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Praktica Super TL1000 with a broken/stuck exposure meter

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harmjangrinwis

harmjangrinwis

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Hey guys,

First post here (let me know if this is the wrong category) :)

I recently bought a shoebox full of camera gear at a flea market. It contained a Praktica Super TL 1000, a Jena DDR 2.8/50, a HC Carenar 2.8/135 and a HC Carenar 2.8/28. Also two old speedlights and the original warranty and invoice. The lady was nice enough to let me take it all for 10 euro.

The overall condition of the set was rather poor. All three lenses had sticky aperture blades, and the 2.8/28 was in such a bad shape I had to throw it out. I did manage to clean the 2.8/50 and 2.8/135, and they're working great again.

The camera itself appeared to be fine, but the exposure meter wasn't working. I figured the battery could be empty, especially since it looks like the gear hadn't been used for some time. The battery lid was completely stuck so I unscrewed the bottom. I bought a replacement battery, cleaned the inside of the battery compartment, and put everything back together.

Sadly, the exposure meter still seems to be broken/stuck. When I press the exposure meter button on the front of the camera, the needle seems to move a tiny little bit, which I think could indicate that it's stuck. Any thoughts? Thanks!
 
harmjangrinwis said:
Hey guys,

First post here (let me know if this is the wrong category) :)

I recently bought a shoebox full of camera gear at a flea market. It contained a Praktica Super TL 1000, a Jena DDR 2.8/50, a HC Carenar 2.8/135 and a HC Carenar 2.8/28. Also two old speedlights and the original warranty and invoice. The lady was nice enough to let me take it all for 10 euro.

The overall condition of the set was rather poor. All three lenses had sticky aperture blades, and the 2.8/28 was in such a bad shape I had to throw it out. I did manage to clean the 2.8/50 and 2.8/135, and they're working great again.

The camera itself appeared to be fine, but the exposure meter wasn't working. I figured the battery could be empty, especially since it looks like the gear hadn't been used for some time. The battery lid was completely stuck so I unscrewed the bottom. I bought a replacement battery, cleaned the inside of the battery compartment, and put everything back together.

Sadly, the exposure meter still seems to be broken/stuck. When I press the exposure meter button on the front of the camera, the needle seems to move a tiny little bit, which I think could indicate that it's stuck. Any thoughts? Thanks!
Click to expand...
In my experience, when the film advance lever is pushed in flush with the back of the camera body, the meter is shut off. Pull the lever out, as if you were go to advance the film to the next frame, and the meter should work.

--
Big Chief "Run-a-muck"
 
Last edited:
Dutch Newchurch said:
As it's a fully mechanical camera, that's not a disaster. If you want to use it, you can pick up a cheap old lightmeter, or even use a lightmeter app on your phone.

--
Dutch
forestmoonstudio.co.uk
Photography is about light, not light-proof boxes.
Click to expand...
True, so far I've used it together with a Minolta. I just set the aperture on the Minolta, choose the shutter speed, and copy the settings. Works as well but I can't use the camera on its own.
 
If I remember right, the Praktica of that era had some meter resistor parts that broke easily and the meter switch was funky. Not the least surprised it is not working. Somewhat unreliable even when a current camera.
 
I recently came across a similar problem. My praktica mlt5 had an old battery stuck in it. I cleaned it out and put a new battery in the camera. My problem is that the lightmeter when activated always aggressively point down, indicating there is to little light present. This is somewhat odd since it was poited directly at the sun with all the settings so it allowed maximum exposure. Anyone familiar with this problem?
 
Let's start with this: https://cameramanuals.org/praktica_pdf/praktica_super_tl-02.pdf

I vaguely remember handling this camera, but my guess will be that the meter needle is stuck, or not getting power for any number of reasons. The meter needle in above the focusing screen, I think.

Here's a huge long shot. Hold the camera upside down and see if the meter works. if it does, there's gunk "up there" between the screen and the pentaprism.

But....it's not that big a deal. The sunny 16 rules still works.
 
Wp02 said:
Hi I have the same problem! Is there anyone who can help us with this ?
Click to expand...
The SuperTL1000 was my first 35mm camera. Very simple and well built, with a shutter that lets everyone know within a 300ft radius that you’re using a camera. The manual for the SuperTL 1000 is here https://www.butkus.org/chinon/praktica/praktica_super_1000/praktica_super_1000-splash.htm

I’m assuming you know you need to pull the stop down lever (next to the shutter release) to activate the meter. The viewfinder dims at the same time if the lens isn’t fully open. assuming you do know this and the battery contacts are clean then it might be something more serious. I’ve not seem manuals for the STL1000 but it’s pretty similar to the MTL5. A description of the meter circuitry for the TL models is here https://cameracollector.proboards.com/thread/5289

Also try asking the same question on the film forum https://www.dpreview.com/forums/1072
 
Last edited:
Overrank said:
Wp02 said:
Hi I have the same problem! Is there anyone who can help us with this ?
Click to expand...
The SuperTL1000 was my first 35mm camera. Very simple and well built, with a shutter that lets everyone know within a 300ft radius that you’re using a camera. The manual for the SuperTL 1000 is here https://www.butkus.org/chinon/praktica/praktica_super_1000/praktica_super_1000-splash.htm

I’m assuming you know you need to pull the stop down lever (next to the shutter release) to activate the meter. The viewfinder dims at the same time if the lens isn’t fully open. assuming you do know this and the battery contacts are clean then it might be something more serious. I’ve not seem manuals for the STL1000 but it’s pretty similar to the MTL5. A description of the meter circuitry for the TL models is here https://cameracollector.proboards.com/thread/5289

Also try asking the same question on the film forum https://www.dpreview.com/forums/1072
Click to expand...
There is a link to the manual pdf at http://camera-wiki.org/wiki/Praktica_super_TL_1000

it references the use of a mercury battery which is not available in the US.
 
BGD300V1 said:
Overrank said:
Wp02 said:
Hi I have the same problem! Is there anyone who can help us with this ?
Click to expand...
The SuperTL1000 was my first 35mm camera. Very simple and well built, with a shutter that lets everyone know within a 300ft radius that you’re using a camera. The manual for the SuperTL 1000 is here https://www.butkus.org/chinon/praktica/praktica_super_1000/praktica_super_1000-splash.htm

I’m assuming you know you need to pull the stop down lever (next to the shutter release) to activate the meter. The viewfinder dims at the same time if the lens isn’t fully open. assuming you do know this and the battery contacts are clean then it might be something more serious. I’ve not seem manuals for the STL1000 but it’s pretty similar to the MTL5. A description of the meter circuitry for the TL models is here https://cameracollector.proboards.com/thread/5289

Also try asking the same question on the film forum https://www.dpreview.com/forums/1072
Click to expand...
There is a link to the manual pdf at http://camera-wiki.org/wiki/Praktica_super_TL_1000

it references the use of a mercury battery which is not available in the US.
Click to expand...
I use mine with a alkaline or silver oxide battery - I think it has a bridge circuit in the meter so it doesn’t depend on the voltage
 
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