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Specification

Manufacturer description

A camera with the novel metal-blade focal-plane shutter for maximum shutter speed stability and minimum synchronization for electronic flash photography. The camera is fitted with a through-the-lens light metering system for a coupled determination of shutter speed, diaphragm numeral, and film speed. Metering is on the center-weighted method and gives pictures true to the subject.

The PRAKTICA MTL 3 is selectively delivered with or without self-timer.

From the Photo Equipment Buying Guide (1979)

In designing a camera for the fledgling photographer, Praktica's engineers settled on a straightforward, no-frills manual model, the MTL 3. It's similar in size and weight to the Praktica EE2 auto-exposure camera. Shutter speeds range from 1/1,000 to 1 second, plus B. Metering is match-needle. A single CdS cell is used. This type of cell is not as fast or memory free as other cells being used today. The meter is center-weighted. The camera has film speed settings of 12 to 1,600. This could be a problem for a photographer who likes to "push" high-speed films to 3200 ASA or more.

The viewfinder of the MTL 3 comprises a horizontal split-image rangefinder surrounded by a micro-prism collar on a fresnel mat screen. Overexposure and underexposure symbols appear on the right-hand side of the screen. Unfortunately, the finder does not include indicators of shutter speed and aperture.

The camera has a vertically running, metal focal-plane shutter. Speeds range from 1/1,000 second to 1 second, plus B. Electronic flash synchs at 1/125 second. There is a hot shoe, as well as a PC outlet.

The MTL 3 uses Praktica's auto film load system. It's not really automatic, but it's substantially easier to master than conventional thread-the-spool systems. The camera also has a self-timer.

The MTL 3 accepts all Praktica/Pentax (universal) screw-mount lenses and accessories, making this an easily expandable system.

The MTL 3 is a rugged camera that should appeal to the beginning photographer or the advanced amateur who already owns one universal screw-mount camera and wishes to to purchase a low-priced backup to his system. Especially impressive is the standard lens, which focuses down to 13 inches.

The camera's size, measurements of 5-9/16 x 3-3/4 x 3-1/2 inches and weight with normal lens of 28 ounces, place it in the standard-size category for SLRs. Some photographers will find the MTL 3 oppressively big and heavy.

Praktica's positioning of the shutter release button on the face of the camera to the right of the lens mount takes some getting used to. So does the location of the meter key - the on/off switch - on the lens mount housing just above the release button. The camera utilizes a beam divider, light concentrator, and photoelectrical resistor in its metering system - all of which make the viewfinder screen appear dark.

In sum, then, the Praktica MTL 3 offers some very attractive features, and presents a few problems. For a price as low as the Praktica's, however, many beginning photographers will be willing to put up with some small annoyances.

The Praktica PLC 3 is similar to the MTL 3, except that it is furnished with Praktica's top-of-the-line lens.

The TL 3 also is similar to the MTL 3. This very inexpensive SLR, however, has manually-operated shutter speeds from only 1/500 second to 1 second and is furnished with a slow lens.

From the editor

865,395 units were produced from March 1978 to February 1984.

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