Praktica FX2 User manual

Dear Photo Friend!
The miniature reflex camera “Praktica FX 2“, a masterpiece of
German craftsmanship, discloses to the amateur and professional
photographer the extremely versatile and wondrous territories of
photography.
The advantages of the single-lens reflex camera system become
particularly obvious in the Praktica FX 2. Already before the
exposure, the subject is visible, free from parallax error, in the
ground-glass image, making it possible to predetermine depth of
field and picture composition with utmost accuracy.
Intcrcliangcable lenses of various focal lengths in the Praktica FX 2,
some of them with automatic diaphragm, open up a wide range
of applicability for tele-photo and close-up exposures.
To complete the finder system, a supplementary reversing prism
can be inserted into the finder hood, revealing an upright, laterally
correct image.

Shutter wind and film
tronsport knob with
picture-countinq disk
Knob, for setting
exposure speeds
ond speed groups
Byelets for neckstrop
Interchangeable lens with adjusting
ring for distance and diaphragm,
with distance, diaphragm
and depth-of-field scales
Shutter release
knob with
coble release
connection
Contact socket
for flash tubes
Contact socket
for flash bulbs
X
F

Focusing magnifier
Finder hood cover
Frame-finder
Rewinding knob.
Press button
for rewind mechanism
Push button to i
the finder hood
Receiving spool
Film transport sprocket
Picture gate
lane shutter
Bolt for opening the camera back

“Contents
Technical Data
Page
The Lens 2-7
Focusing
Setting the diaphragm
Control of depth of field
The Shutter 8-1S
Speed groups
Exposure speeds
Winding up the shutter
Flash tubes
Flash bulbs
The Finders 16-17
Finder Hood
Page
Magnifying lens
Frame finder
Reversing prism
The Film-feed
Mechanism
18-20
Close-up Exposures
21-22
Photomicrography
23
Color Filters
23
Maintenance
of the Camera
24-25
Lenses
to 500 mm focal length with
speeds ranging from f/i.j to f/8.
All lenses are coated
Shutter
Focal-plane shutter Va to Vsm *cc.
and B, synchronized for electronic
and regular flash
Finder System
ReOex finder with image field lens
and magnifier for critical focusing
(free from parallax)
Built-in sports finder
1 Insertable reversing prism
Fliip Transport
Coupled with shutter wind, no
unintentional double exposures or
blanks
Weight
620 grams, without lens
Dimensions
I) X 8 X 4 cm (6 X 3V4 X 1V2 ios*)
1

The Lenses
The Praktica FX z may be used with normal or special-
type lenses with focal lengths from J 5 mm to 500 mm and
with speeds up to f/ 1 . 5 , hence making it possible to pene¬
trate into practically any sphere of photography.
All the lenses are easily interchangeable by means of their
threaded mounts. It is advisable, before changing the lens,
to release the camera shutter, so that the mirror, a very
sensitive clement, will be protected from damage. Any
unclean spots on the anti-reflex coating should be removed
only with a soft, perfectly clean and grease-free brush. In
case there is a film in the camera during lens change, take
care to protect the opening from glaring light.
The Pre-setting Diaphragm
When exchanging lenses with the diaphragm pre-setting
device, make sure that the pressure lever ( 2 ) always rests
against the rear stop. If necessary, push it to the rear stop
with your finger tip. Should the camera be equipped with
an automatic pre-set lens, the arrest-
^ ing knob (i) with the red dot has to
be moved to the left (looking at the
camera from the front).

Focusing ring
The ring directly behind the dia¬
phragm ring must be pushed back¬
wards and adjusted so that its mark
meets the desired diaphragm number
and clicks in. You can now focus with
the lens at full aperture and return to
the pre-set diaphragm stop without
removing the camera from your eye.

Focusing
is performed by means of the distance-setting ring on the lens mount. This ting has to be
turned to the left, or to the right, until the image on the ground-glass screen appears perfectly
sharp. During focusing, the lens should be set at full aperture. When using the sports finder,
you may either focus beforehand on the ground-glass, or set the distance adjusting ring to an
estimated, or measured range.
The Diaphragm
is adjusted by means of the diaphragm ring. The small numbers indicate wide lens apertures,
whereas the large diaphragm numbers refer to the smaller apertures. The volume of light
entering the camera through the lens can be regulated by the diaphragm. Large diaphragm
apertures permit short exposure speeds, small apertures require longer speeds. The next dia¬
phragm number upwards on the scale makes it necessary to double the exposure time.
Besides, the diaphragm is a primary means of regulating the depth of field in relation to the
various distance settings, as may be seen from the chart on page 7 .
4

The new Automatic Diaphragm
For lenses with automatic diaphragm, the Praktlca FX i has been
equipped with a special release mechanism. Lenses of this type offer
a considerable facility with regard to readiness for action owing to
the fact that the diaphragm closes down automatically to the pre-set
stop. Remove the lens from the camera, and the release mechanism
for the automatic diaphragm becomes visible inside the camera
front. This meclianism has to be disconnected if other lenses than
those with automatic diaphragm are to
For lenses with automatic diaphragm,
the meclianism is put into working
position by pushing the red-marked
knob to the left.
To wind up the automatic diaphragm, turn the front tensioning ring
on the lens mount as far as it will go to the right. The aperture
selected for the exposure is adjustable on the same ring by means
of a locking device either before or after the shutter is wound up.
Meyer lenses with automatic diaphragm need not to be wound up.
Intermediate tubes to be used with automatic lenses must be
marked “2“.

