Until now, I have taken photos with cameras which happened to come with the lenses I wanted to introduce. But I bought a specific cameras this time. What is more, I got a bit of good deal on the camera which came bundled with lenses. Shopping spree!

I got 3 lenses of Carl Zeiss Jena in late period as a set, Flektogon 35mm F2.4、Tessar 50mm F2.8、Sonar 135mm F3.5m (it does not say Sonnar, but I guess it is Sonnar), whole set is just 30,000 JPY!!
I think it is not a bad shopping.

What I got is “PRAKTICA MTL3“
When we pursue M42 mount old lenses thoroughly that I mainly use, I found this “PRAKTICA” series is passable. In Wikipedia, it is said that they are third series of PRAKTICA and were made in around 1980.
Apparently “PRAKTICA PLC3” which I had used until last time is another series of “PRAKTICA MTL3“.
So I invested money this time.

This one is also PRAKTICA. This is 4th generation and the last generation. This “MTL5” was made and sold in around1983.
Regarding this “MTL5” I might have won the lottery.
Compared with cameras I have used, obviously it is more beautiful and operational stability. I feel the condition of “MTL5” promises to be great.

Moreover, I got a strap which seem to be genuine PRAKTICA and still useful. If you are camera buff, you could be proud of the strap.

I did bulk buy of MLT 5 as a set ! This one is also just around $300!
This MLT 5 was also set with 3 Carl Zeiss Jena lenses in late period. I think this kind of sets were sold in a certain period of time.

I was writing frankly so far. There were little description about the condition of the lenses. If it is not based on the premise of repair, it could be just gambling.

When everything goes well, it has much better buys for lenses than purchasing them individually, but If you are not familiar with old lenses, I would not recommend this way.

The condition of the camera

As I wrote above, “MTL5” is late period model and the condition of the leather and the behavior of the each functional parts are excellent. I am going to use “MTL5” next time.

I think the mirror is relatively beautiful.

Compared with “PLC3” I have always used, the upper side is lean manufacturing.

In addition, there is a black a switch on the side of the camera.

I am kind of a digital-age person but I know what this switch is.
When I push this switch, the thing like tab in the down part inside the camera moves slightly forward.

And, this pin of some old lenses is pushed.

Thus, diaphragm works.
In the case of digital cameras, basically, this pin will be pushed, when we set the lens to the conversion mount. So this switch is not necessary. But in the case of film cameras, this switch is very important.
Writing about this tiresome function would became uselessly long. Let me spare the details this time.

Film set (important)

I am extremely glad that inside is also clean and beautiful.

Let me put the film.

Hook the perforation by matching it with the green mark on the right side. PRAKTICA series have this process in common.

Oops! That was close!

I think this is the dangerous pattern. It seem to be rolled up, but the holes are not hooked properly and the film bends.
Once this problem caused failure.

I fixed the position. Probably it will be OK.

This time, when I tried to pull down the lever on the left side,
I found it comes off the body.

I have to make sure the lever part is brought down properly as above.
I think this was also the cause spoiling one film.

Other accessories

It is great that a set product has extra products.
These filters are exposure adjustments. From left side, vignette, sepia and coloring function of upper half (maybe).

I want to try the filter effects on day, which is not post-processing digital effects.

This is a professional-like cable release. It works properly.
May be I should use this cable release with film cameras to a void camera shake.

There is another interesting extra product.
Apparently it is a catalog about filters and so on, which has a rich contents and interesting !

The catalog has abundance of sample photos by using each filter and it looks like a photobook
To my surprise, there are many sample images of nude photos. I think it is just national characteristic.
A catalog with a lot of nude photos could never be sold in Japan.

Remarks

So, I will revenge for Helios 44-2 with “MTL5” next time.