The definitive equipment listing for Prakticas on the internet
	Main  |  Camera Bodies  |  Lenses  |  Accessories  |  Photo index  |  Contact  Cameras -> Praktica B first chassis -> Praktica B 200 -> Manual Note: If the 2nd half of the pictures won't load for you the first time, please hit "refresh" and they'll continue downloading. Introduction - Specifications - List of components - Concise instructions for automatic operation - Inserting the battery - Checking the battery - Film loading - Opening the back - Closing the back - Preparing for the exposure - Setting the film speed - Automatic mode - Aperture value selection - Automatic exposure, indication - Shutter release - Meter value memory - Exposure correction - Semiautomatic mode - Holding the camera - Flash exposures - Changing the lens - Focusing - Depth-of-field indication - Infrared photography - Stop-down key - Shutter release - Locking the shutter release - Selftimer - Film changing - Care of the camera Introduction With the PRAKTICA B 200 you have acquired a superior, compact 35 mm SLR camera with fully automatic shutter speed control across the entire range from 1/1000 s to 40 s. In addition, the microelectronic system of the camera lets you take pictures with fixed shutter speeds between 1/1000 s and 1 s, and exposures of any length can be made when you set the shutter speed dial to "B". Through-the-lens metering is at full aperture and thus the brightest viewfinder image, with the diaphragm values being transmitted from lens to camera in the form of electrical impulses. 16 light emitting diodes (LEDs) at the right side of the viewfinder will give you required information on essential shooting data and operations such as exposure time to be expected, limits and working stages (fully or semi-automatic). The diaphragm value is reflected into the lower edge of the viewfinder image. The automatic system can be overridden should you desire to take special under or over-exposed pictures. The PRAKTICA B 200 with the new PRAKTICA bayonet mount has been designed for fast lens changing. Specifications SLR camera of frame size 24 x 36 mm, TTL metering at full aperture by electronic aperture value transmission. Automatic and stepless electronic shutter speed control from 1/1000 s to 40 s. Automatic operation switchable to semiautomatic operation; fixed speeds of 1/1000 s to 1 s are provided. LED signals appearing in the viewfinder image indicate the shutter speed to be expected. Limit value indication for under or over exposures. The set stop is visible at the bottom of the viewfinder. Manual shutter speed correction possible within ± 2 speed steps. Exposure memory system. Focusing: Fresnel lens with novel triple rangefinder wedge, truncated microprism screen and ground glass field; - cross metering -. Field of view: 95%. Flash synchronization at 1/90 s, mechanically controlled. PRAKTICA bayonet mount (44.4 mm bearing diameter, 48 mm ID). Motor winder connection provided. Memory holder at the camera back. Battery can be checked in the viewfinder. Power: 6 V primary battery, e. g. PX 28, Mallory. Gallium-arsenide-phosphide photodiode used as light receiver. Measuring and control range: 0-17 EV at 21 DIN and stop l.4. Body dimensions: 138 mm x 87.5 mm x 49 mm Body weight without battery: 530 g Self timer with starting button, providing 8 s delay. List of components 1 Film speed setting ring 2 Rewind button 3 Rewind crank 4 Aperture value reflecting window 5 Cocking lever 6 Frame counter 7 Stop-down key 8 Selftimer cocking lever 9 Selftimer release 10 Unlocking key 11 Filter thread 12 Diaphragm setting ring 13 Flash connecting nipple 14 Shutter speed correction button with mark 15 Correction button unlocking key 16 Memory/battery checking key 17 Centre contact 18 Accessory shoe 19 Shutter speed/automatic setting knob with mark 20 Shutter release 21 Cable-release socket 22 Release locking with mark 23 Carrying lug 24 Lens positioning mark 25 Depth-of-field scale 26 Focusing ring 27 Rear sight with accessory holder 28 Shutter 29 Film cartridge space 30 Film sprocket 31 Take-up spool 32 Knurled spool plate 33 Back 34 Battery space locking button 35 Battery space lid 36 Motor winder contacts 37 Motor winder catch 38 Motor winder coupling 39 Rewind release 40 Tripod thread 41 Plug-in frame 42 Rear sight cover (see also Automatic exposure, indication) Concise instructions for automatic operation These concise instructions are not intended to make the reading of all operating instructions contained in this booklet unnecessary. It is suggested that you make yourself familiar with all details. Insert the battery Note the + and - polarities marked on battery space lid (35). Open the back The back opens as soon as you pull up rewind button (2). Load the film Set the shutter speed setting button to "" or a fixed short speed. Put the film cartridge into cartridge space (29), and press button (2) in again. Insert on ample length of the film leader into the slot of the take-up-spool and turn the latter at knurled spool plate (32) till the perforation is securely engaged by the teeth of film sprocket (30). Swivel cocking lever (5) to the stop and watch the film moving properly. Shut the back Prepare for the exposure Cock and release till frame counter (6) shows "1". Reset shutter speed setting knob (19) to automatic Set the