Flexaret III, my first TLR. [Archive]

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POSTI-Tuomo

10-19-2007, 04:14

First off, hello to everyone here at the TLR forums. :)

I'm here to tell you about my newest acquisition, the Venerable Czechoslovakian Flexaret III TLR camera. I bought it from the Classifieds from the ever friendly Brian, aka SCOTFORTHLAD and received it earlier this week. Even the Royal Mail strike didn't delay the delivery, which was surprising.

Anyway. I loaded the camera with some slide film, just to test the shutter. And it was spot-on, just as SCOTFORTHLAD described (it was CLA'd by this certain Irish fellow).
I received the test shots today and scanned them as soon as I got home. I present you: FLEXARET III TLR PHOTOGRAPHS! :D

Film is Fuji Provia 100. Accessories: my Gossen Luna-Pro and a tripod.

1st shot: An icon inside the Uspensky Cathedral in Helsinki.

http://www.kolumbus.fi/%7Ew427831/kuvat/6x6hires/img066.jpg

2nd shot: The amateur looking over the Helsinki skyline. You can see the Main Guard Post in the middle. In the distance, another Cathedral (Lutheran, this time).

http://www.kolumbus.fi/%7Ew427831/kuvat/6x6hires/img067.jpg

3rd shot: The Main Guard Post, with the sorry fellow guarding it.

http://www.kolumbus.fi/%7Ew427831/kuvat/6x6hires/img068.jpg

4th shot: This is the Lutheran Cathedral mentioned earlier.

http://www.kolumbus.fi/%7Ew427831/kuvat/6x6hires/img070.jpg

5th shot: A girl walking her dog. Some elderly lady trying to bypass her...

http://www.kolumbus.fi/%7Ew427831/kuvat/6x6hires/img073.jpg

6th shot: An 'oops' moment inside the Eastern Orthodox church... Accidental double exposure. Two good frames ruined.

http://www.kolumbus.fi/%7Ew427831/kuvat/6x6hires/img063.jpg

All in all, I'm pleased with the camera. And to some extent, with the shots too. I find slide film easier to scan and post-process than color negatives. But you have to be more careful with the exposure times as a trade-off (which I'm more than willing to make).

But I really need a case for this camera. Lugging that tripod around gets awkward really quick...

Anyway, post your comments and feedback. Thank you! :cool:

KoNickon

10-19-2007, 04:34

rolleistef

10-20-2007, 09:47

come on the dbl exposure one is the best - completely mystic with the icone floating mid-air! I love it!

POSTI-Tuomo

10-20-2007, 09:59

Tuomo, these are great! I love these views of Helsinki. I got a kick out of the shot of you with the Main Guard Post in the background -- no doubt with the same sentry standing there as is in the next picture.

Too bad about the double exposure -- you should take more photos of the interior of the Uspensky.

Thanks! :) I'll post more Uspensky photographs soon. I like the colors in slides. And hitch-free scanning is nice too.

come on the dbl exposure one is the best - completely mystic with the icone floating mid-air! I love it!

I suppose it's not as bad as I made it appear in my initial post. But a double exposure wasn't my goal and that's why it's "ruined". I would have been happier if I got the two frames I was after...:o Thanks anyway for your comment! :)

charjohncarter

10-20-2007, 10:19

Those are fabulous keep posting, I've never seen that camera. I'll check it out.

POSTI-Tuomo

10-20-2007, 21:33

Those are fabulous keep posting, I've never seen that camera. I'll check it out.
Flexarets are plentiful on eBay. And not too costly! The III version has crank-winding. Others don't.

shadowfox

10-23-2007, 11:31

oftheherd

10-23-2007, 12:03

All those shots are good. I also like the double exposure. I understand that you didn't get what you wanted. However, as often happens with accidental double exposures, you got a nice shot.

POSTI-Tuomo

10-23-2007, 18:13

Tuomo, I always enjoy your testrolls with your new (old) cameras :)
You are as bad as I am in terms of collecting them :p

I love the shots including the Oops one :)

What is the taking lens? It has a nice bokeh, and very good contrast.

And did you have to pay a lot to process 120 slide film in Finland? how much approx. if you don't mind telling us?

Hehheh, yeah. I just seem to accumulate all these cameras, nothing is ever going out. They just keep pouring in... ;)
The taking lens is Meopta Belar f3.5 80mm. Quite nice, the fastest medium format lens I have! :D Actually, it seems the taking lens could be screwed off. I wonder if one could change the lens... :confused:

120 slide film processing costs 5 euros per roll. And a roll of Provia 100 costs 5,30 euros... Quite a lot cheaper than 135 film! A roll of 135 Provia 100 costs 9 euros... :eek:

All those shots are good. I also like the double exposure. I understand that you didn't get what you wanted. However, as often happens with accidental double exposures, you got a nice shot.
I'll go there again soon, and this time, NO ACCIDENTS! :D Really, there is a lot to photograph. It's such a nice place.

