This video was very helpful to me, thank you :) My father gifted me his old Praktica BMS and I can't wait to capture the best moments of the new year with it.
The east Germans built some fine cameras. And I'm from Bavaria. I love my Praktica VLC. The only thing I'm still baffled by is why anyone would ever want to switch from an M42 mount to a bayonet. So many brilliant lenses.
I have examples of most of the Praktica camera models...... but only recently got one of the B models. I think my B camera is one of the most useable of the lot for todays film photography. Thanks, and stay safe!
The GDR in the 1980s needed ever increasing amounts of "hard" currency so they exported much of their quality products, including the Praktica-B range to western countries. As with other products this caused shortages within the country itself and for cameras they solved this by continuing the L-range which dated from 1970 onwards. The MTL50 was the last camera in that range but not so common as its predecessor, the MTL 5B.
If you press the check button at the same time as gently pressing the shutter release you should get a green light to show the battery state. On my BX20 the light is on the left as you look through the shutter. No green light means not enough power left.
@@johngoodfellow168 I have done it several times and bought a fresh new battery for it, but i dont have any green light, do i have to turn it on ? I cleaned the contacts and everything
This is so helpful, I got a praktica film camera for Christmas & I'm really excited to take better pictures now that I understand a couple more things, god knows what my first images are going to look like lol.
I'm really excited for you, those early tries aren't always successful but you can learn lots. Just remember tk enjoy the process. I'm glad the video was of use. Please stick around for more tips and tutorials.
Praktica is probably the best designed camera. I own a Praktica BX20 and a Minolta Dynax-9, the flagship pro-model, and the Praktica is a better design. You can tell that Praktica built the first SLR-camera in the 50-s, they know what is important in the camera design, and what can potentially be fatal, which apparently Minolta didn't think trough.
Yes I have to say that I agree. I now own 7 SLR's and I keep going back the Prakticas. I must keep an eye out for other models. Thanks for taking the time to comment.
My first "real" camera was a Praktica LTL 3 which my dad gave me after I got a taste of using an SLR at school (it was a MTL, not sure what version ) when we had an "activities day". Most kids shot off to mess about in the water so the school was deserted. Myself and only 1 other kid were on the photography option. We did everything including development and printing. Although we only had one lens for each camera. Took to it like a duck to water. Never used one before and apart from a couple of shots where the metering was off (I may have forgotten to check the meter) the meter worked just find and most shots came out ok. I discovered that I was able to build my lens collection easily for my LTL 3. M42 lenses were cheap as chips and got cheaper, I was literally buying lenses using pocket money and when we went on holiday I would stop by any local camera shop to hunt down another lens. Still have them all. I upgraded a few years later to a BMS. I was a little concerned about needing a new set of lenses due to the change in mouning but I knew I preferred the bayonet mounts in general. The BMS is still my main camera today when I shoot film, however it has had to sit back as I have a decent collection of other prakticas (including a BC1), Nikon F, Minoltas, Zenits,Zorkis and Olympus cameras that also need the occasional use. Today I usually use the DSLR, fully manual but sometimes with aperture priority. I have been building up some lenses for use with it but I have began using my M42 lenses more and more on it to "fill in the gaps". Next up is a praktica bayonet to EOS adapter to let me use my PB lenses, all are primes, all have apertures that are too expensive to fully justify to myself in a new EF-S lens today. The comet we had come over in 2020 I shot on my DSLR using my first lens, a 50mm Carl Zeiss Tessar f2.8. It made a few of my family members who also shoot dslr's double take when I told them I was at f2.8 :D If only I had that PB to EOS adapter, I could have been at f1.4!
Ah that's a great story. Yes I use my dSLR more than anything because its still so convenient but I have an M42 adaptor as well. Old glass just looks so nice. Having said that, every camera in my film collection gets used pretty regularly. Thanks fort watching and commenting. Please take a look at some other videos. I try and produce one every weekend.
does this camera also work without battery or is it required to work? The shutter goes off without battery and everything seems fine but someone told me theirs didnt work without battery :/
Very enlightening video! Have just acquired this camera in as new condition. Unfortunately I can't get the shutter to work Is this because no batteries are fitted? The camera is also stuck fast in it's case as I'm unable to release the large plastic screw on the underside. Any information appreciated. Many thanks Derek
Hi Derek, thanks for watching. I'm glad you found the video useful. No a battery is not required to operate the shutter. The battery is just required for the light meter. Does the shutter button press down OK? Will the camera wind on? Make sure the shutter lock I describe is not set. With regards to the case, I admit I never use them and always remove them straight away. You will need to remove it in order to replace the battery so I would recommend some lubricant and brute force. There is a link to the manual here if that that helps. www.butkus.org/chinon/praktica/praktica_bms/praktica_bms.pdf
Thx for this review. I bought one of these cameras in the early 1990s, brand new on a deal from I think Jesspps in Moorgate, London...about £125 I think. Used it twice...all good but lost interest. Now getting back into film with an Olympus OM2n...forgot I had the Praktica BMS. Its still got a film in in, 20 shots left! Time to get shooting!
