The Praktica MTL 5B was generally considered to be a relatively inexpensive camera when it was released in 1985. It was part of a line of cameras produced in East Germany, known for being functional and affordable, catering to amateur photographers and enthusiasts on a budget.

It was positioned in the lower-to-mid price range. It was certainly not considered a luxury or high-end camera, but rather a practical and accessible option for those seeking a reliable SLR camera without breaking the bank. Its affordability was part of its appeal, making it a popular choice for students, hobbyists, and anyone interested in exploring film photography without a significant financial investment. Let’s be honest, no camera is perfect. The MTL 5B has its quirks, but its strengths far outweigh its weaknesses

Today you can pick these cameras up for anything between £10-£50! I actually struggled to find one above £50 which is amazing for a camera of this quality. Compare this camera to any other SLR with similar functions. It’s proper cheap! But don’t let the price fool you into thinking it’s no good. The one I have, which was given to me by a good friend works a treat!

It may not be the most comfortable camera to use. It’s heavy and take a bit of getting used to but it sings a nice tune once you have a good lens on!

It has shutter speeds from 1s to 1/1000, ISO range from 12-1600, frame counter window and also a hot shoe for flash. So there is plenty to get creative with. And the best thing I like is this cameras lens mount is M42 Screw Fit! I have a few of those lenses and even used ones online are inexpensive and plentiful too on the used market.

Features:

• TTL Metering with Modern Convenience: The MTL 5B boasts a through-the-lens (TTL) light meter, ensuring accurate exposures even in challenging lighting situations. Unlike some older Prakticas, it uses readily available LR44 batteries, eliminating the hassle of hunting down obsolete mercury cells. Unfortunately this cameras meter is a bit twitchy!
• M42 Lens Mount – A Gateway to Vintage Glass: One of the biggest draws for me was the M42 screw mount. This universal mount opens up a world of creative possibilities with a vast selection of affordable vintage lenses from various manufacturers.
• Built to Last: This camera is a tank! Its all-metal construction feels reassuringly solid in your hands, and it’s built to withstand years of use and abuse.
• Simple and Intuitive: Despite being a fully manual camera, the MTL 5B is surprisingly easy to use. The controls are logically laid out, and the viewfinder is bright and clear, making it a great choice for beginners and experienced photographers alike.
• Mechanical Shutter: No need to worry about batteries dying in the middle of a shoot. The MTL 5B’s mechanical shutter operates even without power, ensuring you can keep capturing those precious moments.

What about the downsides? There isn’t many!

• Weight: It’s a bit on the heavy side, especially with a lens attached.
• No Depth-of-Field Preview: You’ll need to rely on the depth-of-field scale or stop down the lens to preview your depth of field.
• Basic Feature Set: It lacks some of the bells and whistles of modern cameras.
• Metering: The metering system can be a bit finicky in certain lighting situations.
• Shooting: I found the fire button to be in an awkward position with the stop down meter very close!

I have only used this camera once so far and it was a joy to shoot. All of the shutter speeds appear to be accurate and the mirror operates as it should, so thats all I could ask for. The rest for good photos is up to me and the lens I choose. As I said, the meter is a bit twitchy so I don’t rely on that.

Some example photos:

Chinon 50mm Lens. Ilford FP4 pushed to 400 developed in D23 Stock.

You see a light leak here. That was from the FP4 bulk load! Not the camera.

Hanimex 28mm

Hanimex 28mm Lens with Fish Eye Adapter

Chinon 50mm

And these lenses I used were cheap lenses too!

So there you have it. The Praktica MTL5 b. An excellent camera, built like a tractor and very capable for taking great photographs. Heavy, a bit fiddly with the fire button if you are used to a regular SLR where the fire button is on the top, but you soon get used to it. If you get one with a working light meter then you have a bargain camera!