film speed Lift setting ring (1) and turn it till the DIN or ASA value of your film is matched with the mark. Select the F stop with setting ring (12). Focus Triple rangefinder wedge: the object is sharp when its contours and lines are not distorted. Truncated microprism screen: At maximum sharpness the object will be clear and free from flicker. Ground glass field: This ring is used in poor light situations, e. g. for close-ups; the image must be clear and sharp. Release Press release (20) gently, the automatic system starts running and the LED indication signals the shutter speed. Release if the speed fits your subject, otherwise change the diaphragm value. Film change Press rewind release (39), swivel out, rewind crank (3) and turn it in the direction of the arrow till a sudden change in easy movement indicates that the film has slipped out of the sprocket slot. Pull rewind button (2) up to the stop, open the back and take out the cartridge. Lens change Depress unlocking key (10), turn the lens counter-clockwise to the stop and take it out. Insert the other lens so that the red marks match, and turn it clockwise till it locks. Inserting the battery Power for exposure metering, shutter control and LED indication is supplied by a 6 V Mallory PX 28 silver oxide battery or an equivalent type. A fully charged battery will last for about 2 years, assuming normal use. To insert the battery turn locking button (34) on battery space lid (35) counter-clockwise and open the lid. Wipe the contacts in the battery space and those of the fresh battery with a dry soft cloth, push the plus pole end of the battery gently against the resilient contact and tip it in. Shut and lock the lid. Remember, the + and - poles are marked on the battery space lid.       Checking the battery Cock the shutter and depress both release (20) and then memory key (16). Battery capacity is still sufficient when the LED indication is clearly visible; the LED will go out when the battery is exhausted. The battery cannot be checked when the shutter is set to "B" or "". Pay special attention to the battery and the associated contacts; check them frequently and clean them as often as necessary. The battery is sensitive to low temperatures and we recommend, therefore, to protect it in some suitable manner, for instance, by removing it from the camera and storing it in a warm place. The same holds when the camera is not used for an extended period. Film loading Note. We recommend setting the shutter speed control (19) to the flash mark "" (about 1/90 s) since a slow shutter speed may be established on an automatic setting. The cocking lever cannot be swivelled until the shutter has closed again, so do not use any force! Override the slow shutter speed by changing from automatic to "B", if required. Opening the back Release the back lock by pulling rewind button (2) up to the stop and open the back completely. Frame counter (6) will now reset to its starting position automatically. Load the film cartridge into space (29) and press in button (2) completely again. Turn it slightly to engage, if necessary. Insert at least 1 cm of the film leader into the slot of take-up spool (31) and turn knurled plate (32) counter-clockwise till the teeth of sprocket (30) engage the perforation. Swivel cocking lever (5) and check that the film is moving properly. Closing the back Shut the back by gripping it in the middle of the latch end and pressing it against the camera body till the lock engages audibly. Preparing for the exposure Cocking lever (5) can be swivelled a short way without initiating winding. This "ready" position increases the cocking speed in case of fast shooting. Swivel the lever entirely to the stop, let it return and release the shutter by button (20). Repeat cocking till the automatic frame counter (6) reads "1".       Setting the film speed Lift film speed setting ring (1) and turn it till the DIN or ASA speed matches the respective mark. The ring engages as soon as you release it. Frame (41) (memory holder) can be used to hold film speed information from the film pack. Automatic mode When set to automatic operation the PRAKTICA B 200 operates in automatic and stepless mode at a shutter speed range of 1/1000 s to 40 s. Exposure is controlled electronically according to lighting conditions, selected aperture and film speed. Light emitting diodes installed in the viewfinder indicate the metered shutter speeds, and with OVER or UNDER they indicate shutter speeds too fast or too slow. The TTL metering automatically excludes any exposure factors such as lens focal length, filters and extension increasing accessories. When using 42 mm screw-thread lenses with the adapter, TTL metering is at taking aperture. Aperture value selection Turn setting ring (12) to the desired F stop. The stop number is then reflected into the viewfinder. As a reference, we recommend the following stop values for a film speed of 20 DIN = 80 ASA:   F stop Sunshine 8 - 11 Cloudy 4 - 5.6 Close-ups not less than 8 The F stop may also be preselected according to the depth of field required in the subject (foreground, middle ground, background) while considering the shutter speed indicated in the viewfinder. Refer also to the below remarks on depth-of-field indication. A high F stop number corresponds to a greater depth of field, a