Pentacon PRAKTICA LB2 User manual

Praktica LB2
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Control Parts of the PRAKTICA LB 2
In this text the above mentioned reference numbers are bracketed.
1. Filter socket
2. Photoelectric cell
3. Rewind knob
4. Accessory shoe
5. Knob for setting shutter speeds
6. Cocking lever
7. Exposure counter
8. Wire release socket4www.butkus.org
9. Shutter release

10. Diaphragm setting ring
11. Distance setting ring
12. Depth-of-field scale
13. Knob
14. Knurled graduated fir:
15. Index for ASA values
16. Window for ASA dial
17. Rewind crank
18. Graduated ring with aperture numerals
19. Index for DIN values
20. Window for DIN dial
21. Window for meter needle
22. Center flash contact. 4www.butkus.org

23. Exposure speed index
24. Ocular mount with fitting for accessories
25. Rewind catch
26. Cartridge chamber
28. Film transport sprocket
29. Supporting piece
27. Metal-blade focal-plane Putter

30. Take-up spool
31. Marking point for inserting the film
32. Wire bracket
33. Tripod socket
34. Rewind release knob
We wish you every success in working with this modern reflex camera. You own a camera which has a novel
metal-blade focal plane shutter the special features of which are high time stability and short synchro speeds for
electronic flash exposure. The built in external exposure meter guarantees you proper determination of diaphragm
and shutter speeds.
Opening the camera back
Pull rewind knob (3) upwards until you feel hard resistance. The camera back is thus unlocked and can be hinged
open. The exposure counter (7) will automatically jump to zero position.4www.butkus.org

Inserting the film
Insert the film cartridge. The wire brackets (32) should not stand upwards. Should this happen to be the case, rotate
the milled flange of the spool. Pull the leading edge of the film to the green mark (31) and push it from above
below the supporting piece (29). The teeth of the film transport sprocket should engage with the perforation of the
film.
If the film tends to strong warping, bring one wire bracket to rest on the film by turning the milled flange of the
spool. Depress rewind knob (3) again and turn it somewhat, if necessary.
Closing the camera back
On the side of its locking means, press the camera back firmly on the camera body. It locks automatically.
Preparation for the exposure
The cocking lever (6) has an idle stroke of about 15° so that it can be moved from its resting position into readiness
for action. (Easy grasping for serial shots.) Swing the cocking lever (6) around as far as it will go, move it back
again, and depress shutter release button (9). Repeat these operations and then cock the shutter once more. The
automatic exposure counter (7) now stands on number "1 ".
Light metering
By turning knob (13), set the indices (15) and (19), reap. to the speed of the film loaded in the camera.
How to proceed for light metering: Direct your camera to the subject. Attention! Don't cover the window of
photoelectric cell (2)! Bring the meter needle in window (21) to rest in the center of the circular mark by rotating

the outer knurled graduated ring (14). So the diaphragm numerals (graduated ring 18) stand opposite the shutter-
speed values. This combination of aperture and shutter speed values will give exactly the right exposure.4www.butkus.org
The combination most suitable for your subject to be taken is then transferred to the diaphragm setting ring (10) of
the lens or to the shutter-speed setting knob (5) (e.g.: aperture f/8--shutter speed '/125s sec.).
If the meter needle cannot be centered in the circular mark, the luminous density of the subject to be taken is off
the operating range of your exposure meter.
Setting the shutter speed
Symbol intended for pictures to be taken with the electronic flash
(about '/125s sec.);
B setting intended for slow-speed exposures. Shutter
remains open as long as the shutter release is being
depressed
2 sec. to 60 sec. (green) intended for taking subjects of low brightness.
Use of a tripod is recommended;
1 sec. to'/15S sec. (orange color) intended for subjects of low brightness.
Use of a tripod is recommended.

