The Pentacon Six System
by TRA

Frequently-Asked Questions


I welcome questions from people who want to know more about the Pentacon Six system, and have been delighted to correspond with people from many countries since this website was first set up in 2002.  I will always do my best to help.  However, I must point out that this website is run as a hobby.  I cannot guarantee to respond “within the next few hours” – as requested by one enquirer wanting advice on whether to bid in an eBay auction!

I also appreciate suggestions, and enjoy praise!

I hope that most of your questions will be answered by this website.

Below are the replies that I have given to some of the questions e-mailed to me.  I hope that you will find them helpful.

Bounced e-mails

Several times each week I write personal replies to enquirers.  Most of these replies are delivered without any problems.  I know this, because the recipients usually write back to me.  But sometimes my replies are automatically rejected by the original sender’s mailbox.  I will now (from 12th April 2023) put a copy of these bounced replies here, eliminating the original writer’s e-mail address and some personal information.  These may not be “Frequently-Asked Questions”, but they do deserve a reply and the matter may also be of interest to other visitors to this website.

Why should I change up from 35mm to Medium Format?
Why should I choose a square format system?
How can I check a Pentacon Six before buying it? Video tutorials
How do I load my Pentacon Six? Video tutorial
How do I do avoid uneven spacing and do a spacing test?   Video tutorial

What battery do I need for the metering prism?
How do I use the Pentacon Six and Kiev 60 metering prisms?   Video tutorials
How do I choose the right shutter speed and aperture?
What if the shutter speed and aperture numbers don't line up on the meter?  (scroll down)
What is the range of exposures provided by the Pentacon metering prism?

How do I do open-aperture metering with the Exakta 66 prism?
How do I do stop-down metering with the Exakta 66 prism?  (scroll down)
Should I store the Pentacon Six with the shutter cocked or not?

How can I get my Pentacon Six modified to have mirror lock up?
I’ve just finished my first film.  How do I re-wind it?
How do I change the lenses on my Pentacon Six?
What does the film type dial on top of the shutter speed dial do?
I want a 20mm lens for my Pentacon Six.  Where can I get one?

How do I set the aperture on my Pentacon/Meyer-Optik pre-set lens?   Video tutorials
How do I control focus with the Pentacon Six?
I have a chance to buy a lens marked “aus Jena”.  Is it a genuine Carl Zeiss lens?
Is it worth paying extra to get a multi-coated lens?
Is my lens radioactive?
What lens hood or shade should I use for my lens?

Should I be worried about white dots in my Flektogon lens?
How can I make panoramic photographs with my Pentacon Six? 

Is there an adapter to mount Pentacon Six lenses on a Hasselblad / 
Hasselblad lenses on a Pentacon Six?
Where can I get a strap for my Pentacon Six?
How can I change the focussing screen in the Pentacon Six?
Where can I get a Rollei screen for my Pentacon Six / Exakta 66?
What is the East German fresnel screen like?
Why is the Pentacon Six called an “SLR”?

Are there exploded diagrams of the Pentacon Six?


What size filters does the 65mm Flektogon take?
Where can I buy a Pentacon Six / an Exakta 66?
How can I make a flash bracket adapter for my Pentacon Six / Exakta 66?
Where can I get an operating manual for my Pentacon Six?

Where can I get a repair manual for my Pentacon Six and metering prism?
Where can I get my Pentacon Six serviced or repaired?
What is “flocking” and do I need it?
Where can I get the body of my Pentacon Six re-covered?
Is there a way to find out the exact manufacturing date via the serial number?

Should I buy a Pentacon Six or an Exakta 66?
Should I buy a Pentacon Six or a Kiev 60?
Should I buy a Pentacon Six or a Kiev 88CM?
Should I buy a Pentacon Six or a Norita?
Should I buy a Pentacon Six or a Pentax 6×7?
Should I buy a Praktisix II?
Is the Pentacon Six too big?

Is it possible to modify Pentacon Six lenses for use on a Pentax 6×7?
Is it possible to modify Pentax 6×7 lenses for use on a Pentacon Six?
Wouldn’t it be better to use a digital camera?
What scanner should I use for my Pentacon Six images?

Is it possible to use Exakta lenses on my Pentacon Six?
How can I mount an old lens on my Pentacon Six?
Is there a faulty part in my Pentacon Six?
How does flash work with the Pentacon Six?
Is it possible to make a double exposure with the Pentacon Six?
What viewfinder should I use with the Pentacon Six?

Can I use the Pentacon Six in near-zero and sub-zero temperatures?

Two, related questions:
“What do I see when I use a Pentacon Six lens on my 35mm camera?”
and “What is the crop factor with Pentacon Six lenses on APS-C-sized sensors?”

How close can I get with the close-up accessories?
How can I recognise fungus in a lens?  Can it be removed?
The Pentacon Six that I have bought is faulty.  What should I do?

There are also a number of myths about the Pentacon Six.  See details of some of them here.

If your question is not answered, you are welcome to contact me.  (See e-mail address on welcome page)
Please give your e-mail a meaningful title in English/French/Spanish/German, so that I can see that it is not computer-generated junk mail.
(I may, perhaps, just about understand a title in Italian or Portuguese, but will reply in English, as I do not know these languages.)

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© TRA November 2005. Latest revision: April 2023