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Specification

Manufacturer description #1

Special features of the PRAKTICA nova I

• The PRAKTICA nova I is a single-lens reflex camera for the 24 x 36 mm picture format.
• Prism viewfinder with bright, unreversed, and parallax-free finder image which, through the instant return mirror, is permanently visible and blacked out only for the short moment of exposing.
• Fresnel lens with two different methods of focusing. Warning signal in viewfinder.
• Conveniently placed rapid wind lever, smoothly working, obliquely mounted finger tip shutter release with locking device against inadvertent tripping. Shutter wind and film transport are coupled and locked against double exposures and blanks.
• Focal-plane shutter for speeds from 1 sec. to 1/500 sec. and B.
• Non-rotating shutter-speed setting knob with click stops.
• Synchronization for bulbs and electronic flash.
• Hinged camera back. Automatic exposure counter. Swing-out rewind crank. Self-locking rewind release knob.
• Interchangeable lenses with focal lengths from 20 mm to 1000 mm with PRAKTICA fitting, mostly equipped with automatic pressure diaphragm - APD. Wide range of accessories for special activities.
• Subsequent model developed from the PRAKTICA nova I is the PRAKTICA nova I B with built-in photoelectric exposure meter.

Manufacturer description #2

PRAKTICA NOVA I is basically a Praktica Nova with all shutter speeds on one dial (incorporating also 1/15 sec.), a quick load take up spool and improved styling.

From the SLR Yearbook (1970)

Praktica Nova is the faithful old workhorse in the SLR world. Over the years it has been gradually modified and improved in operation and convenience, without ever losing that rugged dependability of operation which makes it an ideal second camera, or a 'starter' for the serious photographer. It's still not pretty, and the finish isn't as glossy as some (this is a product of the East German Pentacon concern), but it is versatile and easy to use. The lens mount is the same as that for the Asahi Pentax, which means that an enormous range of lenses is available for it, at all prices, and the viewfinder, which has a standard microprism spot, ground glass and fresnel, is able to give bright clear viewing with all of them. The standard lenses are the f/2.8 Domiplan, f/2.8 Tessar and f/1.8 Oreston, all FAD. We prefer the Tessar, but the Oreston is also very good. The Domiplan perks up at f/5.6 onwards, but can't quite deliver the same crispness and contrast as the Tessar at wider apertures. The cloth focal plane shutter is speeded up to 1/500 sec and will work reliably if somewhat noticeably (although it is an improvement on earlier Prakticas). Up until the Nova, the speed setting dial rotated during the exposure and was fiddly to set. Now there is a single non-rotating dial, which is large and clear to read. The lever wind is also where expected - on some models it was on the base plate of the camera. However, the release button is still where it always has been - at a 45° angle on the front of the camera. Once you get used to it, this is a very good position, which minimises shake. The linkage of the FAD to the shutter release is not quite as fast as some, giving a momentary darkening of the screen before and after exposure, but the instant return mirror is efficient. Loading is improved over other models, with a multi-slotted spool and hinged back.

The same camera is also available with a built-in, but uncoupled, selenium cell meter, which we found to be surprisingly robust and accurate, accomodating a useful range of film speeds. It adds nothing to the size of the camera and not all that much to the price. With meter, the camera is named the Nova 1B.

From the editor

136,400 units were produced from April 1967 to March 1972.

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