The definitive equipment listing for Prakticas on the internet
	Main  |  Camera Bodies  |  Lenses  |  Accessories  |  Photo index  |  Contact  Cameras -> Contax / Pentacon -> Pentacon -> Booklet Note: If the 2nd half of the pictures won't load for you the first time, please hit "refresh" and they'll continue downloading. What is "Natural Focusing"? Up till now there have been two systems of focusing in better type miniature cameras: the built-in rangefinder coupled with the objective, and the mirror reflex. Neither can be truly called "natural" focusing arrangements. In many rangefinder cameras it is necessary to view the image twice, first through the rangefinder, then through the viewfinder. In direct vision rangefinder cameras, the viewed image, besides being considerably reduced in size, appears ragged and uneven in the finder. In addition, the advantages of the coupled rangefinder are valid only for lenses of standard focal length. Furthermore, this system is applicable only in connection with expensive accessories, such as special finders, closeup focusing instruments, reflex arrangements, etc. Ordinary mirror reflex cameras, on the other hand, show the ground glass image in reversed position, i. e. everything to the right of the photographer appears at the left when viewed through the ground glass. Ordinary reflex cameras must also be used at chest or waist level instead of at natural eye level, and the photographer looks into the camera from above instead of straight through at the subject. All these disadvantages have been totally eliminated by the mirror reflex camera with the built-in Prisma-Scope - the Pentacon "Natural" focusing with the Pentacon means: Direct eye-level focusing on the ground glass image for lenses of any focal length and picture situations of any kind, at any distance, far or near, macrophotography or microphotography. A correct, always upright ground glass image not reversed by the mirror, also in the vertical position. Freedom from parallax error and reflection. A natural-sized image when viewed through the standard lens for precision focusing. Visible control of depth of field at any distance, diaphragm, setting, or focal length. A Masterpiece of German Precision Workmanship Taken with a 58 mm Zeiss Biotar f/2 stopped down to f/2,8-4 The Advantages of the Prisma-Scope are obvious in the Pentacon, where all the good features of the reflex camera are combined with those of the rangefinder camera. Special mention should be made of the fact that the designers found a method of constructing the Prisma-Scope as an organic part of the Pentacon body, without abandoning the miniature characteristics of the 35 mm camera. The construction of the Prisma-Scope resembles that of the prismatic field glass. The photographic lens of the camera picks up the image. The first reversion of the light rays is achieved by the oscillating mirror in the camera. Behind the mirror is the picture level and a pentagonal prism. An upright and correct sided image is produced by the optical arrangements of the camera, together with the pentagonal prism, which has a dome with three plate glass surfaces. Directly at the back of the prism is an ocular lens, having approximately the focal length of the standard lens, calculated and dimensioned to allow the whole field of vision to be seen in sharp focus at one glance. A faceted, very fine ground glass, the size of the negative, is the only actual difference between this device and the monocular field glass. Upright and correct sided is the image produced by the three plate-glass surfaces of the Prisma-Scope in combination with the other optical parts of the camera The natural object (1) is reproduced up-side-down by the lens on the mirror (2), and from here it is reflected on the ground glass in upright position (3). Another reversion takes place in the Prisma-Scope of the Pentacon, where the picture appears correct sided (4). An upright and correct sided ground glass image The Optical System of the Pentacon has brought enormous facilities with regard to focusing with reflex cameras. Up till now it was especially difficult to capture objects in movement owing to the fact that everything moving in reality from right to left went in the opposite direction on the ground glass. The Prisma-Scope, therefore brought about a fundamental change. Its ground glass image is correct sided, and this makes the Pentacon exactly the camera for action shots. Taken with a 50mm Zeiss Tessar, f/3.5, 1 intermediate ring. daylight and electronic flash Working with the Pentacon is Simplicity itself You look through the finder of the Pentacon just as you would through a field glass, focus the image with the left hand and release