The definitive equipment listing for Prakticas on the internet
	Main  |  Camera Bodies  |  Lenses  |  Accessories  |  Photo index  |  Contact  Cameras -> Praktica L -> Praktica LB 2 -> 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. Control Parts of the PRAKTICA LB 2 - Opening the camera back - Inserting the film - Closing the back - Preparation for the exposure - Light metering - Setting the shutter speed - Setting the diaphragm numeral - Focusing - Depth-of-field indication - Releasing and cocking the shutter - Changing the film - Exchanging lenses - Flash exposures - The use of flash bulbs - The use of electronic flash units We wish you every success in working with this modern reflex camera. You own a camera which has a novel metal-blade focal plane shutter the special features of which are high time stability and short synchro speeds for electronic flash exposure. The built in external exposure meter guarantees you proper determination of diaphragm and shutter speeds. 1. Filter socket 2. Photoelectric cell 3. Rewind knob 4. Accessory shoe 5. Knob for setting shutter speeds 6. Cocking lever 7. Exposure counter 8. Wire release socket 9. Shutter release 10. Diaphragm setting ring 11. Distance setting ring 12. Depth-of-field scale 13. Knob 14. Knurled graduated fir: 15. Index for ASA values 16. Window for ASA dial 17. Rewind crank 18. Graduated ring with aperture numerals 19. Index for DIN values 20. Window for DIN dial 21. Window for meter needle 22. Center flash contact. 23. Exposure speed index 24. Ocular mount with fitting for accessories 25. Rewind catch 26. Cartridge chamber 27. Metal-blade focal-plane Putter 28. Film transport sprocket 29. Supporting piece 30. Take-up spool 31. Marking point for inserting the film 32. Wire bracket 33. Tripod socket 34. Rewind release knob Opening the camera back Pull rewind knob (3) upwards until you feel hard resistance. The camera back is thus unlocked and can be hinged open. The exposure counter (7) will automatically jump to zero position. Inserting the film Insert the film cartridge. The wire brackets (32) should not stand upwards. Should this happen to be the case, rotate the milled flange of the spool. Pull the leading edge of the film to the green mark (31) and push it from above below the supporting piece (29). The teeth of the film transport sprocket should engage with the perforation of the film. If the film tends to strong warping, bring one wire bracket to rest on the film by turning the milled flange of the spool. Depress rewind knob (3) again and turn it somewhat, if necessary. Closing the camera back On the side of its locking means, press the camera back firmly on the camera body. It locks automatically. Preparation for the exposure The cocking lever (6) has an idle stroke of about 15° so that it can be moved from its resting position into readiness for action. (Easy grasping for serial shots.) Swing the cocking lever (6) around as far as it will go, move it back again, and depress shutter release button (9). Repeat these operations and then cock the shutter once more. The automatic exposure counter (7) now stands on number "1". Light metering By turning knob (13), set the indices (15) and (19), reap. to the speed of the film loaded in the camera. How to proceed for light metering: Direct your camera to the subject. Attention! Don't cover the window of photoelectric cell (2)! Bring the meter needle in window (21) to rest in the center of the circular mark by rotating the outer knurled graduated ring (14). So the diaphragm numerals (graduated ring 18) stand opposite the shutter-speed values. This combination of aperture and shutter speed values will give exactly the right exposure. The combination most suitable for your subject to be taken is then transferred to the diaphragm setting ring (10) of the lens or to the shutter-speed setting knob (5) (e.g.: aperture f/8--shutter speed 1/125s sec.). If the meter needle cannot be centered in the circular mark, the luminous density of the subject to be taken is off the operating range of your exposure meter. Light metering Symbol : intended for pictures to be taken with the electronic flash (about 1/125 sec.). B: setting intended for pictures in very low light, eg. night scenes or low-lit interiors. Any exposure slower than 1 sec has to be made by using the B setting, either by counting or timing with a watch. Shutter remains open as long as the shutter release is being depressed. Use of a tripod is recommended. 1 sec. to 1/15 sec.: (orange color) intended for pictures in medium to low light, eg. evening scenes or brightly lit interiors. Use of a tripod is recommended. 