Hello,
First of all, I was not really sure if this is the right forum section for this, so apologies if not.
I have always been curious and wanted a camera from behind the iron curtain. Something like the Russian Zenith, etc. Thanks to a fellow forum member, I now have a Revue ML M42 SLR! Now you ask: What is that? It is a re-badged Praktica MTL5B built in East Germany in the mid 1980's (1984-1986 according to my quick internet research)
The M42 lens mount we know is popularly known as the Pentax screw mount, but the truth is that Pentax did not invent it. It was used by many camera manufacturers. Praktica was one of the first users of this mount. Pentax just made it popular and cool.
This camera is built like a tank. It is a no frills tool. Despite been from the mid to late 80's, it is big and heavy and I would compare it technology wise to a Spotmatic of the early 70's. All manual, mechanical speeds up to 1/1000, mechanical timer, etc. The light meter and flash hot shoe are some of the most hi-tech features of it.
So I received this:
These cases are great protecting equipment.
The camera is in great shape and has an Auto Miranda 50 f2.8 lens
The battery compartment is corroded, so the meter doesn't work. Maybe, just maybe, I will try to fix it... eventually.
As with all the used cameras I get, I took it to my workbench and carefully cleaned it. It was very good to start with so the work was minimal. The mirror was cleaned as well. The lens is also in great shape.
So after a quick shine it is ready for the world!
One screw is missing from the top cover so it may have been serviced. If only it could talk!
Dry tested it and it seems it is working properly. Shutter speeds sound about right, lens closes properly, shutter works fine, timer works and I even tested the hot shoe with a modern manual flash and it worked.
So... I just loaded a roll of Kodak Gold 200 and will take it out for a spin.
I also want to try some of my other M42 lenses.
I will eventually report on the results.
Thanks,
Last edited by ismaelg; 07-29-2019 at 03:49 PM.