I bought this camera because I was sent a random lens, the one you see in the photos below. I had nothing to attach it to, plus I had never seen a Praktica in a junk bin in Japan. I think the main reason for this is the label on the base of the body, made in Germany. Japanese models such as Minolta or Canon, can easily be found. BUT German makes are harder to come by. So I looked for a cheap one eBay and this one came without a lens.
This camera was made between 1983 and 1990 in East Germany. I always remember the day the wall came down November 9th 1989, so basically, it stopped being produced soon after. I am not a history freak..it was the day before my birthday 🙂
The BCA works in aperture priority mode when on auto. Inside the view finder, there are some LEDs to let you know what the electronics have chosen for your shot.
From this website is this great description.
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red LED for over-exposition |
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green LED for 1/1000 to 1/60 |
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yellow LED for 1/30 to 1 sec |
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red LED for under-exposition |
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green LED – flash ready signal |
It is a solid feeling camera and simple to use. The lens came from a box of gifts and to be honest, I probably would never have bought one without the arrival of the lens. At some point, I will replace the skin as there is a section missing on the back of this one.
I took the BCA and the next camera I will write about to Brimham Rocks in North Yorkshire.
And this is why I try to take one kind of camera to one place, as I just uploaded the photos from the wrong camera. Anyway, I love this place. I love England, and the United Kingdom at large…why am I in Japan again?
Keep or Sell: I kept this one for a while, but when reducing my collection this one was sold.
It’s a cool looking camera to be sure.
Nice cameras, if they are still working these days I would suggest these are the ones that passed the rather dodgy East German quality control at the time. Even if one does electronically on you it’s possible to repair yourself with simple tools cos the electronics are basic. Look out for a b200, bc1 or bc2 maybe. I prefer them co as well as auto mode the manual controls are on the dial.
If it’s really a keeper keep an eye out for a Pb mount flektogon lens £60 or less is a good price and it’s one of the best 35mm lenses ever made. F2.4 and close focus of about a foot….they mate with that camera to produce beautiful of spring