Praktica MTL3 an alternative to the Pentax Spotmatic.Also demo of a pistol grip.

[@levifigueiredo113]

Recently I’ve fallen in love with film photography. I think I’m going to buy one of these just to learn the basics. Thanks for the great video! Really excited to try it out! 😃

[@pembridgehouse]

Thanks Levi. I'm glad you found the video useful.Enjoy your film photography.Geoff

[@GSchmitable]

I love the Praktica camera. Shutters are highly reliable, every one I have recently bought and sold, the shutter works perfectly on all speeds. For information I've taken apart a mtl3 and found the top and bottom plates are a metal finished plastic.

[@pembridgehouse]

Thanks Geoffrey. Great name! There ares o many cameras from the 50's and 60's onwards that were not the big names bit still worked beautifully.Thanks for watching. Geoff

[@professionalvr]

I have a Praktica MTL 5B and so far I'm really pleased with it. I'm now shooting a roll of Kentmere 100 black and white film with it. Can't wait to see the results after the processing.

[@pembridgehouse]

Thanks for your comments. I don't know that film but good luck with that. I have never done home processing of black and white if that's what you are doing.I will try it one day.The Prakticas are good no nonsense cameras. Cheers. Geoff

[@keithwilkinson8310]

It was a nice camera. Very easy to use and reassuringly solid and smooth in use. The viewfinder focusing screen allowed very quick and accurate focusing. I had one for a while for a holiday to Canada, on loan while my other Praktica - a PLC2 - was being repaired. Both were similar in build and operation but the MTL3 had to be stopped down to take the exposure reading whereas the PLC2 had electrical contacts in the lens to allow full aperture metering. Unfortunately the camera did not survive a motorcycle accident in 1981. Two lenses survived though and I used the 29mm f2.8 and 50mm f1.8 Pentacons on my Olympus 4/3 and M4/3 cameras with an adaptor until a couple of years ago when I sold them on ebay.

[@pembridgehouse]

Thanks Keith for your Praktica stories.They were and are much underrated cameras.geoff

[@mayaseghers9877]

I am very interested in camera's and recently I was thinking about buying an analoge camera, to try it out because it seems very fun! But as a beginner I don't quite know if I should take a praktica mtl 3 or a pentax k1000 (I don't really know what the difference is, also I could get them both second hand for a reasonable price) Do you maybe have any advice for me? It would be very appreciated!

[@pembridgehouse]

Hi Maya.Thanks for your comments and question. The Pentax K1000 would be a better camera to get than the Praktica.There are a vast number of pentax k mount used lenses available that are compatible with this camera. If you could find one then the Pentax KX film camera is better than the K1000. I have talked about the KX on this channel. You don't have autofocus on the K1000 or the KX so maybe a pentax SFXn would be better.Good luck with you analogue journey. Geoff

[@MarcoAries]

MTL3s and 5s are really solid and reliable, I've been enjoying shooting with mine!

[@pembridgehouse]

Thanks for your comments Marco. Yes they are aren't they. I can see you are into film and cameras in a big way. cheers. Geoff.

[@theoldfilmbloke]

Ha Ha ! I used to read that SAME Magazine ! I also had an MTL3 and gave it away to my Wife's Nephew to 'encourage him' but he promptly BROKE it . I have several Asahi Pentax Spotmatics.

[@pembridgehouse]

Hi Peter. That happens when you give cameras away sometimes but full marks for trying to encourage him.The old magazines are full of things we are reminded we have forgotten about. I love them and trying to give some away here in Adelaide at the moment.They are great for source material for youtube videos.I enjoy your channel. Geoff

[@danielwhitfort2787]

just got one from my cousin which was given to her by an old boss, my family has a lot of m42 lens about so im keen to try film again with this camera

[@pembridgehouse]

Thanks for your comment Daniel. These are great cameras to learn basic film photography or try it again. cheers. Geoff Thompson

[@craigzievis2074]

Just picked one of these up to replace my Zenit (or add to it anyway).

[@pembridgehouse]

well done. Enjoy your camera. I came close to buying a zenit over the years. I loved their fotosniper rifle/camera outfit.

[@Kaufeetimevideo]

I never owned a Praktica but used a Honeywell Pentax while working as a newspaper photographer. The full manual cameras with a meter are very simple to operate.

[@pembridgehouse]

Thanks for your comments. Photography how it used to be. The main thing of the last several years that has been a game changer was auto focus for those of us who wear glasses.I have always been a great admirer of newspaper photo journalists because they had to be very creative quickly.

[@Kaufeetimevideo]

@@pembridgehouse speaking of eyeglasses what do you use to protect your eyeglasses from scratches caused by the camera eye piece?

[@pembridgehouse]

@@Kaufeetimevideo Nothing. I have never had a problem with that.Have you had experience of that?

[@Kaufeetimevideo]

@@pembridgehouse Yes, I obviously touch the viewfinder on my lens and scratch the lens. Today I'm more careful but it still happens. I've tried rubber O rings and works for a short time.

[@pembridgehouse]

@@Kaufeetimevideo I suppose we should use the diopter on the camera viewfinder and take off our glasses but I have never done that because then your peripheral vision is compromised.

[@Leatherbro]

I have one and I like it. The East Germans (when there was two Germany's, East and West) built these cameras to last. They maybe a little archaic in design but very durable and reliable.

[@pembridgehouse]

Thanks for your comments. Yes they were built to last. Geoff

[@Leatherbro]

@@pembridgehouse You are welcome.

[@sputumtube]

Cheap and cheerful cameras like this could also include the Ricoh series. Ricoh now actually own Pentax and their cheap camera bodies accept the amazing range of Pentax K-mount lenses. After all, it's the lens that makes the picture. These old Prakticas are nice to use (especially the front mounted shutter), but they're heavy.

[@pembridgehouse]

Thanks for your comments Paul.Lots of bargains out there but film is getting more expensive unfortunately.

[@andyvan5692]

the russian thing was a 280 or a 380 mm, have seen a couple and saw one in a camera shop, the rig also came with a 50 mm ( for normal "shooting") and a couple of film reloadable cans, and some filters. the thing was not just a "pistol grip" it was a full rifle stock mount.

[@pembridgehouse]

Hi Andy, yes you are right. I thought through most of that after I posted.I think it also came in a case.I was close to buying one back in the day.cheers.I appreciate all tyhe Autism videos on your channel.Autism touches many families thees days. Geoff

[@MrSeanmcgall]

I have 3 mtl3s laying around, all three have defects, i suspect the shutter, but i can't find any clear repair instructions anywhere, any clue as to where i should look?

[@pembridgehouse]

Hi Sean. Thanks for your query. There are still people around who can repair old cameras and I have only made one attempt at this myself with mixed results.You can sometimes find instructions on repairs for various cameras. There are quite a few available for old pentax cameras.I have a lot of cameras needing repairs at present.I found 2 links that might be helpful. kzbin.info/www/bejne/r4CsaqptqLeNmNE and kzbin.info Good luck with your cameras. Geoff

[@RavenMaven]

Nice content.

[@pembridgehouse]

Thanks.

[@omarallahouthi159]

Nice camera 📷 if you If you think of a day to sell it, send me a message

[@pembridgehouse]

Thanks Omar. I sold this camera locally yesterday.Geoff