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THE PRAKTINA SYSTEM LENSES

Lenses for Praktina Cameras

Praktina mount

The Praktina has a breech-lock lens mount not used from any other single-lens reflex camera. The lens is attached to the camera by means of a rotating ring, fixed to the body, which is used to tighten the lens to the camera by friction.
The distance of the camera between the lens mount and the film plane (50.00 mm) is the longest of all 35mm SLRs. This makes it impossible to use adapters which provided infinity focusing with lenses from others 35mm SLR.
Furthermore, Praktina lenses cannot be mounted on other 35mm SLR cameras due to their particular mount. Today, however, adapters are available to mount Praktina lenses on mirrorless digital cameras.

Lenses with Praktina mount

Manual (NB) and preset (BV) lenses were produced by Carl Zeiss Jena, Meyer-Optik, Angenieux, Enna, Feinmess, Isco, Kilfitt, Schacht, Schneider and Steinheil.
Preset with trigger release (VSB) lenses were produced by A. Schacht.
Semi-automatic (SB) lenses were produced by Carl Zeiss, A. Schacht and Steiheil.
Automatic (ASB) lenses were produced by Carl Zeiss, Isco and A. Schacht.

Full list of semi-automatic lenses Carl Zeiss Jena   Flektogon 2.8/35mm   Tessar 2.8/50mm   Biotar 2/58mm A.Schacht   Praktina FX-Travenar R 2.8/85mm   Praktina FX-Travenar R 3.5/135mm   Praktina IIA-S-Travenar R 3.5/135mm Steinheil   Steinheil Quinon 1.9/55mm

Full list of automatic lenses Carl Zeiss Jena   Flektogon 4/25mm   Flektogon 2.8/35mm   Tessar 2.8/50mm   Flexon 2/50mm   Pancolar 2/50mm   Biometar 2.8/80mm   Biometar 2.8/120mm   Sonnar 2.8/180mm (with adapter)   Sonnar 4/300mm (with adapter) Isco   Westromat 1.9/50 mm   Westromat 3.5/135 mm   Tele-Westanar 3.5/135mm A.Schacht   R Travegon 3.5/35 mm   Praktina IIA-S-Travegon R 2.8/35 mm   Praktina IIA-Travenar R 2.8/50 mm

Lenses with interchangeable mount and Praktina adapter ring

Manual (NB) and preset (BV) lenses were produced by Carl Zeiss , Meyer-Optik, Kilfitt, Schneider, Astro, Novoflex, Piesker, Tewe, Max Weth Optik and by various Japanese makers with "T" mount systems.

Lenses with Pentacon Six mount

Automatic (ASB) Sonnar 180mm and 300mm with Pentacon Six mount can be mounted on Praktina IIA bodies via an adapter, supplied by Carl Zeiss Jena, which keeps the ASB function of the original lenses.

Different types of diaphragm control

The diaphragm closure system at a pre-set value is an important feature in the lens specifications so it is important to know how the different systems work.

Lenses with manual diaphragm type NB (Normalblende)
These lenses have a diaphragm aperture ring for manually closing the diaphragm to a selected value. The diaphragm remains closed until it is manually reopened.

Lenses with manual diaphragm and click stop type RB (Rastblende)
These lenses work like of NB type with the addition of a click stop at each diaphragm setting.

Lenses with preset diaphragm type BV (Blendenvorwahl)
These lenses have a ring to set the diaphragm aperture to a selected value. For focusing and framing the ring is rotated to the maximum aperture. Before taking the photo the ring must be rotated until it stops to the preset value.

Lenses with preset diaphragm and trigger release type VSB (Vorwahl-Springblende)
These lenses have a ring to set the diaphragm aperture to a selected value. A cocking ring on the lens opens the diaphragm to the maximum aperture and loads a spring mechanism. Before taking the photo you must press the bottom on the lens barrel and the diaphragm switches at the preset aperture.

Lenses with semi-automatic diaphragm type SB (Springblende)
These lenses have a ring to set the diaphragm aperture to a selected value and a pin that engages with the internal mechanism of the camera. A cocking lever on the lens opens the diaphragm to the maximum aperture and loads a spring mechanism. When the shutter button is pressed, the internal actuating pin of the camera moves forward pushing the lens pin and shuts the diaphragm at the pre-selected aperture. The diaphragm remains close until it is reopened manually.

Lenses with automatic diaphragm type ASB (automatishe Springblende)
These lenses have a ring to set the diaphragm aperture to a selected value and a pin that engage with the internal mechanism of the camera. When the shutter button is pressed, the internal actuating pin of the camera moves backward releasing the lens pin and shuts the diaphragm at the pre-selected aperture. The diaphragm returns to the maximum aperture when the shutter is cooked.

Compatibility table

Praktina model

DS

M

SA1

SA2

SA3

A

DA

version

1

2

1

2

1

2

1

2

1

2

1

2

3

4

1

2

Lenses type NB

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

Lenses type RB

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

Lenses type BV

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

Lenses type VSB

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

Lenses type SB

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

Lenses type ASB

x

x

x

x

x

x

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Last update January 2022
Copyright © 2000-2022 Alberto Taccheo. All rights reserved.