The definitive equipment listing for Prakticas on the internet
	Main  |  Camera Bodies  |  Lenses  |  Accessories  |  Photo index  |  Contact  Cameras -> Praktica L -> Praktica VLC 2 -> Brochure Note: If the 2nd half of the pictures won't load for you the first time, please hit "refresh" and they'll continue downloading. Individual photographing by Interchangeable viewfinders Due to their design all PRAKTICA cameras are universally applicable, yet the PRAKTICA VLC 2 offers a maximum of versatility by the interchangeable viewfinder and focusing system (field lens). That means that not only the lenses and accessories but also the elements for viewing, focusing and control of the exposure metering system can be adapted to your individual style and even to most difficult taking situations. There are three viewfinder inserts: the universally usable waistlevel finder for viewing at right angles to the taking direction, the eyelevel prism viewfinder with its always upright and true-to-side viewfinder Image, and the magnifier insert with compensating diopter adjustment and rubber eye cup. In addition to the two standard focusing systems. Fresnel lens with microprism screen and ground-glass circle or Fresnel lens with microring screen and coincident image range finder, there are five other field lenses which can be optionally used in all three viewfinder inserts. Universal Internal metering with all three viewfinders The exposure metering system of the PRAKTICA VLC 2 meets even highest technical requirements. Its internal system meters only that light which will produce your picture. This is a decisive point, above all, when interchangeable lenses are used - since image and metering angles are identical- as well as with filters and extension-lengthening accessory because any exposure factors are taken into consideration automatically. And this universal internal metering system functions with all three viewfinder inserts. A partially light-transmissive mirror serves as beam splitter; and below it is the light transmitting system which passes the mirrored rays to the light concentrator and further to the photoresistor. The automatic exposure control system of the PRAKTICA VLC 2 requires but turning the diaphragm ring of the shutter speed dial till the meter needle is centred between the lines in the viewfinder. Film speed, diaphragm stop and shutter speed are thus matched to one another for exact exposure. Light metering at open aperture and brightest viewfinder image Another significant feature of the PRAKTICA VLC 2 is the electric diaphragm value transmission for which PENTACON has the world priority. This vital device allows metering at open aperture and radiantly bright viewfinder image. The system functions so that the diaphragm value is transmitted into the exposure measuring system via contact pins of the lenses and contact tracks of the camera body, that means without any friction and inertia. High-performance lenses with focal lengths ranging from 29 to 135 mm are available with this electric transmission feature but the possibility to switch the automatic exposure control over to taking diaphragm operation permits use of all other PRAKTICA lenses, too. An essential point to score success is metering with open aperture and bright viewfinder image when close-ups are taken. The PRAKTICA VLC 2 is provided with intermediate rings with plunger release and contact tracks and pins, and when close-up bellows attachments are used with long extension, the electric transmission is effected by the pair of intermediate rings with cable. Simple and reliable interaction with accessories Interchangeable viewfinder inserts and field lenses, universal internal metering and electric diaphragm value transmission make the PRAKTICA VLC 2 highly suitable for special fields. Absolutely simple and reliable is the interaction with additional equipment for the most varied applications in science and research. Viewing and focusing are always made on the large, radiantly bright viewfinder image containing the optional focusing aids. The steel-bladed focal plane shutter can be set from 1/1000 sec to 1 sec and B; it runs without any vibration and is highly temperature resistant so that it contributes considerably to precision work like microphotography, reproductions and slide copying, just to name a few. A self-timer is built in, of course. Confusing the connecting nipples for electronic or bulb flash is out of question - there is only one for both types. The shortest shutter speed for electronic flash is 1/125 sec, that for bulbs 1/30 sec. A centre contact accessory shoe is available to attach the flash units reliably to the camera. Accessories ensure top results in all fields Utilization of the outstanding possibilities offered by the PRAKTICA VLC 2 is ensured by that extensive range of accessories. Already the selection of one of the three viewfinder inserts waistlevel finder, eyelevel finder or magnifier hood - with their different viewing angles and focusing aids can be a decisive factor for the success or failure of a picture. Seven interchangeable field lenses can be used in the different combinations and enable the most suitable adaptation of the picture taking method, which can be further assisted by focusing telescope, angle finder and universal tripod. For close-up photography many accessories are available to meet the requirements of even the most demanding specialist; and there are other extras for reproductions and slide copying. Microphotography and astrophotography require nothing but simple adapters, and similar combinations are possible for other fields of science, e.g. spectrography or endography. Highly suited for small objects The possibilities the PRAKTICA VLC 2 offers to close-up photography are really up to any demands. Taking pictures of objects near the floor will be facilitated by the waistlevel viewfinder insert and the magnifier hood; special field lenses with hairlines, millimetre division