Today I received my Flexaret VII. Thanks to your channel I learned about it. I got it from cupog who is indeed super nice. He delivered a perfectly serviced Flexaret and was very communicative. I would definitely recommend shopping through his ebay shop. I'm so happy with your channel. 15 years after graduating from a masters degree in photography I am shooting again! Thanks for all the info and lovely video's packed with inspiration!
I'm from Czech republic and these cameras are cheap if you want to start shooting medium format. This particular model costs here about 1800CZK (you can get more models in different price range) which is something about 88USD. A lots of people have this camera at home for ages, covered by dust. I'm like super proud that it's popular in the world :) I think I have to get one. Because other medium format systems are really expensive for beginners or if you just starting with film.
...2017, May, I just received my Flexaret Vll from Slovakia, from gupog, the seller you recommended on Ebay, and let me tell you, my friend, this is one beautiful camera, in amazingly great shape, hard to believe this was made in 1967, someone loved this machine and kept it in fine shape, and I just love it. I have to leave the seller feedback, great ebay seller, great communication...if anyone is looking to buy this item you cannot go wrong with cupog. And, Ted, thank you for this great video, I bought this thing after I saw this video, I live in Germany, from Alabama, and watching these vids makes me feel more at home (I get terribly homesick sometimes). I love your channel, enjoy your presentations as well. I started taking pictures way back in the mid sixties (a cheap Kodak camera I took with me everywhere) and, although I did not pursue it as a career (I am a visual artist, and was a textile designer in NYC), I took classes at the university, got some awards for pictures I took overseas (Japan) when I was in the AF, and I just love cameras, and this item is absolutely wonderful, thanks again and best wishes from Deutschland....
Ted, thanks to this video you made me a fan of Flexaret TLR cameras. Today I'm the proud owner of a beautiful "IIIa" model (with crank winder). Here's a tip, re: SYNCHRONIZING THE VIEWING & TAKING LENSES ... at least with the Flexaret IIIa: The viewing lens has a tiny screw on the side of the bezel which seems to be a friction screw. Loosening it will allow that lens to unscrew on very fine threads. What else can this be -- but the method of adjusting the viewing lens? I tape-measured an object across a long table, set the taking lens to that distance-- and then slowly turned the viewing lens until the viewfinder image was sharp. And I tightened the friction screw. Synchronized! It was the blurred images from my IIIa's first roll of film that revealed, to my horror, the lenses were not synched. In subsequent tests I found the taking lens to be accurate to the focusing knob. I searched high and low online, read the woes of others with the same problem -- even e-mailed a few Flexaret specialists -- but nowhere did replies contain information on that tiny friction screw. So, there you have it. I hope I got it right, and this helps others with their Flexaret TLR's.
There's a guy on ebay who deals in just Flexarets in eastern europe. The cameras are not that expensive but the shipping is. You could buy one of these cameras for about 70-75 dollars, but the shipping would be around 30-40 dollars. I have the Flexaret 5 and I'm loving it. I've been into the older Czech photographers such as Sudek and this camera gets me into the east european mood of looking at and taking pictures.
Love the art-deco design ! Flexarets are very pretty cameras. So much character in these old TLR's, just got a Ricohflex VII, a must have triplet lens.
very good show :) I am from Slovakia and my grandfather used to use flexaret. When I had scanning old familly photos (taken on old czechoslovak Fomapan or ORWO films), I found that there are few astonishing pieces.. that sharpness and contrast... it is very hard to compete even with my mamiya 645pro
Nice review. I didn't realize the Flexorets were so good. I used a cheap (Uniflex) TLR though my high school and half my college years back in the fifties. Loved it. I got plenty of pics with it into the yearbooks. I also had some semi-pro success years later with a Yashicamat. I miss the TLRs.
Great review as always! 😊 I have this same camera in black leatherette and find the lens remarkably pleasing with a sharp but beautifully smooth bokeh. EuroTech Camera in Austin Texas did a fantastic CLA. THANK YOU TED! -Mark
This inspired me to buy a Flexaret VI on Ebay. Love it! Nothing automatic about it....makes you think before taking a shot, which leads to better pictures. And love the medium format!
I bought my first TLR two months ago, it's a Yashicaflex model C. I shot two film spool for test, color negative and black and white. I'm excited to see the results. By the way I love the show. Greetings from Argentina!
Great video. These Flexarets are seriously underrated as user TLR's... I've had TLR gas for a long while... and short of the Rolleiflex and the Kalloflex, there's nothing that will touch them!
Hey, reall helpful video. I'm from Czech republic, so these cameras aren't that rare here, almost every family in the 19's had them. Recently I found one in my grandma's wardrobe. It's from 1965. Tommorow I'm going to buy a film a try take some photos. I've never shot on analog camera so it's gonna be interesting. So thanks for the video I hope I know what to do.
