Praktina IIA
The Praktina IIA was the last of the historically significant lineup of Praktina cameras produced by the German company KW (Kamera Werkstätten Guthe & Thorsch). The IIA model was introduced in 1958 and produced for only a couple years until the line was discontinued. The system is noteworthy as being one of the first professional SLR systems to be developed and is billed as the first 35mm SLR camera to feature interchangeable lenses, prisms, focusing screens, film back and motor drive. The Praktina system uses a breechlock lens mount unique to Praktina cameras and was meant to reduce issues with imprecision in lens manufacturing as well as normal wear and tear from mounting lenses. In addition to the interchangeable prism, the cameras also feature a direct optical viewfinder intended for use when a waist level finder was mounted to the camera or with lenses that used preset apertures. The camera's back door was not hinged in order to make attaching a bulk film back easier. A spring-driven motor drive was originally available for the camera and that was later replaced by an electrically-powered version.
The IIA version offered subtle improvements. Shutter speeds progress geometrically from 1s to 1/1000. Full automatic aperture diaphragm control was also carried over from the last version of the Praktina FX. Also, the number of flash sync ports was reduced to a single port and flash sync type was selected via a dial atop the camera body.
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