low number to a smaller one. Automatic exposure, indication Set the shutter speed dial (19) to "automatic" and turn the electronic system on by gently pressing release (20). Light emitting diodes in the viewfinder show the shutter speed determined by the automatic system; should it not suit your subject, you may correct the exposure by selecting another F stop. One LED is located by each shutter speed in the range from 1/1000 s to 8 s; intermediate values of the stepless setting system are indicated by two adjacent diodes lighting up simultaneously. Exposure times between 8 sand 40 s are signalled by the LED shining continuously at UNDER. Shutter speeds over 1/1000 s or under 40 s are indicated by a flashing light at OVER and UNDER, respectively (in such cases, the shutter will operate at 1/1000 s or 40 s accordingly). Shutter speeds of 1/15 s and longer call for a tripod. Shutter release Release the shutter by further depressing release (20) after checking the shutter speed in the viewfinder. The electronic system is automatically turned off after the shutter has fired. Letting go of the release during long time exposures has no effect on the exposure itself. In such cases the electronic system is turned off after the shutter has operated. Should you desire to terminate a very long exposure time prematurely (e. g. after erroneous tripping) just set shutter speed button (19) to "B" for a short time. Should you not hold the camera at your eye during automatic operation, e. g. when the camera is mounted on a tripod, then push rear sight cover (42) into holder (27). Meter value memory Determine the exposure time by individual close-up metering of the most essential picture element when the subject is of extreme contrast, e. g. dark clothed persons in sun-lit snow or a light coloured object in front of a dark background. The value so metered is stored and the picture section can then be altered without changing the exposure time. For storing the metered value cock the shutter, press release (20) gently (metering) together with the memory key (16) for a short time (storage). No other measurement will then be made until the shutter has been fired. The stored value can be cancelled by removing pressure from the release and thus turning off the electronic system. Exposure correction By rotating the dial (14) around the rewind crank, it is possible to override the selected exposure setting. Such corrections are required in cases where there is a great difference in exposure values between the subject and its surroundings, for instance, with dark objects in front of a bright background (+1, +2) and with bright objects in front of very dark backgrounds (-1, -2). Press unlocking button (15) and turn dial (14) to the desired setting. Proceeding from the basic position, the shutter speed is increased by 1 or 2 steps when set at +1 or +2, or similarly reduced when set at -1 or -2. Button engagement is possible in half steps. A 2-stop correction is possible at the film speed limits of 12 DIN and 36 DIN, effectively changing the speeds to 6 DIN and 42 DIN. The shutter speed range will, however, not be extended above 1/1000 s and 40 s by these corrections. Note. Reset the button to its 0 position after the corrections. Semiautomatic mode Set the PRAKTTCA B 200 to semiautomatic operation when you want to shoot with a certain shutter speed (e.g. for reproductions, scientific or technical subjects). For such purposes the PRAKTlCA B 200 is equipped with fixed shutter speeds stepped from 1 s to 1/1000 s, and B for time exposures. Select the desired speed with dial (19) that also sets the camera to the semiautomatic mode. Activate the electronic system by gently pressing the shutter release button as with automatic operation. Exposure is indicated by the LEDs in the viewfinder so that, while the LED next to the selected shutter speed flashes, the other LED signals by continuous light the speed required according to light conditions, film speed and preselected F stop (in the case of intermediate values, two adjacent LEDs will shine simultaneously). For correct exposure, alter F stop or shutter speed till the LED flashing changes to continuous light. No LED signalling is given when the shutter is set to "" or "B". Shutter speeds from 1/15 s down require the use of a tripod. The 1/90 s flash shutter speed is controlled mechanically, all others, "B" included, electronically. That means that, without battery, pictures can be taken with 1/90 s. The automatic lens stop-down system is always operative. Holding the camera The illustrations show the best positions for holding the camera for both upright and horizontal formats. For sharp pictures not spoiled by camera shake, hold the camera steady and support the elbows on your body.       Flash exposures Should the available light be too low for taking hand-held pictures as, for instance, indoors, or the object require "brightening up", using flash equipment will give the necessary results. The PRAKTICA B 200 will take any type. Push the flash gun in accessory shoe (18), thus automatically connecting it to the synchronizer via the centre contact. For guns without hot shoe contact the electrical connection is made via flash socket (13), and these two separate connections enable you to use two flash guns simultaneously. For electronic flash guns, set shutter speed setting dial (19) to ""; the corresponding 1/90 s shutter speed is then controlled mechanically. Shutter speeds longer than 1/125 s can also be set, if required. Compute the F stop as usual by considering distance and film speed.       