Is a Praktica LTL 3 a Decent Camera?

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Steve M.

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I stumbled onto the Praktica cameras, and have my eye on an LTL 3 w/ a Pentacon 50 1.8. I know absolutely nothing about these SLR's (although I have way too much experience w/ FSU rangefinders). Is this a decent model/lens, or should I be looking at something else for a Soviet SLR fix? They're handsome cameras, but so were my Feds. Alas, beauty was only skin deep w/ those.
 
It is a nice sturdy, well-built camera and an excellent lens. The placement of the shutter button takes a little getting used to, but that is part of the charm of a Praktica. Plus, you can use all of those great old M42 lenses from Pentax and Yashica and Chinon and Mamiya and so many others on it.

Praktica probably wouldn't be my first choice for an M42 body, but it is near the top of the list for me.
 
I like the LTL and I still have a soft spot for it, it was my first decent camera that I bought, complete with a Zeiss Tessar lens.
It never gave me any trouble and I exposed a ton of film through it.
 
I agree with xayraa33. The first non-plastic camera I bought was a Praktica Super TL3. Solid, simple to use, fully manual, reliable TTL metering. It came with the Pentacon 50mm lens which was fine. And I liked (still like) the shutter release position - well away from everything else. From new it was completely reliable and on another level from the similarly priced Zenit SLR's of the same (late 1970's) period.

They must be very cheap now, worth taking a punt I'd say.
 
We'll see! I decided at the last moment to bid on it, and won the one w/ the Pentacon lens for $25.50, shipped. That sounds worth a look. Will try it w/ some C41 B&W and post the photos, assuming it's all right. You never know w/ an auction site camera. Thanks very much for the positive vibes on it.
 
Steve M. said:
I should probably hold out for one w/ a Tessar. It's probably a better lens than the Pentacon.
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The Pentacon 50/f1.8 is a great lens, it was originally made by Hugo Meyer as a single coated lens (the Pentacon version is multi coated).

It is very comparable to the higher class Zeiss Pancolar but without the snob appeal and it is over a stop faster than the Zeiss Tessar so if the price is right I would not hold out.
 
I can't recall seeing one in working condition lately - they are not well made. The Pentacon is fine optically, but many also have mechanical problems. There are better choices in the M42 world (Pentax for instance).
 
The LTL and the LTL3 are the most reliable, the quality control really dropped on the later LTL5.

I never found a quicker and more positive film loading system than what is on the L series of cameras on an SLR, even my Canon FTb QL could not compete in this regard.
 
David Murphy said:
I can't recall seeing one in working condition lately - they are not well made. The Pentacon is fine optically, but many also have mechanical problems. There are better choices in the M42 world (Pentax for instance).
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I disagree (about them not being well made). The Prakticas are built like tanks. I've been given a couple over the years and they're always sturdy, reliable workhorses.

And that 50/1.8 Pentacon is actually one of my favourite SLR 50s. I don't know why, but something about it really charms me.
 
I have an MTL3. What's the difference between it and an LTL3? I bought it mainly for the 50/1.8 lens--I love trying different glass on my Pentax K20D. Seems like a sturdy little camera although I haven't put any film through it...
 
that lens has excellent glass. the diagphram eventually failed on me. my ltl3 eventually failed, too. neither was worth fixing considering the low value of the kit, and i went on. still, that pawn-shop body and pentacon - and a soligor 28/2.8 - got me back into photography about three years ago ...
 
Simply no :) Not that they are not well made, but the shutter is so brutal. When you pass 1/125 you start to notice it. And 1/30 hand held is impossible without blur. Also the viewfinder is small and dim. The real M42 camera is the spotmatic :)
 
Very solid. Like most Eastern Bloc cameras of the day they were a bit agricultural in design and quality control though and today, getting parts are a problem.
 
Just thought I'd get back w/ my results. The camera turned out to be DOA, the 135 Hanimex lens that the seller included had fungus, and the 50 1.8 Pentacon lens looks OK. Typical eBay bad buy sort of deal. At least the 50 lens looks shootable, but w/ no M42 camera to try it on, I may never know. Away it goes to Auction Land.
 
all my thoughts about pentacon put in one thread... I wondered if I were a nutter to fine the 50/1,8 was such a fine lens but apperently no! :)
 
xayraa33 said:
The LTL and the LTL3 are the most reliable, the quality control really dropped on the later LTL5.
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Pentacon had always problem with consistent raw material supply, thus so many models.
Praktica is a simple, no frills camera, but has a metal shutter and the best film loading system of all slrs. Only Canons QL is faster, but at the cost of one frame. Praktica LLC was my companion for 10 years and Pancolar was a great lens. The glass is superb, however I can not say the same about the plastic housing of the lenses, after 30 years it may badly deteriorate.
 
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