New Camera

[Just Mike]

Hello everyone

I found a very nice Praktica FX 3. The lens is one I can not find much about. The face of the lens says Westron 1:2.8/35 ISCO-GOTTINGEN.

On the bottom of the lens it says "Lens made in Germany with a P under that. The FX 3 was made in 1956 & 57 Germany USSR Occupied is stamped in silver on the back.

Of all the lens I read about I have seen no mention of this lens, can I find. The whole camera seems to have had little use & it has the pop up view down into wiew finder with a small round magnifying glass to flip down into the view, also a metal pull up metal sport see through for action shots.

The lens is a screw in with a spring loaded pin pointing to rear of camera that looks like it serves no purpose. I read that this was a pretty good Camera & that many lens would fit or could be adapted to.

What about the lens, is it a good lens I have? Any suggestions on a 100mm or 200mm Zoom lens that would let this camera reach out for some Wildlife photos?

Thanks for your help.

Just Mike

 

[zaren]

Hello everyone

I found a very nice Praktica FX 3. The lens is one I can not find much about. The face of the lens says Westron 1:2.8/35 ISCO-GOTTINGEN.

On the bottom of the lens it says "Lens made in Germany with a P under that. The FX 3 was made in 1956 & 57 Germany USSR Occupied is stamped in silver on the back.

Of all the lens I read about I have seen no mention of this lens, can I find. The whole camera seems to have had little use & it has the pop up view down into wiew finder with a small round magnifying glass to flip down into the view, also a metal pull up metal sport see through for action shots.

The lens is a screw in with a spring loaded pin pointing to rear of camera that looks like it serves no purpose. I read that this was a pretty good Camera & that many lens would fit or could be adapted to.

What about the lens, is it a good lens I have? Any suggestions on a 100mm or 200mm Zoom lens that would let this camera reach out for some Wildlife photos?

Thanks for your help.

Just Mike

hi mike,

u can get more info at http://captjack.exaktaphile.com/Isco page.htm

cheers!

 

[Just Mike]

Hi Zaren

I have been to this site before, & this is where I first became confused about my lens.

My lens looks just like the 35mm f2.8, however the large chrome knob at the rear of the lens is missing on mine. There are 2 spring loaded pins at the back of the lens, one the larger threaded ID pin, sticks out from the lens. The small rounded solid pin, points into the camera almost like the lens is meant to lock in place until released, maybe by the larger pin.

Part of my lens may be missing, I can't believe a lens just screws in & out stopping anywhere, when it is reinstalled. I will need to try and see a Picture of this lens on an FX 3. I spent a long time in E-Bay & did not see but one camera, with no pic.


From the lens site, my 35mm looks just like this 35mm except for the rear of the lens, I think the rear of my lens is missing, the lens does screw into the Body. I am new to the old SLRs, but I thought most lenses had some type of a lock to realign the lens each time it was installed.
_________________________________________________

The black finish automatic Isco lenses in my collection include:

24mm f4.0 Auto Westrogon

35mm f2.8 Auto Westron

50mm f1.9 Auto Westrocolor
____________________________________________


Mike

 

[patch17]

Hi Zaren

I have been to this site before, & this is where I first became confused about my lens.

My lens looks just like the 35mm f2.8, however the large chrome knob at the rear of the lens is missing on mine. There are 2 spring loaded pins at the back of the lens, one the larger threaded ID pin, sticks out from the lens. The small rounded solid pin, points into the camera almost like the lens is meant to lock in place until released, maybe by the larger pin.

Part of my lens may be missing, I can't believe a lens just screws in & out stopping anywhere, when it is reinstalled. I will need to try and see a Picture of this lens on an FX 3. I spent a long time in E-Bay & did not see but one camera, with no pic.


From the lens site, my 35mm looks just like this 35mm except for the rear of the lens, I think the rear of my lens is missing, the lens does screw into the Body. I am new to the old SLRs, but I thought most lenses had some type of a lock to realign the lens each time it was installed.
_________________________________________________

The black finish automatic Isco lenses in my collection include:

24mm f4.0 Auto Westrogon

35mm f2.8 Auto Westron

50mm f1.9 Auto Westrocolor
____________________________________________


Mike

hi mike,

i think the smaller pin activates your aperture blades. if your lens has an 'A' and 'M' switch, that's what the small pin is for. at 'A' mode, the aperture blades remain fully open for focusing then stops down when the shutter is pressed. in 'M' mode, the aperture blades stop down to the aperture you selected, this gives a "DOF preview" of the scene in your view finder.

i use M42 threaded lenses all the time, and yes, they just screw into the camera body, no stoping anywhere.

hope this helps.

regards

 

[Just Mike]

Found another ‘cheap’ one, huh? You sound more like a collector than someone rummaging around in the attic/basement

:what: You are right, I just keep getting worse ha ha I admit it I am hooked. Right now I am more of a collector than a Photographer, but I am getting closer with each new thing I learn.

$10.00 for the Praktica, $5.00 for the Agfa Isoflash-Rapid with leather case, $6.00 for Minolta Hi-Matic G with leather pouch. Two brand new in leather case, Telephoto & Wide Angle lens set for Canon SureshotII (AF35MII) for $3.00. New Mohawk Tripod $5.00

I got a nice light meter for Fathers day & very soon I will have some Pictures from the Contessa. I may have put the cart before the Horse, because I have been reading like crazy about how to make all the right settings.

Somehow I landed right into a great sell off of all makes & models of 35mm & 8mm Cameras, as people buy the new digital Cameras. I am head over heels on Photography, I make no judgements about what people use. I just love to see, & try to understand how these older cameras (works of art) work. I also feel more like fixing them & using them than letting them become dust collectors.

So the FX 3 is an M42 I have read a lot about the M42. I amazes me how well kept many of these old Cameras are. It's like they were bought, and used very little if at all. I am thinking of trying to find a local Photography club but feel a little behind just starting out and all.

Then I think of how nice & helpful you all have been to me here at Club Snap . I have never liked the term throw away product, & from what I have read about the mechanical SLRs, we can keep them going for many lifetimes.

Thanks to you all for the help in understanding the Praktica, it is a fine looking Camera, I need to clean the lenses & view screen & take it out. With the Blue Ridge Mountains in my back yard, I have pleanty of waterfalls & Animals to photograph.

 

[Brandon]

With the Blue Ridge Mountains in my back yard, I have pleanty of waterfalls & Animals to photograph.

Aww man.. now you're making me jealous

Good luck with this hobby, it's nice to know that there's somebody that's not burning holes in their pocket for photography

Cheers

 

[Ektar25]

I may have put the cart before the Horse, because I have been reading like crazy about how to make all the right settings.
...
I also feel more like fixing them & using them than letting them become dust collectors.
...
I am thinking of trying to find a local Photography club but feel a little behind just starting out and all.
...
With the Blue Ridge Mountains in my back yard, I have pleanty of waterfalls & Animals to photograph.

Hi Just Mike,

Must be a nice time to be there - long summer days and lots of good light

Maybe you could try your local community college - they should be running courses in basic photography - just remember not to buy too many otherwise you'll spend more time indoors than out...

cheers