1/25 sec. to1/1000 sec. (white) for taking subjects of unobjectionable brightness. Rotate knob (5) until the desired numeral stands opposite
the orange triangle. Intermediate values cannot be set!
Setting the diaphragm numeral
Set the diaphragm numeral on diaphragm setting ring (10) to the mark of the lens mount. On lenses with automatic
pressure diaphragm (ADP) the aperture remains fully open, and only when the shutter is released it will close to
the set value. In the PRAKTICA LB 2 the diaphragm opens immediately after the shutter has run down. Certain
lenses permit manual stopping down of the diaphragm for evaluation of the depth of field in the viewfinder.
According to lens design this can be made by pressing the manual stop down key (left-hand illustration on page
22) or by changing the diaphragm selector from A (automatic) to M (manual) (right-hand illustration on Dane 22).
Signal Image-
brightening
Fresnel lens Microprism screen Circular ground glass area

Focusing
Focusing is possible as to the microprism screen of circular ground glass area.
Focusing on the microprism screen
The correct sharpness is set when the image becomes visible clearly and free from fuzziness within the microprism
screen.
Focusing on the circular ground glass area
Turn the distance-setting ring until the subject appears clearly and distinctly within the circular ground glass area.
This is also the focusing method for macro- and microphotography as well as when lenses are used having a small
relatively aperture (diaphragm numeral higher than 4). The ground Fresnel area is not meant to be used for
focusing.4www.butkus.or g
Depth-of-field indication
The limits of the depth-of-field range can be read from the depth of-field scale (12) for the relevant aperture.
Example: 3 m at f/8 aperture zone of sharpness between 2 m and 6 m For evaluation of the depth of field in the
viewfinder refer to section "Setting the diaphragm". For infrared exposures the focusing point has to be slightly
modified. Set the determined distance value opposite the infrared point.
Releasing and cocking the shutter
Before releasing the shutter, please note the following:
1. If the signal is visible in the left viewfinder, the camera is not ready for exposing. Swivel the cocking lever (6) to
its stop.
2. For shutter speeds of 1/15 sec. and slower tripod and cable release should be used. Depress the shutter release
(9) steadily --never with a jerk--past the soft-running limit. After the exposure the shutter has to be cocked to make
the camera ready for taking again.

Changing the film
Take into consideration the number of exposures (12, 20, or 36 frames) which can be made with the loaded film,
and observe this number on the exposure counter. When the film has been exposed, depress rewind release knob
(34) (it locks in). Fold the rewind crank (17) out of the rewind knob (3) and rotate it not too quickly in direction of
the arrow (indicated on crank 17). Termination of rewinding becomes noticeable by greater resistance and
subsequent ease of actuation. Pull the knob upwards to its stop. Unlock camera back. Film cartridge can be
removed.
Attention! If more exposures have been made than indicated on the film packet, at the end the cocking lever might
not be swiveled around completely. Don't apply force! Rewind the film.
Exchanging lenses
All lenses provided with the international PRAKTICA M 42 x 1 thread can be applied. (Pentax screw mount) You
take hold of the lens body and unscrew it by turning it to the left. Installation is by turning it to the right to its stop.
Flash exposures
Flash bulbs as well as electronic flash units can be synchronized. Push the flash unit with its center contact onto the
accessory shoe (4). Set the relevant symbol for the flash unit used, "bulb image" or on the shutter-speed setting
knob. Flash units fined with a synchro cable are connected with the flash socket in the accessory shoe of the
PRAKTICA LB 2 by means of an adapter piece. Take into consideration the guide number of the flash unit,
particularly when determining diaphragm or distance values. For this purpose use the calculating dial on the flash
unit.4www.butkus.org

The use of flash bulbs
If bulbs for short flash duration are used, set to the g: symbol as to a shutter speed longer than 1/30 sec. The
ignition circuit is only closed while the shutter runs down.
The use of electronic flash units
Synchronization is by setting to the symbol which corresponds to a shutter speed of about Is sec. Longer
shutter speeds can be used, too.
Maintenance and care of the Camera
Unobjectionable functioning of the highly valuable precision instrument depends very largely on proper handling
and careful maintenance. Protect the camera against shock, impact, and moisture. In certain intervals clean the
cartridge and spool chambers, film track and camera back with a soft brush. Neither depress the metal blades of the
shutter nor touch them with your fingers. Dust the mirror only in urgent cases by means of a hair brush.
Please follow these Instructions for Use carefully. Improper handling of the camera may cause damage for which
we can accept no liability.
Further development of the PRAKTICA LB 2 may lead to slight alterations of the details given in this booklet.