hanimex/praktica TL

[galenk]

I haven't posted for a while as I've been quite busy with my other hobby, But I Just got back from hitting the local antique malls and had a couple of great finds first is a mint Hanimex/Praktica TL with a 50mm lens and a Cannonette 28 I will try to get pictures posted later, If my info is right I believe the lens is made by Carl Zeiss I can't wait to try it out. But right now I still have a full roll of 400 bw in my Mamiya 500tl and 2 other cameras with film in them, So it may be awhile ;D also the wife doesn't Know i have the Practica yet.

[Just Plain Curt]

Sounds interesting Galen. Prakticas are a favourite of mine. I just bought a Super TL with Meyer Oreston 50 f1.8 but a Jena lens would've been nicer. I hope to see either a photo of your Praktica or some photos with it soon.

[galenk]

Thats the same lens this one has on it and it is a super TL, I gave $40 for it. The only problem I have found is that the aperture blades are a bit sluggish but I think I can fix that. Here's a few pics,

[galenk]

Sorry people I keep forgetting to resize to photos MY BAD!!!

[doubs43]

Galenk, I'm continually surprised by the numbers of Praktica Super TL cameras that turn up still looking like new! Yours even has the plastic wind lever tip intact and many aren't which is the only criticism of the camera that I normally find.

They have a few operational quirks that once gotten used to are not a bother. For instance, in order to maintain the proper aperture, you must keep the shutter release fully depressed until the shutter closes. The black button on the front of the body activates the meter which uses the size 625 button cell. (A place called 24hourbatteries sells the 625 cheaply)

The Meyer Oreston is a fine lens and will focus to 13 inches. Once you correct the sluggish aperture blades, you'll have a camera capable of first class results. That's a nice find.

Walker

[kiev4a]

These were one of the least expensive SLRs you could buy when they came out. A friend of mine with no previous 35mm experience bought one and we set a "guys night out" once a month to go out and shoot photos. I taught him how to develop film and prints. He got some very nice results from the camera.

[galenk]

Well I took the lens apart and cleaned the aperture blades with electrical contact cleaner, the lens was full of what felt like cosmoline . I was suprised how simple this lens really was, Anyway it now seems to work flawlessly, Can't wait to try it out. I just may put the lens on my Mamiya 500tl since it has film in it right now. ;D

[drako]

Dang, it is *clean*!

How did the pictures turn out?

[galenk]

I haven't had a lot of time lately to get out and shoot, I still have 5 or 6 frames on the roll of b&w in the camera, I will try to get out and shoot them up in the next few days while i'm off work.
Sorry for keeping you hanging!!