POSTI-Tuomo

10-24-2007, 02:56

This is actually quite weird. According to Meopta's official site (http://www.meopta.cz/index.php?id=142&lang=en), the Flexaret III (which mine is supposed to be) should have a Mirar 3.8 taking lens. And the shutter should be a Metax one, not a Prontor-S as it is on mine. And still, it has the crank winding of the Flexaret III... Here's the official data:

Flexaret III

Twin-lens reflex camera for 12 pictures of size 6x6 cm in a roll film.
Lenses: viewfinder - Anastigmat 3/80, camera lens - Mirar 3.8/80.
Focusing: central with simultaneous motion of both lenses.
Film feed: by a crank.
Shutter: Metax 1-1/400 s.
Year of production: 1948.

Weird, huh? :D
It seems I've got a Franken-Flexaret on my hands now! One could speculate that this camera was serviced somewhere in the past. Like, the shutter mechanism was changed from Metax to Prontor-S. And the taking lens was changed too, it seems.

The Flex' hanging out with its friend, the Nettar:

http://www.kolumbus.fi/%7Ew427831/kuvat/imagedump/flexaret.jpg

Got some filters and a close-up lens set today:

http://www.kolumbus.fi/%7Ew427831/kuvat/imagedump/filters.jpg

The close-up set has two lenses... I'm at loss how to actually use it... Which close-up lens to stick on which camera lens?

sweathog

10-27-2007, 08:44

My Flexaret (a IIa, as far as I know), has also had some interesting modifications made to it before I bought it. Yours seems in a lot better nick than mine; once I have some cash it is going for a CLA. Great shots, they remind me that I do have to come back to my mother country. See, now you've got me all nostalgic!

POSTI-Tuomo

10-29-2007, 05:59

Hey, Tom! Yeah, it's pretty good looks-wise. And other-wise too. :p It is an aesthetically pleasing camera... And don't worry 'bout the nostalgy; once you get here, you'll be greeted by sleet and darkness. :D I wish the winters here were a bit more winter-like. I don't mind freezing temperatures and snow. Beats that slush in and under your boots every time... ;)

My Flexaret (a IIa, as far as I know), has also had some interesting modifications made to it before I bought it. Yours seems in a lot better nick than mine; once I have some cash it is going for a CLA. Great shots, they remind me that I do have to come back to my mother country. See, now you've got me all nostalgic!

sweathog

10-29-2007, 14:38

I'm planning to get mine CLA'd soon, because the slower shutter speeds are off and the timer is kebroken. Also the light seals are going. Once it is sorted I shall put up some of my shots.
I'm planning to head over to Helsinki next summer, so I think a mini RFF meet may be in order. Who knows?

espressogeek

10-31-2007, 08:57

Do these have the swirly bokeh or oof areas like the lubitels and seagull tlrs?

POSTI-Tuomo

10-31-2007, 19:11

Do these have the swirly bokeh or oof areas like the lubitels and seagull tlrs?

I think the first one was shot wide open... no swirly bokeh. But I'll have to experiment more before I can say for sure. I'll get more film today and see how things develop (pun intended). ;)

POSTI-Tuomo

11-19-2007, 04:09

Reviving this thread a bit. This post concerns the aperture-opened-up performance of the Flexaret. I believe this was taken with a setting close to f3.5, on Ilford PanF Plus ISO50 film. I am beginning to like this camera/lens even more and more... Judge the photo with your own two good eyes! :)

That's my dad. I told him to pose as if he was reading the lyrics sheet (which he was
doing already). The exposure wasn't spot on as you can see from the blown highlights...

http://www.kolumbus.fi/%7Ew427831/kuvat/imagedump/eppu.jpg

sweathog

11-19-2007, 04:25

POSTI-Tuomo

11-19-2007, 04:40

Just a thought on those close up lenses...
If they are both the same masgnification I would assume one is for the viewing lens and one is for the taking lens... But I'm sure you figured that out.
I need to get my hands on a working light meter, then I will once and for all find out if I need to calibrate my eyes or get the Flexaret resealed.
Yeah, I stumbled upon the information about that close-up set. The thinner one goes onto the taking lens. The thicker one is supposed to be parallax corrected and so it must go onto the viewing lens. Makes sense, but I've yet to try that...

sweathog

11-19-2007, 09:35

Yeah, I stumbled upon the information about that close-up set. The thinner one goes onto the taking lens. The thicker one is supposed to be parallax corrected and so it must go onto the viewing lens. Makes sense, but I've yet to try that...

