Praktina - hybrid ?

[dee]

Skating on thin ice here , again - following on from my confession to wanting a Zenit derived from my favourite Zorki S / C - my dad had a Praktina FX II which got stolen in the early 60s.
I don't remember much about it , only that it had the Pancolour lense , and was far from cheap !
But it had a rangefinder that My dad used a lot for interior and night snapshots .
i would just love to have one !
dee

 

[pshinkaw]

It was a high end Praktica with an optical viewfinder, SLR focusing, breechlock lens mount and spring-wound motor drive. I don't think the optical viewfinder had a focus measuring device. They still sell for pretty respectable prices when you can find one.

-Paul

 

[vha]

sounds tempting the Praktina FX II, and it even takes a Biotar, lets find a scissor and cut the visa card immediately ..

The rare the better 😉

spend at least 2 hours googleing last evening, and it is tempting, but it must be after the spring cleaning of the camera bags are done, at least so.

(and now thing of something else, some cheap and not wanting item)

Have to get that biotar lens out of my head, it´s been stuck there for 2 years now, thanks Ernesto 😉

vha

 

[David Murphy]

You can find Praktina's on eBay regularly. Expect to pay between $35-$100 depending on the condition and your luck in bidding. I had one with a Zeiss Flexon - superb lens. They also often come with Tessars - always good. I've not tried the Biogon, but I believe this was their high-end standard lens and no doubt spectacular in performance.

 

[jaapv]

There are two bodies and (removable) two viewfinders around, but they are interchangable. The optical viewfinder had no focussing , and was more suitable as aiming device. The screen was not that bright, but aperture was spring-loaded automatic. It had no quick return mirror. The banyonet was idiosyncratic, with a lock on the camera and often is stuck on the ones offered for sale, as it was made out of aluminium which oxide-welds.

 

[David Murphy]

There are two bodies and (removable) two viewfinders around, but they are interchangable. The optical viewfinder had no focussing , and was more suitable as aiming device. The screen was not that bright, but aperture was spring-loaded automatic. It had no quick return mirror. The banyonet was idiosyncratic, with a lock on the camera and often is stuck on the ones offered for sale, as it was made out of aluminium which oxide-welds.

I'd certainly not recommend the Praktina for day-to-day use, but it can be fun if you get a good one. They are pretty cameras and IMO one of the better ones from eastern Europe. There were many excellent lenses made for them as well.

This is a shot of my son when he was about 5 using a Praktina IIa I used to own using a Schacht Travegon 35mm F3.5 wide open -- a beautiful lens. The film was scratched either by the drug store or the camera (not sure which). It's not too bad for a 52 y/o SLR. I think the Travegon was also made for Leica Thread Mount -- probably uncommon though today.

I will post a few others when I scan them. I can't just say exactly why I like Praktinas but I do. I like them for the same reasons I like bottom loading interchangeable lens rangefinders. I just bought a rather rare Zeiss 40mm F4.5 Tessar from Gold Camera in Germany for my current Praktina, an FX -- should make an interesting lens to try.

 

[Seele]

Praktinas are not hybrids; they only have an optical finder corresponding to the field covered by the standard lens. The true hybrid would be the earliest Alpas and their predeccessor the Pignon Reflex.