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CLICK HERE FOR A PRAKTICA FX 2
MADE DIRECTLY FROM MANUAL
Praktica FX 2 - Color
CLICK HERE FOR A Praktica FX2 PDF
VERSION OF THIS HTML PAGE
Praktica FX 2 Bedienungs - Anleitung
Explanation of Signs
1 = Release knob 2 = Knob for winding the shutter and transporting the film 3 = Picture-counting disc 4 = Knob for setting the shutter speeds 5 = Knob for setting the speed groups 6 = Film rewind-knob 7 = Loops to hold the neck-strap 8 = Interchangeable lens with rotatable rings for setting distance and diaphragm, and with distance, diaphragm and depth-of-field scales X= Bipolar contact socket (X contact) F= Bipolar contact socket (F contact) |
9 = Lighthood cap 10 = Magnifying lens 11 = Rear finder mask 12 = Latch button for lighthood 13 = Release knob for rewind mechanism 14 = Film spool 15 = Film transport sprocket 16 = Picture gate 17 = Camera back 18 = Catch for camera back 19 = Film pressure plate |
Inserting the film
The camera back is unlocked by pushing the knob No. 18 in the direction of the
arrow. Open the camera back, take it off, and pull out the rewind knob No. 6. The film cartridge must be placed into the empty chamber with the
beginning of the film projecting in the direction of the picture gate. Pull the beginning of the film away from the cartridge and fix it into the empty
spool on the right-hand side of the camera. It is important that the sprocket teeth catch both perforated edges of the film. Wind the
shutter by rotating knob No. 2.
Make sure that the film lies straight on film
guide and sprocket, link the camera back into the right-hand groove and
close it down. The film pressure-plate must be perfectly clean before the
camera back is closed.
After having closed the
camera back, make two blank exposures. The rewind knob 6 must hereby turn in
the opposite direction of the arrow mark. When all these manipulations have
been performed, the counting mechanism has to be set to stroke No. 1, and
the camera is ready for the first exposures.
Changing the film
Following the 36th exposure, a certain resistance will be noticed in winding
the shutter - a sign that the whole film is exposed and has to be rewound
into the cartridge. This is done by pressing down the little button 13 and
at the same turning the rewind-knob 6 in the direction of the arrow.
The beginning of the film will slip out of the cartridge audibly, and the
rewinding procedure is completed. Open the camera back and remove the
cartridge with the exposed film.
Shutter and film transport
a) Winding the shutter
A full rotation of the knob 2 as far as it
will go to the right (clockwise) winds the shutter, advances the film to the
next frame, and swings the reflex mirror into the light-ray level of the
lens. Take care that the release knob 1 is n o t pressed in while the
shutter is being wound up. Any not built-in self-timers must be either wound
up or removed from the camera before the shutter is wound.
b) Setting the shutter speeds
The speeds are set by means of the adjusting knob 4 and the supplementary
knob 5. The speed disc is engraved with
black
figures for the short speeds from 1/500th to 1/25th second, and (1/40th),
with red figures for the long speeds from 1/10th to 1/2 second,
and with "B" setting for time exposures of any desired length.
With the shutter set to the speeds of 1/500th to ')25th sec., and the
red triangle of the supplementary knob 5 must point towards the black
triangle on the camera top. When set to the speeds of 1/10th to 1/2 sec.,
the red triangle on the supplementary knob must point to the red triangle on
the camera top. The "B" setting can be used in both positions.
To set the speeds, lift the outer ring 4, turn it to the desired number and
click it in. There is only one rest-hole for 1/2 and 1/25th second, marked
by a dot between the speed numbers 1/2 and 1/25.
The speed knob may be turned in both directions either before or after
winding up the shutter.
Lens and Shutter
a) Press button No. 12, and the lighthood will spring up, uncovering the
finder lens. When the shutter is wound up, a bright, clear image will appear
on the ground-glass surface of the finder. By turning the distance meter
ring on the lens mount, you can focus the lens to the greatest possible
sharpness. Focusing should be performed with the diaphragm at full opening,
and the lens stopped down to the desired aperture immediately before making
the exposure.
To facilitate focusing, the camera
is equipped with a magnifying lens, which is swung into operating position
by means of lever 10.
When using the magnifying
lens, a distance of 15 to 25 mm. between the eye and the lens should be
observed. Only then will the image on the ground-glass be perfectly clear.
The eye-level viewfinder in the lighthood is very handy for sports
snapshots. To disengage the sportsfinder, swing out the flap in the front of
the lighthood cap (9). bring the magnifying lens into working position and
draw out the finder mask at the back.
