Praktica LLC

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(posted 3-'02)
Redone in 2024

1. Knob for setting the shutter speeds 2. Winding the lever for delayed-action release 3. Delayed-action release knob ; 4. Shutter release -A 5. Rewind knob 6. Rewind crank 7. Accessory shoe 2 8. Center flash contact

9. Exposure speed index 10. Film speed scales 11. Film speed index 12. Rapid winding lever 13. Exposure counter 14. Distance setting ring 15. Diaphragm setting ring

16. Selector ring for automatic exposure control 17. Symbols for measuring at full aperture or taking aperture 18. Rewind catch 19. Cartridge chamber 20. Supporting piece 21. Marking point for inserting the film

22. Film transport sprocket 23. Wire bracket 24. Metal-blade focal - plane shutter 25. Ocular mount with fitting for accessories 26. Rewind release knob 27. Battery compartment with PX 21 battery 28. Tripod socket 29. Take-up spool 30. Manual stop down key 31. Depth-of-field scale

We are very pleased that you have chosen the high quality PRAKTICA LLC, and we wish you every success in working with this modern reflex camera. Before using your camera, however, we would request you to read these Instructions for Use very carefully. This will help you to avoid errors or trouble caused by wrong handling.

The PRAKTICA LLC is a miniature single-lens reflex camera for the 24x36 mm picture format. Its novel type of steel-blade focal-plane shutter, which travels across the shorter side of the frame, has a range of speeds from 1 sec. to 1/1000 sec. and B.
It is synchronized for the use of flash bulbs and electronic flash units. As a result of the rapidly moving steel curtains, the electronic flash can be synchronized at 1/125 sec. The center contact in the accessory shoe makes it possible to connect camera and flash unit without using a cable.
The pentaprism is firmly built in, and the focusing system, due to its Fresnel lens, reveals a finder image of maximum corner to-corner brightness. The microprism screen and a circular ground glass area assure quick and perfect sharp focusing.
For use as interchangeable lens systems, the well-known PRAKTICA lenses are available. Up to a focal length of 180 mm they have automatic diaphragm control. In connection with the automatic mechanism in the camera they function as spring-diaphragm lenses, which means that the diaphragm closes within the shortest time and opens again immediately after the shutter has run down. Through the instant return mirror the image is visible practically all the time, except for the short moment of the exposure.
The distinctive feature of the PRAKTICA LLC is the novel type of automatic exposure control with through-the-lens metering.
The method of light metering is partially integral. The principal metering point is concentrated within an area of approximately 20 mm in diameter in the center of the viewfinder field. The readings are thus true to reality, since this area, for the greater majority of objects, includes the details of uppermost importance to the picture. All subordinate parts of the object outside of this section of the image are photometrically of less value and cannot influence the reading.

Metering is performed with the taking lens at full aperture, which means that the viewfinder image is always at its maximum brightness. In the PRAKTICA LLC the diaphragm values are transferred from lens to camera electrically, without requiring any mechanical device. Also in connection with intermediate rings adapted for electric transmission, this modern method of light metering at full aperture can be employed.
Due to the special type of bridge circuit, the reading is not affected by any variation in voltage of the power source.
But also all the PRAKTICA lenses without electric transmission of the diaphragm values may be used thanks to the possibility of readjusting the light meter for measuring with the lens at taking aperture.
The PRAKTICA LLC is also equipped with a delayed-action device.

ABRIDGED INSTRUCTIONS

For further details please turn the page.

A. Opening the camera back.  Pull out rewind knob (5) as far as it will go.

B. Inserting the film
Place film cartridge into cartridge chamber (19), push in rewind knob (5). Slant the beginning of the film and push it from above as far as it will go underneath the supporting piece (20) and over the transport sprocket (22). Bring the beginning of the film strip onto the core of the take-up spool (29) and to its green marking point (21).
Wire bracket (23) of the take-up spool must not stand upwards.

C. Closing the camera back

D. Preparing for the exposure
Actuate rapid winding lever (12) and shutter release (4) until exposure counter (13) stands on number "1".

E. Setting the film speed
Lift the knurled ring of speed setting knob (1) and rotate it until the speed value of the film in the camera stands opposite the film speed index (11).

E. Setting the exposure speed
Rotate speed setting knob (1) until the desired speed numeral stands opposite the orange-colored triangle (9) on the cover plate of the camera.

G. Setting the diaphragm numeral
Rotate diaphragm setting ring (15) on the lens mount to bring the desired diaphragm numeral against the red index mark.

