Praktica MTL5B

cowasaki · 07-08-2009, 19:26

Took my mum round to my grand dad's house yesterday after my grand daughter came round to see me (there is a photo in there somewhere

). Anyway whilst at my parent's house my dad nips out and pops this tatty camera bag on the coffee table.

"Is this worth anything" he asks.

I look in the bag......(its like christmas)....

1 mechanical light meter........ (no idea how to use it!)
1 zoom lens......... (no idea what it is or even its range but it looks in good condition)
1 Pentacon 50mm f1.8 prime lens........ (no lens cap)
1 Praktica MTL5B camera appears to be in reasonable condition.
1 remote
1 manual
1 PrACTIKA 1600A flash with manual
3 35mm colour films
1 seriously cheapo tripod

I explain that I have absolutely no idea what its worth but tell them that Cameron (my son) is doing A level photography next year and so could probably do with a film camera too. So they said that he could have it for Christmas.

What is it worth?
Has anybody used one before?

The metering system seems very cumbersome ie set ISO for the film, set aperture, press button on front and look through view finder at needle, if it is not in the right place between the marks change the shutter speed or aperture and repeat till it is..... Or have I got this wrong?

I could do with learning how to use the light meter too but I will ask about that later

scorpius · 07-08-2009, 19:33

An MTL5B my first SLR about 30 years ago.

From what I can remember your description of the metering system is correct, seriously manual and none of this microprocesser controlled malarky. Although it was pretty accurate once you got used to it going from the photos I managed to take.

If I remember it correctly the metering was powered by a small CR type battery you inserted into the base of the body.

raathistle · 07-08-2009, 19:37

I don't have an mtl5 but I have an mtl3 which is very similar. The metering is exactly how you describe and is actually a very nice system. The lenses are m42 mount and will fit a wide range of cameras. They will work quite nicely if your son needs a film SLR. Not the sexiest of cameras but very useable

david1701 · 07-08-2009, 19:49

I have an MTL5B its a sweet little thing

battery in the bottom does the meter and mines accurate at least compared to my 50d

OutLore · 07-08-2009, 19:52

Was my 2nd SLR way back when... first was an LTL.

Easy to use once you know how...

As for the light meter - I have loads, got to a point where I was "collecting" them... there's something about them that I like

Don't actually use one though!

cowasaki · 07-08-2009, 20:00 **Thread Starter**

Thanks, it did not seem very intuitive but if that is how it is done then I seem to have done it right. I stuck a film in it yesterday and Mrs C is going to have a play too. We just wanted to make sure that it actually works before giving it to him for Christmas.

cowasaki · 07-08-2009, 20:03 **Thread Starter**

Quote:

Originally Posted by OutLore

As for the light meter - I have loads, got to a point where I was "collecting" them... there's something about them that I like

Don't actually use one though!

I have no idea how to use it !

joxby · 07-08-2009, 20:25

Easy, which light meter is it ?, there's no such thing as a mechanical light meter, analogue maybe.

The best thing about these types of cameras is the mount, M42, and the cheap fablious lenses available for it from loads of weird and wonderful manufacturers you've never heard of

excalibur2 · 07-08-2009, 20:32

***What is it worth?**

Not much maybe £35 for the lot, on ebay.

cowasaki · 07-08-2009, 20:51 **Thread Starter**

Quote:

Originally Posted by joxby

Easy, which light meter is it ?, there's no such thing as a mechanical light meter, analogue maybe.

The best thing about these types of cameras is the mount, M42, and the cheap fablious lenses available for it from loads of weird and wonderful manufacturers you've never heard of

The light meter is a "Euro-Master" manufactured by East Kilbride instruments.

I will post some pictures to give you an idea.....

cowasaki · 07-08-2009, 20:53 **Thread Starter**

Oh and the camera and lenses:

OutLore · 07-08-2009, 20:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by excalibur2

***What is it worth?**

Not much maybe £35 for the lot, on ebay.

