Praktica, Praktina, Pentacon, Edixflex guide Reference guide

THE PRAKTICA SYSTEM
  The modern Praktica is a 35 mm. singlelens reflex camera
with a viewing systemdesignedfor accuratefocusing and
exact viewing.
  The die-castbody has a hinged-onback and is coveredin
black material with exposedmetal parts black anodisedor
satin chrome flnished.The camerayields up to 36 negatives                      F1 x l$ in. (24X 36 mm.) on perforated35 mm. film.
    It has an eye-levelreflex finder which showsthe image innatural size. The built-in pentaprism produces an upright       rt&
and right-way-round view. The centre of the reflex f,nder
area contains a microprism or  split image rangefinder
focusing and this is surroundedby a ground glassring. The
image is brilliant and evenly illuminated right into the
corners with the aid of a fresnel field lens. An indicator
appears in the top left hand corner of the viewfinder of
modelswith instant-returnmirror to showwhen the shutter
has not been set. Early models are fitted with a chest-level-
reflex finder with folding hood and built-in magnifier.
  The taking lens itself is usedto form the finder image; in
consequencethe finder showsexactly the samefield as will
be obtained on the film without any parallax. The reflex
image remains fully correct at any distancewith any lens
including closeup supplementarylenses,extensionbellows,
extensiontubes and other attachments.
  The screw-mountedstandardlens is interchangeableand
a wide range of tele and wide angle lensesis available.
Lensesdesignedfor some other cameraswill also frt the
Praktica camera.
  Most Prakticalenseshavean automaticpresetdiaphragm.
An internal link betweenthe shutter releaseand the lens
mount coupleswith lensesin such a way that the aperture
is stoppeddown only during the actual exposure.At other
times, it  is fully open to permit viewing with maximum
 brilliance of the reflex screenand minimum depth of field
 for gxeatestaccuracy.
  The lens mount carries a depth of field indicator and a
                       4

www.orphancameras.com
focusingscalein both feet and metresas well as an infra-red
mark. Focusing is effectedby a helical movementwhich is
part of the lenJmount. Someof the most recentautomatic-
iris lensesare equippedwith a depth-of-fieldpreviewdevice.
  Models frorn-VF (1964) onwards have an instant-return
mirror, avoiding the image blackout of the early Prakticas.
  The shutter ol the Pralitica is a focal plane type travelling
acrossthe film from right to left. With this type of shutter,
lensescan be changedwhile the camerais loaded.
  The shutter is synchronizedfor flash bulbs and electronic
flash with standaidco-axialoutletson the camerabody.
  The camera takes standard 35 mm. cassettes.The film
runs from the cassetteto the take-up spool and is rewound
after exposure.The fllm transport is-effected-by a lever
movementthrough 210'; one swing advancest-hefilm and
the film counter arranged around the centre shaft of the
transport lever.
  A hm-speed indicator is located on the rewind knob,
which is alio marked to indicate the number of exposures
of the film inserted into the camera. A film type indicator
is shown in the centre of the transport lever.
  The shutter releaseis conveniently set at an upwards
angle into the front of the body and reducesthe danger.of
caiera shake.It can be locked againstaccidentaldepression
and has a cable releasethread in its centre. A tripod bush
 is placed in the camera'sbase,slightly off centre.
  The Prakticamat and the Praktica Super TL feature a
through-theJensinternal light-measuringsystemwith a CdS
meteiwhich is coupledto sh-utterspeedand aperture.It works
semi-automaticallywith the lens at the shooting aperture.
 Either the shutter speed or the aperture can be pre-set.


 Praktiaa  Dloilelc
  PRAKTIFLEX.  The original camera in this series was introduced
 in 1938. It conformed geneially with the basic description given ab-ove
 Lut the back was completely-removable and the mirror  returned to
 the viewing position only wh-enthe film was wound on. It had shutter
                       5

www.orphancameras.com
                                 PRAKTICA EYOLUTION



Praktica Nova is an improved VF
with hinged-on back, lever wind
on top, angled shutter release
e n d s e l f - z e r o i n g e x p o s u r c
counter.



