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Czech TLRs

Most of the classic Czechoslovak TLRs form part of one long evolutionary sequence, spanning independent Czechoslovakia before WW2, the Nazi occupation from 1938/9, and the Iron Curtain period of Soviet occupation. They are shown in rough order of creation here, beginning with the original Kamarad ("Companion") model made by Bradac Brothers in the mid-1930s, through the takeover by Optikotechna in 1938-9, (Flexette, Optiflex, Autoflex and the first Flexaret) on to the reformation into Meopta in the Soviet era as later Flexaret models.

Gejza Dunay of Slovakia, who is the most knowledgeable person I know on Czechoslovak cameras, says the lineage of the Flexaret series runs: "Kamarad I - Kamarad II - Autoflex - Optiflex - Flexette - Flexaret I. In difference to later Flexaret cameras the focusing (of these early cameras) is by turning of the front element. Both lenses are connected with string (hidden under a metal housing between the lenses). This system was first time used by Kamarad II. Earlier I thought that the system originates by older Kolár Kolaflex. Although the housing looks very similar and the design was for sure inspired by this camera, by Kolaflex are lenses connected with wheel". Incidentally, I am missing the Optiflex model from this sequence. If you have one to sell, please let me know!. I recently managed to obtain one of the rare Kolaflex models - an unusual bakelite design fromthe mid-1930s - see below.

For a good general source on Czech TLR history, look no further than Meopta's own history site. Unfortunately, I don't know of any book covering the various models.

If you find any errors on this page or have any camera I might be interested in, PLEASE LET ME KNOW. Click on the small "thumbnail" pictures below to go to larger ones.

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Bradac/Optikotechna/Meopta Series


Bradac Bros. Companion

This is the second generation model. The lenses are coupled by string pulley. Originally named as the "Kamarad II", but translated for sale abroad as the "Companion".

Both lenses Meyer Trioplan 75mm f2.9
Compur shutter 1 - 1/250
Czechoslovakia c. 1937

Optikotechna Autoflex

This is the evolution of Bradac's Kamarad II, via the Optiflex, after the Optikotechna takeover. The lenses are still coupled by string. Note that it still bears the Bradac name.
Both lenses Meyer Trioplan 75mm f2.9
Compur shutter 1 - 1/250
Czechoslovakia c. 1938

Optikotechna Flexette

Very similar to the Autoflex, but with smaller lens set - presumably it was sold as a cheaper variant model in parallel
Both lenses Rodenstock Trinar 75mm f4.5
Prontor II shutter 1 - 1/150
Czechoslovakia c. 1938

Optikotechna Flexaret I

Cheaper (?) evolution of the Autoflex, still by Optikotechna, with own lenses. Lenses still coupled by string pulley.
Lenses Optikotechna Mirar 75mm f4.5
Compur shutter 1 - 1/250
Czechoslovakia c. 1939

Optikotechna Flexaret II Type 1

Depending on who you believe, Optikotechna merged into Meopta in 1945 or 1946. The early Flexaret II was produced by Optikotechna before the takeover. Gejza Dunay says "The original Flexaret II was manufactured by Optikotechna about 1946 and may be even earlier". The Type 1 has a flat viewfinder like the Flexaret I. The Type 2 is extremely rare (I've never seen one), with a side picture counter like the Optiflex and an unusual shutter housing said to be like the Zeiss Ikoflex III.
Lens Optikotechna Mirar 80mm f4.5
Prontor II shutter
Czechoslovakia c. 1945

Optikotechna Flexaret II Type 3

The type 3 was the last of the Flexaret II versions, and must have been made by Meopta. Interestingly, the factory was still putting Optikotechna's name on the lenses and finder top - the viewfinders with Optikotechna's name were probably used for several years after Optikotechna merged into Meopta. The Type 3 here looks like later Meopta Flexarets, which had the domed tops.

Lens Optikotechna Mirar 80mm f4.5
Prontor II shutter
Czechoslovakia c. 1947



Meopta Flexaret IIa

This was the first Meopta-named model, following the post-war business name change. It has the Meopta name on the hood and the lenses. Little else was changed from the previous model; it is safe to assume that resources were scarce in Czechoslovakia at this point.
Taking lens Meopta Mirar 80mm f4.5
Meopta Metax shutter 1 - 1/400
Czechoslovakia c. 1947-8

Meopta Flexaret III

The III and IIIa are the only Flexarets with crank winding - which was an unreliable attempt to emulate the Rolleiflex. The approach was a bit of a failure, because Meopta weren't able to invest sufficiently to get the necessary reliability in the crank mechanism.
Taking lens Meopta Mirar 80mm f3.5
Prontor SV shutter 1 - 1/300
Czechoslovakia c. 1948-50

Meopta Flexaret IIIa

The Flexaret IIIa is essentially similar to the III, but has a flash synchronisation shutter, with take off under the setting ring.
Taking lens Meopta Mirar 80mm f3.5
Prontor S shutter 1 - 1/300
Czechoslovakia c. 1948-50

