Difference between revisions of "Praktiflex"
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*Shutter: horizontal-run rubberised cloth-blind type shutter speeds: 1/20-1/500, +B | *Shutter: horizontal-run rubberised cloth-blind type shutter speeds: 1/20-1/500, +B | ||
*Shutter release knob: on the top of the camera | *Shutter release knob: on the top of the camera | ||
| − | *Mirror: | + | *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]] |
| − | *Viewfinder: Waist-level view finder with condenser type ground-glass focusing screen (Stevens Screen), fixed, w/ | + | *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. | *There are some variants with special coloured leatherette like red, blue, gray. | ||
*Some variants have no strap lugs and some variants have strap knobs | *Some variants have no strap lugs and some variants have strap knobs | ||
| Line 37: | Line 37: | ||
|image= http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4154/5015494749_4fd09cebed.jpg | |image= http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4154/5015494749_4fd09cebed.jpg | ||
|image_align= right | |image_align= right | ||
| − | |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> | + | |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> |
|image_by= Guillaume Cordary | |image_by= Guillaume Cordary | ||
|image_rights= with permission | |image_rights= with permission | ||
| Line 55: | Line 55: | ||
*Shutter release knob: on front of the camera | *Shutter release knob: on front of the camera | ||
*Cocking knob: also winds the film, auto-stops on film-advance | *Cocking knob: also winds the film, auto-stops on film-advance | ||
| − | *Mirror: | + | *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/ | + | *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 | *Back cover: Removable | ||
*Others: Tripod socket: 3/8 inch; Strap lugs | *Others: Tripod socket: 3/8 inch; Strap lugs | ||
| Line 102: | Line 102: | ||
|image= http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2251/2108705263_072c841255.jpg | |image= http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2251/2108705263_072c841255.jpg | ||
|image_align= center | |image_align= center | ||
| − | |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 | + | |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> |
|image_by= botakjay | |image_by= botakjay | ||
|image_rights= with permission | |image_rights= with permission | ||
| Line 112: | Line 112: | ||
{{Flickr_image | {{Flickr_image | ||
|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/peterlerman/5135916924/in/pool-camerawiki | |image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/peterlerman/5135916924/in/pool-camerawiki | ||
| − | |image= http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4063/ | + | |image= http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4063/5135916924_a2856b7951.jpg |
|image_align= center | |image_align= center | ||
|image_text= Praktiflex FX | |image_text= Praktiflex FX | ||
| Line 119: | Line 119: | ||
}} | }} | ||
| − | ==Notes | + | ==Notes== |
<references/> | <references/> | ||
== Links == | == Links == | ||
| − | |||
* [http://www.praktica-collector.de/ in Mike's Praktica Collection] | * [http://www.praktica-collector.de/ in Mike's Praktica Collection] | ||
| − | * [http://www.praktica-collector.de/126_Praktiflex_FX.htm Praktiflex FX] at | + | * [http://www.praktica-collector.de/126_Praktiflex_FX.htm Praktiflex FX] at [http://www.praktica-collector.de Praktica collector's] |
| − | * [ | + | * [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] |
In German: | In German: | ||
* [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 | * [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 | ||
| + | |||
[[Category: German 35mm SLR]] | [[Category: German 35mm SLR]] | ||
| − | + | [[Category: KW]] | |
| − | [[Category: KW | ||
[[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.
Contents
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
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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
|
| 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) |
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| ||||||
| 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) | ||||||||
|
| 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.
|
| Praktiflex FX image by Peter M Lerman (Image rights) |
Notes
- ↑ Generation, model and version IDs are as to Mike's Praktica Collection
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Praktiflex lenses
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Praktiflex at Early Photography
- ↑ as to Mike's Practica Collection
- ↑ as to Mike's Practica Collection
- ↑ as to Mike's Practica Collection
Links
- in Mike's Praktica Collection
- Praktiflex FX at Praktica collector's
- Praktiflex English instructions in PDF format at OrphanCameras.com
In German:
- The development of the modern small format SLR camera, an article in Frank Mechelhoff's camera site, featuring the Praktiflex, Contax S, Exakta VX and original Pentax