Well, I can't wait to see if it works.

POSTI-Tuomo

11-27-2007, 08:39

No close focus set yet, but here's something for you. These were shot with Velvia 50.

http://www.kolumbus.fi/%7Ew427831/kuvat/imagedump/12.jpg

http://www.kolumbus.fi/%7Ew427831/kuvat/imagedump/13.jpg

http://www.kolumbus.fi/%7Ew427831/kuvat/imagedump/14.jpg

Vics

11-27-2007, 11:28

That last one seems to prove that the lens has flare pretty well under control! Beautiful shot!
Vic

sweathog

11-27-2007, 14:34

Nice work.
Personally I always preferred Silja. Nicer looking boats and more stuff on board.

VictorM.

11-27-2007, 15:36

Really nice crane shot!!

POSTI-Tuomo

11-27-2007, 18:17

Thanks for leaving your comments. :) I find shooting slide film the best way for me to get into color photography... Scanning positives is just so much easier, and post processing too. And the colors are lovely! But it often means I have to lug my tripod and lightmeter around, and that is something I detest.... Whoops! Gotta go to work!
:D

See ya!

POSTI-Tuomo

11-28-2007, 06:25

Nice work.
Personally I always preferred Silja. Nicer looking boats and more stuff on board.

I believe Silja ran into some serious financial problems a few years back, and was subsequently bought by Tallink. I wonder how that has affected Silja's ferries, personnel and general corporate culture... I personally don't use ferries much. Last time I went to Tallinn I went by a fast ferry. 1 hour 45 minute rides to Tallinn are nice for those quick visits over to our friendly southern neighbors. Tallin is a beautiful city full of photographic opportunities, especially the Olde Towne. And its Mediaeval restaurants are unbeatable by their quality; good food with good prices and great atmoshpere!

sweathog

11-28-2007, 12:00

I believe Silja ran into some serious financial problems a few years back, and was subsequently bought by Tallink. I wonder how that has affected Silja's ferries, personnel and general corporate culture... I personally don't use ferries much. Last time I went to Tallinn I went by a fast ferry. 1 hour 45 minute rides to Tallinn are nice for those quick visits over to our friendly southern neighbors. Tallin is a beautiful city full of photographic opportunities, especially the Olde Towne. And its Mediaeval restaurants are unbeatable by their quality; good food with good prices and great atmoshpere!
I didn't know that about Silja.
I heard an interesting story about Tallin. You know how there are no public clocks in Tallin old town, even though there're clock towers? Apparently that's because when the Soviets came they didn't want to be on Moscow time, so they took the clocks down. Could just be a story, but it is a good one.

sharpey

10-02-2008, 05:30

Hey there. Thought I'd revive this thread as my first post here...

Happy to see so many flexaret fans here. I got started on TLR's this way. My wife's Grandma gave me her late husbands Flexaret IIa as a gift, along with some really ancient fomapan film (not sure if that'll be any good though)... These Czech TLRs are really well built... heck even the beat up IIIa that I've just sent for a CLA was remarked upon as being decent by the chap who's doing the work...

FYI, the III and IIIa used a variety of lenses and shutters. I've read that early ones used a compur shutter and a Mirar I lens... later ones use the Mirar II lens (an early 4 ellement tessar design) and either a prontor II, prontor S, or even perhaps svs shutter.

Will take some pics and post them here... am re-covering it when it gets back from the shop.

Nice one :)

sweathog

10-02-2008, 14:11

Hi Sharpey,
welcome to the forum
I look forward to seeing your shots.
How old is the Foma?

gdi

10-02-2008, 14:49

Too bad the original pics are gone, now I'm curious!

sharpey

10-02-2008, 16:00

Cheers :)

The film is from the mid eighties... have got it in the fridge now, but it was sat on a shelf for 20 years in Grannies Brno apartment in Czech... Worth a go?

Should have some pics ready in a couple of months... my CLA guy appears to be the 'slow and steady' type :)

John Robertson

10-02-2008, 16:05

The Flexarets are really nice cameras
this guy often has accessories for them
http://stores.ebay.com/Cupog-Collectible-Cameras_W0QQcolZ2QQdirZQ2d1QQdptZ0QQftidZ2QQsclZ0Q QtZkm
he is quite reliable, I dealt with him several times.

sharpey

10-02-2008, 16:07

Yes, agreed that cupog is decent... bought one of my V's from him....

sweathog

10-03-2008, 02:22

Sharpey, the Foma might still work, but you might want to downrate it a couple of stops.

sharpey

10-03-2008, 16:32

Cool. Thanks for the tip :)