Not necessarily - working Euromasters with the invercone and cases in perfect condition can go for £35 by themselves, but commonly go for £10ish

Get yourself some film and have a play... I've been retroing it recently, mucking around with some "old" stuff (all 80's 35mm unfortunately) just for the fun of it...

Venomator · 07-08-2009, 21:01

Oh how I loved that camera...

cowasaki · 07-08-2009, 21:01 **Thread Starter**

Quote:

Originally Posted by OutLore

Not necessarily - working Euromasters with the invercone and cases in perfect condition can go for £35 by themselves, but commonly go for £10ish

Get yourself some film and have a play... I've been retroing it recently, mucking around with some "old" stuff (all 80's 35mm unfortunately) just for the fun of it...

Well the light meter is pretty much perfect including the case with the light cone in its own case which is also perfect. Only thing missing is the instruction manual

Help!

Adeyb · 07-08-2009, 21:10

I have an MTL5B in my mums loft, with a vivitar 80-200 mm lens and a 2x teleconverter ( I thought I was the daddy ) and a big crappy flash on a bracket, I was only 12 when I had it.

Venomator · 07-08-2009, 21:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by cowasaki

Well the light meter is pretty much perfect including the case with the light cone in its own case which is also perfect. Only thing missing is the instruction manual

Help!

Any good Chris...

EuroMaster

Plenty more where that came from...

cowasaki · 07-08-2009, 21:17 **Thread Starter**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Venomator

Any good Chris...

EuroMaster

Plenty more where that came from...

Chris?

Thanks for the link that is very handy, I am just printing the instructions out now.

Maybe I should have been more specific, I don't know how to use ANY light meter

joxby · 07-08-2009, 21:18

1. set iso, its set to 200
2. take a light reading, say its 13
3. spin the disk till that red mark is lined up with 13 on the inner disk
4. the middle disk indicates aperture and it will line up with shutter speeds on the outer disk.
so *guesses* f/11 will be opposite 250 = 1/250th, f/8 will be opposite 1/500th, all the apps will line up with a shutter speed giving you the full range of app/shutter speed combinations.

simplez

Now fix my Mac...

cowasaki · 07-08-2009, 21:20 **Thread Starter**

Quote:

Originally Posted by joxby

Now fix my Mac...

What is wrong with it?

joxby · 07-08-2009, 21:21

I was joking, I don't have a Mac...

cowasaki · 07-08-2009, 21:24 **Thread Starter**

Quote:

Originally Posted by joxby

I was joking, I don't have a Mac...

Arr then you have no Mac problems..... my work here is done

Venomator · 07-08-2009, 21:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by cowasaki

Arr then you have no Mac problems..... my work here is done

If he no got Mac he got plenty other problems...

Venomator · 07-08-2009, 21:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by cowasaki

Chris?

Thanks for the link that is very handy, I am just printing the instructions out now.

Maybe I should have been more specific, I don't know how to use ANY light meter

Oops...

... wrong person right thread...

... or is that right person wrong thread...

Instructions are really simple to follow and it is like taking candy...

... really...

joxby · 07-08-2009, 21:33

dp...doh

joxby · 07-08-2009, 21:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Venomator

If he no got Mac he got plenty other problems...

yeah, an obsessive film disorder and scsi problems are a killer combination...

Venomator · 07-08-2009, 21:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by joxby

yeah, an obsessive film disorder and scsi problems are a killer combination...

And DP issues...

cowasaki · 07-08-2009, 21:39 **Thread Starter**

Fantastic I seem to have sussed it but when I was first messing the button on the side when depressed seemed to lock the meter but now it is just staying in and the meter is free to move. I have looked in the instructions and it talks of locking and unlocking it but nothing is happening now. The button is just staying in.

joxby · 07-08-2009, 21:42

Its probably to stop the iso selector from moving in your pocket or whatever, cos that would bugger up your readings.
Maybe give it a bit of a wiggle, it may pop out and be locked again..

ere, these meters usually have another scale for readings in really low light.
on the back of my Weston was a door, when you opened it it exposed more of the selenium sensor and automatically changed the scale in the top window..

cowasaki · 07-08-2009, 21:44 **Thread Starter**

No it is just not locking the meter any more.

joxby · 07-08-2009, 21:49

Maybe you have to do 2 things at the same time to lock it..I dunno...manual time..