I wish you hadn't unleashed the world on Cupog and his flexarets. They have been an absolute bargain. He definitely deserves the business though and your review was fantastic.
Based on your episode 111 TLR video, I purchased a Flexeret IV from a dealer in Czechoslovakia. It's a little quirky (HA!) and your video had me pulling mine out of the bag to explore some of the features. The focusing lever reminds me of the Minolta Autocord, except much sturdier. The covering, though, just doesn't live up to the quality of the rest of the camera and may get replaced at some point. As always, excellent and informative! Thank you for sharing!
I have been in photography since 1969. I have owned a variety of TLRs. I first started with the Yashica Matt 124, I had a Rolleiflex 2.8F and a Mamiyaflex 220 which I had an 180mm lens on. I almost forgot to mention my Rolleicord. These are fun cameras. Perhaps I will buy some in the future. I am glad you showed us this camera. Part of my nationality is from Czechoslovakia. I might check this camera out on e-bay. I'm glad you make these videos. (www.lonniepaulsonphoto.com) Some of those photos are from TLRs.
I hope the price doesn't skyrocket because you suggested these! If I can find one for a good price I'll probably pick one up next month. I've been looking for something different... I've never had one before so it'll be a challenge!
I have 2 of these as a gift from a friend in Dresden. Haven't really used them, cause I prefer one of my Rollei TLRs. But after viewing some of the sample pics, may have to dust them off, and give them a try!
I got a Mamiya C220 that came as a present from a friend that wanted me to give her usage. It looks great. I wish that I could find the "paramender" intended to correct parallax as the camera has close up focusing with bellows. I wish to do more botanicals with this camera, shoot Fuji Velvia and have it scanned professionally! Sounds like a New Years resolution, so be it!
BE CAREFUL! The knob that advances your film also cocks the shutter. The button you are refering to is used for double exposure (so you cock it without advancing). It says so in the manual. I was also warned by a technician in the shop when buying the camera as it is a common mistake and can break the camera in a long term (cause you are basically cocking it twice). Luckily they are easy and cheap to fix.
Hi Mark, I used to have one of those Lubitels. It was certainly great fun to use. The thing I like about TLRs is the slightly different point of view you get (always looking slightly upwards). I hope you have fun with the Lubitel!
Love the show Ted. Watched all 100 episodes over the Christmas Holiday. I think you may have misspoke about the flash hot shoe on the TLR. Like my old Nikon Photomic Ftn from he early seventies, I had to connect the flash to the camera with a cable making it just a flash shoe, not hot shoe. Love the three show a week format. Keep up the good work.
I had a Flexaret? not sure of the version as my first good camera while in High School. I had the full kit with 35mm carrier closeup lenses and more. I used the the 35mm because as a student bulk 35mm was in the budget. I think I remember a viewfinder that attached to the flash shoe on the side to compensate for close-ups because the view lens is higher the capture lens.
Hi Ted, thanks for a wonderful review. These Flexaret's are truly better them they seems. I have done lots of beautiful images with this camera, I can really recommend these... another nice piece of good old czechoslovak machinery, thanks again for this review :)
Once again, thanks Ted. I have a Mamiya TLR and relatively easy to get on line at places other than eBay. It is blast to use and was picked up after seeing your shows on minimalist development of BW film. I hope to use it today when out for mother's day. I agree you need to be familiar with the camera and think your tip on using one for a while is wise, not always intuitive on how to do the basics such as advance film.
I was fortunate enough to acquire a well preserved Flexaret IIIa complete with filters and close-up lenses. Everything is clean and works well. The hand-crank draws the 120 film across the frame smooth as silk. HOWEVER ... I have the same complaint as many Flexaret owners online: though the taking lens seems to be in synch with the focusing lever -- THE VIEWING LENS IS NOT IN SYNC WITH THE TAKING LENS. In the viewfinder the subject is sharp. But the finished product is out of focus. Does anyone know how this might be corrected?
You can get them from eastern Europe still from a certain deal that deals with them. It will take some time to receive because it has to go through custom thing.
the round lever on the side, is not the shutter cook, this camera is automatic, when you wind the film, it cook the shutter automaticly, that lever cook the shutter for double exposures
I have two pieces, IIa model and VII as well, making a nice pictures. They were made physically up to 1969 (by paper up to 1972? I think) Thaks for review! :)
Could have sworn that I watched one of your videos where you demonstrated how to load the 120 film. I cannot seem to find it now. Was I mistaken? I have a flexaret vii and just received my film and am excited to get familiar with it....