H. Automatic exposure control
When using lenses permitting electric transmission of the diaphragm values, set the selector ring (16) to the OPEN CIRCLE symbol = measuring at full aperture. For lenses without electric transmission set the selector ring to the CLOSED CIRCLE symbol = measuring with the lens at taking aperture!
Preselect either the shutter speed or the aperture. Depress shutter release (4) till you feel the pressure point, At the same time rotate either the diaphragm setting ring (15) or the speed setting knob (1) till the meter needle is centered in the circular mark in the viewfinder field. In connection with the taking aperture of lenses with automatic diaphragm control, the stop down key (30) has to be depressed when meter reading is taken or the engaging kind selection lever of the 50 mm f/1.8 Pancolar lens, which is designed for electric transmission of diaphragm values, has to be actuated downwards to the camera battery.

I. Focusing
Rotate distance setting ring (14) until the image in the microprism screen or in the ground glass field appears perfectly sharp.

K. Releasing and winding the shutter
Depress shutter release (4) to beyond the pressure point. After the shutter has run down a signal appears in the left-hand side of the viewfinder. Swing winding lever (12) around as far as it will go and return it into its initial position.

L. Delayed action release
Swing delayed-action winding lever (2) upwards either before or after winding the shutter. Depress knob (3) to release the delayed-action mechanism.

M. Changing the film
After the last exposure, depress rewind release knob (26), swing out rewind crank (6) and turn it in direction of arrow to rewind the film. Open the camera back and remove the cartridge.

N. Exchanging lenses

O. Flash exposures

P. Exchanging the power source

Q. Maintenance of the camera

R. Accessories

The Abridged Instructions are a short summary of the most important items. A detailed description is given in the main section on the following pages.



A. Opening the camera.

Pull rewind knob (5) upwards until you feel hard resistance. The camera back is thus unlocked and can be opened. The exposure counter (13) will automatically jump to zero position.

Any type of perforated 35 mm film in commercially available standard cartridges may be used. The cartridges contain film lengths for 36, 20 or 12 exposures in the 24 x 36 mm format. To make sure that no light enters the slit of the cartridge the film should not be loaded in direct sunlight. The shade of your own body will suffice.

By having pulled out the rewind knob (5) to open the camera back you have withdrawn the rewind-catch (18) from the cartridge chamber (19), so that you can now place the cartridge into the cartridge chamber.

Push the rewind knob, with slight backward and forward movements, right back into the camera. The rewind catch will engage In the core of the cartridge.

Push the beginning of the film projecting out of the cartridge slit from above as far as it will go underneath the supporting piece (23) arranged above the transport sprocket (22). The beginning of the film strip must now lie on the core of the take-up spool (29) and meet the green marking point (25).

The wire bracket (23) of the take-up spool must not stand upwards. Should this happen to be the case the knurled flange of the spool has to be turned to bring the bracket wires to their lateral position.

Press the camera back firmly on the camera body. It locks automatically

The rapid wind lever (12) has an idle stroke of about 15°, so that it can be moved from its rest position into that of readiness for action, and can thus be easily grasped - a great advantage especially in serial shots.

Swing the winding lever around as far as it will go, return it, and depress shutter release knob (4). Repeat these operations and then wind the shutter once more. The automatic exposure counter (13) now stands on number "1". Special setting of the exposure counter is not necessary since it starts working automatically when the camera back is closed.

To avoid inadvertent tripping, the shutter release (4) is provided with a locking device. The release mechanism is locked when the red dots on the knob and on the outer ring meet. The mechanism is unlocked by rotation of the knob through 90°.

E. Setting the film speed

To set the film speed value for the automatic exposure control, the knurled ring of the speed setting knob (1) has to be lifted and rotated until the speed value of the film loaded (DIN or ASA) stands opposite the white index (11). When lowered, the knurled ring clicks in at the selected film speed numeral.

F. Setting the exposure speed

The metal-blade focal-plane shutter can be set for exposure speeds range from 1 sec. to 1/1000 sec. When set on "B" the shutter remains open as long as the release knob (4) is being depressed. For exposures of a longer duration a cable release with locking device should be used which can be screwed into the thread in the body release knob. Regarding exposure speeds in connection with flash units please refer to Section O.

The orange-colored numerals on the shutter-speed setting knob (1) stand for slow speed exposures from 1 sec. to 1/15 sec. which require the use of a tripod. The white numerals indicate the values for instantaneous shots from 1/30 sec. to 1/1000 sec.

The exposure speeds are set by rotating knob (1) until the desired numeral coincides with the orange-colored triangle (9) on the cover plate of the camera. Please note that the knurled ring of the setting knob must not be lifted up since this would alter the film speed setting and cause the automatic exposure system in the PRAKTICA LLC to give incorrect results.

