Praktina Single-lens reflex cameras
Production period: July 1952 to May 1960
Number of Models: 3
Number of produced items: 10,856
responsible constructor: Siegfried Böhm
The Praktina models were a part of special developed SLR's which were
produed only in small lots.
The Praktina was a system-SLR special developed for the international
markets based on the success of the Exakta Varex. The aim of the development was
the creation of a system camera for professional use.
Praktina features:
 | interchangeable viewfinder elements, focusing hood and
pentaprism |
| interchangeable field lens, including split image rangefinder |
| built-in Newton finder |
| built-in self-timer |
| removable back |
| winding knob with the functions:
 | transport of film |
| frame counter |
| tensioning of shutter |
|
| interchangeable lenses of focal length from 35 to 1000mm with automatic
diaphragm (FX and IIA) |
| accessories:
| spring actuated motor for rapid sequence picture |
| electric motor with magnetic release for remote control including
accumulator (12V-) |
| 17m cassette camera back |
| extension tubes (2 or 3 ring set) |
| correction lenses for Newton finder |
| stereo equipment |
| ... |
|
The portion of the exported cameras was about 60%.
The stop of production comes in May 1960 caused by the following facts:
| expansive Praktina bayonet mount |
| reduced requirement of camera systems with interchangeable viewfinder
elements |
Hummel describe 3 models of Praktina cameras:
| Praktina |
| Praktina FX |
| Praktina IIA |
| Hummel-No |
camera-name |
| 108 |
Praktina |
| 109 |
Praktina FX |
| 110 |
Praktina II A |
Alberto Teccheo from Italy is one of the best
Praktina collectors who had made a sufficient work to distinguish the different
produced versions of the Praktina FX and IIA.
A very nice overview of the different models are available at his homepage - http://www.praktina.com/r28cam6a.htm
(model identification page).
For the overview of the different 14 well known camera models I had copy
his table (permission at .....
For details please and description different markers, please look at his
homepage or contact Alberto
directly.
| 1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
11 |
12 |
13 |
14 |
15 |
16 |
| Logo
on the front |
Praktina
FX |
Praktina
FX |
Praktina
IIA |
Praktina
IIA |
|
| Semi-auto/auto
lenses cpl |
No /
No |
Yes
/ No |
No /
Yes |
Yes
/ Yes |
? |
| Model |
FX |
FX-A |
IIA |
IIA-DA |
|
| Camera back
hooking |
Short |
Long |
Long |
Long |
Long |
? |
| Focusing screen
levers |
F1 |
F2 |
F2 |
F2 |
F2 |
? |
| Logo on the top |
L1 |
L1 |
L2 |
L3 |
L3 |
? |
| Finder lock mark |
Z-A |
Z-A |
Z-A |
Red
dot |
Red
dot |
Red
dot |
|
| Flash synch.
socket No. |
One |
One |
Two |
One |
One |
|
| Film take-up spool |
SS |
SS |
DS |
DS |
DS |
? |
| Film sprocket
spool |
Black |
Bl |
Slv |
Silver |
Silver |
Silver |
? |
| Wind and rewind
knob |
8/6 |
8/5 |
8/5 |
8/5 |
6/5 |
6/5 |
6/5+6/R |
? |
| Optical finder |
W1 |
W1 |
W2 |
W3 |
W3 |
W3 |
? |
| Tripod socket |
3/8" |
3/8" |
3/8"
- 1/4" |
3/8"
- 1/4" |
1/4" |
1/4" |
|
| Eyelevel Finder |
P1 |
P1 |
P1 |
P2 |
P2 |
P2 |
? |
| Accessory shoe |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No |
Yes |
|
| Camera back |
B1 |
B2 |
B2 |
B2 |
B3 |
B4 |
B4 |
? |
| Film reminder disc |
DA |
DA |
DB |
DB |
DC |
DC |
DC |
DD |
DE |
DF |
? |
| Version |
A |
B |
C |
D |
E |
A |
B |
C |
D |
A1 |
A2 |
B |
A |
B |
|
| Previous Version
Code |
A |
B |
C |
D |
E |
A |
B |
C |
D |
|
A |
B |
|
|
|
The Praktina FX was built for American retailers under the name
"CORBINA" (1955) and for Peerless (New York, USA) 1956 under the name
"HEXACON Supreme". For West Germany the Praktina IIA-camera was
distributed by Photo Porst (Porst Nuernberg) under the label "PORST
reflex).
| 