*edit*, it says you have to twist it a quarter turn as you press it

07-08-2009, 19:26	#1
cowasaki Moderator Unpaid Babysitter Real name : Darren Location: Bamber Bridge, Preston. Posts: 17,396 Camera: Dig D700,D300,500D Film Camera: FM, F80, EM.	Praktica MTL5B Took my mum round to my grand dad's house yesterday after my grand daughter came round to see me (there is a photo in there somewhere ). Anyway whilst at my parent's house my dad nips out and pops this tatty camera bag on the coffee table. "Is this worth anything" he asks. I look in the bag......(its like christmas).... 1 mechanical light meter........ (no idea how to use it!) 1 zoom lens......... (no idea what it is or even its range but it looks in good condition) 1 Pentacon 50mm f1.8 prime lens........ (no lens cap) 1 Praktica MTL5B camera appears to be in reasonable condition. 1 remote 1 manual 1 PrACTIKA 1600A flash with manual 3 35mm colour films 1 seriously cheapo tripod I explain that I have absolutely no idea what its worth but tell them that Cameron (my son) is doing A level photography next year and so could probably do with a film camera too. So they said that he could have it for Christmas. What is it worth? Has anybody used one before? The metering system seems very cumbersome ie set ISO for the film, set aperture, press button on front and look through view finder at needle, if it is not in the right place between the marks change the shutter speed or aperture and repeat till it is..... Or have I got this wrong? I could do with learning how to use the light meter too but I will ask about that later __________________ Photo Triggers Ltd. Could you be photographer of the year 2013? (with new film sub section) .

07-08-2009, 19:52	#5
OutLore Feet under the table Real name : Spencer Location: Raleigh, North Carolina Posts: 2,229 Camera: Nikon	Was my 2nd SLR way back when... first was an LTL. Easy to use once you know how... As for the light meter - I have loads, got to a point where I was "collecting" them... there's something about them that I like Don't actually use one though! __________________ OutLore

07-08-2009, 21:33	#24
joxby Loves the place Real name : John Location: The Rhubarb Triangle Posts: 5,500 Camera: Fuji Disposable Pro mk2	dp...doh Last edited by joxby; 07-08-2009 at 21:35.

07-08-2009, 21:42	#28
joxby Loves the place Real name : John Location: The Rhubarb Triangle Posts: 5,500 Camera: Fuji Disposable Pro mk2	Its probably to stop the iso selector from moving in your pocket or whatever, cos that would bugger up your readings. Maybe give it a bit of a wiggle, it may pop out and be locked again.. ere, these meters usually have another scale for readings in really low light. on the back of my Weston was a door, when you opened it it exposed more of the selenium sensor and automatically changed the scale in the top window.. Last edited by joxby; 07-08-2009 at 21:45.

07-08-2009, 21:49	#30
joxby Loves the place Real name : John Location: The Rhubarb Triangle Posts: 5,500 Camera: Fuji Disposable Pro mk2	Maybe you have to do 2 things at the same time to lock it..I dunno...manual time.. edit, it says you have to twist it a quarter turn as you press it Last edited by joxby; 07-08-2009 at 21:52.

07-08-2009, 19:33	#2
scorpius Getting Comfy Real name : Alistair Location: Tormented Space Posts: 133 Camera: Canon 40D	An MTL5B my first SLR about 30 years ago. From what I can remember your description of the metering system is correct, seriously manual and none of this microprocesser controlled malarky. Although it was pretty accurate once you got used to it going from the photos I managed to take. If I remember it correctly the metering was powered by a small CR type battery you inserted into the base of the body.

