Pentacon PRAKTICA LTL User manual

Praktica LTL Instructions for Use
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Praktica LTL
Instructions for Use.
We are extremely pleased that you have chosen the high-quality PRAKTICA LTL, and we wish
you every success in working with this modern reflex camera.
Before using your camera, however, we would request you to study the Instructions for Use
carefully. This will help you to avoid trouble caused by wrong handling of the equipment.
The PRAKTICA LTL is a miniature single-lens reflex camera for the 24 mm × 36 mm picture
format, with automatic exposure control and internal metering to which the shutter-speed, aperture and
film-speed settings are coupled. The measuring system employed is partially integrated, the main
measuring field , about 20 mm in diameter, being arranged in the centre of the viewfinder. The result is
perfectly accurate metering since, with the most majority of subjects, the most important details of the
image are located within this area. All the subordinate marginal sections are photometrically left aside
and cannot influence the reading.
Metering is performed with the lens stopped down to taking aperture by adjusting the diaphragm
ring on the lens mount while depressing the metering key. By means of this key the circuit is closed.
All lenses having the international PRAKTICA fitting M42×1 may be used. The automatic mechanism
in the camera causes the pressure diaphragm in the lens (APD) to operate as a spring diaphragm. This
means that only during the actual moment of exposure the diaphragm closes down to the value
obtained by means of the lightmeter.
The novel type of metal-bladed focal-plane shutter travels across the shorter side of the frame and
has a range of speeds from 1 sec. to 1/1000 sec. It is synchronized for the use of flash bulbs and
electronic flash units. As a result of the very rapidly moving steel curtains, the electronic flash can be
synchronized at about 1/125 sec. The centre contact makes it possible to connect camera and flash unit
without using a coble.
The PRAKTICA LTL can be supplied either with or without built-in-self-timer.
The pentaprism is firmly built in, and the focusing system, due to its Fresnel lens, reveals a finder
image of maximum corner-to-corner brightness, in which also the meter needle and the readiness
indicator are visible.
Microprism screen and groundglass circle ensure quick and perfect sharp focusing. In combination
with its wide range of accessories, the PRAKTICA LTL may be employed for a great variety of
special photographic activities.

Praktica LTL Instructions for Use
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Control Parts of the Praktica LTL
1 –Knob for setting the shutter speeds;
2 –Metering key;
3 –Shutter release;
4 –Cocking lever for self-timer;
5 –Self -timer release knob;
6 –Rewind knob.
07 –Rewind crank;
08 –Accessory shoe;
09 –Centre flash contact;
10 –Exposure speed index;
11 –Rapid wind lever;
12 –Film speed scales;
13 –Film speed indicator;
14 –Exposure counter;
15 –Manual stop down key;
16 –Distance setting ring;
17 –Diaphragm setting ring;
18 –Depth-of-field scale.

Praktica LTL Instructions for Use
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19 –Rewind catch;
20 –Cartridge chamber;
21 –Metal-bladed focal-plane shutter;
22 –Transport sprocket;
23 –Supporting piece;
24 –Take-up spool;
25 –Green marking point;
26 –Wire brackets.
28 –Rewind release knob;
29 –Battery lid;
30 –Tripod nut.

Praktica LTL Instructions for Use
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A. Opening the camera back
Pull rewind knob (6) upward until you feel hard
resistance. The camera back is thus unlocked and can be
opened. The exposure counter (14) will automatically jump
to zero position.
B. Inserting the film
Any type of 35 mm film in commercially available
standard cartridges may be used. The cartridges contain
film lengths for 36, 20 or 12 exposures in the 24 mm × 36
mm format. To ensure that light enters the slit of the
cartridge the film should not be loaded in direct sunlight.
The shade of your own body will suffice.
By having pulled out the rewind knob (6) to open the
camera back you hove withdrawn the rewind catch (19)
from the cartridge chamber (20), and you can now place the
cartridge into the cartridge chamber.
Push the rewind knob, with slight backward and forward
movements, right back into the camera. The rewind catch
will engage in the core of the cartridge.
Push the beginning of the film projecting out of the
cartridge from above as for as it will go underneath the
supporting piece (23) on the transport sprocket (22). The
beginning of the film strip must now lie on the core of the
take-up spool (24) and meet the green marking point (25).
The wire bracket (26) of the take-up spool must not
stand upwards. Should the happen to be the case the
milled flange of the spool has to be turned to move the
bracket wires to lateral position.
C. Closing the camera back
Take hold of the latch side of the camera back and press
it firmly to the camera body. It will lock automatically.
D. Preparing for theexposure
The rapid wind lever (11) has an idle stroke of about 15° when brought from its rest position into
readiness for action. It can be easily grasped –a great advantage, especially in serials shots.

Praktica LTL Instructions for Use
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Swing the cocking lever around as far as it will go, move it back again, and depress shutter release
knob (3). Repeat these operations and then cock the shutter once more. The automatic exposure
counter (14) now stands on number “1”. Special setting of the exposure counter is not necessary since
it starts working automatically when the camera back is closed.
To avoid inadvertent tripping, the shutter release (3) is provided with a locking device. The release
mechanism is locked when the red dots on the knob and on the outer ring meet. The mechanism is
unlocked by rotation of the knob through 90°.
Shutter can be released
Shutter release locked
E. Setting the exposure speed
For the automatic exposure control, the film speed
value has to be set. This is done by lifting the milled
ring of shutter-speed setting knob (1) and rotating it
until the speed value of the film in the camera (DIN or
ASA) on scale (12) stands opposite the white indicator
(13). When lowered, the milled ring clicks in next to
the selected film speed numeral.