(EOS 350D, EF 50mm f/1.8, 1s, f/6.3, ISO 100)
The Praktica BMS was made by Pentacon in Dresden, Germany (then the German Democratic Republic) in the late 80s. It is a very sturdy, spartan camera that gets the job done. The loud and resolute sound of the focal plane shutter does not leave place for misunderstandings: the Praktica is a robust performer, made for a lifetime, that is able to take a fair amount of abuse without loosing its grip.
I am using two lenses: a Pentacon Prakticar 50mm f/1.8 normal lens and a Prakticar 28mm f/2.8 wide-angle lens with close-up (macro) capability. Both are manual focus lenses. There are no bells and whistles here: the only aid to the photographer that the Praktica has is a built-in light meter(*), everything else is full manual. There is no automatic exposure program. The loveliest feature is a very ingenious lens and mirror system that displays the aperture currently set on the lens through the viewfinder. Purely optical, no need for complicated electronic communication between lens and camera body for that.
(EOS 350D, EF 50mm f/1.8, 3.2s, f/5.0, ISO 100)
What I love about using this camera is that the overall experience is very similar to using a digital SLR, which is where I come from, but the Praktica made me realize how little do you actually need in order to take a picture. Making a picture turns around the photographer, the camera and the subject. And with the Praktica, as with every full-manual operation camera, the photographer is the only one doing the thinking, and I like this feeling.
The Praktica BMS was produced between March 1989 and December 1990. I do not know when was it made, but I like to imagine that just in the moment my dad's camera was finished and packed, the workers at the VEB (**) Pentacon in Dresden stopped what they were doing and grouped around a radio that was giving a life news report that the borders to West Berlin were open and that the Wall was falling.
My Praktica BMS flickr set
| Maker | Pentacon |
|---|---|
| Model | Praktica BMS |
| Type | Single-lens Reflex |
| Lens #1 | Pentacon Prakticar 50mm f/1.8 |
| Lens #2 | Prakticar 28mm f/2.8 macro |
| Shutter | 4s - 1/1000 + B |
| Film type | 35mm (135) |
| Year | Mar-1989 - Dec-1990 |
| Country | East Germany |
(*) that, in fact, only works with the 28mm lens attached!
(**) Volkseigener Betrieb, meaning people-owned enterprise, as state-owned companies were called in the communist German Democratic Republic.
This camera is all about fine German engineering. Mine is seen all europe with my grandfather who travelled a lot and took thousands of photos with it.
ReplyDeleteNovotny Kid, thanks for your comment and sorry for the late reply :) It is truly a proud heir of decades of finest German engineering indeed.
ReplyDeleteI have this camera and I love the photographs I shoot with it but I never realized what "B" means when we choose the shutter speed, can you explain?
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DeleteAfter the letters P, S, A and M on the exposure dial, some cameras have another letter, B. This stands for Bulb mode. Other camera models place Bulb in the shutter speed control where it appears after the longest shutter speed the camera can time, usually 30 seconds (30"). Other cameras use T for longer time exposures. Check the manual to find out which one your camera uses.
The Bulb setting is appropriate for the times you need really long exposures, such as photographing fireworks or the night sky, performing light painting, or when working in any dim environment.
55 seconds, f/8, ISO 100
Light painting
When you set the camera to Bulb mode, the shutter opens when you press the shutter button and stays open until you let go of the shutter button. It gets its name from the early days of photography when some cameras had a pneumatic shutter release with a rubber bulb on the end. As long as the photographer squeezed the bulb, the shutter stayed open.
Camera set to Bulb (B) exposure mode
On today's digital cameras, keeping your finger on the shutter button for exposures longer than half a minute is bound to create camera movement and a blurry image. So you need some accessories to make the most of the Bulb setting.
First, you need a remote shutter release, which is a "shutter button on a string." One end attaches to a port on the side of the camera. The other end has a shutter button to trigger the exposure. To hold the shutter open in Bulb mode, you press and slide the button forward until it stops. A red outline warns you the shutter is locked open. To close the shutter, you press and slide the button back.
Wired remote shutter release in the locked position
You can use either a wireless or wired release; I prefer the wired models because they don't need batteries. These shutter releases are camera-model specific, so be sure the one you buy works with your camera.
Wired remote shutter release plugged into camera
Second, you need a way to measure the longer exposure time. You can set a timer on your smart phone, observe a sweep second-hand on a wrist watch, or even count off the seconds to yourself (one-thousand one, one-thousand two, etc.).
Finally, because you are making a very long exposure, your camera needs to be completely still. A tripod is the best way to accomplish this
I have a few Prakticas. The one I got into the most is the BX20. With or without flash it's so easy to get beautiful quality photos from it. The flashgun attached (BD24), fires up amazing portraits of my kids. Using this is a joy and puts me right off digital. Plus I actually have learned about photography more as well. I must use my BC1/BCA/B200 more, luckily I've looked after them so they are in good storage.
ReplyDeleteI had this camera in the past, right away when it was launched, used it to photograph Ballet, theatre, opera, performing arts in Brazil for almost 20 years, then I sold it. Now the nostalgic times came and I bought one again from ebayUK, now living in the USA I have mounted my b&w lab again and waiting for my Praktica arrive to star shoot with it! Beautiful clear luminous VF!
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