Pentacon / KW Praktica L

I thought I was done with the East German Praktica SLR models till I landed this on my desk, came together with another camera.

The Praktica L is the first model of the Praktica L series, with the main change to the previous lot being the vertical metal shutter instead of the horizontal cloth. The camera could not be more straightforward to use, not an unnecessary feature. Built like a tractor, with a heavy armament style metal body with not even a wink towards elegance, it will probably outlast the user’s grandchildren. The Praktica cameras were made by the tens of thousands and were rebranded on the cheap to any willing distributor, just to generate hard currency for the People’s Paradise of the German Democratic Republic. I am sure that the Praktica cameras were beyond the reach of the socialists trapped in the DDR. A commended touch is Pentacon’s take on a quick-load contraption, the only luxury hint in a utilitarian model.