Praktica Nova B is a Praktica Nova
with built-in cxposure meter.





Prakticamat is similar to Praktica
Nova  but  has through-the-lens
lutomatic expo3unacontrol.




Praktica Nova   I has all shutter
speeds on one dial and a quick-
load ake-up spool.



                                           www.orphancameras.com

 Praktica Nova  lB  is a Nova B
 with additional featuresof Nova l.





 Praktica Super TL is a simplified
 Prakticamat with no l/1000 sec.
 and  with   quick-load  take-up
 spool.

speeds from  ll25 to l/500 sec. and B. The lens was interchangeable
but the lens mount thread was smaller than the later qrmeras in this
t€ries, namely 40 mm. in diameter. Therefore, lensesdesignedfor the
current Praktica cameras cannot be used on this model.  It was fitted
with a chest-level reflex finder with ground glass.
  PRAKTICA  (1952) had an improved focal plane shutter, FU500
sec. It also had the larger screw thread (42 mm.) for interchangeable
lenses which has remained unchanged for  all successive Praktica
models. In place of the flat ground glass screen, a condenser type
screenwas introduced into the reflex finder, giving improved brightness
in the corners of the finder picture. The latest version of this Praktica
had a slightly modified body shape.
  PRAKTICA  FX (1955) was fitted with pre-select iris lenses and
was FX synchronized.It should be noted, however, that the F of those
days representedabout 10 ms. delay for the then available GE No. 6
flash bulbs. The flash contact was situated on the base of the camera.
Later models of the Praktica FX had the flash contacts on the camera
front. The last version was X synchronized only with the standard
3 mm. co-axial plug.
  PRAKTICA  FX2 (1950 allowed a pentaprism to be inserted into
the reflex finder hood for eye level viewing. This model introduced
semi-automatic  aperture  setting and  the  latest  version had  fully
automatic iris control. This latter was offered in some countries as the
Praktica FX3. The latest version of the Praktica F'X2  (dot between
the F and X!) had, in addition to X synchronization, also the now
international standard F synchronization for flash bulbs.
  PRAKTICA   IV  (1959) introduced,  in  place of  the chest-level
rcflex finder, a permanently fixed pentaprism. This model was also the
6nt Praktica with quick film-wind lever, which was in the baseplate of
the camera, in addition to the transport knob on the camera top. The
rewind knob was in two parts, the top part swinging out to act as a
rewind crank, and incorporated a film type indicator disc. The rewind
release button stayed in the pressed-in position automatically while
winding and sprang back automatically when the shutter releasewas
operated. It also featured a little foot acting as a counterpoise.
  PRAKTICA  IVB  (1959) was a Praktica W  but  with  built-in,
uncoupled photo-electric meter. This same model was introduced in
1962 with a rangefinder centre in the reflex image as model IVM  for
the camera without exposure meter and model IrBM   for the camera
with  built-in  exposure meter. In the last version of the Praktica IV
reries, the condenser reflex finder lens was replaced by a fresnel lens
with wedge rangefinder and ground glass focusing ring with an optical
system above it to produce the maximum of even illumination  right
into the corners of the finder image. These last versions were called
IVF  for the model without exposure meter and IVFB  for the model
witb exposuro meter.
  PRAKTICA  VF (1964) was the first Praktica with the now standard