Changing the lens Depress unlocking key (10), turn the lens counter-clockwise to the stop and remove it from the camera body. Insert the other lens so that the red marks (24/10) on lens and body coincide. Gently press the lens against the camera body and turn it clockwise till the locking pin engages audibly. PRAKTICA lenses with M 42 x 1 thread can be used by means of an adapter; lenses of other makes with M 42 x 1 thread must be suitable for PRAKTICA cameras and for "stop-down" metering. The PRAKTICA B 200 works fully automatically with the screw-thread lenses except that the light is metered at taking aperture. Focusing Focusing can be made either by the triple rangefinder wedge system, or the truncated microprism screen, or the ground glass field. 1) Triple rangefinder wedge This system offers maximum adjusting accuracy of picture sharpness and is best suited to straight-edged object. Straight edges which are not aligned will be out of focus. 2) Truncated microprism screen The camera is properly focused when the image in the screen area is clear and free from distortion. 3) Ground glass field This focusing aid is especially suitable for macro and microphotography as well as for lenses of a relatively small F-number (i. e. higher than F 4). The picture will be sharp if the image in the ground glass ring is clear and sharp.       Depth-of-field indication The depth-of-field limits of the selected F stop can be read on lens scale (25). Example: Distance - 3 m F stop - 8 Depth of field extends from about 2 m to 5 m Infrared photography Infrared pictures require a slight correction of the normal focus; the PRAKTICA B 200 solution is simple: just match the distance determined at focusing with the infrared mark (see arrow) on the lens, that's all. Stop-down key The depth of field can also be estimated in the viewfinder image by the ground glass field when stop-down key (7) is pushed upwards. Do not meter the exposure or release the shutter during stopping down, the result might be a wrong exposure. Shutter release Several functions have been combined in the shutter release (20) in order to provide ease of camera handling. The electronic system is turned on upon slightly depressing the release, and the shutter is tripped when the release is depressed further. We recommend that the shutter release is locked before putting the camera into the everready case. This prevents unnecessary power consumption by accidental turning on of the electronic system and avoids unintentional shutter tripping. Locking the shutter release Just turn ring (22) surrounding the shutter release clockwise. Unlock it by counter-clockwise rotation. Note. Do not try to lock while the release is pressed. Selftimer Cock the shutter, swivel cocking lever (8) down to the stop and release the selftimer by depressing starting button (9) in the lever centre. Selftimer running time is about 8 s. Do not cock the shutter while the self timer runs. With automatic operation, cover the viewfinder with item (42) to prevent stray light affecting the metering.       Film changing Frame counter (6) shows the number of frames already exposed as soon as the shutter has been released. Another film must be loaded when the possible number of frames has been exposed (red mark at 20 or 36). Depress rewind release (39) till it locks. Swivel out rewind crank (3) and turn it in the direction of the arrow (clockwise) till an increasing drag with subsequent sudden easy movement indicates that the film has slipped out of the take-up spool slot. Open the camera back, pull the rewind button up to the stop and take the cartridge out. Note. Avoid film loading in full light. Should you have taken more exposures than the number on the film pack indicates, it may be possible that the cocking lever cannot be swivelled all the way to the stop. Do not use force in such cases but wind the film back.       Care of the camera The following hints will ensure long camera life. Do not use any organic solvents such as spirit, varnish thinner or similar for cleaning the camera. Blows, jerks, dust and humidity are items your camera will most certainly not take kindly to - so it will be wise to avoid them. Clean both cartridge and spool space, film guide and camera back with a soft hair brush at suitable intervals. Do not press the shutter blades or touch them with your fingers, dust the mirror with a fine hair brush in urgent cases only. The camera will work to your full satisfaction in the range from + 40 °C to -10 °C. Above or below these temperatures, deviations in the mechanical or electronic functions may occur. Avoid sudden changes of temperature with their consequent formation of condensed water which may result in corrosion. We ask you to carefully study and observe all recommendations and instructions given in this booklet. Careless or incorrect handling of the camera can result in damage not covered by our guarantee. Our consistent endeavours to improve our products may lead to some modifications of the PRAKTICA B 200 deviating from the details specified herein. Back | Index | Top