Praktica Nova

Praktica Nova image by Süleyman Demir (Image rights)

Praktica Nova

The Praktica Nova (also known as Praktika nova) was made from 1964 to 1969. It was a thorough design rework of Praktica IV and Praktica V, the first Praktica models with fixed pentaprism eye-level finder. The Praktica Nova got a lower body than its predecessors since its rapid film-wind lever was moved from bottom to top and the pentaprism housing was lower. The camera's shutter release button was repositioned ergonomically into the front side, a feature taken over from the Contax S of Zeiss-Ikon. A characteristic feature of the Nova series was the little film type reminder dial on top of the film advance lever. The camera's constructor was Herbert Welzel.

The camera's Jena 1:2.8 50mm standard lens had an own depth-of-field preview lever. Other lenses for the M42 42mm screw mount could be used instead. Partial pressure on the shutter-release stopped down the lens for depth-of-field preview.

The camera had a focal plane cloth shutter. On its speed dial it had a second dial to activate the slow speeds. These were 1/2 sec, 1/4 sec and 1/8 sec.. The normal speeds were 1/30, 1/60, 1/125, 1/250 and 1/500 sec. plus bulb mode. A triangular red indicator appeared in the top-left of the viewfinder when the shutter required winding.

Praktica Nova with Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar 50 mm f/2.8 w/ small DOF preview plunge, first modification , c.1966 images by Süleyman Demir (Image rights)

Praktica Nova B

Praktica Nova B with selenium meter and mounted accessory shoe
by uwekulick (Image rights)

The Praktica Nova B's built-in selenium meter was not coupled to the actual shutter speed and aperture dials.

Links

• Praktica nova at Praktica-collector.de [1]
• on www.collection-appareils.fr by Sylvain Halgand
  • Pentacon Praktica Nova
  • Pentacon Praktica Nova B
  • Pentacon Praktica PL Nova I
  • Pentacon Praktica PL nova IB

• Praktica nova at [2] by Ryszard Kobus