07-08-2009, 19:37	#3
raathistle Forum Regular Real name : Chris Location: Nottingham Posts: 1,174 Camera: Mamiya 6 rangefinder	I don't have an mtl5 but I have an mtl3 which is very similar. The metering is exactly how you describe and is actually a very nice system. The lenses are m42 mount and will fit a wide range of cameras. They will work quite nicely if your son needs a film SLR. Not the sexiest of cameras but very useable

07-08-2009, 19:49	#4
david1701 The Forum Drunk Real name : David Location: Boooooooode (N.Cornwall) Posts: 9,269 Camera: 5dIII	I have an MTL5B its a sweet little thing battery in the bottom does the meter and mines accurate at least compared to my 50d

07-08-2009, 20:00 Thread Starter	#6
cowasaki Moderator Unpaid Babysitter Real name : Darren Location: Bamber Bridge, Preston. Posts: 17,396 Camera: Dig D700,D300,500D Film Camera: FM, F80, EM.	Thanks, it did not seem very intuitive but if that is how it is done then I seem to have done it right. I stuck a film in it yesterday and Mrs C is going to have a play too. We just wanted to make sure that it actually works before giving it to him for Christmas.

07-08-2009, 20:25	#8
joxby Loves the place Real name : John Location: The Rhubarb Triangle Posts: 5,500 Camera: Fuji Disposable Pro mk2	Easy, which light meter is it ?, there's no such thing as a mechanical light meter, analogue maybe. The best thing about these types of cameras is the mount, M42, and the cheap fablious lenses available for it from loads of weird and wonderful manufacturers you've never heard of

07-08-2009, 20:32	#9
excalibur2 Feet under the table Real name : Brian Location: South Bucks Posts: 3,157 Camera: N2000, A1,T70 & T90,X-700, Konica TC&FT1,RB67,ETRS	*What is it worth? Not much maybe £35 for the lot, on ebay.

07-08-2009, 20:53 Thread Starter	#11
cowasaki Moderator Unpaid Babysitter Real name : Darren Location: Bamber Bridge, Preston. Posts: 17,396 Camera: Dig D700,D300,500D Film Camera: FM, F80, EM.	Oh and the camera and lenses:

07-08-2009, 21:01	#13
Venomator Part of the furniture Posts: 13,053	Oh how I loved that camera...

07-08-2009, 21:10	#15
Adeyb Getting Comfy Location: Cheshire Posts: 194 Camera: Vtech KiddiZoom, Nikon D3, Nikon D80,	I have an MTL5B in my mums loft, with a vivitar 80-200 mm lens and a 2x teleconverter ( I thought I was the daddy ) and a big crappy flash on a bracket, I was only 12 when I had it.

07-08-2009, 21:18	#18
joxby Loves the place Real name : John Location: The Rhubarb Triangle Posts: 5,500 Camera: Fuji Disposable Pro mk2	1. set iso, its set to 200 2. take a light reading, say its 13 3. spin the disk till that red mark is lined up with 13 on the inner disk 4. the middle disk indicates aperture and it will line up with shutter speeds on the outer disk. so guesses f/11 will be opposite 250 = 1/250th, f/8 will be opposite 1/500th, all the apps will line up with a shutter speed giving you the full range of app/shutter speed combinations. simplez Now fix my Mac...

07-08-2009, 21:21	#20
joxby Loves the place Real name : John Location: The Rhubarb Triangle Posts: 5,500 Camera: Fuji Disposable Pro mk2	I was joking, I don't have a Mac...

07-08-2009, 21:39 Thread Starter	#27
cowasaki Moderator Unpaid Babysitter Real name : Darren Location: Bamber Bridge, Preston. Posts: 17,396 Camera: Dig D700,D300,500D Film Camera: FM, F80, EM.	Fantastic I seem to have sussed it but when I was first messing the button on the side when depressed seemed to lock the meter but now it is just staying in and the meter is free to move. I have looked in the instructions and it talks of locking and unlocking it but nothing is happening now. The button is just staying in.

07-08-2009, 21:44 Thread Starter	#29
cowasaki Moderator Unpaid Babysitter Real name : Darren Location: Bamber Bridge, Preston. Posts: 17,396 Camera: Dig D700,D300,500D Film Camera: FM, F80, EM.	No it is just not locking the meter any more.