East German here: This Video here just helped me on how to load the BX20S I just got from my father. I was rather baffled when I saw it was not using the Pentacon fast loeading mechanism as all my other Praktica Cameras. So thank you wise english man for helping another analog fotographer out. PS: it was a british Ensighn Camera that brought me back from to film.
Nice presentation Peter. You are quite right of course to remind viewers to be gentle with plastic cameras, but actually Polycarbonate is surprisingly strong and durable compared to many other plastics. A nice camera and another lucky gift ;-))
A fine repose of the triangle we learned about at 15 on our Zeniths..how I remember my photography back then it was like a new language and the mechanics of its execution is well explained here.
Dear Peter. This was my first slr camera which I buy. It was the BX20S. The latest model. I used it many years. It's a great camera for a good price. Well done.
Thanks so much for reminding me, it was so long ago I bought new my Praktica BX20s with Pentacon Prakticar 35-70mm zoom. It was my last manual focus camera. I liked it but it didn't stay with me very long. Before it I had Praktica BMS for a while... Nice memories.
@@theoldfilmbloke my friend had rectal cancer and had chemo and radiation therapy 2 years ago but she has recovered well. I hope all goes well for you. I am like you in that I have lots of cameras. Good to hear from you again. Love from Stroud. My previous wife was from Braintree. An Essex girl through and through, got bless her
Hi Peter, I have one of these along with the BMS model. I’ve taken some nice steam railway shots on the BMS and theses cameras have a charm all of their own; an interesting mix of German and Soviet engineering. I also have many Olympus OM cameras too, including an M1, the Spot Program you reviewed and the OM4 Ti. Your channel is fantastic Peter!
Great review 😁. I have recently acquired this camera after receiving a bag of CZJ praktica mount lenses that looked too good not to use. Even though its one of the cheapest cameras I own, I think it's up there in my list of favorite cameras, the value to fun ratio is strong with this one. Also love the sound of the shutter firing off, I reckon its on par with the shutter 'slap' from a pentax 67. Great video, thank you :).
Hi, I have this camera but am looking at getting a new lens as the one it came with is a macro lens which is not the style I usually go for. What lens mount is this, I bought an M42 mount as that is what I had read somewhere however it did not fit! Thanks!
Ha Ha ! NO -- Never 'DISPLAY' or the WIFE wants me to DUMP them so I keep them 'Hidden Away' in 2 cupboards and various bags in my Darkroom / Computer room out of sight --- BUT I check them all over in case of Fungus and nasty things -- lucky so far. PS -- the WIFE is FILIPINA and has more shoes than Imelda Marcos had but she doesn't want to dump any shoes !
Enjoyed your video! Most instructive + detailed explanation of this fine camera! Your style is very practical + down to earth! Can you tell me if this camera can operate without a battery, or is it entirely dependent on electrical connections? Many thanks Peter. Derek
Hi Peter, great video as this has helped me so much due to this being my first camera, picked up from oxfam. Can I ask what kind of battery is required?
Hello Peter, great video! I bought a Praktica BX20 a week ago and checked if everything is working. The shutter blades on the inside, however, won’t open when pressing the shutter release button… I don’t know what to do.
Hi Peter, I have this camera and wondered, with the exposure compensation dial.. Is that attached to the 200 ISO or can I put the camera to 400 ISO and the exposure compensation dial to normal, in the middle? When I put the camera to 400 ISO the exposure compensation is on the negative side.
I just checked again on mine -- when you change the ISO you MUST PRESS DOWN on the little bar marked 'ISO' , then turn the ring to ISO you want and the exposure compensation does NOT MOVE . So Press Down on 'ISO'
Every control surface is made of plastic. It's surprising the camera has lasted this long. Lots of cameras of this era has plastic inside, advance gears and whatnot, Praktica had them on the outside.
You can buy 4LR44s pretty much anywhere but they will probably be cheapest online. You'll probably be able to find a supplier with reasonable pricing online which will be far cheaper than a shop on the highstreet. Good luck finding what your looking for.
Thank you Peter.... I completely missed that shutter lock! Its alive.
East German here: This Video here just helped me on how to load the BX20S I just got from my father. I was rather baffled when I saw it was not using the Pentacon fast loeading mechanism as all my other Praktica Cameras. So thank you wise english man for helping another analog fotographer out.
PS: it was a british Ensighn Camera that brought me back from to film.
Vielen Dank Mein Freund !
Lovely explanation Peter, thanks for it. Completely missed the lock mechanism. Now I can finally shoot some pictures!
Nice presentation Peter. You are quite right of course to remind viewers to be gentle with plastic cameras, but actually Polycarbonate is surprisingly strong and durable compared to many other plastics. A nice camera and another lucky gift ;-))
Whichever way you want to pronounce it, a fine review.
I have the MTL5B which was my first slr which I still love. I pronounce Practika the same as you! Great video as always 👏🏻
A fine repose of the triangle we learned about at 15 on our Zeniths..how I remember my photography back then it was like a new language and the mechanics of its execution is well explained here.
Peter i just love your videos, keep em coming you're a pleasure to watch!
YO ! Thanks Phil !! I will do one on the OLYMPUS OM Film Camera FLASH system soon ------
Dear Peter. This was my first slr camera which I buy. It was the BX20S. The latest model. I used it many years. It's a great camera for a good price. Well done.