I've been researching various medium format options for a workshop I'm going to teaching. The Belar lens is a four element, essentially a Tessar and a later model would benefit from having multi-coating so as to improve contrast and apparent sharpness, which could well make it superior to a single coated optic on say, an old Rollei. Still, I don't think it would be as sharp as a Hasselblad lens (Planar). I'd love to see a controlled side-by-side comparison, both wet-printed and from a scanned negative. Maybe even throw the Rollei in the mix? Test wide open and stopped down?
Just happened upon this today. Thank you, Ted. Also a heads up that the Cupog site tried to install malware on my computer. Fortunately, my virus checker blocked the attack.
Wow, why didn't I find this video earlier? I own one of these cameras. But haven't tried it. I even own the 35mm film adapter. But no clue how to use it. I hoped you could tell me.
watching this from Czech republic, thanks for the video, I want to buy my first TLR I think I will go for a Flexaret, they are quite cheap here. Gretings from Prague
Can you find them easily? I'm guessing since you're close to the source they've got to be around. Highly recommended.
10 лет назад
theartofphotography You can buy flexarets very easily in Czech republic, but same problem as on ebay: some of them are in excellent condition, some of them are close to crap. i got lucky last time, i bought Flexaret VI for about 35 USD in excellent condition (even original leather back is in excellent condition). usually, Flexaret VII in great condition cost as much as 100 USD. its because of crappy prestor shutters - most of them were low quality at 70s, so if you have ffully working F VII, youre lucky. and btw, there are still some of the former technicians, who worked at Meopta in 50s - 70s on Flexarets and they are able to repair those cameras with original parts (afaik). Anyway, thanks for this video, its great to see someone comparing those great Meopta Belar/Mirar lenses to Zeiss/Leica. Have a nice day, Ted...
theartofphotography Thanks David for your complement of answer, Yes they are easy to find, if you pass by prague I recommand Fotoskoda shop and Jan Pazdera on Vodičkova street, cool "cheap" second hand stuff there, I went there to look for a flexaret but in the end I bough an old Rolleicord 2 for 75euros I preferred it because it was black, and flexaret is only available in grayish tone and of course for the german built and zeiss lens, it works like a clock, sounds nice,I shot 3/4 rolls and I just love it:)
Been shooting with a yashicamat 124g and now I look at 35mm like a dog looks at spam. Thinking about the Cadillac of TLR's, the Mamiya C330. Any experience with that?
hi, can i have your opinion, i wanted to get a TLR and i happened to google n link to your channel. Initially i wanted to get a mamiya c330, but i got another offer which is half of the price (and lower) of mamiya c330 - Flexaret VII TLR. which will you advised me to get, the image quality of both unit.
Hi Ted, I have a Meopta enlarger (got it brand new 1978) and I still use it. Would you do a review on the Tessina 1/2 frame 35mm? That was my very first 35mm camera in 1975, I use that one once in a while, but still works great.
I actually have a Flexaret VI which has given me a problem which I was hoping perhaps you may know something about, the aperture /f-stop is stuck at wide-open. Do these cameras have an aperture lock? Or could it be that my camera is simply in need of repair ? My VI doesn't have the little grooves/notches like the VII, I do love this camera, what do you think?
you might have press the shutter too hard, i think i broke mine that way. You might need a repair, talk to the ppl who sold you more and ask for pointers i'll say.
Hi ted how about the voigtlander brilliant and the iconaflex bought a voiglanfer Vito b the lantar lens is very impressive beluve the skopars are drilluant
Formát 6x4,5 môže strilelať len F Vll a to len z maskou a je potrebné pretočiť ukazovateľ úplne na spodku kamery pod pretáčaním filmu tak aby bolo v správnej pozícii č 45 nie 60 !
Hi! Old video, I know! But a tip before I start if you are still active! Last camera it turned out that I actually had to wind the lever two times for each exposure. This I learnt after the first expensively developed film... Is this the case for the flexaret to?
Has anyone from the USA who has purchased one of these from the recommended seller can say what is involved with customs clearance and the costs, if any?
Guys help me figure it out - today we found a camera in the barn - which my grandfather brought from the war, looks older than yours, Meopta- Czechoslovakia number 4828
I have a Flexaret VI, but for some reason the shutter only fires when the rear lid is open! As soon as it's is closed, the shutter is locked. I had it recently serviced and it was working well for a few fires, now it's doing the same thing again... Maybe I'm messing something up.
Thanks for the feedback guys, the camera works excellent with film now. Shot off 3 rolls now just have to develop! Never ran into a camera with this "problem" before!
Anything you can use with a sync cable. I miss-spoke in the video when I showed the hot shoe - its actually a cold shoe. You'll need to meter the flash as well. Hope that helps!
