Review - Praktica LTL | Perfect for the zombie apocalypse ? (Ad Free)

[@Ceph_Bluejay9]

I recently got one with a job lot of other film cameras (I think about 12 or so) and it is a high Spec one with the Pentacon logo on the bottom, shutter release lock and self timer. Haven’t taken photos with it yet but have got batteries and the meter seems to be fairly accurate.

[@TheOceanspray99]

I bought this same camera a few months ago. I saved the poor little thing from rotting away on a thrift store shelf. Mine is extremely similar to yours, no shutter lock, no timer, Pentecon logo. I've only put two rolls through it, but I personally think that the LTL is my favourite camera in my entire collection. I think it even works better than my Canon AE-1 Program.

[@ShutterJam]

+TheOceanspray99 Welcome to the LTL club.It's amazing what you can rescue at thrift stores. Mine has a special place in my heart as was the first film camera I purchased as part of my rediscovery of film. I liked the simplicity of if after shooting digital it was like a breath of fresh air. Next year I want to try out a few more perhaps a LTL2 or 3 if I track one down. Thanks for watching and keep shooting that LTL.

[@TheOceanspray99]

I have a question for you though. Did the battery you used for the light meter allow it to give a proper reading? Because I've heard that using newer batteries in older cameras can lead to the light meters either being overpowered or under powered. The battery I used for mine, a 1.55 V silver oxide, seem to do the job just fine. My pictures all turned out great. Also, I don't think I ran into the shutter problem you did. Mine worked just fine. I think I just lucked out on buying a good Practika.

[@ShutterJam]

Sorry , I've been on holiday and didn't see this at the time. I can't find the battery I had in this camera , I tend to take them out after shooting and then hide them so the kids don't eat them. I believe it was just a cheap alkaline cell. I've looked over my images again and I think the exposure was spot on , I took a lot of images indoors and really put my faith in the light meter. This post from 2006 seems to imply that Praktica's including the LTL meters tend to be bridged so the voltage of the cell doesn't matter www.rangefinderforum.com/classics/forum/messages/6899/6119.html?1142166792 Based on my experience and yours then I might agree with that. If I get a spare moment then I might test this with a handheld light meter. Mine was fairly battered and unloved. It came without a lens cap and only half a case so should have known better really. I did attempt to clean the mechanism but it didn't help which is a shame.

[@Seele2015au]

TheOceanspray99 Sorry for coming in late. Pentacon used a Wheatstone bridge circuit for the metering system, unlike most other cameras's meters which rely on the accurate delivery of 1.35V from the battery. This means the different voltage would only affect the degree of deflection of the meter needle when indicating over or under exposure, but zeroing would be just as accurate.

[@alasdairbaird7303]

I got some great photos with mine, it was the cheapest camera I could buy. A 2.8 50 mm lens that was "Carl Zeiss Jena" an unusual feature for the price $139 in early 1976. Rolf's (not ROFL) Camera Store in Hampton St. Hampton, Melbourne, Australia. I missed many photographic opportunities because the mirror jammed in the upright position quite a few times. It always had to be sent back to Hanimex (Ham and eggs) as my brother used to call them. All under warranty of course but often frustrating as it could take a few weeks to get it back. This is now quite a lengthy comment! I was given a Makinon 28mm lens and it took some sensational photos, I think I even used my Auntie's Pentax lens on it. Yes the shutter release was in a natural position, too much for the camera snobs at Nikon, Yashica, Minolta and others to admit that a Praktica outclassed them there. I bought a Nikon FG in 1984. About £150 from Camera House?? in Brighton when I was in the U.K. I presently drive a Nikon D3000. Kit lenses plus 10-20mm Sigma and 150-500mm Sigma. Excellent lenses. I'm exhausted with all this "typing" thanks for reading.

[@tiagomoura308]

I love prakticas. the strong shutter sound is very nice.

[@jameslane3846]

I just got a LTL3 with a Hanimar 135mm Auto S f2.8 for £12. I also got a Meyer Optik Oreston 50mm f1.8. Can't wait to use them!