Ah that's so cool. It will be interesting to see what the other 4 or 16 shots are. The OM2 is a lovely camera but if you're like me you'll appreciate the differences. I hope you'll stick around.
Hi, thanks for the video. You mention that the flashing red dot is what the shutter speed is set on and the solid red dot is what is advised. Mine seems to work the other way round. Have I done something wrong ?
Hi Joe, are you sure? I re-checked to make sure I hadn't got it back to front and I'm definitely right. I can't see a way of getting the other way round. If it helps, you can download a copy of the original manual in PDF format for free.
The camera was built only one year because the country (GDR) collapsed in 1989 and many public owned companies were closed down or taken over by W-Germany companies.
Lovely little slr. I just dug this out if my storage abs was looking around to see what others thought of it before loading it up. New subscriber to negate the unsub :)
@@raymondhill780 Thanks for the feedback Raymond but you're commenting on a video from three years ago. Maybe check out some of the more recent ones and you'll see I've dropped the music.
@@IvanZehirov If it's not for you the that's fine. However some of us like the nostalgia, or the required skill set etc. There are as many reasons as there are cameras. It's actually gaining a following rather than losing one.
This video was very helpful to me, thank you :) My father gifted me his old Praktica BMS and I can't wait to capture the best moments of the new year with it.
Ah that's great. Thank you so much for watching and enjoy your new camera.
The east Germans built some fine cameras. And I'm from Bavaria. I love my Praktica VLC. The only thing I'm still baffled by is why anyone would ever want to switch from an M42 mount to a bayonet. So many brilliant lenses.
You are a good person. Thank you for your simplicity!
That's very kind of you to say. Thank you for watching.
I have examples of most of the Praktica camera models...... but only recently got one of the B models. I think my B camera is one of the most useable of the lot for todays film photography. Thanks, and stay safe!
I think you're right. I constantly return to mine and I'm on the lookout for more B models.
The GDR in the 1980s needed ever increasing amounts of "hard" currency so they exported much of their quality products, including the Praktica-B range to western countries. As with other products this caused shortages within the country itself and for cameras they solved this by continuing the L-range which dated from 1970 onwards. The MTL50 was the last camera in that range but not so common as its predecessor, the MTL 5B.
Thank you for the information. Very interesting.
If you press the check button at the same time as gently pressing the shutter release you should get a green light to show the battery state. On my BX20 the light is on the left as you look through the shutter. No green light means not enough power left.
Ah, thank you John. I'll check that out. It was confusing me.
Where is the battery compartments and how to open it? How to charge it? I just got this model but it seems dead
@@Ally-om2uu At the base of the camera is a small screw, half a turn anti clockwise and it will open the battery bay.
@@johngoodfellow168 I have done it several times and bought a fresh new battery for it, but i dont have any green light, do i have to turn it on ? I cleaned the contacts and everything
This is so helpful, I got a praktica film camera for Christmas & I'm really excited to take better pictures now that I understand a couple more things, god knows what my first images are going to look like lol.
I'm really excited for you, those early tries aren't always successful but you can learn lots. Just remember tk enjoy the process. I'm glad the video was of use. Please stick around for more tips and tutorials.
Praktica is probably the best designed camera. I own a Praktica BX20 and a Minolta Dynax-9, the flagship pro-model, and the Praktica is a better design. You can tell that Praktica built the first SLR-camera in the 50-s, they know what is important in the camera design, and what can potentially be fatal, which apparently Minolta didn't think trough.
Yes I have to say that I agree. I now own 7 SLR's and I keep going back the Prakticas. I must keep an eye out for other models. Thanks for taking the time to comment.
Thank you just after getting the praktica BMS and this is so helpful for my new lockdown hobbie ☺️
Ah you're welcome and congratulations on a great choice.
My first "real" camera was a Praktica LTL 3 which my dad gave me after I got a taste of using an SLR at school (it was a MTL, not sure what version ) when we had an "activities day". Most kids shot off to mess about in the water so the school was deserted. Myself and only 1 other kid were on the photography option. We did everything including development and printing. Although we only had one lens for each camera.
Took to it like a duck to water. Never used one before and apart from a couple of shots where the metering was off (I may have forgotten to check the meter) the meter worked just find and most shots came out ok.
I discovered that I was able to build my lens collection easily for my LTL 3. M42 lenses were cheap as chips and got cheaper, I was literally buying lenses using pocket money and when we went on holiday I would stop by any local camera shop to hunt down another lens. Still have them all.
I upgraded a few years later to a BMS. I was a little concerned about needing a new set of lenses due to the change in mouning but I knew I preferred the bayonet mounts in general. The BMS is still my main camera today when I shoot film, however it has had to sit back as I have a decent collection of other prakticas (including a BC1), Nikon F, Minoltas, Zenits,Zorkis and Olympus cameras that also need the occasional use.