+exmas2006 yes, you can. There is a small circle on the right side (I think) and you can use this as a image counter for images above number twelve. I never tried this but I got this info in some special user manual.
Can somebody tell me the amount of spreading in the production quality? I have heard from kiev-cameras (the kiev88 is a hasselblad-clone), that there are big spreadings in quality. Also the kiev is from the ukraine, not ČSSR.
Great episode Ted, glad to see that you are back to the basics ! Knowing about film cameras and film photography in general is a great inspiration. I think this is the seller you talked about in the video stores.ebay.com/Cupog-Collectible-Cameras .
Yeah, almost every old peoples I know have Flexaret, my grandma gave it to me. So, there are "instagram girls" on streets, posting boring photos with Iphones every day, and me: ok, let's take a photo with Flexaret on some square, and I see a lot of weird-looking guys at me like: wtf, are we in 21st century? :D ok have a nice day and always take selfies with Flexaret!
Thank you Sir. That is indeed a prize camera to own and use. Never seen one. Many thanks from Scotland. May I mention the one I regret parting with is a Thornton Picard Twin Lens (plate camera) plus.google.com/u/0/photos/109916539495567307594/albums/5616954130695699633?sort=1
Type 7 is known for having faulty east german shutters. This whole brand was killed in 60s by communist international economy planning, advancements in 35mm technology, modern Prakticas and situation after soviet invasion. Last Flexaret was made in 1970. But still. If camera that was outdated 50 years ago is enjoyable to use today. There's no reason to throw it away. Especially if it looks good.
I love learning from your videos but OMG you sound so stressed and in a hurry... Just take a breath and calm down and say what you want to say without stressing.
Today I received my Flexaret VII. Thanks to your channel I learned about it.
I got it from cupog who is indeed super nice. He delivered a perfectly serviced Flexaret and was very communicative. I would definitely recommend shopping through his ebay shop.
I'm so happy with your channel. 15 years after graduating from a masters degree in photography I am shooting again!
Thanks for all the info and lovely video's packed with inspiration!
Enjoy! Mine came from cupog too about 8 years ago ;-) he's a great guy.
I've just ordered a Flexaret II from cupog, too!
I'm from Czech republic and these cameras are cheap if you want to start shooting medium format. This particular model costs here about 1800CZK (you can get more models in different price range) which is something about 88USD. A lots of people have this camera at home for ages, covered by dust. I'm like super proud that it's popular in the world :) I think I have to get one. Because other medium format systems are really expensive for beginners or if you just starting with film.
Doesn't Czech Republic use Euros now?
Nope
In Slovakia you can them even for cheaper. One guy was selling this model for 20€
And what about film? Is available? Easy to find?
adamec145 Slovakia VII is abt 50-65€
...2017, May, I just received my Flexaret Vll from Slovakia, from gupog, the seller you recommended on Ebay, and let me tell you, my friend, this is one beautiful camera, in amazingly great shape, hard to believe this was made in 1967, someone loved this machine and kept it in fine shape, and I just love it. I have to leave the seller feedback, great ebay seller, great communication...if anyone is looking to buy this item you cannot go wrong with cupog. And, Ted, thank you for this great video, I bought this thing after I saw this video, I live in Germany, from Alabama, and watching these vids makes me feel more at home (I get terribly homesick sometimes). I love your channel, enjoy your presentations as well. I started taking pictures way back in the mid sixties (a cheap Kodak camera I took with me everywhere) and, although I did not pursue it as a career (I am a visual artist, and was a textile designer in NYC), I took classes at the university, got some awards for pictures I took overseas (Japan) when I was in the AF, and I just love cameras, and this item is absolutely wonderful, thanks again and best wishes from Deutschland....
Ted, thanks to this video you made me a fan of Flexaret TLR cameras. Today I'm the proud owner of a beautiful "IIIa" model (with crank winder).
Here's a tip, re: SYNCHRONIZING THE VIEWING & TAKING LENSES ... at least with the Flexaret IIIa:
The viewing lens has a tiny screw on the side of the bezel which seems to be a friction screw. Loosening it will allow that lens to unscrew on very fine threads. What else can this be -- but the method of adjusting the viewing lens? I tape-measured an object across a long table, set the taking lens to that distance-- and then slowly turned the viewing lens until the viewfinder image was sharp. And I tightened the friction screw. Synchronized!
It was the blurred images from my IIIa's first roll of film that revealed, to my horror, the lenses were not synched. In subsequent tests I found the taking lens to be accurate to the focusing knob. I searched high and low online, read the woes of others with the same problem -- even e-mailed a few Flexaret specialists -- but nowhere did replies contain information on that tiny friction screw. So, there you have it. I hope I got it right, and this helps others with their Flexaret TLR's.
