THE PRAKTINA SYSTEM
CAMERAS

Questar Modified Praktina

Questar Corporation is a company based in New Hope, Pennsylvania. It was founded in 1950 by Lawrence Braymer. He designed and manufactured a small telescope, revolutionary in its compactness, portability and ease of use. Long regarded as the finest personal telescope in the world, the 3.5” Questar Standard is legendary in its resolution, flatness of field and contrast. And it is a very beautiful object.
The 3.5" Questar telescope entered commercial production in 1954 and in the following years it was progressively improved. It was designed as a telescope but could also be used as a spotting scope and telephoto lens using the adapter rings provided by Questar. The price was not cheap but its optical and mechanical quality enabled to obtain excellent results. Its success was extraordinary. When used as a telephoto lens it has a focal length of 1240mm and an aperture f/12. Adapter rings allowed the mounting of almost all SLR cameras available at that time.

The Questar book of 1960 contains this interesting page.

Special Questar-Modified Praktina Camera Outfit
      Here is a luxuriously complete all-round camera of proven high quality and great performance with Questar. Most of the pictures in this booklet were taken with Praktinas. Guaranteed for two full years. Each camera body is specially modified for us so mirror can I be controlled by cable release to flip up well BEFORE shutter works, eliminating mirror-slam vibrations. Focal-plane shutter with quiet easy action. Self-timer also releases mirror first. Wide speeds of B, 1, 2, 5, 10, 25, 50, 75, 100, 200, 500, 1000 sec. Built-in sports finder plus TWO groundglass finders; one waist-level finder, so you can look down for astro work, and one precision optical glass penta-prism finder for general work. Small leather case fits either finder when detached.
      We have chosen the famous 58 mm. Carl Zeiss Jena f/2 Biotar lens with full automatic internal diaphragm so you will have one of the world's great lenses for all-round use. Brilliant view until shutter is tripped.
      Included is our complete basic coupling set plus a quick-detachable Praktina adapter ring, cable release, and a fine metal-piped top-quality leather case. Mr. and Mrs. Davis tell us that in their many years of Questar work, the Praktina camera has come to be their first choice, and has proved rugged and troublefree under hard usage.
      Our problem in recommending a camera to our clientele is a difficult one. It must be a fine instrument, exceptionally well-adapted for use with Questar, and it must have a fine, big, modern lens for general use. Above all, it must have a long time probability of good value. We want no one, on our advice, to invest in any camera likely to be quickly dumped, price-cut and rendered rapidly valueless in today's chaotic camera market. It is therefore a pleasure to recommend on all counts this modified Praktina outfit as a BEST BUY at $200 postpaid. Sold only complete. Other Praktina accessories available.

Questar 3.5" telescope Credit: Mr. Gregory Gross	Praktina FX No. 56739 modified by Questar Credit: Mr. Gregory Gross
Ring set to mount the Praktina on the telescope Credit: Mr. Gregory Gross	Ring set to mount the Praktina on the telescope Credit: Mr. Gregory Gross
Questar book, 1960	Questar book, 1960

The Praktina FX No. 56739 is a modified camera from Questar. Unfortunately, no exterior sign or label confirms the modification. The camera is equipped with a focusing screen type matte with crosshair in clear glass center circle.

Thanks to Greg for the photos and information provided.

| SITE MAP |

| PREVIOUS PAGE | NEXT PAGE |