C41
Kodak Portra 400
Kodak Portra 400 is a professional C-41 color negative film known for flexible exposure latitude, natural skin tones, and fine grain.
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The Praktica MTL 3 (1978) is an East German 35mm SLR built by VEB Pentacon in Dresden. **M42 universal screw mount** (same as Pentax Spotmatic, Soviet Zenits), mechanical vertical-metal shutter to 1/1000s, TTL stop-down CdS metering. No frills — no AE, no AF, no automation. Built-in mass for state-controlled photographers in East Germany; exported globally. Production volume was massive — approximately 1.5 million MTL 3 units made.
Reference
Recommended film stocks for the 35mm format your camera takes.
C41
Kodak Portra 400 is a professional C-41 color negative film known for flexible exposure latitude, natural skin tones, and fine grain.
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Kodak Tri-X 400 is a classic black-and-white film known for strong tonality, visible grain, and documentary character.
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Kodak Gold 200 is a daylight-balanced C-41 color negative film with warm color, moderate grain, and a classic consumer-film look.
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Before you buy used
About this camera
East German M42 SLR. 1.5 million made, $50 used, the cheapest entry into the M42 lens system.
| Field | Value |
|---|
| Format | 35mm |
| Mount | M42 universal |
| Years | 1978–1984 |
| Shutter | 1s – 1/1000s + B, mechanical vertical metal |
| Flash sync | 1/125s |
| Meter | TTL stop-down CdS |
| Modes | Manual |
| Weight | 700 g |
| Battery | 1× PX625 mercury (meter only) |
The Praktica M42 line started 1949 with the Praktica (rebadged Contax-D mount); evolved through PL, MTL, BC, BX, and BMS variants. The MTL 3 (1978) was Pentacon's late-period workhorse; replaced by the MTL 5 (1983), MTL 5B (1985). Pentacon merged with Carl Zeiss Jena in the late 80s; East German camera production declined post-reunification.
For 2026 buyers, the MTL 3 is the cheapest M42 SLR you can buy. Used at $40–120. The vertical-metal shutter is more durable than horizontal cloth shutters of the era (no light leaks from cloth wear), and the M42 mount accepts every M42 lens ever made — Carl Zeiss-Jena Pancolar 50/1.8, Tessar 50/2.8, Soviet Helios-44 58/2, Industar-50 50/3.5, and any Pentax Takumar. Trade-off: build quality is rougher than Japanese M42 SLRs, the meter is voltage-sensitive (mercury), and slow speeds stick frequently.
M42 universal: Carl Zeiss-Jena (Pancolar 50/1.8, Tessar 50/2.8, Flektogon 35/2.8, Sonnar 135/3.5), Pentacon 50/1.8 ("Pancake"), Soviet (Helios-44, Industar-50), Pentax Takumar (any era). The Pentacon 50/1.8 lens has its own cult following — six-element design with smooth bokeh.
BW
Ilford HP5 Plus is a flexible ISO 400 black-and-white film with classic grain and strong push-processing tolerance.
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Kodak Ektar 100 is a fine-grain C-41 color negative film with saturated color and high sharpness.
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