos/danipuntocom/8574880704/in/pool-camerawiki/
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|image= http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5088/5296355723_e41ba0ace2_m.jpg
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|image=http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8096/8574880704_7cc179cf71_d.jpg
 
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|image_text= circa 1948 Praktiflex
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|image_text= Praktiflex 1st generation, 1939<br>(Hummel 072, Schulz version 1)<br><small>with Victar 50mm f/3.5<br>[[Ernemann Tower|Technische Sammlungen Dresden]]</small>
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|image_by=Danipuntocom
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|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/tell1664/5015494749/in/pool-camerawiki
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|image= http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4154/5015494749_4fd09cebed.jpg
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|image_align= right
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|image_text= Praktiflex 1st generation, 1939<br>4th model  (Hummel 073, Schulz version 4)<br><small>w/ Ludwig Victar 50mm f/3.5  <ref> as to [http://www.praktica-collector.de/073_Praktiflex_4th.htm  Mike's Practica Collection]</ref></small>
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|image_by= Guillaume Cordary
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|image_rights= with permission
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}}
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{{br}}
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==Second generation specifications==
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*Produced between 1947-49
 +
*Lens: Praktiflex offered with various brand's lenses <ref name="lens" />
 +
*Lens mount: M40x1 screw type
 +
*Focusing: via condenser type ground-glass focusing screen, w/ central cross
 +
*Shutter: horizontal-run rubberised cloth-blind type shutter speeds: 1/25-1/500, +B 
 +
*Shutter release knob: on front of the camera
 +
*Cocking knob: also winds the film, auto-stops on film-advance
 +
*Mirror: Not instant return. The mirror is raised by spring tension, so requires effort to lower it; it returns when the shutter is  cocked<ref name=EP/>
 +
*Viewfinder: Waist-level view finder with condenser type ground-glass focusing screen (Stevens Screen), fixed,  w/ magnifier and eye level sports finder
 +
*Back cover: Removable
 +
*Others: Tripod socket: 3/8 inch; Strap lugs
 +
*Body:  metallic;  Weight: 748g
 +
 
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{{Flickr_image
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|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/s-demir/5296355723/in/pool-camerawiki/
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|image= http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5088/5296355723_c481d9c7fd.jpg
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|image_align= center
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|image_text= Praktiflex 2nd generation, 15th model, (Hummel 079, Schulz version 15), 1947, w/ Carl Zeiss Jena Biotar T, 58mm f/ 2 <ref>as to [http://www.praktica-collector.de/079_Praktiflex_14th.htm  Mike's Practica Collection]</ref>
 
|image_by= Süleyman Demir
 
|image_by= Süleyman Demir
 
|image_rights= with permission
 
|image_rights= with permission
 
}}
 
}}
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|colspan=3 align="center"| Praktiflex 2nd generation, 15th model, (Hummel 079, Schulz version 15), 1947, w/ Carl Zeiss Jena Biotar T, 58mm f/ 2 <small>Images by Süleyman Demir  {{ with permission }}</small>
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|}
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{{Flickr_image
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|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/botakjay/2108705263/in/pool-camerawiki/
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|image= http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2251/2108705263_072c841255.jpg
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|image_align= center
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|image_text= Praktiflex 2nd generation-15th model, brown leatherette, (Hummel 079, Schulz version 15), (1947-49), w/ E.Ludwig Anastigmat-Victar 50mm f/2.9 (The front plate was originally chrome, not black painted) <ref>as to [http://www.praktica-collector.de/079_Praktiflex_15th_brown.htm  Mike's Practica Collection]</ref>
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|image_by= botakjay
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|image_rights= with permission
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}}
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==Praktiflex FX==
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The name Praktiflex FX was briefly used in the 1950s for a USA export name for a version of the [[Praktica]] FX. It was also sold under various other brand names such as "Columbia 35" and "Rival Reflex" in export markets.
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{{Flickr_image
 
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|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/peterlerman/5135916924/in/pool-camerawiki
 