www.orphancameras.com
            ceometricallv-arranged shutter speeds, an instant'return  mirror  and
                         i red signal indicat6r  in the finder to show whether or not the film is
         wound bn. The shutter speeds ran in the usual progression from
           1/500'PRAKTICAto * sec.but there was no setting lor 1/15-sec.
                   VFB was a Praktica VF with the built-in uncoupled
             photo-electric-            exposure meter.
          PRAKTICA NOVA  (1965) is basically a Praktica VF but  sligttly
            smaller. The lever transport has been transferred to the top of the
          camera and a fold-out ciank permits the quick rewinding of the film.
          The camera back is hinged on, the exposure counter is self-zeroing and
            the shutter release is angled to the camera front and can be locked
            against-PRAKTICAunintentional releasing. Shutter speedsas on Praktica VF'
                  NOVA B (1965)is similar to the Praktica Nova but with
               built-in photo-electric exposure meter, as in Praktica IVB.
          PRAKTICA NOVA  I-(1967) is basically a Praktica Nova with  all
            shutter speedson one dial (incbrporating also 1/15 sec.), a quick load
            take up spool and improved styling.
          PRAKTICA NOVA IB (1967) is basically a Praktica Nova B with
            the additional features of the Praktica Nova  I.
          PRAKTICAMAT  (1965) is similar to the Prakticanova with built-in
           coupled CdS meter with automatic exposure system measuring the
                light throueh  the lens in a novel and extremely efficient- way. The
             focal planCshutter is fully speeded from 1-Ul00Q  secr The shutter
           speeds'are around the rdwind knob.- Tlre peryap4_sp-hps a micro'
             sireen circle around the central rangefinder wedge. With lenses which
           have no depth-of-field preview device, depth of field can be checked
            before shooling by depressingthe meter switch-on button.
           PRAKTICA  SIJPER TL 11968) differs from the Prakticamat bv
           havine no 1/1000 sec. It uses a one-cell CdS meter with light concen-
               trator]  Focirsing is by micro  focusing centre with  ground  glass
           surround and fresnel rings. It has a quickJoad take-up spool.
L

IIANDLING TTIE PRAKTICA
   In order to simplify tlqe description and lwndling of the
Praktica camera                    ryitlout betng coifused by dffirent-fedtures
 of individual-models,this guide is divided-into a- general
section which applies to  all Praktica models, wllite the
 indivi&nl requirementsand dffirent  handling of each model
arefound on pagesn4L  To avoid bulk and-confusionslight
 variations in manipulationon earlier models which becime
self evidenthavenot beenincluded.

  For -convenience, a symbolic reference system is also used in the
genergl section. wherever the sign I  appears, further  details will befound in the camera pages.

Holding
    It is obvious that the camerashould be held as steady-theaspossible as the slightest shake, even if not seen in
negative,will becomevisible in the enlargement.
  FOR  HORIZONTAL  PHOTOGNAPHS  hOId  thc
camerain th-ep_almof both hands, the fingers gripping the
front of the body, the thumbs againstthe 6act<."Uii thlrmb
and middle fiJrgerof the left hand to move the lens focusing
m-ount,and the ildex flnger of the right hand to operatethE
releasebutton. Keeq th! elbows pressedagainstihe body.
Either the righ! or the left eye m-aybe usJd on the finde?.
  Always stand with your legs apart.
 FOR VERTICAL PHOTOGIIAPHS  turn the camera
through 9p"9                  thq left hand presses-the   the cameraagainst                lhatyour forehead from above. Use   thumb and the Index
       to move the focusing mount. The right hand holdslnger
the camerafrom below with the index fingei on the release
button. It is of no consequenceif the posiiion of the hands
is reversed;you can suit your own coivenience.
  To releasethe shutter,-pressthe releasebutton with the
       the finger. Use finger pressureody, and keep theFutl -ofhand and its grip on the camerasteady.The actual pressing
                           l0

down will haveto be done slowly and smoothly. The slower
the exposuretime, the smoothermust be the felease.
  For slow exposuresin the hand, it is advisableto rest the
elbows or at least to lean the body againstsomesupport in
order to avoid shake. In this wby,-even 1/8 sec.'ian be
risked without incurring camerashake.
  Such a support is also desirablefor faster exposures,as
quite a lot of movementtakes place inside the cameraafter
pressingthe releasebutton. A slightly unsteadyhold may
thus easily lead to blurred pictures.
  The use of a tripod  is necessarywhen taking time
exposuresand it  is also recommendedfor speedsslower
than l/30 sec. For upright photographsfrom the tripod
use a ball-and-sockethead to allow changing from  lr,ori-
zontal to vertical position.

Cmrying
  To be ready for quick action, it  is best to carry the
camera on a short strap round the neck so that it lies on
your chest.Lifting it up to the eyeis then a matter of a split
second.
  For convenienceand protection, the Praktica should
always be carried in  its ever-ready case. This case is
designedto hold the cameraready for use. The flap of the
caseis removablewhen the camerais in continuous use to
enablequicker working.

