Praktica IV F

1962

VEB Kamera und Kinowerke

Dresden

German Democratic Republic

Lens:

f2.9, 50 mm Ludwig Meritar, pre-set iris diaphragm to f16. 42 mm screw mount.

Shutter:

Focal-plane speeded 1/2 - 1/500, B. Flash synchronisation.

Construction:

Metal body.

Format:

36, 24 x 36 mm exposures on 35 mm film held in cassette.

Focusing:

Helical to 2' 6".

Attributes:

Reflex viewing through taking lens. Roof pentaprism, split-image central spot on focusing screen, Fresnel condenser.
Film reminder dial.

With:

Instructions.; Guarantee card.; Box.; Ever-ready case.; Eye-cup.
Set of three Intermediate Rings (extension tubes), 7, 14 and 28 mm in length. Instructions.

The IV series were the first Prakticas to have a built-in pentaprism and lever film-advance. The lever was situated on the base of the camera and was supplemented by a conventional knob film-advance on the top plate.

There were several similar models:

IV appeared in 1959.
IV B with uncoupled meter in 1959.
IV M with split-image finder in 1962.
IV BM with uncoupled meter and split-image finder in 1962.
IV F with Fresnel and split-image finder in 1962.
IV FB with Fresnel, split-image finder and meter in 1962.
V F with instant return mirror in 1964.
V FB with instant return mirror and meter in 1964.

The speed dial has two ranges for high or slow speeds.

Early Photography