the shutter with the right hand. These two manipulations focusing with the left hand - releasing with the right hand, characterize the simple operation of the Pentacon. Quite naturally the index finger of the right hand rests on the release knob in the camera front, and quite naturally, the left hand turns the focusing ring on the lens mount. The Pentacon may even be turned completely around and held at forehead level, where it is just as ready for action as in any other position. The finder is only open for viewing when the shutter is tensioned - when you see the image in the finder. While looking into the viewfinder straight in the direction of your object, you can concentrate on focusing the image in the ground glass Look into the finder - focus the object - take the picture all within a few seconds. The ground glass image is always at convenient eye level in its true perspective, its sharpness, its correct distribution of light and shadow - all its realism. This means Training for Pictorial Work The Pentacon, with its bright image through the Prisma-Scope, eliminates the objections made by "old school" photographers accustomed to plate cameras and dark cloths, who reproach miniature camera users for thoughtless snap-shooting. Creative pictorial work is the keynote of photographing with the Pentacon, not only where the usual every-day photograph is concerned, but also in telephoto and close-up work, in macrophotography and microphotography. Thanks to its perfectly new design, no expensive accessories are necessary - no near focusing device, no mirror reflex arrangements, no special finders. The wonderful advantages of the Pentacon are based on the principle of the One-lens Camera in combination with the Optical Viewfinder System Taken with a 135 mm Zeiss Triotar, f/4 and intermediate rings Simplicity in the Miniature Camera Only simple extension tubes are required for close-up work with the Pentacon. Two of these tubes, used in connection with the standard Zeiss Biotar f/2, 58 mm, make it possible to approach objects as closely as 14 cm. This means that the image is reproduced on a scale of 1:2.1. pictures on a larger scale are obtainable by using additional rings. Thanks to the Prisma-Scope, direct focusing is possible, as well as depth of focus control - so important in close-up work. Parallax error, otherwise so frequent in close-up photography, does not exist with the Pentacon. The finder image is produced by the taking lens, so that you take exactly what you see. These two simple rings often perform more than an expensive extra focusing device Scientific and Professional Work Physicians, biologists, engineers and similar professions will welcome the Pentacon as the camera most suitable to their purposes. In microphotography the Pentacon can be used exactly as it is, simply by adding a micro-adapter. For reproductions on an especially large scale in combination with superfine structure of the object, it is advisable to use the Miflex Adapter of VEB Optik Carl Zeiss, Jena, in connection with the focusing telescope. Attached to the microscope, the Pentacon will save the scientist a complicated special instrument. Large-scale close-ups from a distant viewpoint (e.g. medical work, operations, etc.) can, of course be made with long-focus accessory lenses. In connection with the microscope, the Pentacon is equal to a complicated specialized instrument Micro exposures with the Pentacon: Spine of a see-hedgehog Enlargement: appr, 30 times The honey-gathering foot of the bee Enlargement: appr, 12 times Interchangeable Zeiss Lenses, highlights of the optical industry, make the Pentacon especially versatile. The use of supplementary lenses from the wide angle up to the 500 mm telescopic lens need no longer be dependent on blind guessing. The Prisma-Scope shows in the finder exactly what will appear in the picture. All Zeiss lenses for the Pentacon are T-coated to prevent loss of light which normally occurs through reflection, and absorption of the glass air surfaces. The T-coating effectively allows all light to pass through the rum. This means an improvement in the quality of the lenses. All lenses for the Pentacon have threaded mounts. Even in the dark - at the theatre, for instance - the lenses can be quickly and safely interchanged Taken with a 58 mm Zeiss Biotar f/2 stopped town to f/4 Pentacon Lenses with Pre-setting Device Focusing can be performed with the lens opened at the widest aperture, and the diaphragm, which has been pre-set to the desired opening, is brought back into this position simply by turning a milled ring, without removing the camera from the eye. The Pentacon for Color Photography will give you excellent results; for all Zeiss lenses