The exposure speeds can be set either before or after the shutter has been wound. The setting knob clicks in at every numeral. Intermediate values are not adjustable.


G. Setting the diaphragm numeral

On the lenses with automatic pressure diaphragm (APD) only the desired aperture numeral on the diaphragm setting ring (15) has to be brought to meet the appropriate index on the lens mount. The diaphragm thus remains fully open at first and closes down to the preselected value when the shutter release is depressed.

The automatic diaphragm control mechanism in the PRAKTICA LLC causes the pressure diaphragm to function as an automatic spring diaphragm. Regardless of the speed with which the shutter release (4) is depressed, the diaphragm will spring to the preselected value and then open again immediately after the shutter has run down. For checking the depth of field in the viewfinder image, most lenses con be stopped down, before the exposure is made, to the preselected value or to the value determined by the exposure meter by means of a manually operable key (30) on the lens mount.

The 50 mm f/1.8 Pancolar lens with electric transmission of diaphragm values has a kind selection lever opposite the lens mount instead of the stop down key. With the lever in the upper position the diaphragm operates as an automatic spring diaphragm whereas in its lower position, depressed towards the camera bottom, the automatic diaphragm control mechanism is disengaged. The diaphragm acts as a click stop and closes according to the value preset on the diaphragm ring.

H. Automatic Exposure Control

The newly devised automatic exposure system in the PRAKTICA LLC makes it possible, by means of the electric transmission of the diaphragm values, to take the meter readings with the photographic lens at full aperture, so that the viewfinder image remains at its maximum brightness. The lenses arranged for metering at full aperture are recognizable by three resilient contact pins visible at the rear end of the barrels, which join the contact paths on the camera.

But it is also possible to use the well-known lenses of the PRAKTICA family without automatic diaphragm control. In this case, metering is performed with the lens stopped down to taking aperture. The finder image will thus be somewhat darker, according to the aperture selected, or determined by the exposure meter.

Whether your lens is at full aperture or stopped down, you have in either case, two methods of metering from which to choose:

a) You preselect the shutter speed and adjust the aperture to center the meter needle, or

b) You preselect a certain aperture and adjust the shutter speed to center the meter needle.

The first method is applied, e.g., if movement of the object requires a certain exposure speed, whereas the second method will be preferred if a specific aperture has to be preselected to achieve the necessary depth of field.

Metering at full aperture with diaphragm stop preselected

Set selector ring (16) to the E] symbol. Move the diaphragm setting ring (15) on the lens mount to a stop corresponding to the taking conditions. Depress shutter release (4) till you feel the pressure point and rotate the exposure-speed setting knob (1) till the meter needle is centered in the circular mark.

The exposure speed knob must always be set to click-stops and not to intermediate values. Should this not bring the meter needle precisely to the center of the circular mark, the diaphragm ring has to be moved for fine adjustment. The diaphragm ring can be set to intermediate values between the click-stops.

Metering at taking aperture with shutter speed preselected

This method is employed in connection with lenses not permitting electric transmission of the diaphragm values. Move selector ring (16) to the El symbol. Preselect the shutter speed adjust the diaphragm ring to center the meter needle as described above. On lenses with automatic pressure diaphragm the stop down key (30) on the lens mount has to be depressed while the meter reading is taken.

Here, too, the shutter release has to be actuated up to the perceptible pressure point.

I. FOCUSING

To brighten up the image, the prism viewfinder of the PRAKTICA LLC is fitted with a Fresnel lens, in the center of which are the two focusing systems:

- the microprism screen right in the middle and --the circular ground glass area surrounding it.

Focusing is performed by rotating the distance setting ring (14) on the taking lens. To achieve utmost definition when using lenses with pre-set diaphragm or simple diaphragm adjustment, it is advisable to focus with the lens set to the smallest diaphragm numeral (full aperture).

Focusing on the microprism screen

The image in the microprism screen is in correct focus as soon as it appears clear and free from fuzziness. It is out of focus if it looks fuzzy and crumbles into screen elements. The microprism screen is usually employed for focusing if the subject to be photographed is in resting position or only slightly moving.

Focusing on the circular ground glass Oreo

The ground glass area is used for focusing if there is more movement in the scene. Also this kind of setting is often most appropriate in macrophotography or photomicrography as well as on lenses with a small relative aperture (diaphragm numeral higher than 4).
The ground Fresnel section of the viewfinder is not meant to be used for focusing.

Depth-of-field indication

The depth of field is determined by means of the depth-of field scale (31) arranged on the right and left of the red index on the lens mount.

