Film cameras
Praktica PRAKTISIX User manual
User manual for Praktica PRAKTISIX. 23 pages in English. Read the original PDF, download or print a copy without registration.
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Document details
- Brand
- Praktica
- Model / document
- Praktica PRAKTISIX
- Document type
- User manual
- Language
- English
- Pages
- 23
- File size
- 1.8 MB
- Category
- Film cameras
- Document date
- Not specified in catalog
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Page 2 · Read text
- u J ThE PRAKTISI x
is a single-lens ref lex camera with focal-plane shutter for the 6 x 6 cm
'
(2' , x 2' I ," ) pictu re format. lt possessesall the advantages of a modern
precision camera, as there are:
Fully automatic diaphragm release
Coupled shutter wind and film transport (rapid wlnd)
Lock against double exposures and blanks
Interchangeablelenses t
I nterchangeablefi nder elements
lnterchangeablefield lenses tI Synchronization (X-contact) for flash tubes and flash bulbs
Focal-planeshutter calibrated in speedsfrom
1 sec. to I /rooosec. and B
Built-in delayed action (self-timer)
www.orphancameras.comView original page 2Page 7 · Read text
T H E F O C U S I N G M A G N I F I E R T H E S P O R T S F I N D E R
For critical focusing,and to facilitate picture B y p u s h i n g u p t h e i n n e r f r o n t f l a p o f t h e
composition,a magnifyinglensyieldinga four- f i n d e r h o o d a n d p u l l i n g o u r t h e l i t t l e e y e -
fold enlargementmay be swung into parallel piece frame at the back you are able to con-
position with the imagefield lens. vert the finder hood into a sports finder for
d i r e c t v i s i o n .
,..-
f , "
IIView original page 7Page 8 · Read text
T H E P E N T A P R I S M
For focusing at eye level the fi nder hood is interchange-
able with a penta prism. This prism reveals the
image in approximately fourfold enlargement and
with sides unreversed. Persons with faulty eyesight
may insert a corrective glassinto the eyepieceof the
viewfinder and work without their spectacleson.
You pull the two catchestowards the back and place
the prism finder on ro the top of the camera, making
sure that the four connectint pins on the camera
cover engage in the corresponding holes in the bot-
tom of the prism finder, whereupon you let the cat-
ches go, and the prism finder snapsin and fits tightly
to the camera.
F O C U S I N G
Focusingin the PRAKTISIX is performed by turn-
ing the distancering on the lens mounr and viewing
the ground-glassimage. The image is visible only as
long as the shutter is cocked. You may, of course,
www.orphancameras.comView original page 8Page 9 · Read text
set the distance by the scale,if you wish to, using the ground-
glass image only for determining picture compositiorr and
I outline. Also the depth of sharpnesscan be read off the focus-
ing ring. To the left and right of the triangular mark are dia-
phragm numbers, and the distance figures above these dia-
phragm num bers show the range of sharpness.
When using the sports finder you may either determine the5b sharpnesson the ground glass beforehand or you set the dis-
tance estimated or measured in accordancewith the distance
scale engraved on the lens mount.
In case your camera is equipped with a rangefinder lens you
focus your image exactly as if you were using a coupled split-
image rangefinder. On the ground glass you see a circular
clear-glassspor divided into two equal parts. As the olject
distance changes,the two parr imates within the measuring
field move towards or away from each other. This can be ob-
served best on straight verrical lines. lf these lines ioin precise-? ly where the two clear-glasssections meet, the image is in cor-
rect focus and appearssharp on the ground glass,In the findert
hood, the magnifying lens should be used for determining
imagesharpness.View original page 9Page 10 · Read text
H O \ i l T O E X C H A N G E F I E L D L E N S E S
Should you intend exchangingthe plain image field lens for a specialtype of field lens (e. g. the
rangefinder lens) you first remove the finder element from the camera and then loosen the screws
on the three retaining springs with a small screwdriver,whereupon the springsare swung aside
the snap ring is removed and the field lens tilted out. Fixing the other field tens is performed in
reverse order.When inserting the new lens take care that the thinner part comes to lie towards i the back. We would rather adviseyou to have this little iob done by a photo dealer or mechanic. I-
i
T H E D I A P H R A G M
The diaphragm is set by meansof the milled ring on the lens mount. With the shutter cocked, the 'ro#*-J't
diaphragm oPensto its widest aperture (seealso FocusingAperture), and on pressureof the shutter
release it closes down automatically to the pre-set value. F# *,
lf you so desire, you may iudge your picture composition at any predetermined diaphragm open- {i
ing: in the Tessar lens by movement of a srnall projecting lever, and in the Primotar by turning
the diaphragm ring from the red mark to the black mark. (For details pleaserefer to',The Lens,,.) |
www.orphancameras.comView original page 10Page 11 · Read text
T H E S H U T T E R
The PRAKTISIX is equipped with a focal-planeshutter allowing for instant ex-
posure speedsf rom 1 sec.to 1/rooosec.When set at " 8", the shutte r remainsopen
as,long as the releaseis depressed.For longertime exposures it is advisableto
use a specialwire releasewith locking device.
