The Praktisix is a classic SLR camera for medium format films. Construction began in 1952 and Siegfried Böhm was responsible for the design process. The camera was presented at Photokina in 1956 and went into serial production at the Dresden-Niedersedlitz camera factory the following year.
With later models the production was transferred to the newly founded VEB Pentacon Dresden. The original Praktisix was followed in 1964 by the Praktisix II A and two years later (1966) by the Praktisix II. These models differ only slightly from the original model. The Pentacon Six was introduced in 1966.
The lenses of the Praktisix are interchangeable. Lenses can be used with a Praktisix bayonet / Pentacon Six bayonet / P6 bayonet. The medium format camera with the Zeiss Biometer 80mm f/2.8 is often encountered, but there are a lot of interesting lenses for this bayonet, especially some nice lenses from Zeiss. The Praktisix has no autofocus. Therefore, you have to focus by hand.
The shutter speed and aperture can be selected by the photographer. There is no exposure meter. The subject is targeted by a waist-level viewfinder, but there are also attachments with prismatic viewfinders. The camera comes with a bulb mode. The shutter is open for a variable time. An external flash can be used via the PC flash socket.
The Praktisix comes with a self-timer. There is also a connector for a cable release and a thread for a tripod.
Films for the Praktisix
The Praktisix must be equipped with 120 films. These types of photo films are manufactured by some companies. A good choice for color and black-and-white pictures is the Lomography Color Negative 400 120* and the Kodak T-Max 400*.
You have to think square with the Praktisix. It takes pictures in 6×6 format. At this size, the usual numbers of images fit on a single roll of film is twelve. The film in the camera must be winded manually, as there is no automatic film transport.
Technical datasheet
| Attribute | Specification |
|---|---|
| Type of Camera | Single lens reflex camera |
| Film format | 120 |
| Lens mount | Praktisix mount / Pentacon Six mount / P6-Mount |
| Focus | Manual |
| Viewfinder | Waist-level finder |
| Exposure times | 1/1000 second to 1 second, Bulb |
| Bulb mode | Yes |
| Built-in flash | No |
| Flash Connection | PC-Flash |
| Tripod mount | Yes |
| Cable release thread | Yes |
| Self-timer | Yes |
| Country of production | GDR (German Democratic Republic) |
| Estimated value / Used price | 252,66 Euro Estimate based on used prices of 17 offers (possibly with different scope of delivery and/or condition). As of June 15, 2026 |
| Average used price in the year 2023 | 236,75 Euro (255.45 US-Dollar) |
| Average used price in the year 2024 | 271,52 Euro (293.33 US-Dollar) |
| Average used price in the year 2025 | 268,19 Euro (290.08 US-Dollar) |
FAQ about the Praktisix
What kind of film does this camera use?
It uses medium format film, specifically 120 film. This type of film produces larger negatives than 35mm film, resulting in higher quality images. Popular choices include Kodak T-Max and Lomography Color Negative 400.
How many pictures can I take on one roll?
With 120 film, you can typically shoot around 12 images per roll. Because the camera takes 6x6cm square format pictures, that determines the number of shots on a roll.
Does this camera have autofocus?
No, the Praktisix doesn't have autofocus. You need to manually focus the lens by adjusting the focus ring. This gives you more control over the sharpness of your images, but requires practice.
Is there a light meter built in?
No, the Praktisix doesn't have a built-in light meter. You'll need to use an external light meter or estimate the exposure based on experience and the lighting conditions.
Can I use a flash with the camera?
Yes, this classic SLR camera has a PC flash sync socket that enables the use of external flashes. This allows you to take photos in low-light conditions.