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April 19, 2023

KMZ Zenit 3M

KMZ Zenit 3M After the two less successful models, the Zenit 3 and the Kristall, came the Zenit 3M. The only (?) difference between the two models is the top fascia style. See the images below. While the Kristal was a kind of Soviet art deco, the fancy style there gave way to a more traditional, classic SLR here. The...

Categories 35 mm/KMZ/SLR/USSR Comments: 0
April 19, 2023

KMZ Kristall

KMZ Kristall After the modest success of the early Zenit line came the Zenit C (Zenit S), of which 230,000 units were made with a body derived from the Zorki rangefinder line. The next model, the Zenit 3, sold about a quarter of the C, so designers changed course and name, where the Kristall (Crystal?) was born. The design moved...

Categories 35 mm/KMZ/SLR/USSR Comments: 0
April 18, 2023

KMZ Zenit camera family model list

KMZ Zenit camera family model list Model Years Qty made Thread Winder Meter Shutter Common lens Zenit 1953-1956 30,000 M42 Knob None Focal plane Industar-50/3.5 Zenit C 1955-1961 233,000 More M39 Knob None Focal plane Industar-50/3.5 Zenit S Zenit 3 1960-1962 82,000 M39 Lever None Focal plane Industar-50/3.5 No name, Zeniflex Kristall  1961-1962 65,000 More M39 Lever None Focal plane...

Categories 35 mm/KMZ/SLR/USSR Comments: 0
April 7, 2023

Minolta 7000

Minolta Maxxum / Dynax 7000 AF Last fall, I took a few cameras to the park to shoot some rolls. The weather was perfect, with sun and shade as if ordered, so I composed an image and pressed the button. Nothing had happened. Pressed again. Nothing. Then it dawned on me. It is not a phone. Shooting with a phone...

Categories 35 mm/Japan/Minolta/SLR Comments: 0
April 5, 2023

Praktica LLC

Pentacon / KW Praktica LLC Yet another Praktica from the late 1960s. It seems that the Pencaon comrade CEO  gathered the secretariat for a naming meeting and pulled letters from a hat, this time LLC. I am sure that the Praktica naming convention was a conspiracy to confuse the West. Looking at a list of Prakticas, I find this quote:...

Categories 35 mm/DDR/KW/Pentacon/SLR Comments: 2
April 4, 2023

Praktica LB 2

Pentacon Praktica LB 2 Together with the TTL SLR models, Pentacon kept selling a cheaper model in the Praktica lineup. The LB and the LB 2 that are almost identical. Here are dead simple cameras, typical Praktica build and looks, but with an external Selenium meter. First set the film speed – a ring around the rewind key turned by...

Categories 35 mm/DDR/KW/Pentacon/SLR Comments: 0
April 4, 2023

Praktica Super TL

KW / Pentacon Praktica Super TL Some camera models keep me puzzled, whereas there are few information sources to chew upon, printed or online. The Praktica Super TL is a sterling example. Made by Pentacon in 1968, it has a tiny Pentacon symbol at the bottom; perhaps they knew there was nothing here to brag about. The camera seems to...

Categories 35 mm/DDR/KW/Pentacon/SLR Comment: 1
April 1, 2023

Praktica MTL 3, MTL 5

KW / Pentacon Praktica MTL 3, MTL 5 Another two models in the hardly different models list. The MTL 3 was introduced in 1978, with no preceding MTL 1 or 2. The model outsold all Praktica models, with about 865,000 made under Praktica MTL 3 and several other rebrands; see below. After that came the MTL 5, an identical camera...

Categories 35 mm/DDR/KW/Pentacon/SLR Comments: 0
March 31, 2023

Pentacon Praktica BCA electronic

Pentacon Praktica BCA electronic In 1979 Pentacon introduced the Praktica B line with a bayonet lens mount, away from the traditional M42. An adapter for M42 mount was available. At the time,  the new school of thought was to let the camera think rather than have the user troubled with confusing dials. The Nikon EM, Cosina CT-10, Yashica FR II,...

Categories 35 mm/DDR/Germany/Pentacon/SLR Comments: 0
March 29, 2023

KW Praktica LTL 3

KW Praktica LTL 3 A  late 1970 model of the ever-popular Praktica cameras, now by Pentacon.  Here is a well-built, solid metal camera with a fast vertical metal shutter that gave the Japanese a run for their money. The unit I have buzzes and hums as it should, although being 48 years old. Considering that East German’s quality control followed...

Categories 35 mm/DDR/KW/Pentacon/SLR Comments: 0

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