Praktica Super TL 3

The PRAKTICA M42 camera's web

This transcript of a manual can be used as a operations guide

to most Praktica M42 camera.

All the functions are basically the same. .

Use CTRL + F to find what you need to know...

We wish you all success with this modern reflex camera. You own a camera with the novel metal-blade focal-plane shutter which makes it possible to obtain maximum shutter speed stability and minimum synchronization time for electronic flash photography. The camera works on the through-the-lens light metering system with the shutter speed, diaphragm number, and film speed being coupled. Metering is according to the center-weighted LC method and fully true to your motif. Before you start snapping away happily will you please read these instructions for use carefully. You will avoid trouble with the camera and disappointments with the pictures.

Control Parts of the PRAKTICA super TL 3

1. Shutter speed dial

2. Metering key

3. Shutter release with cable release socket

4. Folding rewind crank

5. Rewind button

6. Accessory shoe with flash center contact

7. Shutter speed mark

8. Rapid wind lever

9. Exposure counter

10. Film speed mark

11. Film speed dials

12. Diaphragm operation selection switch

13. Distance setting ring

14. Depth-of-field scale

15. Diaphragm ring

16. Rewind catch

17. Cartridge chamber

18. Metal-blade focal-plane shutter

19. Filth sprocket

20. Support

21. Take-up spool

22. Film loading mark

23. Wire brackets

24. Eyepiece mount with accessory holder

25. Rewind release

26. Battery compartment with battery inserted

27. Tripod thread

Opening the camera back

Pull rewind button (5) up to the stop, the back is unlocked and is hinged open. The exposure counter (9) resets to zero automatically

Film loading

Insert the cartridge and observe that wire brackets (23) do not stand upwards. Turn at the knurled spool disk, if required. Pull the film leader to the green mark (22) and pass it under support (20) so that the teeth of film sprocket (19) engage in the film perforation.

Should the film be heavily warped, put a wire bracket on it by turning the spool disk. Push rewind button (5) in again by turning it a little, if necessary.

Closing the back

The back locks automatically when you press it to the camera body at the latch side.

Cocking and winding

Rapid wind lever (8) has a dead stroke of about 15 deg. till the mechanism engages. (This makes for safety at series exposures.) Swivel lever (8) to the stop, move it back and release the camera by depressing the shutter release (3). Repeat the process and finish up by cocking the camera. The automatic exposure counter (9) will now read exposure 1.

Film speed setting

Automatic control demands setting of the film speed. Pull the knurled ring of the shutter speed dial (1) up and turn it till the DIN or ASA film index on dial (11) meets the white mark (10). The ring locks at the desired value when released.

Shutter speed setting

Symbol for electronic flash photography (about 1/l25 sec)

Setting B for time exposures; the shutter remains open as long as the shutter release is pressed

1 see to 1/15 sec (orange) for low light photography; a tripod is required

1/30 sec to (white) for satisfactory light photography
1/l000 sec

Turn shutter speed dial (1) till the desired speed matches the orange triangle.

Diaphragm setting

Set the desired diaphragm number on diaphragm ring (15) of the lens opposite to the mark on the lens mount. When lenses with automatic pressure diaphragm (ADB) are used, the diaphragm remains fully open and closes to the set value only when the shutter release is pressed. As soon as the shutter has finished running down, the diaphragm opens again.

Depth-of-field can be checked already on the viewfinder image when the diaphragm operation selection switch (12) is turned from A (automatic) to M (manual), or by actuating the metering key (2).

Automatic exposure control system

There are two modes of light metering to apply:

1. Metering by altering the diaphragm number at the lens with pre-selected shutter speed (the preferred method for general objects in satisfactory light).

2. Metering by altering the shutter speed and pre-selected diaphragm number (recommended for low light photography with a certain depth-of-field required).

Metering at pre-selected shutter speed

Set the shutter speed, press metering key (2) and turn diaphragm ring (15) till the pointer visible in the viewfinder is centered in the circular mark. Overexposure is indicated with the pointer resting in the ( + ) range while underexposure is indicated in the
( - ) range. Turning of the ring opens or closes the diaphragm accordingly for balancing object brightness with the combination of shutter speed, diaphragm opening and ASA/DIN film speed.