There's a guy on ebay who deals in just Flexarets in eastern europe. The cameras are not that expensive but the shipping is. You could buy one of these cameras for about 70-75 dollars, but the shipping would be around 30-40 dollars. I have the Flexaret 5 and I'm loving it. I've been into the older Czech photographers such as Sudek and this camera gets me into the east european mood of looking at and taking pictures.
My Flexaret VII just came in today, purchased from same seller. Absolutely beautiful camera. Looking forward to using mine!
Love the art-deco design ! Flexarets are very pretty cameras.
So much character in these old TLR's, just got a Ricohflex VII, a must have triplet lens.
very good show :) I am from Slovakia and my grandfather used to use flexaret. When I had scanning old familly photos (taken on old czechoslovak Fomapan or ORWO films), I found that there are few astonishing pieces.. that sharpness and contrast... it is very hard to compete even with my mamiya 645pro
there is something a bit special about TLR cameras works of art and craftsmanship beautiful
Indeed.
My IV is marvelous.. love the vintage BW pictures and color is even greater with filters.
Nice review. I didn't realize the Flexorets were so good. I used a cheap (Uniflex) TLR though my high school and half my college years back in the fifties. Loved it. I got plenty of pics with it into the yearbooks. I also had some semi-pro success years later with a Yashicamat. I miss the TLRs.
I am sitting next my grandad's Flexaret VI at the moment :)
Great review as always! 😊
I have this same camera in black leatherette and find the lens remarkably pleasing with a sharp but beautifully smooth bokeh. EuroTech Camera in Austin Texas did a fantastic CLA.
THANK YOU TED!
-Mark
I bought my Flexaret 6b from Cupog before I saw this video and his cameras really are in tip top shape. So happy with it.
I have a lubitel 166b and I always wondered what the wee square cut out was for, I'm glad you told me! thanks man!
Yeah it was a crude workaround on early cameras. Lubitel's are fun too!
This inspired me to buy a Flexaret VI on Ebay. Love it! Nothing automatic about it....makes you think before taking a shot, which leads to better pictures. And love the medium format!
Another amazing video, my favorite channel in the world... I have a yashica A, is very good to get know more about this cameras thank you.
I bought my first TLR two months ago, it's a Yashicaflex model C. I shot two film spool for test, color negative and black and white. I'm excited to see the results.
By the way I love the show. Greetings from Argentina!
Thanks deckard768! Have fun with that Yashicaflex - they're great as well.
Great video. These Flexarets are seriously underrated as user TLR's... I've had TLR gas for a long while... and short of the Rolleiflex and the Kalloflex, there's nothing that will touch them!
I owned and loved a Flexaret along with Rolleis, Ikoflexes, and Autocords. I love the helical focusing on these and the Minoltas...
What’s your favourite not-expensive tlr?
Man that setting at 9:25 is amazing, I think I'm def gonna try to buy this one
Hey, reall helpful video. I'm from Czech republic, so these cameras aren't that rare here, almost every family in the 19's had them. Recently I found one in my grandma's wardrobe. It's from 1965. Tommorow I'm going to buy a film a try take some photos. I've never shot on analog camera so it's gonna be interesting. So thanks for the video I hope I know what to do.
I wish you hadn't unleashed the world on Cupog and his flexarets. They have been an absolute bargain. He definitely deserves the business though and your review was fantastic.
Man the pics from this were great.
God, I love this channel!
We love you too!
theartofphotography
"But i love you all!" -Erich Mielke
Little Iron Curtain reference cause of the cameras history lol
Based on your episode 111 TLR video, I purchased a Flexeret IV from a dealer in Czechoslovakia. It's a little quirky (HA!) and your video had me pulling mine out of the bag to explore some of the features. The focusing lever reminds me of the Minolta Autocord, except much sturdier. The covering, though, just doesn't live up to the quality of the rest of the camera and may get replaced at some point.
As always, excellent and informative! Thank you for sharing!
Been loving my Mamiya c3 since I brought it a couple months back the results are outstanding given the price
I have been in photography since 1969. I have owned a variety of TLRs. I first started with the Yashica Matt 124, I had a Rolleiflex 2.8F and a Mamiyaflex 220 which I had an 180mm lens on. I almost forgot to mention my Rolleicord. These are fun cameras. Perhaps I will buy some in the future. I am glad you showed us this camera. Part of my nationality is from Czechoslovakia. I might check this camera out on e-bay. I'm glad you make these videos. (www.lonniepaulsonphoto.com) Some of those photos are from TLRs.
I hope the price doesn't skyrocket because you suggested these! If I can find one for a good price I'll probably pick one up next month. I've been looking for something different... I've never had one before so it'll be a challenge!