For infrared exposures the focusing point has to be slightly modified. By rotation of distance setting ring (14), the distance reading which, after focusing, stands opposite the distance mark, has to be moved to meet the infrared dot next to that mark. Thus, the image produced by the infrared rays is brought into correct in relation to the film (As of 2024 there are a few companies making B&W IR film again)

K. Releasing and winding the shutter.

Before releasing the shutter, please note the following:

1. Make sure that the shutter release is unlocked (see Section D)

2. If the signal is visible in the left side of the viewfinder, the camera is not ready for exposing. The shutter has to be wound!

3. For exposure speeds slower than 1/30 sec. a tripod and a cable release should be used.

We advise you to hold your PRAKTICA LLC so that it lies firmly in both hands and you are able to actuate the shutter release (4) comfortably. Depress the shutter release steadily -- never with a jerk past the soft-running limit, where the automatic exposure system is switched in, until the shutter runs down. After the exposure, the signal on the left side of the viewfinder image becomes visible again, a sign that the shutter has to be wound.

L. Delayed-action release

The delayed-action mechanism is wound by moving lever (2) upwards as far as it will go. By means of pressure on knob (3) it will start and after about 10 seconds the shutter is released. The delayed-action mechanism may be tensioned either before or after the shutter is wound. Also, the shutter can be released in the usual manner by means of release knob (4), even if the delayed-action device is tensioned.

M. Changing the film

When the exposure counter (13) indicates the maximum number of frames obtainable with the film in the camera (12, 20 or 36 exposures) the film has to be re-wound and taken out of the camera.

Depress rewind release knob (26) in the base plate of the camera It will remain locked in this position. Unfold rewind crank (6) out of rewind knob (5) and rotate it, not too quickly, in the direction of the arrow. Rewinding at too great a speed may cause electrostatic charge and static on the film.

As rewinding is completed, greater resistance becomes noticeable until the film is disengaged from the take-up spool. After this, the crank turns quite easily.

Fold the rewind crank back into the knob and pull the knob upwards as far as it will go. The camera back is thus unlocked and can be opened. Remove the cartridge with the exposed film from the cartridge chamber. Loading a new film, and subsequent winding of the shutter, cause the rewind knob (26) to spring back automatically out of its click-stop position.

Should you have attempted to expose more frames than the number marked on your film packet, the winding lever might, at the end of the film, get jammed so that it cannot be swung around completely. Do not, in such a case, use force, as this might cause damage to the perforation of the film, or the end of the film might slip off the spool inside the cartridge. Rewinding would then be impossible.

If the winding lever (as described above) has not been fully tensioned, this must be completed, and the shutter released, after rewinding and removing the exposed film and before inserting a new one.

N. Exchanging lenses

The standard lens of the PRAKTICA LLC can easily be replaced by lenses of other focal lengths. You take hold of the lens body, as shown in the illustration below, and turn it in an anti-clockwise direction. The exchange lens is inserted accordingly and screwed tight.

For exposure measurement at the widest lens aperture in the PRAKTICA LLC, lenses permitting electric transmission of the diaphragm values are employed. The name of the lens is added by "electric". Furthermore, these lenses are recognizable by three contact pins visible at the rear end of the barrels. But you may also use the ordinary PRAKTICA lenses with this camera, in which case metering has to be performed with the lens stopped down to taking aperture.

Because of their structural design, some of the older types of lenses cannot be used with the PRAKTICA LLC. (For details please refer to Section H).


List of interchangeable lenses:

1. Lenses permitting electric transmission of diaphragm values

2. Lenses not permitting electric transmission of diaphragm values

 APD = automatic pressure 

PD = pre-set diaphragm


O. Flash exposures

The shutter of the PRAKTICA LLC is designed for synchronization with flash bulbs and electronic flash units.

When the flash unit is attached to the camera, the electric connection between camera and unit is automatically effected by means of the center contact (8) in accessory shoe (7). No synchronization cable is required. Modern flashbulb and electronic units are equipped for this purpose with a suitable co-operation contact.

The exposure meter system is powered by a Mallory battery of the PX 21 type.   There are exact replacement batteries available for this camera

The battery compartment (27) is on the under side of the camera. It is opened by lifting the plastic lid by means of its handle piece. When inserting the battery, press its bottom plate (positive pole) against the spring contact (also marked +), while at the same time tipping it into the battery compartment. To close the battery compartment, attach the side of the lid opposite the handle to the corresponding side of the compartment and depress the lid on the handle side until it clicks in.

Owing to the low consumption of current during the period of reading, with normal use of the camera, the battery should be exchanged after about two years, only.

