"The Praktisix & Pentacon six series is a medium format film SLR system camera manufactured by KW later VEB Pentacon and Kombinat VEB Pentacon, Dresden, former East Germany and produced between 1957-90.

Arsenal Kiev 60 is also with Pentacon six mount. But there is no relationship between the Praktisix/Pentacon six and the Kiev 6C/60. They share a common lens mount and film size but they are in no way the same and the Kiev is not the same mechanically.

There are large variety of Carl Zeiss Jena ^[1] and Schneider lenses for the Pentacon six mount. Also, a large variety of viewing screens, from simple matte to grids or fresnel lens microprism screens, are available. The waist-level finder can be replaced by non-metered or metered prism finders. The metered prisms were introduced in 1968; from this point onwards, the camera was called Pentacon six TL. Nothing had changed in the camera itself; the only thing new was the availability of a metered prism allowing TTL metering.

There is an incredible amount of inaccurate information circulating on the Web about the Praktisix/Pentacon six series of cameras. Indeed, they have some serious problems.^[2]

The original manufacturer of these cameras was Kamera Werkstätten in 1959 they became VEB Kamera and KinoWerke Dresden, in 1964 they became VEB Pentacon and finally in 1970 Kombinat VEB Pentacon. VEB (Volkseigner Betrieb) roughly translates as "People owned Industry". Initially the cameras and accessories had a stylized "KW in a diamond" logo and later the "Pentacon tower" logo." - Camerapedia

Video test of the camera:

In very good condition without almost any known faults. Viewfinder window and mirror looks completely clean and shows perfect image (as shown on the last photo). Biometar lens is completely clean. Focusing ring moves smoothly, aperture adjusting works, aperture are very clean and move properly (see the video). Shutter works and sounds accurate on all speeds (including "B"), but on "125" and "250" speeds the curtain remains open, as shown on video. Shutter curtains are in good condition and seems to close properly. Self timer works, but sometimes runs haltingly. The battery cap of TTL prism is totally stuck, so it cannot be tested (but probably works flawlessly). Case surface is very nice shiny and in very good condition. Apart from the minor deficiencies mentioned above, the camera has no other known faults, and it seems to work flawlessly, but has not been tested with film. For detailed information please refer to photos and video.

Body serial: 122328.

Calr Zeiss Jena MC Biometar 2,8/80 lens serial: 10266688.

You can advise me what kind of tests should be taken with the camera to find out whether it works correctly, otherwise its sold as-is. All liability is excluded for any possible latent defects or unknown/hidden faults which were undiscovered and not mentioned in the description.

Package will be sent by priority mail, very securely packed. If you wish postage with fragile sign, insurance or any special options, please contact me to calculate special shipping fees, otherwise all liability is excluded for any problems caused by postal handling. Any customs duties that may arise need to be paid by the buyer.

Any questions please feel free to ask.