Thank you! I have model 6 and this was really useful. Love your channel
I have 2 of these as a gift from a friend in Dresden. Haven't really used them, cause I prefer one of my Rollei TLRs. But after viewing some of the sample pics, may have to dust them off, and give them a try!
this video convinced me to buy my flexaret VII, i will never regret it!
I bought my flexaret from the same seller. He was fantastic to deal with and set it up to my specifications before sending it :)
I got a Mamiya C220 that came as a present from a friend that wanted me to give her usage. It looks great. I wish that I could find the "paramender" intended to correct parallax as the camera has close up focusing with bellows. I wish to do more botanicals with this camera, shoot Fuji Velvia and have it scanned professionally! Sounds like a New Years resolution, so be it!
Very good review as always, just brought one at ebay for 120 US, will try it out soon !
BE CAREFUL! The knob that advances your film also cocks the shutter. The button you are refering to is used for double exposure (so you cock it without advancing). It says so in the manual. I was also warned by a technician in the shop when buying the camera as it is a common mistake and can break the camera in a long term (cause you are basically cocking it twice). Luckily they are easy and cheap to fix.
I was looking for this comment, there's also one more button that he's saying nothing about.
I purchased a Flexaret VII thanks to this!
I have a Lubitel 2, old Soviet TLR - it's a lot of fun, but really makes you take your time. Of course, that's no bad thing!
Hi Mark,
I used to have one of those Lubitels. It was certainly great fun to use. The thing I like about TLRs is the slightly different point of view you get (always looking slightly upwards).
I hope you have fun with the Lubitel!
can't wait to get my hands on a TLR :D
They're fantastic tools!
Love the show Ted. Watched all 100 episodes over the Christmas Holiday. I think you may have misspoke about the flash hot shoe on the TLR. Like my old Nikon Photomic Ftn from he early seventies, I had to connect the flash to the camera with a cable making it just a flash shoe, not hot shoe. Love the three show a week format. Keep up the good work.
You are correct - I did misspeak on that. Its a cold shoe.
@@theartofphotography V čase výroby Flexaret-ov nebola to studená topánka na blesk ,ale držiak na hľadáčik pre kinofilm.
Meopta have amazing optics, iam using some c-mount and projector lens build by them and are very close if not sharper then Tevidons from Zeiss
I had a Flexaret? not sure of the version as my first good camera while in High School. I had the full kit with 35mm carrier closeup lenses and more. I used the the 35mm because as a student bulk 35mm was in the budget. I think I remember a viewfinder that attached to the flash shoe on the side to compensate for close-ups because the view lens is higher the capture lens.
Hi Ted, thanks for a wonderful review. These Flexaret's are truly better them they seems. I have done lots of beautiful images with this camera, I can really recommend these... another nice piece of good old czechoslovak machinery, thanks again for this review :)
Any comment on how images compare to later medium formats like mamiya 7 or rz67?
The Minolta Autocord used the lever focusing system geared up to make a shorter distance to move it.
Once again, thanks Ted. I have a Mamiya TLR and relatively easy to get on line at places other than eBay. It is blast to use and was picked up after seeing your shows on minimalist development of BW film. I hope to use it today when out for mother's day. I agree you need to be familiar with the camera and think your tip on using one for a while is wise, not always intuitive on how to do the basics such as advance film.
Thanks Steve. The Mamiya's are wonderful TLR's. AND you get lens options!! Get a nice photo of your mom today!
I was fortunate enough to acquire a well preserved Flexaret IIIa complete with filters and close-up lenses. Everything is clean and works well. The hand-crank draws the 120 film across the frame smooth as silk.
HOWEVER ... I have the same complaint as many Flexaret owners online: though the taking lens seems to be in synch with the focusing lever -- THE VIEWING LENS IS NOT IN SYNC WITH THE TAKING LENS. In the viewfinder the subject is sharp. But the finished product is out of focus. Does anyone know how this might be corrected?
Shannon Wittman I have the same issue
You can get them from eastern Europe still from a certain deal that deals with them. It will take some time to receive because it has to go through custom thing.
yaaay love this.... I am originally from Czech and I am proud owner of this beauties
the round lever on the side, is not the shutter cook, this camera is automatic, when you wind the film, it cook the shutter automaticly, that lever cook the shutter for double exposures
I have two pieces, IIa model and VII as well, making a nice pictures. They were made physically up to 1969 (by paper up to 1972? I think) Thaks for review! :)
There's a Flexaret group on Flickr that you might want to check out.
Could have sworn that I watched one of your videos where you demonstrated how to load the 120 film. I cannot seem to find it now. Was I mistaken? I have a flexaret vii and just received my film and am excited to get familiar with it....