Yiewing and, Focusing
  The image reflectedby the lens on to the screenis always
visible exceptduring the actual exposure.The image of the
earlier Praktica modelsis only visible after the fllm has been
wound on. It disappearsimmediatelythe shutter is released.
  The brilliant image appears in natural size, free from
parallax. A fresnel lens ensureseven illumination into the
very corners.A viewingpentaprismshowsthe imageupright
and right way round at eye level.
  The picture should be viewed with fully openedaperture
                    12


                                                                                                                                                                                                                  I

www.orphancameras.com
                                           YIEWING



                                                               Pcntaprism




                                                           Eyepiece

                                                                Viewing screen
                                                                Fresnellens

                                                                 Rangefinder

                                                                  Shutter blind

                                                                      Mirror





        Above:The viewing system
          of the models from Praktica
          lV onwards Presentsa ritn3'
          *w-rp,    iight-way'round
          imigeit the viewfinder eYe'
         oiece. This sectional Ylew
           Ihlnr    the   light   Path
         through the lens via the
         angled mirror  and . tne
         pentaprismto the eyePlece.
          Risht: The   sPlit  image
          rangefindcr in the centre
           of the viewing screensh-ows
           disiontinuoul images (top)
        when  the  Iens  is  not
          properly  focused,. These
         images are brought  Into
          cointidence when  correct
          focusis attained.The micro'
          prism  (bottom)  show. a
          ihimmerint  image-ProPerlYwnen
               i'tre t"nt    ii  not
          focused,steadyins to a clear
         image when correct locus
                 ir otBined'
                            13
tl

to ensurebrightest relex image. This is automaticafly the
 casewith the automatic pre-sei diaphragm lenses.
  The best way to arrive at criticaf definition is to turn the
 focqsingmount of the lens slowly to and fro while observing
 on the ground                     ri-ngin the c6ntreof the reflex imagetG             _glass subject to be focused.As you turn phe mount, the i-mage
becomesmore an4                Tore sharp up to a certain point, beyoid yhirh- it will again lose defiriition. At this ..biyond" itage
 turn the mount back agfln, narrowing down the degree6f
movementuntil you arrive at the point of best definition.
The whole reflex image should not be usedfor visuarfocus-
ing             it might be nbt fully accurate-depending on the    3suser'seyesight.
  The later modelshlve a microprism centreshowing fuzzy
outlineswhilethelensis not accuratelyfocusedbecomif,gcleai
on settingthe lens correctly. some olthe earliermodeli have
a split-imagecentre.Two small prismsare mountedin a clear
spot in tle genlreo{!49 screen,and the imagein that spot ap-
pearssplit in the middle. on turning the leni focusing-mouirt
the two halvesare brought into linE so that one coitinuous
imlgeis                   this polition the lens is correctly focused.        !eeg.fn
  Early Praktica modelsup to FX3 were fitted wilh a chest-
level reflex finder. The fblding hood of these models is
opened.up, permittlng observation of the ground glass
sgre-enimage.up to the moment of exposure.The screenin
the later versionsis aclually one side o-fa plano-convexlens,
the lower side of which forms a ground-glass-the screen; the
lens also acts as a magnifier. Therefore,     reflex image
seenin the finder.!ood-is bigger than the actual image dn
the negative, while the outlines and definition rdnain
identical.For evenmore critical focusinga built-in magnifier
may be engployed.The qagnifier is normally foldedaway
and moved into position for use.
  The reflex finder image seenis the picture produced by
the cameralens and reflectedby the mirror on tb the screen.
      imag_e.of all earlier models up to and including the_ lhq
Praktica IV is only visible after the film has been w6und
on. It disappearsimmediatelythe shutter is released.
                            l4

www.orphancameras.com
                                 Y]EWING SYSTEMS





Original Praktiflex, Prektica and Praktica FX systems.
teft: Chest-level viewing and focusing arrang€ment with magnifier to aid critical.focusing. C_entre
The chest-level viewer a-daptedfor usleas fraine finder. This dbes not permit focusing. Right: Penta-
prism attached to focusing hood to permit eye-tevel focusing and viewing.





