Adventure in Camera

Praktica MTL50

Photos

I got Praktica MTL50 camera with some problems.

Problem	Reason	Fix
Stuck self timer.	Bent spring in delay mechanism.	Bent end of the spring towards the sprocket.
Unreliable shutter release.	Storage and stuck self timer.	Cleaning and lubricating. Fixing self timer.
Unreliable mirror movement.	Storage.	Cleaning and lubricating.
Poorly working winding.	Storage. Maybe also wearing.	Cleaning and lubricating.
Frame counter not working.	When fixing I moved two ratchet fingers to wrong place.	Moved to right place.
Light meter shows only under exposure.	Broken cable in measurement circuit.	Reconnected.

Helpful information

Source

Instructions for Use. For MTL5. Everything else applies but battery is 4LR44 Camera Manual Library

Disassembly instructions. Model is not same but don't worry... Notes about Praktica MTL-3
As regards the counter, it's all up on top of the shutter control assembly. The counter disk itself has a small spiral spring (a bit like a thick hairspring) under it to return it to zero. There are 2 pawls that engage with the ratchet under the numbered disk, the top one is just to stop it running back to zero, the lower one is the one that is couple to the winding mechanism to advance it. Both are lifted away from the ratchet by the reset lever (which you have correctly identified). If you have to dismantle things further, you can remove the tiny tension spring from the top pawl and then slide this pawl off the spindle. Swing out the lower pawl, and you can then work the lever it's attached to off the spindle. Undo the screw in the middle of the counter disk, which holds the plate with the pointer in place, grip the counter disk _and spiral spring_ together with tweezers and pull the lot off, disconnecting the spiral spring from the fixed stud. If the counter doesn't go back to zero when both pawls are lifted by the reset lever, then it's either jammed or the spring is broken/disconnected. Should be easy to work out what's going on.
The Classic Camera Repair Forum

One of the common problems with Prakticas, Konicas and similar cameras is that the spring that moves back the mirror to normal position gets weak [or out of balance] for some reason.
Photo.net Classic Manual Cameras Forum

With a flat, thin screwdriver you may remove the bottm cover of your camera (four screws, remove the battery first anyway. Watch out for the film-rewind button, it will jump out, but is easy to put back upon reassembly!). Right under the taking roll there is a potentiometer, that should be coupled with the ASA/shutter dial. Set DIN17 and 1/15s - the silver wiper of that potentiometer should appear in the index hole. Check if it moves when changing shutter speeds. If this works, check for any loose/broken wires.
The Classic Camera Repair Forum

As I mentioned earlier VR1 = [VR2/VR3] x LDR. Or VR1 - [VR2/VR3]x LDR = Zero. That is the pointer needle at zero. Since your needle is moving freely now keep VR2 and VR3 equal [or near equal] and try adjust VR1 to get the needle to zero.
Praktica SLR Light Meter Circuit
Calibrating the light meter of the MTL-3
Buying Praktica MTL 5 - what to look for?

Things about camera fixing Matt's Classic Cameras: Repair Tips

Generic information Ace Index: DIY Do-It-Yourself
Camera Repair Resources

	Source
Instructions for Use. For MTL5. Everything else applies but battery is 4LR44	Camera Manual Library
Disassembly instructions. Model is not same but don't worry...	Notes about Praktica MTL-3
As regards the counter, it's all up on top of the shutter control assembly. The counter disk itself has a small spiral spring (a bit like a thick hairspring) under it to return it to zero. There are 2 pawls that engage with the ratchet under the numbered disk, the top one is just to stop it running back to zero, the lower one is the one that is couple to the winding mechanism to advance it. Both are lifted away from the ratchet by the reset lever (which you have correctly identified). If you have to dismantle things further, you can remove the tiny tension spring from the top pawl and then slide this pawl off the spindle. Swing out the lower pawl, and you can then work the lever it's attached to off the spindle. Undo the screw in the middle of the counter disk, which holds the plate with the pointer in place, grip the counter disk _and spiral spring_ together with tweezers and pull the lot off, disconnecting the spiral spring from the fixed stud. If the counter doesn't go back to zero when both pawls are lifted by the reset lever, then it's either jammed or the spring is broken/disconnected. Should be easy to work out what's going on.	The Classic Camera Repair Forum
One of the common problems with Prakticas, Konicas and similar cameras is that the spring that moves back the mirror to normal position gets weak [or out of balance] for some reason.	Photo.net Classic Manual Cameras Forum
With a flat, thin screwdriver you may remove the bottm cover of your camera (four screws, remove the battery first anyway. Watch out for the film-rewind button, it will jump out, but is easy to put back upon reassembly!). Right under the taking roll there is a potentiometer, that should be coupled with the ASA/shutter dial. Set DIN17 and 1/15s - the silver wiper of that potentiometer should appear in the index hole. Check if it moves when changing shutter speeds. If this works, check for any loose/broken wires.	The Classic Camera Repair Forum
As I mentioned earlier VR1 = [VR2/VR3] x LDR. Or VR1 - [VR2/VR3]x LDR = Zero. That is the pointer needle at zero. Since your needle is moving freely now keep VR2 and VR3 equal [or near equal] and try adjust VR1 to get the needle to zero.	Praktica SLR Light Meter Circuit Calibrating the light meter of the MTL-3 Buying Praktica MTL 5 - what to look for?
Things about camera fixing	Matt's Classic Cameras: Repair Tips
Generic information	Ace Index: DIY Do-It-Yourself Camera Repair Resources

I don't know about right chemicals. I used CRC Precision Cleaner stuff for cleaning and PRF Kontakt 7-78 lubricating cleaner for cleaning ja lubricating.

It's me behind the page: kaje at iki.fi