I've been researching various medium format options for a workshop I'm going to teaching. The Belar lens is a four element, essentially a Tessar and a later model would benefit from having multi-coating so as to improve contrast and apparent sharpness, which could well make it superior to a single coated optic on say, an old Rollei. Still, I don't think it would be as sharp as a Hasselblad lens (Planar). I'd love to see a controlled side-by-side comparison, both wet-printed and from a scanned negative. Maybe even throw the Rollei in the mix? Test wide open and stopped down?
Je nespravodlivé porovnávať 6 členný objektív zo 4 členným objektívom,aj napriek tomu je Belar = Tesar dôstojným súperom.
Just happened upon this today. Thank you, Ted. Also a heads up that the Cupog site tried to install malware on my computer. Fortunately, my virus checker blocked the attack.
How does image quality compare to say the mamiya 7 or rz67?
Wow, why didn't I find this video earlier? I own one of these cameras. But haven't tried it. I even own the 35mm film adapter. But no clue how to use it. I hoped you could tell me.
watching this from Czech republic, thanks for the video, I want to buy my first TLR I think I will go for a Flexaret, they are quite cheap here. Gretings from Prague
Can you find them easily? I'm guessing since you're close to the source they've got to be around. Highly recommended.
theartofphotography You can buy flexarets very easily in Czech republic, but same problem as on ebay: some of them are in excellent condition, some of them are close to crap. i got lucky last time, i bought Flexaret VI for about 35 USD in excellent condition (even original leather back is in excellent condition). usually, Flexaret VII in great condition cost as much as 100 USD. its because of crappy prestor shutters - most of them were low quality at 70s, so if you have ffully working F VII, youre lucky. and btw, there are still some of the former technicians, who worked at Meopta in 50s - 70s on Flexarets and they are able to repair those cameras with original parts (afaik). Anyway, thanks for this video, its great to see someone comparing those great Meopta Belar/Mirar lenses to Zeiss/Leica. Have a nice day, Ted...
theartofphotography Thanks David for your complement of answer, Yes they are easy to find, if you pass by prague I recommand Fotoskoda shop and Jan Pazdera on Vodičkova street, cool "cheap" second hand stuff there, I went there to look for a flexaret but in the end I bough an old Rolleicord 2 for 75euros I preferred it because it was black, and flexaret is only available in grayish tone and of course for the german built and zeiss lens, it works like a clock, sounds nice,I shot 3/4 rolls and I just love it:)
Čekal jsem, jestli se tu neobjeví někdo od z Česka :)
Léo Malek i plan to visit Prague next year, there are more sites there to shop Flexarets?
I have a Flexaret, I think it's a VI. When I load a test roll of film in it, the frame counter will not move to 0.
Been shooting with a yashicamat 124g and now I look at 35mm like a dog looks at spam. Thinking about the Cadillac of TLR's, the Mamiya C330. Any experience with that?
hi, can i have your opinion, i wanted to get a TLR and i happened to google n link to your channel. Initially i wanted to get a mamiya c330, but i got another offer which is half of the price (and lower) of mamiya c330 - Flexaret VII TLR. which will you advised me to get, the image quality of both unit.
Thanks mate. its been very helpfull for me. Take care.
Hi Ted, I have a Meopta enlarger (got it brand new 1978) and I still use it. Would you do a review on the Tessina 1/2 frame 35mm? That was my very first 35mm camera in 1975, I use that one once in a while, but still works great.
I bet that Meopta still sings. Very good lenses! Never had a Tessina - I'll have to look around and see if I can find one.
I actually have a Flexaret VI which has given me a problem which I was hoping perhaps you may know something about, the aperture /f-stop is stuck at wide-open. Do these cameras have an aperture lock? Or could it be that my camera is simply in need of repair ? My VI doesn't have the little grooves/notches like the VII, I do love this camera, what do you think?
you might have press the shutter too hard, i think i broke mine that way. You might need a repair, talk to the ppl who sold you more and ask for pointers i'll say.
Hi ted how about the voigtlander brilliant and the iconaflex bought a voiglanfer Vito b the lantar lens is very impressive beluve the skopars are drilluant
Hey, I know you just posted this today, but could you post that link to the Ebay storfront you mentioned?
U can also shoot 4,5x6 cm format and some others, but it is hard tu find adapter.
Formát 6x4,5 môže strilelať len F Vll a to len z maskou a je potrebné pretočiť ukazovateľ úplne na spodku kamery pod pretáčaním filmu tak aby bolo v správnej pozícii č 45 nie 60 !
Hi! Old video, I know! But a tip before I start if you are still active! Last camera it turned out that I actually had to wind the lever two times for each exposure. This I learnt after the first expensively developed film... Is this the case for the flexaret to?