Thespeedsaresograduatedthateverysinglenumberbetweenlsec.andl/r000sec.
indicatesone half of the next hither or double the next lower number on the
scale.The diaphragm scaleworks in a similar manner. As long as the light values
are to be maintained you have to employ the next smaller stop for twice the
exPosure time, or vice versa.
S E T T I N G T H E
S H U T T E R S P E E D S
The shutter speeds are set by means of the speed
disk. The disk is rotatable in either direction, be-
fore or after the shutter has been wound. The num-
ber clicked in opposite the triangular mark on the
top of the camera indicates the speed desired for
the exposure.View original page 11Page 12 · Read text
The flash arrow ([) on the speed-settingdisk signifiesthe shortest exPosurespeed at which the width
of the shurter slit is greater than the image width, for which reason this setting is preferred for ex'
posures with electronic flash units. The shutter may be releasedat any speed either by direct pres-
sure on the release knob, by means of a cable release,or by the self-timer.
L O C K I N G T H E R E L E A S E K
The lower milled ring on the release
knob. when turned anticlockwiseas far
as it will go, locks the releasemachanism.
The shutter releaseis locked when the
red dot on'the milled ring is visible from
above. This makes inadvertent tripping
of the shutter impossible.thus avoiding
unintended exposures. The shutter re-
lease mechanism is freed by turning the
ring in the opposite direction.
www.orphancameras.comView original page 12Page 13 · Read text
T H E D E L A Y E D - A C T I O N F L A S H S Y N C H R O N I Z A T I O N
MECHANISM (sELF-TIM E R) Synchronization is effected over the X contact on
The delayed-actionmechanisntis set by the base of the camera body, next to the tripod
a90'swing'ofthe winding lever and re-
leasedby pressureon the releaseknob. bushing. For electronic flash it is advisableto set
It runs for approximateiy 10 seconds the shutter to the speed marked by the flash arrow
and may be employedwith all the shut- { !, ), Uut longer speeds may also be used'
ter speeds.
The delayed-actiondevice (self-timer) The X contact is likewise designed for the use of
must not be set before the rapid rvind flash bulbs, with a shutter speed of i/i; sec. for
lever is wound. short-burningbulbs and r/s sec.for bulbs of a longer
flash duration. The correct diaphragm setting is
:omputable from the guide number and flash-to'
subiect distance.
Attention! Never insert the flash bulb before
wind ing the shutter !View original page 13Page 15 · Read text
E X C H A N G I N G T H E L E N S E S
Turn the large milled ring next to the camera front
plate anticlockwiseuntil it stops. The lens is now un-
locked and can easily be removed from the canrera.
When inserting the lens, make
sure that the screw (or pin) on
one of the bayonet tabs fits into
the upper recessin the lens seat.
With the lens attached to the
camera opening you tighten the
milled ring by a gentle clock-
w i s e t u r n .
.View original page 15Page 16 · Read text
T H E I N T E R C H A N G E A B L E L E N S E S
The standardlens in the PRAKTISIX is either an 80 rnm Jena Bm, Il2.8,an 80 rnm JenaT, f12.8,or an
80 mm Meyer Primotar E, f/3.5. These lensesdiffer somewhat in their operative characteristics,so we i
think we ought to give a few details regardrngperformance.All three lensesare equipped with fully
automatic diaphragm. They require no extra manipulation beside setting the desired diaphragm
value. The diaphragm is automatically controlled by the camera mechanism.
Supplementarylensesnot equipped with the fully automacicdiaphragm.as for instance,the 300 mm
Tefemegor, f f 45, are employed as follows:The setting ring on the lens mount, directly behind the diaphragm scale,is pressedbackwardsand fce
adlustedso that its mark standsagainstthe desired diaphragmnumber, where it clicks in. The image
is then previewed at full aperture, and immediatelybefore the exposure is made, the diaphragm ring
is turned back to the preselectedopening without the camera having ro be removed from the eye.
To avoid a vignetting effect when working with lensesof a focal length greater than 300 Fm, you may
move the automaticdiaphragmlever in the cameraaway from its normal position towards the camera
body (you will find that it is difficult to turn). Of course, the lever has to be srnrungback co its normal
working position before a lens with automaticdiaphragmreleaseis attachedto the camera.
65 mm Jena Flektogon f/2.8 80 mm JenaBm f 12.8
80 mm Jena T f 12.8 120mm JenaBm 112.8
Leather-coveredfocusing ring
Distance scale
Depth-of-field scale
Diaphragm-settingri ng
www.orphancameras.comLever for diaphragm controlView original page 16Page 17 · Read text
lf you wish to view your image in the JenaT or in the JenaBm lens with the diaphragmclosedCowt, to
, the preselectedvalue you exert persistent pressureon the small lateral lever. As soon as you relax your
pressure,the diaphragmiumps back to its largestaperture.This appliesalso to the 65 mm Flektogon,
f/2.8 and to the 120 mm Jena Bm, f/2.8.