[@bellal3167]

Cute video! It was helpful in my quest to understand how to use my grandpas old camera. Thanks 😊

[@nikjoh]

😂 🤣 6.06 "It was honestly fun using this camera and the results were mixed, the first four or six frames were perfect, then...; disaster struck!".... Great video! Such a comedian!!! 😂🤣 Got one of these from my late grand father. You just added to my nostalgia 😄🙏

[@plestj]

Hi Dirk, If you still have this camera, it would benefit from a professionally done CLA at your local camera store. Cool camera! Thanks for sharing!

[@rentedtux1883]

Awesome vid man and I subbed! Thank you

[@ShutterJam]

Epic ! Thanks for watching and subscribing.

[@THEGRIMREAPER5650]

Just saved one from being thrown in the trash from someone else. It's the same as yours but has the timer. And yes, it's built like a brick and will probably last as long as one too. Yet to put a roll through it but I sure am keen!

[@A-Roz]

It's a pity that the top cover is plastic, because it's easy to break (crack) it during repair (having MTL5b with stuck release and repairing it now). I'm thinking about modeling its'top cover and order CNC aluminium top cover. Zenit-12, for example, is totally metal.

[@LeendertCordemans]

The city is Dresden in former GDR or DDR.

[@hogdanTC]

Deutsche Demokratische Republik

[@039menma4]

WOAAAH I'M LUCKY THEN !!! My grandpa actually cuz it's his . ITS SOO COOOOL

[@ShutterJam]

Ha ha you are indeed very lucky. Thanks for watching! Yes, it's an awesome camera!

[@pawelkostulak9955]

I have Praktica VLC3 which is similar. However it is frail compared to Exakta VX100 which is I am pretty sure made of steel reclaimed from WWII tanks

[@CalzaSoze]

The reading a cue card style delivery is so off putting

[@ShutterJam]

+Cal Ummm Yes agree this one is particularly bad..

[@matangox]

Actually it was very good.

[@Dan-sq5cv]

I have an LTL 3 with the same 1.8 lens. Has the timer. Everything seems to work, so your video encouraged to dog it out and put a roll of film through it.

[@ShutterJam]

+Dan 101 thanks for watching and happy shooting with your fine camera

[@drmachinewerke1]

I’ve owned mine since the 70s

[@terenas1986]

10-25fps? How on earth do you imagine that? I have an MTL5B and that is no way that this mechanism can handle that speed.

[@ShutterJam]

quite right of course it's not possible, even if the mechanism could support there is no physical way. It's meant to be a dig at the plethora of digital camera reviews that will hold down the shutter to impress viewers. There is another comment that I make which talks about how a logo on the camera can impact image quality this is also complete nonsense. The reviews are mainly factual but I'll throw in one or two things which are so outrageous just to see if the internet is paying attention.

[@sherm50599]

you do a great job on these videos.

[@ShutterJam]

+Scott Sherman Thanks, I really keep meaning to make some more.

[@Huskie]

"pritika"

[@ghw7192]

In the Apocalypse, I'd rather have a Nikon F2 if only because of the added weight when I swing it around my head as a weapon, but I love my LTL. I swapped out the original lens for a zebra Carl Zeiss Pancolor several years ago and it has become a favorite carry camera. It's also one of the noisiest cameras I own. LOL!! Great review on a great camera. thanks!

[@ShutterJam]

+ghw7192 The F2 is certainly an effective post apocalyptic camera and great to have in your arsenal. Thanks for watching.

[@rams6702]

...or the brutality of a lada

[@adityasanthanam1945]

This is not the most basic model. The most basic is the L with no meter, no battery, etc. The next is the LTL, then LB with selenium cell and no mercury battery, and the highest was the MTL and some of those have a special leather pattern and mercury battery. There is no timer, but there is a delayed action on the camera.

[@ShutterJam]

Thanks for the info. Will need to pick up a few more to review.