 Praktica FX2 and FX3 systems.
 feft: Chest-leve! viewing and focusing.rrangement.with-ma€nifier  to.id   critical focusing. Centre:
 Fr'ontopened ourwards io provide frihe  finder facilities. Right: The later version of the pentaprism
 to permit eye-level focusing and viewing.
                       15

On the Praktica V, the Praktica Nova and Prakticamat
 th9 image is visible all the time except for the actual instant
 of release.
  The orthodox way of focusing with the ground glass or
rangefinder may be adopted for taking photographs of
subjects that are fairly stationary. A different method of
focusingis required when taking subjectsin motion. Set the
lens to a distance at which the subject will be in a given
moment, or focus at some spot which it actually has to
pass,and pressthe releasebutton when the subjectis reach-
ing the pre-focusedpoint.
  With subjectsliable to react self-consciously(e.g.children)
set the lens to a sujtable distance,and then approach the
subjgct,exposingas soon as the image appearssharp.
   Alternatively, focus at some object which is at the same
distancefrom the cameraEs the subject,but in a different
direction. When you have found the-rangeswing round to
Prgqstlre releasebutton as soon as the victim slips into the
field of view of the flnder.
PraYi,ewing the Dcpth ol Field
  You can examinethe precisedepth of field you get with
the pre-selectedaperture on some of the latesl lenies with
automatic diaphragm before taking the picture. Pressdown
the depth of field preview key on the baseof the lens mount
of the automatic pre-set aperture lenses,and the aperture
closes to the selectedopening. The image will of course
becomedarker but you can seethe extent of sharpnessto
    fo-regrorlndand the background from the subject youlhe
havefocusedon. On Prakticamat the iris diaphragil can be
closed down to the chosen value for previewing also on
lensesnot equippedwith this devicesimply by prEssingthe
meter switch-on button. Seealso "Aperture and Depth of
Field", page 56.
Infra  Reil Film Ind,icator  'When          infra red film is used, focus in the ordinary way.
Then read off the distanceon the lens mount scaleand tuin
                                                       l 6

www.orphancameras.com
  On the Praktica V, the Praktica Nova and Prakticamat
 the image is visible all the time except for the actual instant
of release.
  The orthodox way of focusing with the ground glass or
rangeflnder may be adopted for taking photographs of
subjects that are fairly stationary. A different method of
focusingis required when taking subjectsin motion. Set the
lens to a distance at which the subject will be in a given
moment, or focus at some spot which  it actually has to
pass,and pressthe releasebutton when the subjectis reach-
ing the pre-focusedpoint.
  With subjectsliable to react self-consciously(e.9.children)
set the lens to a suitable distance,and then approach the
subject,exposingas soon as the image appearssharp.
  Alternatively, focus at some object which is at the samc
distancefrom the camera as the subject, but in a different
direction. When you have found thg range swing round to
pressthe releasebutton as soon as the victim slips into the
fleld of view of the finder.
Pre-Yiewing the Dcpth ol Fietd
  You can examinethe precisedepth of field you get with
the pre-selectedaperture on some of the latest lenseswith
automatic diaphragm before taking the picture. Pressdown
the depth of field preview key on the baseof the lens mount
of the automatic pre-set aperture lenses,and the aperture
closesto the selectedopening. The image will of course
becomedarker but you can seethe extent of sharpnessto
the foreground and the background from the subject you
havefocusedon. On Prakticamat the iris diaphragm can be
closed down to the chosen value for previewing also on
lensesnot equippedwith this devicesimply by pressingthe
meter switch-on button. Seealso "Aperture and Depth of
Field", page56.
Inlra Red Film Indiaator
 When infra rcd film is used, focus in the ordinary way.
Then read off the distanceon the lens mount scaleand turn
                       t6