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|image= http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4063/5135916924_a2856b7951.jpg
 
|image= http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4063/5135916924_a2856b7951.jpg
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|image_text= Praktiflex FX
 
|image_text= Praktiflex FX
 
|image_by= Peter M Lerman
 
|image_by= Peter M Lerman
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The '''Praktiflex''' is a [[35mm]] SLR camera that was launched by [[KW]] in 1939. They were the third manufacturer to introduce a 24×36 [[SLR]] camera; only the [[Kine Exakta]] and the Russian [[Sport (SLR)|Sport]] preceded it. Production continued after the war and its successor, the [[Praktica]], became a very long and successful series of models. The pre-war Praktiflex has the release button at the top of the right-hand side of the body. The mirror is raised by the force exerted by pressing the release button down. Only when the mirror is up is the shutter released.
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==Notes==
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<references/>
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The Praktiflex has a special 40mm diameter screw thread lens mount, and takes only [[Praktiflex lenses]]. The [[42mm screw lenses|42mm thread mount]] became available from about 1947, and was thus initiated by this manufacturer. This lens mount became practically an universal industry standard, until about 1975 when the need for increased exchange of information between camera and lens made the bayonet mount a more practical arrangement.
 
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The '''Praktiflex FX''' is a variant of the 1950s, with [[flash sync]]hronization for bulbs and strobes.  In some markets it was sold as the '''Praktica FX.''' it was also sold under various other brand names such as "Columbia 35" and "Rival Reflex" in export markets.
 
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{{br}}
 
 
== Links ==
 
== Links ==
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{{Flickr_image
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* [http://www.praktica-collector.de/ in Mike's Praktica Collection]
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|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/tell1664/5015494749/in/pool-camerawiki
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* [http://www.praktica-collector.de/126_Praktiflex_FX.htm Praktiflex FX] at [http://www.praktica-collector.de Praktica collector's]
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|image= http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4154/5015494749_4fd09cebed_m.jpg
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* [https://www.butkus.org/chinon/praktica/praktiflex_fx/praktiflex_fx.htm Praktiflex English instructions in PDF format] at  [https://www.butkus.org/chinon/ OrphanCameras.com]
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|image_align= right
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In German:
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|image_text= Praktiflex 3
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* [http://www.klassik-cameras.de/Praktiflex.html The development of the modern small format SLR camera], an article in [http://www.klassik-cameras.de/index.html Frank Mechelhoff's camera site], featuring the Praktiflex, Contax S, Exakta VX and original Pentax
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|image_by= Guillaume Cordary
 
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|image_rights= with permission
 
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}}
 
  
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* [http://www.kyphoto.com/classics/instructionmanuals.html Manual available on  the Favorite Classics section of kyphoto.com]
 
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* [http://www.praktica-collector.de/126_Praktiflex_FX.htm Praktiflex FX] at Praktica collector's [http://www.praktica-collector.de]
 
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In German:
 
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* [http://www.taunusreiter.de/Cameras/Praktiflex.html The development of the modern small format SLR camera], an article in [http://www.taunusreiter.de/Cameras/index.html Frank Mechelhoff's camera site], featuring the Praktiflex, Contax S, Exakta VX and original Pentax
 
  
 
[[Category: German 35mm SLR]]
 
[[Category: German 35mm SLR]]
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[[Category: East Germany]]
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[[Category: KW]]
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[[Category: KW|Praktiflex]]
 
 
[[Category: P]]
 
[[Category: P]]
 
[[Category: 1939]]
 
[[Category: 1939]]

Latest revision as of 00:06, 19 December 2022

The Praktiflex is a 35mm SLR film camera, manufactured by Kamera-Werkstätten VEB Niedersedlitz, (KW) Dresden, former East Germany and produced between 1939-49. KW was the third manufacturer to introduce a 24×36 SLR camera; only the Kine Exakta and the Russian Sport preceded it. Also, the Praktiflex was the world's first small-format SLR camera with a returnable mirror and with a screw mount for interchangeable lenses.

Its successor, the Praktica, became a very long and successful series of models.

The Praktiflex has a special 40mm in diameter screw thread lens mount, and takes only Praktiflex lenses. The 42mm thread mount became available from about 1947, and was thus initiated by this manufacturer. This lens mount became practically an universal industry standard, until about 1975 when the need for increased exchange of information between camera and lens made the bayonet mount a more practical arrangement.

