Sociedad Ibero-Americana de la Historia
de la Fotografia Museo Fotográfico y Archivo Historico "Adolfo Alexander"
Fórum Yahoo [maquinas russas]
Imposing a new camera
Optiflex
Optotechna professional prototype version: Compur Rapid Cranck advance knob focusing; Top window for diaphragm and speed viewing; 2.8 taking lens. Conceived in 1938 built in 1946. Complete automatic operation. It was an attempt to share the world’s professional market. The main influences were The Rolleiflex and mainly, the Ikoflex III. They intended to build a competitive product at a lower price than Rolleiflex, but sharing the highest selling points - Compur Shutter; 2.8 picture taking lens; Crank film advance; Left hand focusing knob; Upper windows for diaphragm and shutter speed control. - The 2.8 taking lens put the Optiflex camera at the highest level on par with the King – Ikoflex III, but Meopta people intended to sell it at Rolleicord price level. It was much difficult.
Rolleiflex Automat of 1937 and Ikoflex III from 1939
Flexaret3 3a
The direct descendants
Main Characteristics:
Twin-lens reflex camera for roll film - 12 pictures 6x6 cm.
Lenses: viewfinder - Anastigmat 3/80, camera lens - Mirar II 3.5/80
Shutter: Compur size# 00 B 1-1/300 or Prontor S or SV size# 00 B, 1 – 1/300
or Metax size # 00 B, 1 – 1/400.
Film feed: by crank.
Picture counter:12 pictures seen in automatic external window.
Release: independent of film advance.
Year of production: 1948-55
Model III saw the transition from Optikotechna to Meopta and a wide number of variants.
Optiflex proved itself difficult and costly to built. The Flexaret III came as an answer.
Series production Flexaret III model with Prontor S(old) (third series) and Mirar II 3.5/80
Flexaret III model with Prontor S (old) second series and Mirar II 3.5
More Prontor S(old) second series and Mirar II 3.5 (3 photos)
xxxxxx
Flexaret III model with Prontor II and Mirar II 3.5/80
A rare Model III Prontor S(new) with body mounted synchonization
Two variants Flexaret III model at left Prontor S first series. At right Compur no synch always Mirar II lens
Three variants Flexaret III: From left to right Compur, Prontor II, and Prontor SV
Series production Flexaret III with Prontor II
In 1953 there was made a special series called “Crown Flexaret III” always with Prontor SV and Mirar II lens.
“Crown Flexaret III” logo over leather finished cover
Usual Flexaret III logo over stove painted cover
xxxxxx
Five different Flexaret III: Above: Prontor II; Prontor S old first raw, Compur Rapid.
Below: Prontor SV; Prontor S old second raw.
From the collection http://www.kostikidis.estranky.cz/fotoalbum
Click to view Flexaret Tetra
, or go back via internet to the main Oddity page, then select the next desired camera to view.