Film camera Praktica SuperTL — exhibit F194
Film camera1968★★★
| Catalog index | F194 |
| Brand | Praktica |
| Model | SuperTL |
| Case | Yes |
| Production year | 1968 |
| Description | The Praktica Super TL is a 35 mm single-lens reflex camera built by VEB Pentacon in Dresden between 1968 and 1976. It is a fully mechanical camera: the shutter and film advance work without any electronics, and the battery is needed only for the built-in light meter. This makes it predictable, repairable, and usable even with a dead battery — although in that case you have to estimate exposure by eye or with a handheld meter.-1 The key difference between the Super TL and its predecessor, the Praktica PL Nova, is a true through-the-lens (TTL) metering system. Light passing through the lens is read by a cadmium sulphide (CdS) cell behind the pentaprism, and the result is shown by a needle in the viewfinder. A button on the front of the camera activates the meter. Importantly, metering is stop-down: you must manually close the aperture to the taking value to take a reading, which darkens the viewfinder image. The M42 screw mount accepts a wide range of lenses, while the mechanically controlled horizontal cloth focal-plane shutter offers speeds from 1 second to 1/500 plus B. The viewfinder is a fixed pentaprism with a microprism collar and a split-image rangefinder spot.-7 In use, the Super TL rewards patience rather than speed. The viewfinder is noticeably dimmer than many of its contemporaries, especially once the lens is stopped down for metering, and focusing on the microprism can be tiring in low light. The film advance feels rough, and the shutter release is not particularly smooth, but the body is large and heavy enough to steady hand-held shots. The meter is a common weak point: after decades the CdS cell or needle often drifts, sticks, or reads inconsistently, so it is wise to cross-check with another meter or test roll. The original 1.35 V mercury PX625 battery is no longer available, and modern alkaline substitutes have a different voltage that can skew readings; fortunately, the camera itself works fine without a battery. Practical touches include a shutter lock to prevent accidental exposures, a film-type reminder, and two PC flash sockets — but no hot shoe, so a flash had to be mounted separately. Overall, the Super TL is an honest, unglamorous working tool: it does not forgive haste, but it gives complete control over every frame. |