The Praktica B 100 is a SLR camera, developed by the East German producer VEB Pentacon Dresden and launched in the 1980s.
The lenses of Praktica B 100 can be changed. Lenses with a Praktica B bayonet can be used with the camera. The Pentacon Prakticar 1:1.8 f=50mm MC is often found on the 35mm camera. The Praktica B 100 has no autofocus. It is manually focused.
The built-in light meter makes it easier to measure exposure. It is designed for films in a range from ISO 12 to ISO 3200. The exposure meter is designed to measure exposure through the lens of the camera. There is an exposure compensation of +/- 2 EV. The exposure time can be set manually. The aperture is also freely selectable.
Bulb mode is available for long exposures. In this mode, the shutter will open as long as the shutter release button is pressed. An external flash can be ignited via the built-in hot shoe.
Films for the Praktica B 100
The Praktica B 100 uses 35mm film. 35mm films are still offered by various manufacturers. A good choice of film is the Fujifilm Superia 200* for color photographs and the AgfaPhoto APX 100* for black-and-white images.
For example, a normal 35mm film can hold at this size a least 36 pictures. The film in the camera must be winded manually by the photographer.
In the Praktica B 100 is a thread for a tripod built-in. In addition, there is a connector for a cable release and a self-timer. The dimensions of the 35mm camera are 13,8 x 8,7 x 4,9 cm. The weight of the Praktica B 100 is 530 g. The power supply is provided by one Varta PX 28 6V battery or four LR44 batteries (eBay / Amazon*).
Technical datasheet
| Attribute | Specification |
|---|---|
| Type of Camera | Single lens reflex camera |
| Film format | 35mm |
| Picture format | 24 mm x 36 mm |
| Lens mount | Praktica B lens mount |
| Focus | Manual |
| Viewfinder | Pentaprism finder |
| Exposure times | 1/1000 second to 1 second, Bulb |
| Bulb mode | Yes |
| Light meter | Yes |
| Built-in flash | No |
| Flash sync speed | 1/60 s |
| Tripod mount | Yes |
| Cable release thread | Yes |
| Self-timer | Yes |
| Power supply | 4x LR44 batteries |
| Size | 13,8 x 8,7 x 4,9 cm |
| Dimensions in inches | 5.43 x 3.43 x 1.93 inches |
| Weight | 530 Grams |
| Manufacturer | Pentacon |
| Country of production | GDR (German Democratic Republic) |
| Estimated value / Used price | 63,21 Euro Estimate based on used prices of 34 offers (possibly with different scope of delivery and/or condition). As of June 15, 2026 |
| Average used price in the year 2023 | 105,74 Euro (113.65 US-Dollar) |
| Average used price in the year 2024 | 103,23 Euro (111.49 US-Dollar) |
| Average used price in the year 2025 | 76,27 Euro (82.26 US-Dollar) |
FAQ about the Praktica B 100
Is the Praktica B 100 a manual focus camera?
Yes, the Praktica B 100 doesn't have autofocus. You need to manually adjust the focus using the lens. This is common for cameras from that era.
What kind of film does this 35mm camera use?
It uses standard 35mm film rolls. You can find these readily available from various manufacturers, both color and black and white.
How do I control the exposure on the camera?
The Praktica B 100 has a built-in light meter to help you determine the correct exposure. You manually set both the aperture and shutter speed.
Can I use a flash with the camera?
Yes, it has a hot shoe, so you can attach and trigger an external flash unit. This gives you more flexibility in different lighting conditions.
What's the size and weight of this SLR?
The Praktica B 100 measures 13.8 x 8.7 x 4.9 cm and weighs 530 grams. It's a relatively compact and manageable size for a 35mm SLR camera.