and clear fields make viewing and focusing much easier. The required extension increase can be attained with intermediate rings or one of the two close-up bellows attachments providing extensions of 125 and 220 mm, resp. Two intermediate rings of 12.5 and 25 mm with plunger release offer the electric diaphragm value transmission for open aperture metering and actuation of the automatic diaphragms. Both processes are also possible with the close-up bellows attachments, and here the electric connection is made and the connection of a double cable release is provided by a pair of intermediate rings with cable. A lens reversing ring for using the lens with its front element pointing towards the camera ensures maximum image definition when macrophotographs are taken with scales of reproduction exceeding 1.0. and, last but not least, the entire close-up work can be facilitated still more when focusing slide rack is used on the tripod. AUS JENA FLEKTOGON 20/2,8 PENTACON electric 50/1.8   PENTACON electric 135/2.8 AUS JENA S 4/300 Interchangeable lenses for well-balanced picture composition It is a matter of fact that the PRAKTICA VLC 2 is provided with the M 42 x 1 lens thread introduced with the PRAKTICA series and now accepted on an international scale. This thread enables the use of a host of interchangeable lenses. Lens change is simple, and viewing and focusing are made on that radiantly bright viewfinder image as usual. The outstanding lenses from PENTACON and Jena offer field-oriented stepped focal lengths from 20 to 1,000 mm with their image angles ranging from 93 deg. to 2.5 deg. The lenses from 29 to 135 mm with electric diaphragm value transmission take a special place, for they provide the electric transmission feature required for open aperture metering. But you can, of course, use any of the lenses listed in the table overleaf or those available on the international market when the automatic exposure control system is switched over to taking diaphragm operation. The lenses from PENTACON and Jena with focal lengths of 50 mm and less will focus down to 0.35 mm and nearer without any accessory. Lenses for the PRAKTICA VLC 2 The optical and mechanical quality of the lenses offered for the PRAKTICA VLC 2 meets any demands. These lenses calculated according to the latest results of research and made of the most modern glasses produce brilliant image definition, attractive contrast and true-to-the-original colours in every picture. Multi Coating of suitable lens surfaces led to an appreciable increase in contrast and sharpness and to the maximum prevention of blooms, ghost images and light spots even in counterlight pictures covering large brightness differences. Multi Coating has been applied to the lenses most commonly used. Taken with simply coated lens   Taken with multicoated lens Relative aperture / Focal length (mm) Multi-coating (MC) Diaphragm 1. with electric diaphragm value transmission for open diaphragm metering aus JENA electric FLEKTOGON 2.8/20 MC ADB PENTACON electric 2.8/29 MC ADB aus JENA electric FLEKTOGON 2.4/35 MC ADB PENTACON electric 1.8/50 MC ADB aus JENA electric PANCOLAR 1.8/50 MC ADB PENTACON electric 2.8/100 ADB PENTACON electric 2.8/135 MC ADB aus JENA electric S 3.5/135 MC ADB aus JENA S* 2.8/180 MC SB aus JENA S* 4/300 MC SB 2. without electric diaphragm value transmission for taking lens metering PENTACON 3.5/30 VB PENTACON 2.8/135 VB PENTACON 4/200 VB PENTACON 4/300 VB PENTACON 5.6/500 MC VB aus JENA SPIEGELOBJEKTIV 5.6/1000 MC = Multi Coating (multicoated PENTACON lenses are availabe with simple coating, too.) ADB = automatic pressure diaphragm (when used on a PRAKTICA VLC 2 the automatic pressure diaphragm becomes the higher automatic spring diaphragm) SB = spring diaphragm VB = pre-set diaphragm * = availabel with adapter for electric diaphragm control of PRAKTICA VLC 2 Some technical details Genuine single lens mirror reflex camera 24 x 36 mm Interchangeable viewfinder inserts and field lenses The viewfinder inserts: waistlevel finder, eyelevel prism finder or magnifier hood, each insert either with ground field lens, focusing system with Fresnel lens, microprism screen and groundglass circle or with the focusing system with Fresnel lens, coincident image rangefinder and micro-ring screen Electric diaphragm value transmission from lens to camera Universal internal metering with all three viewfinder inserts: true-to-object partial integral metering with partial light-transmissive, beam splitting mirror, light concentrator and photoresistor as part of the automatic exposure control system Meter needle with setting marks and signal in all three viewfinder inserts when the shutter needs cocking Metering at open aperture Measuring range 4 asb to 64,000 asb at f/2 Film speed setting range 12 to 33 DIN, 12 to 1,600 ASA Maintenance-free camera battery of 4.5 V rated voltage Switch for changing from open to taking aperture metering Steel-bladed focal plane shutter for 1/1000 sec to 1 sec and B Synchro switch for electronic flash and bulbs Centre contact for flash units in optional accessory shoe Shortest shutter speed for electronic flash is about 1/125 sec, 1/30 sec for fast burning bulbs PL automatic film loading system Sure-grip angled shutter release Return mirror Short stroke rapid wind lever Built-in self-timer with about 8 sec delay period Hinged camera back Automatic exposure counter Interchangeable lenses with focal lengths from 20 to 1,000 mm and the international M 42 x 1 PRAKTICA thread Numerous accessories for special fields Modern styling, remarkably small camera body Dimensions: with eyelevel prism viewfinder and PENTACON electric MC 50 mm, f/1.8 - 142 x 93 x 101 mm Weight: with eye level prism viewfinder, PENTACON electric MC 50 mm, f/1.8 and battery - 950 g Further development of the PRAKTICA VLC 2 and its accessories may lead to slight modification of the details given in the present prospectus. 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