Meopta Flexaret IV

Meopta abandoned the flawed crank film winding of the Flexaret III and went back to knob winding for relaibility.
Taking lens Meopta Belar 80mm f3.5
Prontor SVS shutter 1 - 1/400
Czechoslovakia c. 1950-57

Meopta Flexaret IVa

A variant of the Flexaret IV, which is able to use 35mm film. The sports finder has a small centre window for this.
Taking lens Meopta Belar 80mm f3.5
Prontor SVS shutter 1 - 1/400
Czechoslovakia c. 1953-57

Meopta Flexaret V

The Flexaret V is a cosmetic evolution of the IV. Main changes are more stripes on front and double-knob focus swivel.
Taking lens Meopta Belar 80mm f3.5
Prontor SVS shutter 1 - 1/400
Czechoslovakia c. 1958-61

Meopta Flexaret Va

The Va is a Flexaret V adapted with a separate rewind knob which permits 35mm film to be used, provided you can source the special adaptor/mask kit (not hard).
Taking lens Meopta Belar 80mm f3.5
Prontor SVS shutter 1 - 1/400
Czechoslovakia c. 1958-61

Meopta Flexaret VI

The first "Automat" model, with auto film position/number indicator and usually grey leatherette. Can take 35mm film with the special adaptor kit.
Taking lens Meopta Belar 80mm f3.5
Prontor SVS/Metax shutter 1 - 1/400
Czechoslovakia c. 1961-67

Meopta Flexaret Standard

The Standard is a simplified Flexaret VI, using red window for film positioning. It cannot take 35mm. Usually with black covering. Gejza Dunay reckons that the Flexaret Standard is the rarest of all the basic Flexaret types except for the Flexaret I and probably the Flexaret III. Stripped of the frills on the VI and VII models, it is very reliable without the automatic picture counter, which can break.
Taking lens Meopta Belar 80mm f3.5
Metax shutter 1 - 1/400
Czechoslovakia c. 1964

Flexaret Standard (silver)

The Flexaret Standard can have any of three names on the nameplate: Flexaret Standard (common), Flexaret (less common) or Flexaret S (extremely rare). The Standards were manufactured both with black and silver-grey leatherette (the VI and VII models only use the latter). This one is essentially the same as the previous Standard, but with silver leatherette and "Standard" on the nameplate
Taking lens Meopta Belar 80mm f3.5
Metax shutter 1 - 1/400
Czechoslovakia c. 1964

Meopta Flexaret VII

The last "Automat" model and the very last production Flexaret, still well-regarded as a photographic tool. The main change from the VI is a shutter upgrade. As far as I know, it was only made with the silver-grey leatherette covering. It can take 35mm film, with a special adaptor set available.
Taking lens Meopta Belar 80mm f3.5
Prestor RVS shutter 1 - 1/500
Czechoslovakia c. 1966-71

Druopta Pseudo-TLRs

Druopta operated in Prague after WW2. I know very little more about the firm, which specialised in cheap and fairly basic cameras, mostly in Bakelite


Druopta Druoflex

This is a basic bakelite pseudo-TLR, of which Gejza Dunay says: "last and best bakelite TLR made by Druopta probably from 1955, this very simple medium format TLR camera was inspired by the Voigtlander Brillant. This camera is surprisingly rare now, I can find only 2-3 uncracked of them every year!" The top cover of waist level finder is metal. Moulding on rear says "ATAK"
Taking lens is Druoptar 75mm f6.3
Shutter Chrontax, speeds 1/10-1/200
Czechoslovakia c. 1955

Druopta Fokaflex

This basic bakelite pseudo-TLR is attributed to Foka of Rotterdam by McKeown, but Gejza Dunay says Druopta made it. The door moulding says "Foka, made in Czechoslovakia"! It's another loose copy of the prewar Voigtlander Brillant with taking-lens-only focussing.

Taking lens 75mm f8
Fokar 2 shutter 1/25 - 1/100
Czechoslovakia c. 1946

Kolár Kolaflex

McKeown catalogues the company (Václav Kolár of Modrany and Prague) with the brief comment that "the Kolár company was ruined in 1935 and all Kolár cameras are scarce. Presumably this is especially true of the Kolaflex, as he fails to list this amongst the seven models he knows of. Looking at the camera, I can appreciate Gejza Dunay's comment about the apparent realtionship of the Lolaflex design to the later Bradac-Optikotechna-Meopta series - there is a rather similar elongated oval housing around both lenses, although it is smaller than on the Bradac Kamarad II, housing only a geared-wheel connection as he says; although it is large enough to obscure the aperture numbers on the shutter, which looks to me to be a standard Compur model, complementing the German Meyer-Görlitz lens set.. I've only ever seen one of these on sale, and I was lucky enough to buy it. The general design seems to have drawn inspiration from the bakelite Voigtländer Brillant, although the two cameras must have been near-contemporaries. What is unusual is its rather stange counter housing on the right hand side.
Taking lens is Meyer-Görlitz 75mm f4.5
Compur shutter 1 - 1/300