PL system

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Animation of the automatic gripping and winding process. It shows the double opening, which normally takes place after closing the lid.

The PL system ( Pentacon -Loading) or the Pentacon automatic film loading system is a system for the automatic gripping of the film through the spool, which serves to make better use of the film material. It was introduced to Praktica cameras in 1967 and has been part of all Praktica cameras from then on.

Opened Praktica MTL5B with PL system. The film is pulled under the silver bracket up to the green marking (bottom right)
Original instructions for loading the film (1987)

handling

The miniature film cartridge is in this system in the camera to insert and pull out the film leader to the mark. The lid can then be closed. When the tension lever is operated, a metal bracket on the spool grips the film strip and pulls it out of the cartridge. In order to get to the unexposed area of ​​the film and furthermore to avoid slipping back, the rear wall must be released a few times after closing. According to the manufacturer, this should be done until the image numbering is "1"; in practice, however, one or two blank exposures are often sufficient.

Use

The PL system means that less unexposed film has to be pulled out of the cartridge when the film is inserted into the camera, as the gripping and winding processes are automated. Since the Praktica models expose until the actual end of the film, a few more images than nominally available can be obtained. With a 36-frame 35mm film, 37 to 38 exposures are usually possible. If the film is placed in a darkroom, up to 40 pictures can be taken.