Meopta Flexaret III Twin Lens Reflex Camera (6x9)
Photo thanks to Dean Tirrell
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The Meopta corp (formerly Optitechna before 1945) of Prerov, Czechoslovakia made a series of Flexaret Twin Lens Reflex cameras (models I, II, III, IV, VI). Lenses were typically Mirar or Belar 80mm f/3.5 optics in Pronto II shutters. The crank advance on the models I-III changed to a knob advance on the IV. These cameras are often good buys as they aren't well known, often $75 and up, for a TLR user on a budget.
See the above links for related medium format cameras and resources,
particularly the link to the Meopta
Historical page.
This is a Czechoslovakian camera, a Flexaret III, manufactured by Meopta. It was purchased on 6-22-l954 in New York. It has the original box, the manuel, the original warranty card and a leather case, that is in excellent shape. It is equipped with a f/3.5 Mirar 8cm. lens. The manuel says it takes 6X9cm. film, but has a roll of 120 in it.
From: "WEILL" [email protected]
Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
Subject: Re: Flexaret
Date: Sat, 3 Oct 1998
Hi all,
My Mother had one a model III .
I stilll keep it and it still can take good pictures.
Once it was tested versus an Hasselblad lens and the definition was equal..
I don't know if they are still produced or if a newer model ever existed.
Its main shortcoming was that its film advance system was not coupled with
the shutter cocking as in a Rollei. Another "bad" point was the emplacements
of the speed and aperture commands which obliged the user to turn the camera
toward him to set the values. When compared to late Rolleifllex F models
the focusing screen, like many cameras of the 50's and before was much less
clear.
My mother's one had a Prontor shutter with the ols style speed graduation
and limited to 1/300th of a second.
It is limited to 120 films (with the red window on the back to see the frame
number having a sliding flap to close it) but has an external frame counter.
All in all a very good camera optically speaking.
FPW
Marv Soloff a �crit
>The Flexaret is/was made by Meopta in the Czech Republic. It takes >120 film and makes 6 x 6 photos. Quality is fair. > >Regards, > >Marv
From: [email protected] (GARCH28)
Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
Subject: Re: Flexaret
Date: 4 Oct 1998
The Flexaret was made in the Czech Republic from 1958-1962.. It is a TLR
which
takes 120 roll film. If your son is thinking of buying one, look for one with
the Belar lens as opposed to the Mirar lens. Also, I've heard that there
is the
potential for the Flexaret to encounter shutter problems, but this may vary
depending on many things.
To bottom line it, I'd jump at the chance to own one, but I'd check it over
thoroughly.
Good luck!
From: "kab" [email protected]
Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
Subject: Re: Flexaret and 35mm adapter?
Date: Wed, 03 Jul 2002
The 35mm adapter only allows the standard 24mm x 35mm frame, you do get to
take pictures in the sweet part of the camera lens though. The Flexaret
VIIa allows 6x6, 6x4.5, 4x4, 24x35, and 24x24 frame format. The Bayonet
filters are a 2 eared bayonet (Rollei and Yashica et al. have a 3 eared
bayonet), filters are available on eBay and from www.prahacamera.com, The
bayonet filters were used on the Flexaret VI, VII and Standard, the slip on
filters were used on the Flexaret V and older (slip on filters are also
available on eBay and at the aforementioned web site). For more info on
these great cameras, check out the Praha site, they have an users
instructions for the V, VI and VII.
regards,
karl
"Nick Zentena" [email protected] wrote
>
> I'm curious about this. Does it just allow the use of 35mm film or is
> there something more? For example would it be possible to get a 6cm wide
> frame?
>
> Also what are my choices for filters for these camera? How hard to find
a
> red? I think it's a 30mm.
>
> Thanks
> Nick