To close the
lighthood, press the lighthood cap (9) gently with your finger, and all the
parts will automatically slide back to their original position, except the
rear finder mask (11), which has to be pushed back beforehand.
b)The lens scales
The front ring on the lens mount is engraved with the diaphragm scale and
the index point, the middle ring with the distance scale in meters or feet,
and the back ring with a diaphragm scale showing the depth of sharpness.
According to this scale, for instance, the Biotar lens f/2 with a focal
length of 58 mm , at a distance setting of 4 meters (12 ft.) at an f/11
aperture, gives a sharpness reaching from 2.5 to 10 meters (7'6" to 30').
c) Changing the lens
The lens in the camera body is interchangeable within its threaded flange.
By being turned to the left (anti-clockwise) the lens can be removed from
the camera body. Should the camera be loaded when changing lenses, take care
to protect the opening from glaring light. Never make any alterations in the
mechanism which becomes visible when the lens is screwed out, as this might
do serious harm to the shutter.
An accessory to
the Praktica is the Penta Prism. Look into it and you will see an upright,
non-reversed, enlarged ground-glass image, free from parallax error.
d) The Penta Prism
The Penta Prism is fitted into the open lighthood of the camera from above,
while the latch button (12) is being depressed, whereupon it is bolted by
pushing the fastening knob to the front.
The very
considerable advantages offered by the Penta Prism most certainly compensate
for the small discrepancy in size on the upper edge of the screen image.
the Close up chart
Color Filters
with any type of mount can be used in the PRAKTICA (i. e. screw-in and
slip-on mounts). The same refers :o sunshades.
Flash Synchronization
On the front of the camera are two bipolar contact sockets, the upper one -
X contact - for flash tubes (electronic flashes), and the lower one - F
contact - for flash bulbs.
X Contact (above): Shutter speed1/50 sec. for
flash durations ranging from 0.1 to 1 ms (1/10000 to 1/1000 sec.). For
flashes lasting from 1 to 5 ins (1/1000 to 1/200 sec.) the shutter has to be
set on the .` mark.
This contact is also designed
for short-burning flash bulbs, in which case the shutter speed has to be set
according to the actual flash duration. As a rule, this will be 1/25 or 1/10
sec.
F Contact (below):
This contact allows for synchronization with the shortest
shutter speeds of those flash bulbs whose ignition time is shorter than 10
ms and whose actual flash duration is longer than 20 ms. For use with slower
shutter speeds than 1/500 sec., the shutter speed in ms has to be added to
the 20 ms value, and the resulting sum shows the actual duration to he
achieved by the flash.
Important: The flash bulb must never be put into the flash unit before the
shutter has been wound up!
Negative Material
The PRAKTICA takes perforated 35 mm film, available either in cartridges or
in bulk film. The length of film in a cartridge is equal to 36 exposures,
sometimes, however, cartridges with half lengths are used. If you fill your
own cassettes or cartridges, you need 1.60 meters (6'5") for 36 exposures.
You may, of course, use shorter lengths if you wish to.
Color film is sold in exactly the same lengths and
packages as black-and-white film. The PRAKTICA is just the camera for color
photography, for by pre-viewing your image in all its natural color on the
ground-glass screen, you are able, to a very great extent, to judge the
effect of the final picture. Also, the lenses of the Praktica are
color-corrected.
Photomicrography
requires a special attachment for connecting the camera to the microscope.
For negatives to he enlarged on an especially large scale, the ground glass
is available with a clear glass ring and with hairline cross.
How to take care of your Praktica
The camera is protected by the Everready Case. The case protects the camera
also during the exposure without causing any inconvenience whatever. The
camera should always be kept in the case, with the lens screwed in. It must
be kept spotlessly clean, especially all the parts coming into contact with
the film. Use a very soft-haired brush for cleaning.
Never touch the lens surfaces with your fingers. They, too, are to be dusted
only with a soft haired brush. This does no harm to the bluish anti-reflex
coating.
You will derive continual pleasure from your PRAKTICA if you treat it
kindly. The PRAKTICA is a masterpiece of precision workmanship and will only
then be able to meet your requirements if you follow the Instructions for
Use carefully. Do not interfere with the mechanism of the
camera. Apply to the manufacturers if repairs become necessary. Subsequent
oiling or greasing of the camera may lead to functional disturbances or
decrease the quality of the pictures. Should you desire any further
information or advice, please write to the factory.
VEB KAMERA-WERKE NIEDERSEDLITZ
Dresden A 17,
Ed,ar.Andre-Strafle 56