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Specification

Manufacturer description #1

The Praktica is a one-lens reflex camera taking the perforated 35 mm cine film. The size of the picture is 24 X 36 mm.

The Praktica possesses all the advantages of a modern precision miniature camera, e.g. shutter winder coupled with film advancement, lock against double and blank exposures, interchangeability of the lenses, and adaptability to micro-photography.

Focusing is performed by means of a light-collecting lens which produces a clear, bright image.

The Praktica takes all current daylight film cartridges for 36 exposures in black-and-white and colour film. The Praktica is sure to give perfect results and mechanical safety.

Manufacturer description #2

PRAKTICA FX was fitted with pre-select iris lenses and was FX synchronized. It should be noted, however, that the F of those days represented about 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.

Manufacturer description #3

THE PRAKTICA FX2, 3, F.X2, PRAKTICA AND PRAKTIFLEX

In place of the eye level pentaprism finder they are fitted with a chest-level reflex finder with folding light hood and built-in magnifier also incorporating an eye level frame finder for direct vision of the subject. The reflex finder is equipped with a condenser screen for even light distribution and magnified image, except original Praktiflex which has a ground glass screen.

The shutter speeds range from 1/2 sec. to 1/500 sec. (original Praktiflex from 1/25 sec.) and B. The film transport is by a transport knob and rewinding by a rewind knob. The camera back is detachable. The film winds itself over the take-up spool.

The original Praktiflex has a smaller diameter lens screw thread (40 mm.) and does not accept the Praktica lenses or attachments made for the Praktica cameras and screwing into the lens mount.

Praktica FX is, in addition, flash synchronized. Originally it had three non-standard contacts, one X without built-in delay, the second one F with a delay of 10 ms. before commencement of running down of the shutter, the third acted as earthing pin. This was followed on later models with two non-standard contacts for X synchronization only. Finally, the last FX models were fitted with the by then introduced standard, the 3 mm. co-axial plug for X synchronization only.

Praktica FX2, FX3, F.X2 have, in addition, an actuating mechanism for use of automatic diaphragm lenses. The flash synchronization consists of two non-standard contacts - F and X as described above for Praktica FX. The last version indicated by a dot between F and X = F.X2 has two standard contacts and is FX synchronized. The F synchronization has a delay of 10 ms. before complete opening of the film field.

Praktica FX3 is a model FX2 characterized by being fitted with an automatic diaphragm lens.

THE STANDARD LENSES for original Praktiflex and Praktica FX were fitted with normal or pre-set diaphragm lenses. FX2 models could be supplied with semi automatic or fully automatic diaphragm lenses. The standard lenses are:

Zeiss Biotar 58 mm. f2

Zeiss Tessar 50 mm f2.8

Zeiss Tessar 50 mm. f3.5

Meyer Primoplan 58 mm. f1.9

Meyer Primoplan 50 mm. f3.5

Meritar 50 mm. f2.9

From the editor

Only 29,532 units were produced from September 1952 to February 1954.

Another 11,300 units were produced from June 1954 to September 1954. This was a version with single coaxial flash socket.

Another 25,124 units were produced from September 1954 to July 1955. This was a version with two coaxial flash sockets.

The export version was sold under the name "Praktiflex FX" from July 1953 to February 1954 in versions with fixed finder and three flash sync contacts or with interchangeable finder and single coaxial flash socket.

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