In 1979 Praktica abandoned their all-mechanical M42 SLR design in favor of a new electronic bayonet mount. This change allowed Praktica to make auto-exposure cameras like other manufacturers of the time.

Praktica made a wide variety of SLRs for this mount from entry-level to semi-professional before discontinuing camera production in 1990. Lenses come from Pentacon, Praktica, and Carl Zeiss Jena (which were all the same company at the time).