Praktica Super TL User Manual
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Control parts of the PRAKTICA super TL - Special Features of the PRAKTICA super TL - Internal Measuring System of the
PRAKTICA super TL - How the PRAKTICA super TL works - Abridged instructions - Opening the camera back - Inserting
the film - Closing the camera back - Setting the film speed - Type of film and length of film - Preparing for the exposure Setting the exposure speed - Setting the diaphragm - Automatic exposure system - Focusing - Releasing and cocking the
shutter - Changing the film - Exchanging lenses - Flash exposures - Exchanging the power source - Maintenance of
camera and lens - Accessories
While congratulating you on having acquired a PRAKTICA super TL, we would also request you to treat your camera
kindly. Please take your time and read these Instructions for Use carefully.
Although of very rigid build, the PRAKTICA super TL is, nevertheless, a mechanical-optical precision instrument. Handled
with care, it will reward you, even when subjected to rigorous conditions, by giving you beautiful photos.
On the inside cover pages you will find specified illustrations. The reference numbers in the text are printed in
parentheses.
Control parts of the PRAKTICA super TL
1 Film speed indicator
2 Latch for camera back
3 Meter key
4 Distance setting ring
5 Depth-of-field indicator
6 Diaphragm setting ring
7 Length-of-film reminder dial
8 Rewind crank
9 Cocking lever
10 Rewind release knob
11 Film type reminder dial
12 Exposure counter
13 Shutter release
14 Setting knob for shutter speeds
15 Dial showing film speeds
16 Exposure speed index
17 Flash socket
18 Rewind knob
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19 Camera back
20 Carrier shaft
21 Cartridge chamber
22 Cover plate for power source
23 Tripod socket
24 Supporting piece for PL system
25 Marking point
26 Take-up spool
27 Transport sprocket
28 Wire bracket
Special Features of the PRAKTICA super TL
The PRAKTICA super TL is the converging point of the modern PRAKTICA single-lens reflex system. Key to this new
system is photography is a newly devised method of automatic exposure based on the principle of internally
measuring the light in the path of rays by means of a photo resistor.
All values influencing the exposure, such as image angle, aperture, and extension factors for filters and in macro
and micro work, are taken into account by the meter system. The measuring range extends from 2 apostilbs at f/2
to 250.000 apostilbs at f/22.
Meter key connected to the metering system.
Power source for the metering system has a working life of approximately two years.
Range of film speeds from 9 DIN to 33 DIN or 6 ASA to 1600 ASA.
Focal-plane shutter giving exposure speeds from 1 sec. To 1/500 sec., and B.
Non-rotating dial for setting the shutter speeds.
Prism viewfinder with bright, unreversed and parallax-free finder image. Due to the instant return mirror it is
almost continuously visible.
Two possibilities of focusing on the bright viewfinder image in micro-prism screen or groundglass circle.
Synchronization for flash bulbs and electronic flash.
Conveniently placed rapid wind lever and smoothly working oblique shutter release with locking device against
accidental triggering.
Shutter cocking mechanism and film transport are coupled and provided with locking device against double
exposures and blanks.
Automatic exposure counter.
Automatic pressure diaphragm.
Film loading facilitated by PL System.
Swing-out rewind crank, self-locking rewind release knob.
Interchangeable lenses from 20 mm to 1000 mm focal length, with PRAKTICA fitting, mostly with automatic
pressure diaphragm.
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Wide range of PRAKTICA accessories.
Internal Measuring System of the
PRAKTICA super TL
The path of rays forming the image of the
object is conducted through the lens, by way of
the instant return mirror, the Fresnel lens with
focusing system, the pentaprism and the ocular
to the eye of the viewer. Focusing is performed
by rotation of the distance setting ring on the
lens mount with the aid of the focusing system.
Part of the light coming from the entire image
area is deflected from the path of rays of the
viewfinder to the photo resistor. Any light
particles outside of the image angle, which
might cause incorrect measuring, are thus cut
off. All correcting factors to be observed
hitherto for the use of filters, close-ups and
micro attachments are, in the internal metering
system, directly taken into account. The meter
reading is ammeter. Power source of the
exposure meter system is a mercury oxide
battery installed in the base of the camera.
Pressure on the meter key closes the measuring
circuit.
How the PRAKTICA super TL works
When the shutter release is depressed the
instant return mirror moves out of its viewing
position into picture taking position. At the same
time, the pressure diaphragm of the lens is
automatically closed down to the selected
aperture. As soon as the focal-plane shutter has
run down the instant return mirror springs back
into viewing position and the pressure
diaphragm is fully opened again. This means
that the finder image is - except for the moment
of the exposure - continuously visible. In the
single-lens reflex system - even if interchangeable lenses of extremely long focal lengths or close-up attachments are
being used - there is never any danger of parallax.
The finder image is somewhat smaller than the final negative. Everything visible in the finder image is sure to appear on
the film, which means that the finder image may be utilized to its very edges.