1/30 sec. to 1/1000 sec.: (white) for pictures in normal daylight. Rotate knob (5) until the desired numeral stands opposite the orange triangle. Intermediate values cannot be set! Setting the diaphragm numeral Set the diaphragm numeral on diaphragm setting ring (10) to the mark of the lens mount. On lenses with automatic pressure diaphragm (ADP) the aperture remains fully open, and only when the shutter is released it will close to the set value. In the PRAKTICA LB 2 the diaphragm opens immediately after the shutter has run down. Certain lenses permit manual stopping down of the diaphragm for evaluation of the depth of field in the viewfinder. According to lens design this can be made by pressing the manual stop down key (left-hand illustration on the lower picture) or by changing the diaphragm selector from A (automatic) to M (manual) (right-hand illustration on the lower picture). Focusing Focusing is possible as to the microprism screen of circular ground glass area. a) Signal b) Image-brightening Fresnel lens c) Microprism screen d) Circular ground glass area Focusing on the microprism screen The correct sharpness is set when the image becomes visible clearly and free from fuzziness within the microprism screen. Focusing on the circular ground glass area Turn the distance-setting ring until the subject appears clearly and distinctly within the circular ground glass area. This is also the focusing method for macro- and microphotography as well as when lenses are used having a small relatively aperture (diaphragm numeral higher than 4). The ground Fresnel area is not meant to be used for focusing. Depth-of-field indication The limits of the depth-of-field range can be read from the depth of-field scale (12) for the relevant aperture. Example: 3m at f/8 aperture zone of sharpness between2 m and 6m. For evaluation of the depth of field in the viewfinder refer to section "Setting the diaphragm". For infrared exposures the focusing point has to be slightly modified. Set the determined distance value opposite the infrared point. Releasing and cocking the shutter Before releasing the shutter, please note the following: 1. If the signal is visible in the left viewfinder, the camera is not ready for exposing. Swivel the cocking lever (6) to its stop. 2. For shutter speeds of 1/15 sec. and slower tripod and cable release should be used. Depress the shutter release (9) steadily - never with a jerk - past the soft-running limit. After the exposure the shutter has to be cocked to make the camera ready for taking again. Changing the film Take into consideration the number of exposures (12, 20, or 36 frames) which can be made with the loaded film, and observe this number on the exposure counter. When the film has been exposed, depress rewind release knob (34) (it locks in). Fold the rewind crank (17) out of the rewind knob (3) and rotate it not too quickly in direction of the arrow indicated on crank (17). Termination of rewinding becomes noticeable by greater resistance and subsequent ease of actuation. Pull the knob upwards to its stop. Unlock camera back. Film cartridge can be removed. Attention! If more exposures have been made than indicated on the film packet, at the end the cocking lever might not be swiveled around completely. Don't apply force! Rewind the film. Exchanging lenses All lenses provided with the international PRAKTICA M42x1 thread can be applied. (Pentax screw mount). You take hold of the lens body and unscrew it by turning it to the left. Installation is by turning it to the right to its stop. Flash exposures Flash bulbs as well as electronic flash units can be synchronized. Push the flash unit with its center contact onto the accessory shoe (4). Set the relevant symbol for the flash unit used, "bulb image" or on the shutter-speed setting knob. Flash units fined with a synchro cable are connected with the flash socket in the accessory shoe of the PRAKTICA LB 2 by means of an adapter piece. Take into consideration the guide number of the flash unit, particularly when determining diaphragm or distance values. For this purpose use the calculating dial on the flash unit. The use of flash bulbs If bulbs for short flash duration are used, set to the symbol as to a shutter speed longer than 1/30 sec. The ignition circuit is only closed while the shutter runs down. The use of electronic flash units Synchronization is by setting to the symbol which corresponds to a shutter speed of about 1/125 sec. Longer shutter speeds can be used, too.            Back | Index | Top