[@Otokichi786]

Very basic camera for a dystopian world. All I need is a roll of Agfa CT18, Anscochrome 100, Kodachrome X, or Ektachrome X to record the oncoming Zombie army. You prefer color prints, you say? No problem, here's some Kodacolor X, or Fujicolor N100 to make prints to pass around the camp fire. You're a Monochrome Ascetic? Oh well, it's Panatomic X, Verichome Pan, or Ilford FP3 for you, then. Just dunk into a dilute solution of Agfa Rodinal to display classic grain on Agfa Portriga or Kodak Velox, using your venerable B22 Omega enlarger.;)

[@ShutterJam]

+Otokichi786 , lol. I must fully commend you on your diligent preparations. You are well and truly prepared for all eventualities. I'll no doubt see you in the wastelands. Thanks for watching !

[@williampichardo1485]

That thing with the pentacon logo is bullshit, frankly, my guess is that someone tried to sell his Praktica really hard.

[@ShutterJam]

William Pichardo lol, yes I concur 100% with you. It's bullshit for sure. I think someone at the factory just lost the mold with the logo in.

[@williampichardo1485]

Or the logo just got polished off over the years. Plus, what really affects the image quality are the lens and the film, not the black box in between.

[@ShutterJam]

Woot 2 likes!

[@ShutterJam]

+Shutter Jam 3 likes woot woot!

[@ShutterJam]

9 likes it more than I could ever desire.

[@EnidAgnusDei]

I have never understood why this brand is rated so highly, I have 3 film Praktica SLR cameras, all leak light and 1 will no longer wind on, to be honest I have nothing but trouble with them. I find the Zenit are far better camera and neve in almost 40 years of using one have they let me down. German engineering the best? Never heard such crap!

[@ShutterJam]

+Red Shutter Photography indeed ! Praktica's were a fairly affordable SLR at the time. They were manufactured in E. Germany so the build quality isn't that great. You get what you pay for to honest.

[@md-lc8gq]

If you want real German engineering get a Leicalflex SL, Zeiss Contarex or Pentacon Super.

[@md-lc8gq]

Using a Praktica L as main example for German engineering is as stupid as using a Chinon or Petri as prime example for Japanese engineering

[@nicholaswolff615]

I tend to agree with Red Shutter. I have bought two MTL5's and demanded and received a refund for each - both faulty. Won't chance a 5 again. I have a nice MTL3 but haven't put anything through it yet. A nice Super TL3 (1/500 sec max) and have put a few rolls through. An LTL3 but the hot shoe got broken when I put a massive Nikon SB-24 flash on it - probably my fault. A super TL that faulted in the 70's. Tried another in 2018 and got good results without a functioning meter (Sunny 16 and a bit of mental arithmetic.) I have a Zenit XP12 with an excellent Helios 44M-$ that tas made some good pics. The film advance lever is sooo smooth it's almost incredible - you can tear the film if you put the force on the lever that you would for a Praktica. Why don't I pull the Zenit out more often. Pentax have become too expensive.

[@K3ithM0on]

I agree about Zenit, I own a Zenit 11 and it's brilliant. The cell of the meter was dead, I took it off and put one from a calculator instead, works perfectly.

I owned one as a teenager. Shot hundred's of photo's with it. Spend all my money on developing films...At least and please honour the past of the DDR and do pronounce the name right! It is not Prek-te-cah.... It is pronounced PRAAK- TEE - CAAH.

[@boobookittifukk]

Where do you even buy film from nowadays???? Or go to get film developed?

[@ShutterJam]

+boobookittifukk well... ebay is a fantastic source to buy film..I get mine imported from Thailand. Developing film there's a few places in Sydney but I send mine to Hillvale in Melbourne.

[@rentedtux1883]

Yep! Ebay is the best place to get film. Even rare and exotic versions. I would like to try to push some film in this camera.

[@NicholasKonradsen]

just camera shops?

[@jameslane3846]

Film camera shops, eBay, Amazon, B&H photo and video etc