(I got a version with a lever...)
I got mine yesterday and am not sure how to use a light meter. I need help
Has anyone from the USA who has purchased one of these from the recommended seller can say what is involved with customs clearance and the costs, if any?
I have a Mameya c330s twin lens reflex. Lens I have are 55mm and 80mm . Cant find any other lens. Checked B+H . Am I just looking in the wrong place?
Try : www.keh.com/ and : www.keh.com/Camera/format-Medium-Format/system-Mamiya-Twin-Lens-Reflex/category-Fixed-Focal-Length-Lenses?s=1&bcode=MT&ccode=6&cc=3171&r=WG&f
MrKikoboy thanks, will use
Guys help me figure it out - today we found a camera in the barn - which my grandfather brought from the war, looks older than yours, Meopta- Czechoslovakia number 4828
I have a Flexaret VI, but for some reason the shutter only fires when the rear lid is open! As soon as it's is closed, the shutter is locked. I had it recently serviced and it was working well for a few fires, now it's doing the same thing again... Maybe I'm messing something up.
Is it still a problem when it is loaded with film? One of my V's does this... but works normally when film is loaded.
Thanks for the feedback guys, the camera works excellent with film now. Shot off 3 rolls now just have to develop! Never ran into a camera with this "problem" before!
Flexaret Vl pracuje len po vložení filmu! Iba Vll má na pravej strane druhu spušť na viacnásobnu expozícíu-
hey Ted could you tell me what kind of flash TLRs like these use? :S
Anything you can use with a sync cable. I miss-spoke in the video when I showed the hot shoe - its actually a cold shoe. You'll need to meter the flash as well. Hope that helps!
do you know if i could shoot 220mm film with my flexaret VI ???
thank you
+exmas2006 yes, you can. There is a small circle on the right side (I think) and you can use this as a image counter for images above number twelve. I never tried this but I got this info in some special user manual.
Nie ! Flexaret nemá počitadlo na film 220,počítadlo pracuje na 35 mm film ale nie na 220!
Can somebody tell me the amount of spreading in the production quality? I have heard from kiev-cameras (the kiev88 is a hasselblad-clone), that there are big spreadings in quality. Also the kiev is from the ukraine, not ČSSR.
+Kellerkind from my experiance I can tell you that the overall quality was more leveled than the sussiena cameras. I have two of these, both great.
how much should i pay for a nice rolli 2.8 used
Your video is amazing! Can you provide the link of "cupog"?
Thanks Alex - just added it.
i got one as well and your right its great thanks for the video :))
I have a Flexaret and the problem is you can't test the shutter/advance etc. without film in the damn thing.
You can fire the shutter and advance with the back open
Great!
Great episode Ted, glad to see that you are back to the basics ! Knowing about film cameras and film photography in general is a great inspiration. I think this is the seller you talked about in the video stores.ebay.com/Cupog-Collectible-Cameras .
Thats him! Thanks - forgot to link it up.
Looks like a fun camera to use!
Am I the only one unable to be properly redirected to the Flickr link?
Seems to just go to kittens..
I had the same problem. Searched
Flickr and Google Images. No luck
Got my own cat pictures. lol
Big fan of show
I think I'll name my next kitten Flexaret. ;-)
Nice
Looks much better than Lyubitel)
Please!!! Do an episode of Helmut Newton
I own the same camera with a nice leather case :)
Yeah, almost every old peoples I know have Flexaret, my grandma gave it to me. So, there are "instagram girls" on streets, posting boring photos with Iphones every day, and me: ok, let's take a photo with Flexaret on some square, and I see a lot of weird-looking guys at me like: wtf, are we in 21st century? :D ok have a nice day and always take selfies with Flexaret!
Cold shoe
Thank you Sir. That is indeed a prize camera to own and use. Never seen one. Many thanks from Scotland. May I mention the one I regret parting with is a Thornton Picard Twin Lens (plate camera) plus.google.com/u/0/photos/109916539495567307594/albums/5616954130695699633?sort=1
Oh man - I bet that was a fun camera!
The Minolta tlr copied this focusing method
Type 7 is known for having faulty east german shutters. This whole brand was killed in 60s by communist international economy planning, advancements in 35mm technology, modern Prakticas and situation after soviet invasion. Last Flexaret was made in 1970. But still. If camera that was outdated 50 years ago is enjoyable to use today. There's no reason to throw it away. Especially if it looks good.
You can get them in thrift stores from dummy’s that don’t know what they have I got a Rollop automatic 2.8 for $10 bucks.
I love learning from your videos but OMG you sound so stressed and in a hurry... Just take a breath and calm down and say what you want to say without stressing.