praktica mtl3 info please

dexter35yrs

dexter35yrs

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derek
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hi all i've recently aquired my dads old mtl3 with 2 lenses - he passed away and wanted me to have it - it needs a good clean though. hopefully someone can help with my questions as i dont shoot with film.
can i clean the sensor the same as digital format camera ?
it has a battery, no idea what type- replacement ideas please ?
the 2 lenses i think have passed it - what lens would be a good one 1.8 - 2.8 preferred ? what type of fitment does the mtl3 use ( can i buy an adapter to use nikon lenses ?)
finally how can i get the best out of this old camera - i would like to use it for b&w shots
many thanks
 
Film cameras don't have sensors, that's what the film is the equivalent of.
If I remember rightly you need and M42 screw fit lens for the camera and you won't get auto focus
the battery only works the built in light meter if it has one and if I remember is one of those watch battery types
 
ok great thanks - of course they dont have sensors haha what was i thinking..
 
As Gremlin said it's an M42 thread on the MTL-3, which means you have a choice from a bucket load of lenses from a huge amount of manufacturers. I don't think you'll be able to use your modern DSLR lenses on the MTL-3 (something to do with modern lenses having an electronically controlled aperture which old manual cameras can't adjust), but someone might correct me on that. If you're after a lens then I'd personally go for a nice simple 50mm f/1.8, which there are loads of around at cheap prices.

If you want to get the best of it then there's only one thing to do: get out and shoot! :D Buy some B&W film and get out and use it (a side note, B&W films typically have to be sent off as they cant be processed in store, but C-41 colour can. There are films out there which are B&W but use colour chemicals, so stores can process them for you which means you get B&W photos but don't have to wait weeks to get them.)

If you want to display your images on the interweb then you can get them scanned to a CD in store at a reasonable price. Don't forget to post your shots so we can see how you got on :)
 
You might be lucky with the MTL3 meter being accurate, but it used the old mercury 1.35v battery so if dead...either your choice is a hearing aid or a modern 1.5v battery and adjust the ASA. The original nifty fifty with MTL3's are good lenses (you don't say what they are).
Well it's a good solid camera and I don't mind using mine now and again.
 
The Practika Super TL2 and MTL3 were my first SLR's. My MTL3 shipped with a Pentacon 50mm F1.8 lens, OK but not amazing. My 'standard' lens was a Carl Zeiss Flektogon 35mm F2.4, and I had a Carl Zeiss 135mm F3.5 too. I have noticed that the Flektogon F3.5 has gone up in price over the years while other lenses lenses from the same era have gone down. The Practika used stop down metering. You'll find the Practika's focal plane shutter makes a very loud clunk and there's no MLU. They were made in what was East Germany. When I invested in an Olympus OM system I passed my Practika's to my father as a replacement for his ageing Zenith kit. Have a look here http://www.weincell.com for a PX625 battery replacement.
 
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