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.
View profile35mm SLR
Praktica MTL 51983
- Format
- 35mm
- Mount
- M42
- Years
- 1983–1988
- Shutter
- 1s – 1/1000s
- Meter
- ttl-stop-down-cds
The Praktica MTL 5 (1983) is a 35mm SLR produced by VEB Pentacon in Dresden, East Germany. It is the direct successor to the MTL 3 (1978), sharing the same M42 universal screw mount and mechanical vertical-metal focal-plane shutter, but with refinements to the body ergonomics, shutter reliability, and metering circuit. Like the MTL 3, it uses TTL stop-down CdS metering, requires a PX625 mercury battery for the meter, and the shutter is fully mechanical and operates without batteries. The MTL 5 was produced until approximately 1988, when it was succeeded by the MTL 5B variant with a hot shoe for electronic flash. Production volumes were in the hundreds of thousands; the camera was a major export product for East Germany.
Reference
Find film for your Praktica MTL 5
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ISO 400
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Kodak Tri-X 400
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
Kodak Gold 200 is a daylight-balanced C-41 color negative film with warm color, moderate grain, and a classic consumer-film look.
Develop 35mm film
Labs in our directory that process 35mm film.
Before you buy used
- **Mercury battery (PX625).** Wein zinc-air cell (MR-9) or Varta V625U are drop-in substitutes; check voltage sensitivity of the CdS circuit.
- **CdS meter drift.** Verify meter against a known source; CdS cells can age out of calibration.
- **Foam light seals.** Original foam is 40+ years old - replace before use.
- **Mirror bumper foam.** Disintegrates with age; causes focus shift when absent. Replace.
- **Slow shutter speeds.** 1s, 1/2s, 1/4s stick on many examples; test all speeds.
- **M42 mount thread.** Inspect for cross-threading from previous lens removal.
- **Shutter blades.** Inspect for oil contamination on metal blades; rare but possible.
- Service: Independent technicians; the MTL 5 is mechanically uncomplicated and widely serviceable.
About this camera
Refined East German M42 SLR - the MTL 3's 1983 successor with improved ergonomics and a more durable shutter.
Key Specs
Frequently asked questions
- What film does the Praktica MTL 5 use?
- The Praktica MTL 5 shoots 35mm film.
- What battery does the Praktica MTL 5 take?
- The Praktica MTL 5 uses a 1x PX625 (mercury, 1.35V) battery.
- What lens mount does the Praktica MTL 5 have?
- The Praktica MTL 5 uses the M42 mount.
- What shutter speeds does the Praktica MTL 5 offer?
- The Praktica MTL 5's shutter speeds range from 1s to 1/1000s.
- What light meter does the Praktica MTL 5 use?
- The Praktica MTL 5 meters with ttl-stop-down-cds.