are tested for optimum performance in color photography. Zeiss highspeed lenses are used to their greatest advantage on the Pentacon, The effect of color, light, shadow, and outline can be most carefully judged by means of the Prisma-Scope. You need no longer be afraid of keeping the lens wide open. While focusing becomes difficult when using the normal rangefinder in connection with the long-focus lenses, equally accurate results will be obtained with the Prisma-Scope at all focal lengths and apertures. A special feature of the Pentacon is the possibility of using two cassettes, so that black-and-white and colour films can conveniently be exchanged without having to be rewound into the cartridge The Rubber Eye Piece eliminates disturbing sidelights and makes possible more critical focusing. It may be fitted with a corrective lens for spectacle wearers who wish to do their photographic work without wearing their glasses. The Focal Plane Shutter of the Pentacon operates smoothly and with complete safety and can be set to speeds of 1 sec. to 1/1000 sec. before or after the shutter has been wound. All rotating parts are located inside the camera body. The Self Release is built into the camera and is wound up by means of a lever in the front of the camera body. It is adjustable to any speed up to 10 seconds and may be used in connection with all shutter speeds. The Direct Vision Finder is a valuable asset. It can be fastened above the eye piece of the prism finder. It is of great advantage in sports photography, for besides viewing the outline of the object, you can, with the other eye, observe the neighboring surroundings. The Two-Cassette System permits the use of a cassette also on the side of the receiving spool, so that black-and-white and colour film can easily be exchanged without having to be rewound on to the feeding spool, which often causes damage to the film. The Wire Release Connection is contained in the release knob of the Pentacon. It is always advisable to use a wire release when making long time exposures, in order to avoid vibration. Regular and Electronic Flash Guns can be connected to an outlet in the top of the camera. Internal synchronization is controlled by the shutter, so that ignition of either the regular or electronic flash takes place at the full opening of the shutter. The Film Marking Disk, on the base of the rewinding knob, shows the type of film being used in the camera, which is greatly appreciated by photographers using various kinds of colour film besides black-and-white. Taken with a 75 mm Zeiss Biotar f/1.5 stopped down to f/2.8 Taken with a 58 mm Zeiss Biotar f/2 stopped down to f/8 Technical Features of the Pentacon Built-in prismatic telescope finder - the Prisma.Scope - with natural focusing facilities for every sphere of photography and for any focal length, without complicated accessories. Ground-glass image sighted directly at eye-level. Always upright, non-reversed finder image. Upright finder image, also in vertical position. Life-sized, enlarged or reduced finder image. Finder image free of parallax and reflection - eye-piece serves as "dark-cloth". Visual control of depth of field. Detachable hinged camera back. Delayed action device with choice of speed. Synchronization for flash and electronic-flash. Focal-plane shutter for 1 to l/1000th sec. Interchangeable Zeiss lenses, partly with diaphragm pre-setting device, in threaded mounts, with focal lengths from 40 to 500 mm. Simple manipulation - utmost precision. The Lenses of the Pentacon Normal focal lengths:   Zeiss Tessar f/3.5 focus 50 mm (T-coated)   Zeiss Tessar f/2.8 focus 50 mm (T-coated)   Standard lens Zeiss Biotar f/2 focus 58 mm (T-coated) Short focal lengths:   Zeiss Tessar f/4.5 focus 40 mm (T-coated) Long focal lengths:   Zeiss Biotar f/1.5 focus 75 mm (T-coated)   Zeiss Triotar f/4 focus 135 mm (T-coated)   Zeiss Sonnar f/2.8 focus 180 mm (T-coated)   Zeiss Sonnar f/4 focus 300 mm (T-coated)   Zeiss Telephoto Lens f/8 focus 500 mm (T-coated) Stereo Attachment, Base 12 or 65 mm Accessories and Extra Gadgets for the Pentacon Close-up Intermediate Rings   Taking lens 58 mm Biotar, f/2 Distance of Object from front rim of lens Scale of reproduction   Without intermediate ring ∞ to 40 cm (16 in.) ∞ to 1:6.5   With 2 rings 40 cm (16 in.) to 21 cm (8 1/2 in.) 1:6.5 to 1:3.3   With 1 ring 21 cm (8 1/2 in.) to 14 cm (5 1/2 in.) 1:3.3 to 1:2.1 Everready case Rubber eye-piece Sunshades - filters Flash gun Attachable direct vision finder Focusing magnifier Focusing arrangement for bellows Supplementary tubes Angular finder Focusing slide Reproduction arrangement Attachment for copying diapositives Universal tripod Film developing tank Back | Index | Top