this to the red dot engravedon the distancescalesomewhat
           to the right of the distance marker. For example, if the
                                              red dot.b        focusingthe 30 ft. scalemarkpointscomestoto30lieft.,oppositeturn thethefocusingring so that
           Film Platp  Indicator
                    If extremely critical focusing with a tape measure is
         necessary(not required for general photography) you can
        measurethe distancefrom the subjectto the film plane,which
             is indicatedby a line through a circle €'  engravedon top of
          the camerabody of the Prakticamatbesidethe pentaprism.
         On all other models measurefrom 3 mm. inside the rear
        edgeof the top plate of the camera.
          Shooting   I
            Practise the following operations first with an empty
        camerauntil you can do them practically automatically.
            1. Work 1[s ftlm transport. This advancesthe fibn and film
            counter and tensions the shutter ready for the next
            exposure.
           2. Set the exposure,Adjust the shutter for the right amount
              of light for the subjectconditions (p. a9).
            3. Select the aperture, smaller aperture for greater depth of
               field (p. 56).
            4. Focus and determine the picture area to obtain a sharp
              picture and the view you want.
            5. Releasethe shutter gently.





                               t7

www.orphancameras.com
     LOADING  AI\D I]NLOADING
  The Praktica usesstandard perforated cine fihn, 35 mm.
wide, as used in the majority of other 35 mm. miniature
cameras.It is availablein variouspackings{seealso p.23),
the most convenient being standard daylight cassettes.
These are light-tight containers with a ready cut and
trimmed length of film for 36 b 2A exposuresand are
loaded into the camerain daylight.
  Avoid  loading or unloading the camera in  brilliant
sunlight, though; choose a shady spot or do  it  in the
shadowof your own body if nothing better is available.

Loading
1. Open the cameraback by pulling down the sliding catch
   at the side of the camerabody.
2. Pull up the rewind knob as far as it will go, then place a
  loaded film cassetteinto the empty film chamber(below
   the rewind knob) with its hollow part towardsrewind key.
  The mouth of the cassettewith the film end must point
  towards the take-up spool. Push the rewind knob
   fully back.
3. Attach the film leader to the take-up spool. Hold the
   cassettein position with the left thumb, while pulling with
  the right hand 4 to 4$ in. (10 to 11 cm.) of film from it.
  Push the free end of the film into the slot in the take-up
  spool of the camera.The take-up spool can be turned on
   its axis to bring a slot into the most convenientposition                                                               Ir   for inserting the film. Turn the flange of the take-up
  spool in a clockwise direction (as the film  is wound
   inside out on the take-up spool) until the film slack is
  taken up. Before closing the camera back, make sure
   that the perforations of the film engagein the teeth of
  the film transport sprockets.
    With quickJoad take-up spool (NovaI and SuperTL),
  push the beginning of the film underneaththe support
  piece and over the transport sprocketsso that the film
                          l8

www.orphancameras.com
    restson the core of the take-up spool (wire bracket must
    not stand upwards) as far as the greenmarking point.
 4. close the cameraback by pressingthe hinled back on to
   the body; thg.locking latch will automatidaly engageto
   secureit in this position.
 5. Wind on the film and release the shutter twice. This
   advancesthe first two frameswhich havebeenexposedto
   the light while inserting the film into the cameri. These
   two wasted leader frames do not count as part of the
   number of exposureson the film.
 6. set the film counter(on earliermodels)by turning the disc
    in the directio-nof the_engravedarrow until thE pointer
   showsto O. Now wind th-etransport once more ind the
    first fiLn frame is ready.
    The exposurecounter of the latest praktica models is
   self.setting_andwill automaticallypoint to No.  I after
       made the two blind exposrirdsand cockedfor the   laving    first exposure.
  When inserting                       check it is properly-endloaded by                     thr- 4l-,_observing the rewind knob (at the oppoiite      of th'e
camera to the t?nsport). When you bdvance the film,
the rewind knob should turn in an anti-clockwisedirection.
This proves that the fi"lm is being pulled out of the cassette
on to the take-up spool. In the-caseof films shorter than
36 exposures,it  is advisable to take up the possible film
slack in the cassetteby first turning the reu'ind knob in
a clockwisedirection until a resistanceis felt.
7. Set film type reminder on the disc set into camera
   transport lever. The symbols stand for black and white
  $11n,        colour traqsparbncy fi.lm (daylight-tt-   and artificial    ligll            and bolour  negative      (daylight and        lypgs)    artificial light types).
8. Set film speedon models with built-in exposuremeter
  by turning the appropriate speedof the fllm in ASA or
  DIN opposite the indicator.-On the praktica Nova the
          is set againstone of the numerals36, 20 or lZ to  :p9gd
   indicate at the sametime the length of film-inserted.
                      20

