Turn the aperture setting ring (10) to set the desired aperture against the mark on the lens mount. The set aperture is displayed at the bottom of the viewfinder image.4www.butkus.org
Praktica BCA
Second Section
|
Aperture pre-selection Turn the aperture setting ring (10) to set the desired aperture against the mark on the lens mount. The set aperture is displayed at the bottom of the viewfinder image.4www.butkus.org
|
Operating ranges with open-aperture TTL metering (shutter speeds in seconds)
 |
 |
Shutter release After checking the shutter speed range in the viewfinder, operate the shutter by fully depressing the shutter release (16). When pressure is removed from the shutter release, the electronics are automatically switched off. With slow shutter speeds the removal of pressure from the shutter release does not affect the exposure procedure. In this case the electronics are switched off only when the shutter cycle has been completed. If the yellow LED lights up, the camera should be suitably supported or a tripod be used |
If the camera is not held at eye level during automatic operation (e. g. with tripod shots), push the eyepiece cover which comes with the camera into the holder immediately after checking the shutter speed.4www.butkus.org
 |
Exposure compensation If there are high contrasts in the subject, the shutter speed can be individually varied. Such corrections are necessary e. g. with dark objects in front of a light background (overexposure + 1; + 2) or bright objects in front of a dark background (underexposure --1; --2). In these cases, lift the film speed and compensation dial (1) and set the index (12) against the desired compensation value. The dial can be set to half factors. At the borders of the film speed range - 12 ISO/ASA and 3200 ISO/ASA (12 DIN and 36 DIN) -- compensation by two factors is also possible. The compensation cannot extend the shutter speed range beyond the speeds of 1/1000 s and 1 S. |
| Remember to return the dial (1) to the zero position following exposure-compensated shots. |
 |
Flash photography If the available tight is insufficient for hand-held shots (e. g. indoors), a flash unit should be plugged on. All electronic flash units can be used.4www.butkus.org Push the flash unit onto the hot shoe (13) to make the electrical connection between the camera and the flash unit without a cable. 1. Use of dedicated computerized flash units Set the mode selector to position "auto". The camera and flash unit are ready for flashing if a green
LED lights up in the viewfinder (beside the f symbol) when the shutter release is gently pressed. Do not release the flash unit if the object is so
bright that simultaneously a red LED lights up at symbol A. In this case, set the mode selector (15) to "60" and proceed as described under 2. |
2. Common electronic flash units with or without computer control
Set the mode selector "60" = constant fixed time of s (take into account the guide number and film speed). If the red LED
at the symbol lights up, the object is so bright that flashing may lead to overexposure. If, with the mode
selector in this position, a dedicated computerized flash unit is used, the green LED at the 5 symbol in the
viewfinder will light up as soon as the camera is ready for flashing as is the case in position "auto".
|
Changing the lens Press the unlocking key (8) and turn the lens counterclockwise as far as it will go. Remove the lens from the camera. Insert the PRAKTICAR lens in such a way that the red markings (20/8) on the camera and lens are opposite each other. Press the lens against the camera body and turn clockwise until the locking pin is heard to engage.4www.butkus.org By using the PRAKTICA adapter all original PRAKTICA lenses with the M 42x1 thread can be connected. The PRAKTICA BCA also works automatically with the screw-thread lenses, the only difference being that the light metering is made with working aperture.
|
 |
Focusing Focusing is possible using the triple wedge system, the microprism ring or the ground glass ring. I. Triple wedge 2. Microprism ring |
3. Ground glass ring
The ground glass ring Is especially useful in macro and micro photography and when using lenses with a small relative aperture (f-number larger than 4). The image must appear clear and
sharp In the ground glass ring.
| Infrared photography Infrared photography requires a slight correction to the focusing: match the distance determined in focusing with the infrared mark on the lens. |
 |
Depth-of-field indication The limits of the depth of field for the selected aperture can be read off from the depth-of-field scale (21) on the lens. Example for a standard lens with a focal length of 50 mm:4www.butkus.org distance 3 m - aperture 8 depth of field from around 2 m to 5 m |
| Shutter release
For ease of operation several functions have been combined in the shutter release. When the camera is cocked, gentle depression of the shutter release until pressure is felt switches on the automatic system and the LEDs for the shutter speeds and flash readiness (with computerized flash units). Further pressure will release the shutter. |
 |
Locking the shutter release Accidental exposure and unnecessary use of power as a result of unintentional pressing of the shutter release when the camera is cocked or not
can be avoided by turning the release lock (18) clockwise to block the shutter release. To unlock turn in the opposite direction. Do not lock the
shutter release when it is depressed.
Cock the shutter and swing the self-timer cocking lever (6) all the way down. Release the self-timer by pressing the release button (7). The delay period is approximately 8 s. Do not cock the shutter while the delay mechanism is running. To avoid incorrect metering in the automatic mode, push the eyepiece cover over the eyepiece.4www.butkus.org
|
 |
Changing the film The frame counter (5) indicates the number of frames which have already been exposed on a film when the shutter cycle is completed. If all the frames on a film have been exposed (red marks at 20 and 36), change the film. Press in the rewind release (33) until it locks, fold out the rewind crank and turn moderately quickly in the direction of the arrow (clockwise) till increased resistance followed by easy movement indicate that the film has been fully rewound. Pull the rewind knob all the way up to unlock the back. The film cartridge can now be removed. Do not change the film in bright sunlight. If more frames have been exposed than are indicated on the film pack, it is possible that the cocking lever cannot be swung all the way. Do not use force but wind the film back and then swing the cocking lever fully out.4www.butkus.org
|
Warnings:
| Protect the camera from impact, dust and moisture. Clean the cartridge and spool compartments, the film track and the back from time to time with a soft brush. Do not use any organic solvents such as spirit or varnish thinner to clean the camera. Do not expose the camera or lens to aggressive vapors. Remove fingerprints from the lens and eyepiece surfaces with lens cleaning paper. Do not touch the mirror, field lens or shutter blades; dirt on these can only be removed by a service workshop. Use an optical brush for dust removal, or blow out. Do not expose the camera to very high or low temperatures for lengthy periods. Avoid, for example, placing the camera in a car window in direct sunlight. Protect the camera and especially the battery suitably from extreme cold. When using the camera near the sea or on the beach, protect it from salt water, spray and sand. Avoid sudden changes in temperatures. These may lead to the formation of condensation and thus to corrosion damage. Never attempt to make your own repairs to the camera. Consult a service workshop where necessary. |