There are many models and variants of the Praktiflex. They could be divided two main generations. [1] The first generation includes pre-WW2 models and the second generation includes post-WW2 models.

First generation specifications

  • Produced between 1939-46
  • Lens: offered with various brand's lenses [2]
  • Mount: M40x1 screw type
  • Focusing: via condenser type ground-glass focusing screen
  • Shutter: horizontal-run rubberised cloth-blind type shutter speeds: 1/20-1/500, +B
  • Shutter release knob: on the top of the camera
  • Mirror: Instant return, of a sort. The mirror is raised as the shutter release is pressed, and falls back under gravity when the button is released:[3] similar to the shutters on 1920s large-format SLRs like the Soho Reflex
  • Viewfinder: Waist-level view finder with condenser type ground-glass focusing screen (Stevens Screen), fixed, w/ magnifier and eye level sports finder
  • There are some variants with special coloured leatherette like red, blue, gray.
  • Some variants have no strap lugs and some variants have strap knobs
8574880704_7cc179cf71_d.jpg
Praktiflex 1st generation, 1939
(Hummel 072, Schulz version 1)
with Victar 50mm f/3.5
Technische Sammlungen Dresden
image by Danipuntocom (Image rights)
5015494749_4fd09cebed.jpg
Praktiflex 1st generation, 1939
4th model (Hummel 073, Schulz version 4)
w/ Ludwig Victar 50mm f/3.5 [4]
image by Guillaume Cordary (Image rights)


Second generation specifications

  • Produced between 1947-49
  • Lens: Praktiflex offered with various brand's lenses [2]
  • Lens mount: M40x1 screw type
  • Focusing: via condenser type ground-glass focusing screen, w/ central cross
  • Shutter: horizontal-run rubberised cloth-blind type shutter speeds: 1/25-1/500, +B
  • Shutter release knob: on front of the camera
  • Cocking knob: also winds the film, auto-stops on film-advance
  • Mirror: Not instant return. The mirror is raised by spring tension, so requires effort to lower it; it returns when the shutter is cocked[3]
  • Viewfinder: Waist-level view finder with condenser type ground-glass focusing screen (Stevens Screen), fixed, w/ magnifier and eye level sports finder
  • Back cover: Removable
  • Others: Tripod socket: 3/8 inch; Strap lugs
  • Body: metallic; Weight: 748g
5296355723_c481d9c7fd.jpg
Praktiflex 2nd generation, 15th model, (Hummel 079, Schulz version 15), 1947, w/ Carl Zeiss Jena Biotar T, 58mm f/ 2 [5]
image by Süleyman Demir (Image rights)
5296358465_f4550f7712_m.jpg
5296954666_5924b4ab6f_m.jpg
5296955432_324dfc620b_m.jpg
Praktiflex 2nd generation, 15th model, (Hummel 079, Schulz version 15), 1947, w/ Carl Zeiss Jena Biotar T, 58mm f/ 2 Images by Süleyman Demir (Image rights)
2108705263_072c841255.jpg
Praktiflex 2nd generation-15th model, brown leatherette, (Hummel 079, Schulz version 15), (1947-49), w/ E.Ludwig Anastigmat-Victar 50mm f/2.9 (The front plate was originally chrome, not black painted) [6]
image by botakjay (Image rights)

Praktiflex FX

The name Praktiflex FX was briefly used in the 1950s for a USA export name for a version of the Praktica FX. It was also sold under various other brand names such as "Columbia 35" and "Rival Reflex" in export markets.

5135916924_a2856b7951.jpg
Praktiflex FX
image by Peter M Lerman (Image rights)

Notes

  1. ↑ Generation, model and version IDs are as to Mike's Praktica Collection
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Praktiflex lenses
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Praktiflex at Early Photography
  4. ↑ as to Mike's Practica Collection
  5. ↑ as to Mike's Practica Collection
  6. ↑ as to Mike's Practica Collection

Links

In German:

Retrieved from "http://camera-wiki.org/index.php?title=Praktiflex&oldid=219738"