With the red dot on the front index ring oppositethe red diaphragmindicatorin the Meyer Primotar E,'
the diaphragm mechanismis wide open and the shutter cocked. lf the black dot on the index ring
I stands opposite the diaphragm indicator, you may view your image at the pre-set diaphragm stop.7 For rhe purposeof brighteningup the finder image,the focusingaperture is somewhatlarger than f/3.5,
whereas for the exposure, the actual preselectedopening becomes effective.
80 mm Meyer Primotar E f13.5 300 mm Meyer Telemegor f/4.5
Index ring for diaphragmcontrol
Diaphragmsetting ring
3
Focusingring
I Distance scale
Depth-of-field scaleView original page 17Page 18 · Read text
w
t,af
I N S E R T I N G T H E F I L M II
1
Unlock and open the camera back. Placean empt), spool into the right-hand spool cham ber l/
(underneaththe rapid wind) and make sure that the driving mechanismcatchesthe spool o
core. At the same pull time away the lower resilient counter-bearing,which then snaps l" back automatical ly into the spool core.
Theunexposedfilm(commercialrollfilm forl2exposures6x6cm :21/a,x2rln") isinstalled *w
into the left-handspool chamber in the same manner. The trimmed leader of the protective ff
PaPermust Point in the travelling direction of the filrn, so that later on the printed surface
cf the paper is on the outside.
Do not loosenthe gumstrip before the spool is held by the pivot pins and the brake springs
Prevent unintentionalslacl<eningof the film. The gumstrip should be completely removed.
Pull the beginning of the paper leader across the picture gate and introduce it into the
broader slit of the receivingspool. A well centered and tautly guided film is absolutely
prerequisite for correct advancementof the film.
Swing the rapid-wind lever around once as far as it will go and then move the lever in small
cycles (without letting it return to lts initial position), in this way advancing the paper
leader up to the point Where the imprinted arrow mark standsagainst the white dot on the
picture gate. Yor.rthen let the rapid-wind lever return to i$ original position.
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Close the camera and fix the latch. Slight pressure
on the set-backknob in the rounded-offedge ofthe
camera body, underneath the rapid-wind lever,
causesthe counting mechanismto jump back to its
starting point, and a red dot becomesvisible in the
counter window. Releaseand wind up the shutter
four times (full sweep of the lever), to make the
number 1 appear,which meansthat the first section
of film is in the picture gate and the camerais ready ? for the exposure. At every subsequentcocking of
the shutter, the counting mechanismadvancesto
the next nrimber until, after the 12th exposure, a
,1 red E shows up. Every cocking of the lever must be
one continuous movement as far as it will go.
>t
To protect the camera mdchanismit is advisable
to support the rapid-wind lever with your rhumb
on its way back instead of letting it jump. TView original page 19Page 20 · Read text
I N S I D E T H E P R A K T I S I X
is a surface mirror which proiects the image
designed by the lens on to the ground glass ft{
screen .
At the moment of the exposure,i. e. by pressureon the releaseknob, this mirror is swung out of lthe path of rays and, forming a lighttight cover II
over the ground glass,allows the light rays to
passfreely on to the picture level. As soon as
the mirror has reached its topmost position, an
ingeniousmechanismopens the shutter for the
exPosure.
Taking fens and finder iens being orte and the
same,there is no dangerof parallaxerror. Every-
thing that you see in the finder must necessarily
also appearon the film. Never, even in extreme
close-ups,is there a single piece of the picture
m r s s r n S .
Lack of parallax,therefore, makes it possibleto
work with speciallensesand intermediaterings
for close-ups without req u iring any extra fi nder
attdchments.
www.orphancameras.comView original page 20Page 22 · Read text
Specialring Z (20 mm)
serves to connect a
T H E F I L M double wire release for use with the automatic
S P E E D I N D I C A T O R diaphragmge. The doubleat closewireran-
release simultaneously
A film speed indicator is built into the camera releases the lens dia-
back. lt is operated by rotation of the disk - terphragmmechanism.and the shut-
most convenientlyduring film loading - fromthe inner side of che camera(to avoid accidental ffi
d isplacement).The i nd icator shcws i m med iately,
also when the camera is closed,which type of R I N G Afilm has been loaded. @
dre) \+.t@/ R I N G I
R E M O V I N G T H E F I L M
To permit taking the film out of the camera in
daylight,the paper backingmust first be wound R I N G I I
up to the end. This is done by one full sweep
of the cocking lever up to its stop followed by
small cycling movements.Not before this pro-
cedure is concluded, may the camera back be
opened,the paper strip gummed down and the R I N G I I I
spoolwith the exposedfilm removedby daylight. @w
R I N G B www.orphancameras.comffi\#View original page 22From the M. Butkus archive. Original publisher and archive notices are retained.
Check the model and edition against your equipment.
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