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THE PRAKTINA SYSTEM CAMERAS |
The First Generation
Praktina FX model DS
At the Trade Fair in Leipzig, in August 1953, the VEB Kamera-Werke Niedersedlitz released the Praktina FX with its definitive aspect. The camera has the mechanism to close automatically the diaphragm to the pre-selected aperture of the semi-automatic lenses and two coaxial PC connectors for bulb and electronic flash units.
The Praktina FX was the first 35mm SLR in the world to introduce:
• a mechanism, placed inside the camera body, to control the shutting of the diaphragm to the selected aperture of the semi-automatic lenses
• a single-axis non-rotating dial with shutter speed settings from 1" to 1/1000"
• the capability to use an Electric Motor or a Spring Motor
• the capability to use a 17m Magazine Back for up to 450 pictures
The Praktina, with its high technical specifications, was an outstanding camera compared to the others SLR cameras available on the market at that time such as Asahiflex, Exakta Varex, Exa, Zenith, Alpa, Rectaflex, Praktica, Pentacon, Wrayflex and Contaflex. The Praktina sports a set of innovative features that place it remarkably ahead of its time. It took seven years to see a new SLR camera, the Nikon F, with the same professional features.
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| Praktina FX model DS version 1 No. 20581 with Carl Zeiss Jena BV Biotar 2/58mm and eye-level finder | |
Specification
| Manufacturer Name | VEB Kamera-Werke Niedersedlitz | ||||
| Factory Designation | Praktina FX | ||||
| Model Designation | DS | ||||
| Years | 1953 | ||||
| Number produced | approx. 1,000 | ||||
| Model Identifiers | • "Praktina FX" engraved on the front of the camera
• Two coaxial PC connectors for X and B flash sync (1) • Half-size camera back hooking (2) | ||||
| Versions Identifiers | Version 1 Diaphragm's control for semi-automatic lenses (3) Version 2 The diaphragm's control for SB lenses is missing (4) | ||||
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| Full specifications | See the Praktina specifications page | ||||
Accessories shown at the Leipzig Trade Fair, August 1953
 Spring Wnder in "Die Fotografie", October 1953 |
 Bellows Attachment in "Die Fotografie", October 1953 |
 6x High Magnification Waist-level Finder in "Die Fotografie", October 1953 |
 Electric Motor Drive with 17m Magazine Back in "Die Fotografie", October 1953 |
 Electronic Flash in "Die Fotografie", October 1953 |
 Stereo Viewfinder in "Die Fotografie", October 1953 |
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Last update January 2022
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