Metering at pre-selected diaphragm number

Set the diaphragm number, press metering key (2) and turn shutter speed dial (1) till the pointer visible in the viewfinder is centered in the circular mark. Overexposure is indicated with the pointer resting in the ( + ) range, while underexposure is indicated in the ( — ) range. Do not try to set any intermediate shutter speed between the indexed positions. Should you not succeed in attaining a perfect balance, you can make a precise correction by turning the diaphragm ring (which may, of course, may be set to intermediate values, too).

Metering with lenses without automatic diaphragm

Lenses of this kind are used in the following way: Set the diaphragm to its smallest diaphragm number, focus the lens and balance the system by stopping down.

Range of the automatic exposure control system

Outside the range (given in the below Table) the metering system is ineffective and the pointer is in its rest position below the circular mark in the " - " range. Metering cannot be made with the shutter set to "B" or symbol .

1. Signal

2. Image brightening Fresnel lens

3. Circular ground glass area

4. Pair of metering wedges

5. Microprism screen

6. Meter needle with circular mark

Focusing

Focusing is possible as to metering wedges, the microprism screen, or the circular ground glass area.

Focusing with the metering wedges

Turn the distance setting ring until definite outlines of the picture fractions are correctly opposed to one another.

Focusing on the microprism screen

Maximum sharpness is attained when the image in the microprism screen area is clear and does not flicker.

Circular ground glass area

Turn the distance setting ring of the lens mount until the image appears clear and distinct within the ground glass field. This is the method to choose in macro and microphotography and when using lenses with a relatively small aperture (diaphragm value higher than F4).

Depth-of-field scale

The depth-of-field covered by a certain diaphragm setting can be read on scale (14).

Example: Distance 3 meters, diaphragm number F8
depth-of-field extends from 2 meters to 5 meters.

For additionally checking the depth-of-field in the viewfinder depress metering key (2) and set the diaphragm operation selection switch (12) to M, resp.

Infrared photos require a slight correction of the focus; let the determined distance meet the infrared mark on the lens.

Releasing and cocking

Please note before pressing the shutter release:

1. The signal is visible in the viewfinder on the left; camera not ready for snapping - swivel the rapid rewind lever (8) to the stop.

2. For shutter speeds of 1/15 seconds and slower use a tripod and a cable release. Press shutter release (3) smoothly but not suddenly right across the easy going section. Swivel the lever again for cocking after exposure.

Film changing

Observe the exposure counter for the number of pictures you can take with the film in your camera (12, 24 or 36 exposures). After the last exposure, press rewind release (25) (it locks), tilt the folding rewind crank (4) out of rewind button (5) and turn it not too fast in the direction of the arrow (indicated on the crank (4). You will feel the end of rewinding by a somewhat increased resistance with subsequent easy running. Pull the rewind button up to the stop, unlock the camera back and take the cartridge.

Lens changing

Any lenses having the M 42x1 PRAKTICA thread can be used. Grip the lens body and unscrew in counter-clockwise direction; screw in the other lens in clockwise direction to the stop.

(Note: Pentax Screw Mount sometimes also do fit, but beware of the fact that the thread of the pentax lenses are sometimes longer so you risk hitting the mirror against the lens when it is to long)

Flash photography

The PRAKTICA super TL 1000 has been designed for synchronization of flashbulbs and electronic flash units. Flash units provided with a center contact are pushed into accessory shoe (6). Set the shutter speed dial either to :g or f.

The firing circuit is closed only during the period of the shutter running down. Observe the guide number of the flash unit and make the aperture or distance calculation (use the calculator disk of the flash unit).

The use of flashbulbs

For fast burning flashbulbs the speed dial is set to the symbol or to a shutter speed longer than 1/30 sec.

The use of electronic units
Synchronization is only at the symbol which corresponds to a shutter speed of about 1/125 sec.

Battery replacement

The automatic exposure control system is powered by a mercury oxide battery type PX 625 or another type meeting the same specification, of a rated voltage of 1.35 V.

Unscrew the cover of the battery compartment (26) with a coin, note the plus (+) and minus ( - ) marks, insert the battery correctly and screw the cover of the battery compartment in again. Battery service life is about 2 years.

Do not try to charge the battery or put it into the fire - it might blow up!

Care of the camera

Just take good care of your camera and operate it well, and you will have a life time of fun with it.