Praktica MTL5B Review
My first introduction to photography was a 90’s digital APS camera where I would capture candid and portrait moments during my teenage years. But the work of the likes of Charlie Phillips, Horace Ove and Dennis Morris and the unique vintage aesthetic encompassing their depiction of community, music art and politics has always drawn my interest towards vintage film cameras.
I had my eye on a few vintage cameras that I wanted to test my skills on and had a few items on my wish list on eBay. But it was on a trip to Portobello Rd market that I came across the market stall Never Knew owned by John. They have a huge selection of familiar and unfamiliar vintage film and digital cameras definitely worth a visit and this is where I was introduced to the Praktica MTL5B.
The Praktica MTL5B offers unique features that set it apart in the world of film photography. Its full-metal body, featuring a striking silver-black finish, houses a combination of a shutter dial, ISO switch, rewind lever, hot shoe, and frame counter on the top plate.
One standout feature is the unconventional front-mounted shutter button, providing both stability and user-friendliness. Situated below it is a self-timer lever, while the depth-of-field preview trigger is conveniently positioned above. Another element that made it even more attractive was the maximum shutter speed of 1/1000s and flash synchronisation at 1/125s. Not likely to be the camera of choice for your average street photographer, but personally I like to be bold and be seen, so a pretty good match for me.
The Praktica MTL5B incorporates a TTL light meter powered by an LR44 battery, which combines film ISO and ambient light to display readings through an analogue needle within the viewfinder. Although I never used this feature I do ok with the sunny 16 rule. But definitely nice to have if you're into that kind of thing.
My short time with the Praktica was very satisfying. I shot on the economical film choice 400 Fomapan and another a 5-year expired roll. Something that was noticeable straight away is the shutter mechanism, which is not only reliable but incredibly responsive. The availability of an affordable M42 lens mount means you really can have a lot of fun with this camera taking advantage of adapters for additional versatility to this mechanical film SLR. I also loved the depth of field preview lever at the side of the shutter button, which really allowed you to see what your picture would look like if correctly exposed. It is a little weighty, but enjoyed the form and weight of this camera very much. Shooting with the Praktica is an enjoyable experience. With prices as low as £20 online it really is a great 35mm camera to get your toes wet in film photography.