Today I usually use the DSLR, fully manual but sometimes with aperture priority. I have been building up some lenses for use with it but I have began using my M42 lenses more and more on it to "fill in the gaps". Next up is a praktica bayonet to EOS adapter to let me use my PB lenses, all are primes, all have apertures that are too expensive to fully justify to myself in a new EF-S lens today.
The comet we had come over in 2020 I shot on my DSLR using my first lens, a 50mm Carl Zeiss Tessar f2.8. It made a few of my family members who also shoot dslr's double take when I told them I was at f2.8 :D
If only I had that PB to EOS adapter, I could have been at f1.4!
Ah that's a great story. Yes I use my dSLR more than anything because its still so convenient but I have an M42 adaptor as well. Old glass just looks so nice. Having said that, every camera in my film collection gets used pretty regularly. Thanks fort watching and commenting. Please take a look at some other videos. I try and produce one every weekend.
Looking for replacement leatherette for my Bc1 which is a very similar body?
If you watch my video on the Yashica FX-3 I recommend a great supplier of precut replacement leatherette.
Thanks for the video! Can you advise where the battery compartment is and how to open it?
The compartment is on the bottom of the camera and has a slotted screw to open it and change the battery.
does this camera also work without battery or is it required to work? The shutter goes off without battery and everything seems fine but someone told me theirs didnt work without battery :/
It will, but the light meter will not work of course.
Very enlightening video!
Have just acquired this camera in as new condition.
Unfortunately I can't get the shutter to work
Is this because no batteries are fitted?
The camera is also stuck fast in it's case as I'm unable to release the large plastic screw on the underside.
Any information appreciated.
Many thanks
Derek
Hi Derek, thanks for watching. I'm glad you found the video useful. No a battery is not required to operate the shutter. The battery is just required for the light meter. Does the shutter button press down OK? Will the camera wind on? Make sure the shutter lock I describe is not set. With regards to the case, I admit I never use them and always remove them straight away. You will need to remove it in order to replace the battery so I would recommend some lubricant and brute force. There is a link to the manual here if that that helps. www.butkus.org/chinon/praktica/praktica_bms/praktica_bms.pdf
Thx for this review. I bought one of these cameras in the early 1990s, brand new on a deal from I think Jesspps in Moorgate, London...about £125 I think. Used it twice...all good but lost interest. Now getting back into film with an Olympus OM2n...forgot I had the Praktica BMS. Its still got a film in in, 20 shots left! Time to get shooting!
Ah that's so cool. It will be interesting to see what the other 4 or 16 shots are. The OM2 is a lovely camera but if you're like me you'll appreciate the differences. I hope you'll stick around.
We are going into lockdown as well as of tomorrow.(Belgium)
Keep it safe and keep them vieos coming.
Your channel is bigger than mine now. 😁
Yeah I think most of Europe is. 😟 Ha, no idea how that happened.
Which film to use for Praktica
Any 35mm film can be used in this camera.
Hi, thanks for the video. You mention that the flashing red dot is what the shutter speed is set on and the solid red dot is what is advised. Mine seems to work the other way round. Have I done something wrong ?
Hi Joe, are you sure? I re-checked to make sure I hadn't got it back to front and I'm definitely right. I can't see a way of getting the other way round. If it helps, you can download a copy of the original manual in PDF format for free.
I will have another look and double check. I only bought it today so need to change the battery as well. Have you got a link to the pdf?
@@joeswift9593 Here you go. www.butkus.org/chinon/praktica/praktica_bms/praktica_bms.htm. Enjoy your camera!
The camera was built only one year because the country (GDR) collapsed in 1989 and many public owned companies were closed down or taken over by W-Germany companies.
Indeed. I did realise that afterwards. Thankfully Pentacon evolved and survived and so we still have Praktica today.
Nice Video, do you like Minolta X300 cameras. in excellent (shrowroom almost, with lenses and an autowinder)
Yes, I have a video on the X300.
Lovely little slr. I just dug this out if my storage abs was looking around to see what others thought of it before loading it up. New subscriber to negate the unsub :)
Ah awesome, your videos have been recommended to me several times and never disappoint, so take a sub back! 😀
Good video, would have been better without the music, it's much too intrusive.
If you watch my more recent videos you'll see I know longer use music.
I have the BM version of this camera. Exactly the same but minus the self timer
Nice. Are you pleased with it? I still love using mine.
@@sccjono I love it. Its a great camera and the 35-70mm lens is a good combo
@@tomwhitear4862 Excellent.
your review are good clear and informative but why is your music louder than your voice. And why have music at all. Try it without. Raymond
@@raymondhill780 Thanks for the feedback Raymond but you're commenting on a video from three years ago. Maybe check out some of the more recent ones and you'll see I've dropped the music.
whats the point using one of those in this modern age? I am seeing people carry those for EDC. Thats beyond me
@@IvanZehirov If it's not for you the that's fine. However some of us like the nostalgia, or the required skill set etc. There are as many reasons as there are cameras. It's actually gaining a following rather than losing one.