Thanks so much for reminding me, it was so long ago I bought new my Praktica BX20s with Pentacon Prakticar 35-70mm zoom. It was my last manual focus camera. I liked it but it didn't stay with me very long. Before it I had Praktica BMS for a while... Nice memories.
Good to hear from you again. I hope you are doing well during all this covid stuff.
I am still under 'observation' by Hospitals for my cancer things and had a 'Phone Consultant' with my Colorectal Nurse on Friday.
@@theoldfilmbloke my friend had rectal cancer and had chemo and radiation therapy 2 years ago but she has recovered well. I hope all goes well for you. I am like you in that I have lots of cameras. Good to hear from you again. Love from Stroud.
My previous wife was from Braintree. An Essex girl through and through, got bless her
Hi Peter, I have one of these along with the BMS model. I’ve taken some nice steam railway shots on the BMS and theses cameras have a charm all of their own; an interesting mix of German and Soviet engineering. I also have many Olympus OM cameras too, including an M1, the Spot Program you reviewed and the OM4 Ti. Your channel is fantastic Peter!
Ryan -- Thanks for your Viewing and Comment !
I was between buying this and a RICOH XR-2s. I got the Ricoh in the end but the video was very informative. Greetings from GREECE
I have always said Praktica the same way as you Peter, so yo are not alone.
Thank you! I really wanted to see this video because I recently purchased this camera and it rather came with pentacon prakticar pb 4-5.6 / 70-210
The styling and metering remind me of the Ricoh XR6
Great review 😁. I have recently acquired this camera after receiving a bag of CZJ praktica mount lenses that looked too good not to use. Even though its one of the cheapest cameras I own, I think it's up there in my list of favorite cameras, the value to fun ratio is strong with this one. Also love the sound of the shutter firing off, I reckon its on par with the shutter 'slap' from a pentax 67. Great video, thank you :).
Thanks-- glad you found it helpful !
Hi, I have this camera but am looking at getting a new lens as the one it came with is a macro lens which is not the style I usually go for. What lens mount is this, I bought an M42 mount as that is what I had read somewhere however it did not fit! Thanks!
Hi Peter you must have quite a large collection of cameras, do you display some or
are they stored away ?
Ha Ha ! NO -- Never 'DISPLAY' or the WIFE wants me to DUMP them so I keep them 'Hidden Away' in 2 cupboards and various bags in my Darkroom / Computer room out of sight --- BUT I check them all over in case of Fungus and nasty things -- lucky so far. PS -- the WIFE is FILIPINA and has more shoes than Imelda Marcos had but she doesn't want to dump any shoes !
Thanks for the reply, stay well.
You’re a legend for this!
Thanks ! Keep Snapping !
Enjoyed your video!
Most instructive + detailed explanation of this fine camera!
Your style is very practical + down to earth!
Can you tell me if this camera can operate without a battery, or is it entirely dependent on electrical connections?
Many thanks Peter.
Derek
I just tested my one -- with NO BATTERY the shutter will fire at one set speed which I do not know is -- WITH Batteries it works correctly.
Hi Peter, great video as this has helped me so much due to this being my first camera, picked up from oxfam. Can I ask what kind of battery is required?
I show you what battery it is in the Video -- it is the 6 volt PX 28 type.
They are also commonly called 4LR44
Thank you so much this was helpful
Hello Peter, great video! I bought a Praktica BX20 a week ago and checked if everything is working. The shutter blades on the inside, however, won’t open when pressing the shutter release button… I don’t know what to do.
I am not a Camera Repair Technician so cannot advise only make sure the Battery Connection has no corrosion .
There is a sliding lock around the shutter button surround, this is probably in the locked position. I hope this helps!
Hi Peter, I have this camera and wondered, with the exposure compensation dial.. Is that attached to the 200 ISO or can I put the camera to 400 ISO and the exposure compensation dial to normal, in the middle? When I put the camera to 400 ISO the exposure compensation is on the negative side.
I just checked again on mine -- when you change the ISO you MUST PRESS DOWN on the little bar marked 'ISO' , then turn the ring to ISO you want and the exposure compensation does NOT MOVE . So Press Down on 'ISO'
@@theoldfilmbloke Perfect, thanks a lot, this has worked just right!
Hello, does anyone wish to buy one in perfect state, with 3 perfect lenses and a lot of filters, manual and bag?
Every control surface is made of plastic. It's surprising the camera has lasted this long. Lots of cameras of this era has plastic inside, advance gears and whatnot, Praktica had them on the outside.
I'm looking for Film and a battery for mine do you have any suggestions where I can get them both
You can buy 4LR44s pretty much anywhere but they will probably be cheapest online. You'll probably be able to find a supplier with reasonable pricing online which will be far cheaper than a shop on the highstreet. Good luck finding what your looking for.
@@jamesal6138 thank you
@@the_smiler5670 No problem
Does the shutter speed work without a battery?
please answer.
YES but only on ONE FIXED Manual speed of about 1/50th -- you need the BATTERY to get all the shutter speeds working.
@@theoldfilmbloke thank you for your answer.
Body similar to the Pentax LX.
Actually a Olympus ttl main system flash 😂