Praktica MTL 3 Pallas 28mm f/2.8

Praktica MTL 3 Pallas 28mm f/2.8 - Good Condition | Heavy-Duty M42 Screw Mount Mechanical Workhorse

Introductory Paragraph The Praktica MTL 3 is the definitive choice for the enthusiast who values an all-mechanical, industrial layout built for pure analog reliability. Manufactured in East Germany by Pentacon, this robust SLR features a metal focal-plane shutter that operates entirely without battery power, making it incredibly dependable in harsh conditions. It is paired with a wide-angle Pallas 28mm f/2.8 prime lens (S/N: 763844), providing an expansive perspective that is perfect for street photography, architecture, and wide landscapes. Utilizing the universally compatible M42 screw mount, this Praktica setup delivers the mechanical honesty and vintage character needed to master traditional manual film photography.

Key Features

• Robust all-mechanical chassis, ensuring the shutter fires accurately across all speeds without requiring any battery power.

• Universal M42 screw mount, offering access to a massive library of historic vintage lenses from dozens of global manufacturers.

• Wide-angle Pallas 28mm f/2.8 lens, ideal for environmental portraits, sprawling street scenes, and expansive landscape work.

• Accurate Through-The-Lens (TTL) stopped-down metering, providing simple match-needle exposure guidance when using the side metering lever.

• Durable vertical-travel metal blade shutter, offering reliable speeds from 1 second up to a rapid 1/1000s plus Bulb.

• Distinctive diagonal split-image viewfinder wedge, enabling fast, needle-sharp manual focus adjustments.

• Convenient front-mounted shutter button, ergonomically angled to match natural finger placement and minimize handheld camera shake.

Condition Report Good condition. Body: The Praktica camera body (S/N: 1182504) shows normal signs of light use and minor cosmetic surface wear consistent with standard vintage handling. Sensor/Optics: The Pallas 28mm wide-angle lens is optically clear; free from fungus, heavy internal haze, or significant scratches. The viewfinder is bright with only minimal internal dust. Mechanics/Electronics: All mechanical systems have been thoroughly checked. The vertical metal shutter fires crisply at all speeds, the film advance strokes smoothly, and the internal match-needle light meter reacts properly to shifting light. Lens aperture blades are snappy, dry, and free from oil.

Specialist Note "The Praktica MTL 3 is a legendary East German tank that strips photography down to its absolute essentials. What I love about this camera is its sheer mechanical endurance—the vertical metal blade shutter is incredibly reliable and completely independent of battery life. Paired with the Pallas 28mm f/2.8 lens, it forms a fantastic street photography kit that gives you a wonderfully wide field of view with that signature, gritty vintage contrast. It’s an honest, no-nonsense tool that is perfect for anyone who wants to learn the absolute fundamentals of manual exposure on film. For an affordable, indestructible analog workhorse, this Praktica setup is a top-tier choice."

What's Included

• Praktica MTL 3 35mm SLR Camera Body (S/N: 1182504)

• Pallas 28mm f/2.8 Wide-Angle Lens (S/N: 763844)

• Strap 

Technical Specifications

• Brand: Praktica

• Model: MTL 3

• Camera Type: 35mm SLR Camera

• Lens Mount: M42 Screw Mount

• Shutter Speed: Mechanical (1s to 1/1000s + Bulb)

• Exposure Modes: Full Manual (Match-Needle Metered)

• Category: 1. Cameras ▸ 35mm SLR Camera

• Battery Type: PX625 Alternative / LR44 (Not Provided)