Does anyone know how to tell the age of a Praktica camera, Pentacon lens or CZJ lens from its serial number.
 
Any know of a good web based reference to dating these items.
 
regards
 
Stephen

 What model Praktica is it? I might be able to put a time frame on it from some references. This is an era that is a bit muddy. The east west split of Zeiss following the WW2 period and the ensuing legal difficulties. Give me a model number or a descripti

 Thanks Jim
 
I know the broad age of the camera as it is an MTL3 which I know were made in the late 70s and early 80s, what I was after was anything like the Zenit and helios lenses wherby the year of manufacture is the first two digits of the ser

 Stephen-
   Direct answer? Not that I am aware of. Some others on the board may have further insights,wait and see. In the interim you may find it of interest to Google the following
      Zeiss Historica and
      Something Zeiss to say
 (

 Jim  
 
thanks again for your help
 
Stephen

 I have a MTI3 with Carl Zeizz lenses.The body of the camera does not work,the shutters do not work,the photometer does not work,and dont know what not,
Can anyone guide me if I can get this piece restored in India satisfactorily or if I can ge

I emailed CZ with the serial number etc etc for a lense of uncertain compatability, it was sold on ebay as for Minolta MD but 'wasnt'. A few days later I got a reply that I think even gave the date of manufacture, I thought that an excellent turn