Praktica L - first generation
Production period: December 1969 to October 1978
Number of Models: 20, including 3 prototypes
Number of produced items: 1,110,357
responsible constructor: Rolf Noack
The degree of standardisation of this series dither in dependence of the final model between 70 and 90%.
The cameras were characterized by the following features:
 | vertically-moving metal blade |
| chromium plated plastic and metal parts for the casing |
| absolute new developed open aperture exposure metering using the an in the lens implemented resistor to simulate the effect of the aperture whereas the photographer looks at the open aperture (electronic aperture simulation) |
The first generation enclose five basic models:
- Praktica L: basic model without exposure meter
- Praktica LLC: top model using electronic aperture simulation
- Praktica LTL: model using TTL-metering using stopped-down procedure
- Praktica LB: camera with an uncoupled integrated exposure meter
- Praktica VLC: camera like LLC but with interchangeable view finders
During this time some modification of this models were made for export by order of different chains of retail shops, for example for Porst, Hanimex, ...
Beneath of this modification some in-plant modification were established, for example the LTL 2, super TL2 or LB-o.
The LTL 2 use two LED-elements as an light-scale, The Praktica super TL 2 demonstrates a shorter shutter speed interval between 1s and 1/500, no self timer and some small detail changes. The Praktica LB-o was a camera with an optically released grey-wedge for the metering.
The Praktica L magic-cube was a prototype who fail because of the lacking production of flashcubes in the domestic market. The Praktica VLC motor were only developed for the use of the state secret service.
The typical attributes of the Praktica L:
| new design of the camera body |
| metal blade shutter with geometrically divided speed array between 1s and 1/1000 and B |
| transversely adjustment of the shutter release mechanism at the front of the camera |
| Pentaprism using a Fresnel lens with microprism range finder and additionally circular ground glass circlet |
| shutter tensioning indicator |
| screw mount M42x1 |
| internal automatic aperture release |
| X-synchronisation using 1/125s synchronisation time |
| hot shoe (accessory shoe) |
| quick-release lever for film transport and shutter tensioning |
| Pentacon Loading-System |
| foldable rewind-crank |
| rewind lock |
| auto-zeroing frame counter |
| instant return mirror |
| fixed camera back |
| light metal-camera body with black leatherette |
Beside the typical style of the cameras:
Praktica cameras with black finish were regularly produced:
| Praktica L, LLC, LTL, LB, VLC and LTL 2 |
Production without self timer:
| Praktica LTL and LTL 2 |
Production with self timer:
| Praktica L and LB |
| Hummel-No |
camera-name |
| 169 |
Praktica L |
| 170 |
Praktica L magic-cube (prototype) |
| 171 |
Porst reflex CX 3 |
| 172 |
Praktica autoreflex S |
| 173 |
Praktica LLC |
| 174 |
Porst reflex CX 8 (prototype) |
| 175 |
Praktica LTL |
| 176 |
Porst reflex CX 6 |
| 177 |
Praktica autoreflex S-TL |
| 178 |
Revueflex TL |
| 179 |
Praktica LB |
| 180 |
Praktica LB o |
| 181 |
Porst reflex CX 4 |
| 182 |
Praktica autoreflex SL |
| 183 |
Revueflex BL |
| 184 |
Praktica VLC |
| 185 |
Praktica VLC motor (prototype) |
| 186 |
Praktica LTL 2 |
| 187 |
Praktica TL |
| 188 |
Praktica sper TL 2 |
| 