The distance scale
on the Praktica lenses is not of primary im¬
portance, focusing chiefly being performed
on the field lens. You may, of course, com¬
pare the distance on the scale.
This distance scale gains greater value in
connection with the parallel-running depth-
of-field scale which indicates the range of
sharpness pertaining to the various settings.
The extent of the dcpth-o£-ficld is shown,
for every diaphragm stop and distance
setting, on the depth-of-ficld scale. The part
of the image within the range of the two
identical diaphragm numbers indicating the
selected lens aperture on the depth-of-ficld
scale will always be sharp. The left-hand
numbers signify the depth of field in front,
and the right-hand numbers the depth of
field at the back of the focal plane.
6

With a focal length of 58 mm
and a distance setting of
5 meters (16' 8"), diaphragm
stop f/8, approximately 3.25
to 12 meters (10' 10" to 40')
will be sharp. At f/5.6 and the
same distance setting, you have
a depth of field reaching from
3.6 to 8 meters (12' to 26' 8").
7.

One complete clockwise
rotation of the film trans¬
port knob as far as it will
go, cocks the shutter and
advances the film to the
next frame.
The exposure is made by slight pressure on the release knob. To
avoid blurring your picture, keep your finger on the release knob
until the shutter has traveled its course. For longer time exposures
it is advisable to use a cable release which may be screwed into
the release knob. Take care not to depress the release knob while
you arc winding the shutter.
Shutter
and film transport
in the Praktica arc
coupled, hence elimi¬
nating double expo¬
sures and blanks. A
turn of the film trans¬
port knob cocks the
shutter, advances the
film to the next frame,
and swings the mirror
into the light path of
the lens. The picture
counter moves one
stroke further on.
8

Setting the shutter speeds
For short speeds, the red triangle on the milled disk must
point towards the black triangle on the camera top, whereas
for longer exposures, the red triangle on the disk has to
stand opposite the red triangle on the camera top. “B“ ex¬
posures should be made with the disk set on the short

Milled disk with red triangle for
setting the shutter to long or short
speeds.

To set the exposure speed, the outer ring
of the speed-setting knob, with the red
marking dot, has to be lifted and rotated
until the red dot rests next to the desired
number. Vs second and Y25 second click into
the same rest hole.
With the shutter set at “B“, you are at
liberty to expose for any length of time.
The shutter remains open as long as you
depress the release knob.
The speed may be set either before or after
winding the shutter.
Setting the shutter speeds
in the Praktica FX 2 -
brief summary of main points
Short instant speeds
Red triangle on milled disk stands oppo¬
site black triangle on camera top. Setting
for speeds from V25 to Vsoo second, for r
and “B“. 5 -
Long instant exposures
Red triangle on milled disk stands opposite
red triangle on camera top. Setting for Vs*
Vs and Vio second.
Time exposures
To make exposures at the “B“ setting, the
red triangle on the milled disk may point
either to the black or the red triangle on
the camera top.
Long time exposures
These are made with the "B“ getting. The
shutter is actuated by means of a special
cable release.
11

Nocturnal - lortg time exposure

The special cable release
'I'iie special cable release permits exposing for any length
of time. The shutter having been set at "B", you depress
the release plunger, thereby locking the little knurled plate
and keeping the shutter open. By slight pressure on the
knurled plate it becomes unlocked, followed by closing of
the shutter.
If you depress the knurled plate and turn it to the right
before pushing in the plunger, the mechanism is not locked
and the cable release works in the ordinary manner.
As soon a.s you remove your thumb from the plunger knob,
the shutter closes automatically.
Almost motionless - long instant exposure

Flash synchronizaHi,^
On the front of the camera are two bipolar contact sockets, the X contact (above) for
electronic flashes and short-burning flash bulbs, and the F contact (below) for long-
burning flash bulbs.
X contact (above):
Shutter speed Vso sec. with a flash duration of 0.1 to 1 ms Q/moo to Viooo sec.). For
a flash period of 1 to 5 ms (Viooo to Vaoo sec.) the shutter has to be set to the h mark.
This contact is also designed for short-burning flash bulbs, in which case the shutter
speed depends on the practical flash period. As a rule, this will be V25. or Vio sec.
F contact (below):
With this contact it is possible to synchronize the shortest shutter speeds to those
flash bulbs whose ignition period is less than 10 ms and whose practical flash duration
is greater than 20 ms.
Where longer shutter speeds than Vsoo sec. are being used, the value of 20 ms has to
be added to the shutter speed in ms. The resulting total represents the practical
duration which has to be achieved by the flash.
Important: Never put the flash bulb into the flash unit bejore the. shutter has
been cocked.
14

Taken with JO mm focal length ,8o mm focal length joo mm local length
of the Praktica FX 2 permit taking any desired section of the subject from an equidistant viewpoint.
Long-focus lenses draw far distant objects close up, whereas short-focus lenses encompass a wide angle
of field.

The finder systems
The lighthood
Depressing a little knob i on the back of the camera causes
the lighthood to spring open and the image field lens to be¬
come visible. The lighthood is closed by pressure on the light¬
hood cap, whereby all the parts are folded automatically into
their original position, except the rear finder eyepiece which
has to be pushed in beforehand.
The magnifying lens
For critical focusing of the finder image a magnifying lens
may be swung in, yielding an approximately 4fold magnifi¬
cation of the ground-glass image.
16