UNLOADING





!op,left: Delress rewind bu.tton.on cemer. top plate on all modeb except Praktlcamat. top, centre:9n              L models                      and-Prakticamat                                    depress                                             rewind button                                                                           in cameia baseplate. Top, right: OnPrakticamat,             Praktica                   Nova,                               fold over rewind                                              cran'tiana-iewi;e                                                                               i;lm.--"-'-
Middle row: Rewind arrangements on Praktica lVand V (eft),VB(ccntre), and eartiermodels (rtght).
Bottom:open camera back and remove cassette.I"eft..All praktica modets.
                             2l

www.orphancameras.com\
Unloading
  After all exposureshave been made (the number of the
exposurestaken is automatically shown on the film counter
disc), unload the camera.
1. Set for rewinding.Depressreversingbutton in top plate
   of cameraand, on Praktica FX3 and earlier models,keep
     it depressedwhile rewinding.
2. Rewindthe film. Rewind the film into its original cassette
  by turning the rewind knob clockwise. Later models
  have a fold-out crank to facilitate rewinding. Winding
  becomesdistinctly easier the moment the film is fully
  wound back.
3. Open the cameraback (seeLoading No.  l), remove the
   cassette,then close the camera back (Loading, No. 4)
   or reload with a new film.
Cutting ofr Erposed Lengths
    If a film which is only partly exposedhas to be processed,
set the shutter for the next exposureand in the darkroom
or in complete darknesscut off with a pair of scissorsthe
frame which lies in the film aperture.Retrim the remainder
of the film (seep. 24), fix it again on the take-up spool, and
closethe camera.
    It is ready for the next exposureoncethe film counter has
been set three numbers forward (the amount of film lost
through cutting and re-loading). This cannot be done with
the self-zeroingcounter on the latest models.A note has to
be made of the number of exposuresremaining.
  The re-inserting can be done in daylight. In this casea
total of about 6 frames are lost, for, after inserting and
closing,two blind exposureshave-tobe made.
 Some makes of colour film which are returned to the
manufacturersfor processingare for technicalreasonsonly
acceptedin their  full length and should, therefore, not
be cut.
Clunging P artly-ex po rcd Filmt
  To replace a partly-exposedfilm by another one, for
                      22





                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                -*::]j::j--::---.',,.                                           +

\
instanceif you want to take a few colour photographs in
betweensome black-and-white shots, proceed as follows:
l.  Check the number of exposed frames on the film counter.
2. Rewind the fflm but stop immediately you fecl a slight resistance.
   This resistancecomes from pulling the film end from the take-up
   spool. If the film is to be reloaded again,you must not pull the whole
    film into the cassette, otherwise the film end would have to be
   extracted by opening the cassettein the darkroom.
3. Unload the re-woundfflm and note the number of exposurestaken
   on the beginning of the film. Now you can load the camera with any
   other type of film.
    When reloading, load the partly exposed film in the usual way
    (p.18.), cover the lens with a lens cap (or hold some opaque material
   against the lens) and, where possible as additional precaution stop
    fully down.
     Wind and release until the film counter has advanced by the
   number of frames already exposed. To be on the safe side it  is
   advisable to allow one more frame to pass.
     The rest of the film can now be exposed in the usual way.
FiIm Packings lor  the Praktica
  Black-and-white 35 mm. film is also available in various loosc pack-
ings for loading into cassettes.This is a cheaper way gf usin_gfilqas
you do not have to buy a new cassetteevery time with the film. The
following packings are available.
  DARKRoOIvf  REFILLS  are lengths cut and trimmed  for 36
exposuresand have to be loaded into a cassettein total darkness (e.9.
in a darkroom, a really well darkened room or a light-tight changing
bae).
  BUI-K FILM  is supplied in lengths of 18 to 200 ft., and is the most
economical way of using film. A suitable length is cut off to be loaded
into a cassettein total darkness.Working in total darknessfor loading
darkroom refills or bulk film is not difficult.  It  is, however, advisable
to practise filling with a dummy film  first in dayligbt before starting
the darkroom work.
Hm,illing,  Vinding  ond Trimming  the FiIm
  When handling the actual film, particular care must be taken not to
touch its emulsion (matt) side. Always handle it and wind on to the
centre spool of the cassette by holding the film by either side of its
edge, prbferably between thumb and index finger. At the same time,  it
is of no less importance that the spot on which the loading is done
should bc perfectly dry, clean and dust free.
  When using bulk film in loading cassettes,the edge of the work-
bench can be marked with notches or drawing-pins to indicate various
                    23
                                                                                                       iii
                                                                                                        i

