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Posted by JohnShaeffer on October 10, 2000 at 13:51:33:
In Reply to: Problems with the Praktica curtains. posted by Ulf Marklund on October 09, 2000 at 23:52:41:
: "Quite often my photos have one lateral edge tending towards dark in comparison to the rest of the photo."
It is likely that your TL is suffering shutter tapering. This where the shutter is not opening all the way, especially at higher speeds. To check it out you can open the back of the camera and watch the shutter curtains as you push the shutter button at speeds of 1/125 of a second or less. You should see the whole shutter window during that instant, and I'll bet you won't.
The bad news is, it will probably be more expensive to fix the camera than it is worth. The good news is, you should be able to pick up a very capable Praktica, with a working shutter and a working light meter for no more than $40 US. I'm not talking about a collector's camera, but a good clean user. For that money you'll be getting a great bargain, because I believe they are some of the best manual cameras around, when you find one with the full aperture metering. But then I am kind of a Praktica nut, owning three already!
Editor's Note: Ulf, I believe your diagnosis is correct but lubrication alone won't solve the shutter problem - the shutter will need to be overhauled which means a complete camera disassembly. This will cost at least two-three times what the camera is worth. Buy another Praktica and keep the old one for parts.
end of archived message
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