Abridged instructions
A) Opening the camera back
B) Inserting the film
Pull out rewind knob (18) as far as it will go. Place full cartridge into cartridge
chamber (21). Push rewind knob (18) in again. Push lower perforation of film
from above underneath the little support (24), across the transport sprocket
(27), place beginning of film strip on the core of take-up spool (26) as far as
marking point (25). Wire bracket (28) must not stand upwards!
Should the film show a pronounced tendency to warping we recommend to
additionally turn the knurled spool disc anti-clockwise till one of the catch
straps rests on the start of the film.
C) Closing the camera back
D) Setting the film speed
Lift setting knob (14) and rotate it either way.
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The white dot (1) on the perimeter of the
setting knob (14) has to stand against the
required film speed numeral on dial (15).
E) Sett ing the type of film
Rotate film type reminder dial (11) until the
symbol marking the film meets the red dot.
F) Preparing for the exposure
Actuate shutter release (13) and cocking lever
(9) until exposure counter (12) stands on
number 1.
G) Setting the exposure speed
Rotate setting knob (14) (without lifting it)
until the desired speed numeral coincides with
red triangle (16).
H) Setting the diaphragm
Rotate diaphragm setting ring (6) on lens
mount to bring the desired diaphragm
numeral against the red mark.
I) Automatic exposure system
Preselect either the exposure speed or the
aperture. Depress meter key (3). While the
key is being depressed, adjust either the
aperture or the exposure speed so as to
centre the meter needle in the image field to
the circular marking point.
K) Focusing
Rotate distance setting ring (4) until the image in the circular micro-prism screen is perfectly sharp.
L) Releasing and cocking the shutter
Actuate shutter release (13). When the shutter has run down a red signal appears in the finder image. Swing cocking
lever (9) around until it stops and move it back again.
M) Changing the film
After the last exposure, depress rewind release knob (10). Swing out rewind crank (8) on rewind knob (18). Rewind film
in direction of arrow. Open camera back (19). Remove cartridge from camera.
N) Exchanging lenses
O) Flash exposures
P) Exchanging the power source
Q) Maintenance of camera and lens
R) Accessories
These abridged instructions are a short summary of the main points in the Instructions for Use. These points deserve
special attention. They are, however, not a substitute for the valuable information which you will only be able to gain by
reading the complete instructions.
A) Opening the camera back
Push latch (2) for camera back in direction of arrow. Open camera back, and the
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Push latch (2) for camera back in direction of arrow. Open camera back, and the
exposure counter (12) will automatically jump to zero.
B) Inserting the film
The PRAKTICA super TL accepts any type of perforated 35 mm film in commercially available standard cartridges. The
cartridges contain film lengths for 36 or 20 exposures in the 24 X 36 mm picture format - either on black-and-white film,
on colour negative film for colour prints, or on colour reversal film for colour transparencies.
The cartridges are light tight. Nevertheless, we would advise you not to insert films in direct sunlight - the shade provided
by your own body will suffice. Pull out rewind knob (18) as far as it will go. Place cartridge into cartridge chamber (21)
and push rewind knob (18) - with slight backward and forward movements - right back into the camera. Carrier shaft (20)
will engage in the core of the cartridge. Push lower perforation of film from above underneath the little support (24) over
the transport sprocket (27), place beginning of film strip on to the core of take-up spool (26) as far as marking point (25).
The wire bracket (28) must not stand upwards! Should this be the case, rotate lower milled ring of take-up spool (26) to
bring the brackets to horizontal position.
C) Closing the camera back
Close camera back (19) and press it on tightly. It locks automatically.
D) Setting the film speed
Lift setting knob (14) and rotate it either way. Dial (15) below
the knob remains in stationary position. The white dot (1) on
the perimeter of setting knob (14) has to be brought against
the required film speed numeral on dial (15). Setting knob
(14), when lowered, clicks in.
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E) Type of film and length of film
The film type reminder dial (11) is to help you remember what kind of film you have
loaded in your camera.
Black-and-white film
Colour reversal film for daylight
Colour reversal film for artificial light
Colour negative film for daylight
Colour negative film for artificial light
The symbol corresponding to your film is set against the red marking point. You will thus always know which type of film
you have in your camera.
The length-of-film reminder dial (7) serves to mark the number of exposures possible with the film in the camera.
The selector of the length-of-film reminder dial (7) has to be set to the corresponding number (12, 20 or 36).
F) Preparing for the exposure
Swing cocking lever (9) around as far as it will go and
let it glide back. (Move cocking lever only in winding
direction. Forced movement in the opposite direction will
cause damage!) Actuate shutter release (13).
To avoid inadvertent tripping, the shutter release (13) is
provided with a locking device. The release mechanism
is locked when the red dots on the knob and on the
outer ring meet. The mechanism is unlocked by rotation
of the knob through 90°.
Repeat the cocking and releasing procedure described
above once more and then cock the shutter again.
Rewind knob (18) moves simultaneously in anticlockwise direction.
The automatic exposure counter (12) now stands on
frame number 1. Special setting of the exposure counter
is not necessary since it starts working automatically
when the camera back is closed.
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