www.orphancameras.com
 distances,let us say f9r 1214,3-6 exposuresof film. This considerabry
 simplifies the measuring of film lengths in the darkroom.
  The film ends need trimming.  At the beginning of the roll  of film
make either a straight or wedge-shapedcutTor thJ centre spool of the
cassetteand measure oS the required length of film (see table below).
At the end of this make the curved cuifor  the take-up spool. The
curved cut should start between the fifth and sixth bottom perforation-
when emulsion is towards you-and  must not go through a perforation
hole.

  TENGIH OF FIU{|REQU'REDFORANy NUMBEROF EXPOSURES
 Number  Lengthof   Number   krySln of   Number   Lengthof
   of        Film        of        Film        of         Fitm'
Exposures Reguired  Exposures Reguired  Exposures  Reguired
           in.   cm.            in.   cm.           in.    cm.
        |       ili    30    t1    3t*   80   27     5l     t30
   2    t3*   34    rs    33-   u     28    52*    t33
   3    rs    38    t6    34*   88    29     54'    137
   4   16*    4,     .7    36I   92   30   5s+    l4l
    s    t71   4s     t8    37*  96    3t    s7-    t45
   6   t9+   4e     te   3e+  f00   32   58+   t48
   7   201    s3    20    40+  103   33    60'    t52
   8    t2     56     2l     42-  107   34    6t+   !56
   e   23*    60   T2    43*    lil    35   63-   t60
   r0    zsf.   64   23    4s'     I f4    36   64+   t64
      lf    26*   68   24   4+      I f8    37    66-    ,67
   a2   28*    72    2s     48'  422   38    67+    t7l
   13  30    76   26    49*  126Includingtrimriing
  The ready--cuttrlm.is                 Fow spogle! o_ntqg centr€ spogl of the cartridgeor cassette.While winding on, hold the film only 6y its edges.
  . Also, take care no_tto prpss-too !ra$ qn the film, and doin't squeeze
the film-ends when drawihg through the hand. Failirre to take tfe nrst
precaution may result-in fogging, while neglect of the latter precaution
pay g-v-erise to peculiar kio4s of-exposureeffectsknown asa.lightning
flashes". These are due to electrical discharges, and appear ai aar{
a.wslines   running from the edge of the fiknloivards    tlii  centre of thri
prcnre.

Loading   Ston ila?d  Cas setles
  .!he majoqrly of cassettesconsist of a centre spool which is in a shell
with tq,p and bottom cover. The film leavesthe ihell by a light-trapped
slot. The centre sp-oolcan be removed from the sben bf rem5uioe eitnir
top -or-bottom of the cassette, according to the construction-of theparticular container.
                    24

TRIMMING AND WINDING  FILMS





I





       IoD: The standard trims of film cnd and
        leider with trimming template. The full
       crim need not be made for the Praktica.
      A small trim  of the leader is, however,
       necessaryto enable ic to be inserted in
       the take-up spool.
       Centre:The parts of the film cassetceand
       a recommended method of attaching the
      end of the film to the spool before winding
       the film on  either by hand or  with e
       mechanical winder. The film  is inserted
         into   the  cassette  with   the  leader
       orotruding.