Q. Maintenance and care

The PRAKTICA LLC is a high quality precision instrument. Perfect functioning of the camera depends very largely on proper handling and careful maintenance.

The camera must, above all, be protected against shock and impact, dust and moisture. That is why the Eveready case should be used wherever possible.

From time to time the cartridge chamber and spool chamber, also the film track and camera back with film pressure plate must be cleaned with a soft brush. But be careful not to exert pressure on the steel blades of the shutter nor to touch them with your fingers. Neither should the optical parts (lens, eyepiece of viewfinder, mirror) be touched with the fingers. Should this have happened accidentally, any fingerprints must be removed immediately with a soft cotton cloth after a soft brush has been used to remove any possible dust. The mirror should be dusted only in urgent cases with a very soft brush. Never clean, or by any means apply abrasives to the precious metal pins on the lenses, the means of electrically transmitting the diaphragm values, or to the three precious-metal coated contact paths in the camera. The contact points are automatically cleaned in the process of exchanging lenses. But also here, any dust which may have accumulated has to be removed with a soft brush.

If due to the battery in the battery chamber a thin white layer has deposited, the latter can be removed with a soft cloth.

Do not interfere with the mechanism of the camera. Repair work should be carried out only by one of our special Repair Workshops.

R. Accessories

The various accessories make the single-lens reflex camera universally applicable and help to open up many New fields of activity.

Ever ready Case It protects the camera against shock and dirt.

Cable Release For longer exposure periods involving the use of a tripod, and also in photomicrogrophy and for reproductions, it is indispensable. For long time exposures a cable release with locking device should be used.

Lens Hood Eliminates disturbing flares in counterlight photography and protects the lens surface in rainy weather from getting wet. The lens hood must fit the image angle of the lens. Filters These are screwed into the filter thread of the lens mount. The filters for black-and-white ~ photography -- except n w filters and polarizing filters -- are not suitable for colour work, for which special types of filter are available.

Angle Finder This finder is also attached to the ocular mount of the camera. It is rotatable and thus permits a convenient choice of any viewing direction. The angle finder reveals the complete finder image and is equipped with a dioptre scale.

Rubber Eye Cup and Mount for Correcting Lenses The eye cup keeps out extraneous light during focusing. Persons with defective eyesight may have a correcting lens corresponding to their long-distance glasses fitted into the mount designed for this purpose and are thus able to work without their spectacles on.

Focusing Telescope The focusing telescope yields an additional 2.7fold magnification of a section of the finder image. It is adjustable to faulty eyesight by means of a dioptre focusing mount.

Intermediate Plunges Rings for Electric Transmission of Diaphragm Values These rings are screwed in between camera and lens as a means of increasing the picture ratio in close-up work. The Intermediate Rings for the PRAKTICA LLC are provided with plunger pins to keep the automatic diaphragm mechanism operative and with  contacts for the electric transmission of the diaphragm values.  This makes it possible. also in the specialized field of close-up photography and even at a 1 :1x picture ratio, to employ the automatic exposure system and to take exposure meter readings with the lens at full aperture.

Reversing Ring To screw the lens into the camera by its filter thread for extreme close-ups with an image ratio exceeding 1.5x.

Miniature Close-up Bellows Attachment  This equipment permits an infinite variation of the image ratio in close-up work within a range of 0.7x to 2.5x in combination with the standard lens.

Close-up Bellows Attachment Infinite variation of the image ratio with the 50 mm lens from 0.7x to 4.4x. Connection of a slide copying attachment is possible.

Special Intermediate Rings with Cable and Cable Release Socket These special intermediate rings allow the electronic transmission of the diaphragm values at infinite extension of the bellows attachment and thus, for the first time, the exposure metering at full aperture with the use of bellows attachments (even with the reversed lens).

Universal Tripod Highly rigid, permits varying the position of the camera from close to ground up to approximately eye level. All-direction pan and tilt movement of camera.

Focusing Slide Of great advantage in close-up work with a tripod (e.g. the Universal Tripod). Makes it possible to adjust the camera-to subject distance without having to change the position of the tripod.

Microscope Attachment Piece For the firm connection of camera and microscope (diam. of eye piece connection 25 mm).

Reproduction Stand with Lighting Equipment and Repro Piece For all kinds of reproduction work. The camera is connected by the repro piece with the filter thread of the lens.

Please follow these Instructions for Use carefully. Improper handling of the camera may cause damage for which we can accept no liability.

VEB PENTAGON DRESDEN

Further development of the PRAKTICA LLC cand its accessories may lead to slight alterations of the details given in this booklet.