Convince Me to Keep This Flexaret VII

[raid]

I once had a Flexaret IV. It broke down easily. I sent it back twice to its previous owner, then I fixed it and sold it. I chose to stay with Rolleiflex TLR cameras. They are marvels of quality design and built.

 

[ray*j*gun]

Thanks Raid. I have a few TLR's now (Mamiya c220, Yashicamat LM and a Richo Superflex) that all work well. The c220 is especially tough and the lenses on that beast are super sharp. TLR's do interest me beyond the sheer usefulness of the format but I think I may just save my money.

Thanks all!

 

[raid]

I started out with a Lubitel as my first TLR. I bought it new, but every image had at one side of it the outline of a screw shown. It could be that inside the camera someone forget to screw tightly some screw, so it showed in each image. This kept me annoyed for quite some time, since some images were nice looking (Virginia Blue Ridge Parkway), and I see this &^%$# screw outline on the right lower side of each image! I opened up the TLR, and I butchered it beyond recognition. This is was my "CLA" attempt.
Then I got the Rolleiflex, but I was tempted to try out the Flexaret as an alternate MF camera with a different lens.
The moral of the story is that such cameras do not have the best quality control, and it is a matter of luck when you buy one.

 

[ray*j*gun]

I understand Raid. I have had a love-hate relationship with FSU cameras over the years as well. I finally found 2 that work beautifully and I have held on to them. I tried many times to find a good Kiev but never lucked out there. Maybe someday I'll spring for a Rollie but they are always so expensive.

 

[summar]

If it's in OK working condition (especially the shutter), I'd keep it, but that's just me. It would be good company for my Mamiya 330s, Rolleiflex Automat K4 and Yashica-Mat EM. I like TLRs.

 

[mkvrnn]

On second thoughts Eckmanj, I have a practical solution to your dilemma.

Clearly a man with only 3 TLRs doesn't appreciate them, so you should get rid of that Flexaret quickly. Move it along. And probably best to dispose of that nasty heavy old Mamiya and the obsolete Yashica at the same time. Stick to those nice 35mm SLRs or better still, digital.

Those old Flexarets are complete rubbish anyway, with that fragile focus lever which will almost certainly sieze solid within a week. Besides which, who in their right mind would want a grey camera? Be sensible!

Anyway, luckily for you I might be prepared to take them off your hands for a very modest fee. I run a care home for elderly TLRs and I'm even prepared to look after the occasional grey one. So don't worry, they will be in good company.

 

[thundertwin72]

Just looked at cupog and he has a number of models right now....a VI, a Standard, a VII, a V, and an IV. Any one these that should be avoided or one that is more reliable than others?

Thanks!

The Flexaret IV has automatic stop film advance but the shutter is loaded manually. Devoid of flash shoe. It is also an older model.

The Flexaret Standard is an economical version of the model VI. Therefore devoid of some features of this:

• Devoid of automatic stop mechanism of film advance. The advance is controlled through a red window.
  
• Also the shutter is manually loaded.
  
• Also devoid of self timer.

The Standard model also allows working with 4,5x6 format. It also has hot shoe.

For me, the most interesting models are the VI and VII: mechanisms stop film advance are automatic and so is the shutter charge. Both have hot shoe.

The differences between the two models are that the VII allows double exposures and can be used in different film formats: 4,5x6 and 6x6 in 120mm. 24x36 or 24x24 at 135mm.

I started out with a Lubitel as my first TLR. I bought it new, but every image had at one side of it the outline of a screw shown. It could be that inside the camera someone forget to screw tightly some screw, so it showed in each image. This kept me annoyed for quite some time, since some images were nice looking (Virginia Blue Ridge Parkway), and I see this &^%$# screw outline on the right lower side of each image! I opened up the TLR, and I butchered it beyond recognition. This is was my "CLA" attempt.
Then I got the Rolleiflex, but I was tempted to try out the Flexaret as an alternate MF camera with a different lens.
The moral of the story is that such cameras do not have the best quality control, and it is a matter of luck when you buy one.

You can not confuse the Soviets products manufactured in the former Czechoslovakia: there are several examples that the Czechs were fairly for free in the manufacture of its products.

On the other hand you can not expect a camera with many years (last Flexaret was manufactured in 1971) can function well without a recent CLA.

I didn't mean to buy this camera.

I wasn't looking for a Flexaret, I swear!

But there it was, on the 'Bay from a US seller that had no idea what it was. He had an opening bid of $50 and I figured someone would recognize it as a Flexaret VII and would inflate the price to at least $100 or more like the others that have sold.

So I put my bid in, and then 3 days later, I got an email saying I won the unknown "vintage camera" for $50 + $8 shipping.

When it arrived, I was pleased that the camera is in good working order and looks real nice. The lenses have average dirt in them, but no fungus and no significant scuffs, scratches etc.

The shutter works fine at all speeds, even 1 sec.

The viewfinder is a bit dusty, and sadly, it appears that Flexaret viewfinders aren't nearly as easy to clean as other ones out there.

So anyway, now I have this thing and it sits here on my desk looking all pretty....so whats the problem?

I already have 2 other very nice TLRs. My 1957 Yashicamat in near mint condition. Ive already shot film in the 'Mat and it works wonderfully. I also have a really nice 1966-ish Mamiya C33 in very good condition also.

While the C33 is certainly a behemoth, I like that its one of the very few TLRs that can do macro work, and if I ever went crazy, I could swap out the lenses and try something different.

I'm not against keeping 3 TLRs, but knowing theres a chance that with a proper listing on eBay, I could probably double my money on the Flexaret.

It seems kind of odd to use, but I like how the shutter speed and aperture size are set by EV value, which is unlike my other two TLRs. It also has a removable film plate for taking 6cm x 4.5cm pictures. It is missing however, the 35mm adapter that some Flexaret VIIs came with.]

So what would you all do? Logically, I dont need 3 TLRs, but they're all so pretty. Would the money be better used buying something else? (I am currently in need of a M42 lens for my Yashica TL Super.)

Here are two pics of the Flexaret and a third of it sitting next to my Mamiya.

As already mentioned, before disposing of it should you try shooting a couple of rolls and observe the results.

Personally I would not sell also taking into account some aspects:

It is the latest in a line of cameras made by Meopta.

I know no other camera that is capable of using many different formats and sizes of film.

It is extremely nice for my taste.

As a user ten Flexaret that's my opinion.

Regards.

PS: You forgive the translation: I do not speak English.

 

[eckmanmj]

I understand Raid. I have had a love-hate relationship with FSU cameras over the years as well. I finally found 2 that work beautifully and I have held on to them. I tried many times to find a good Kiev but never lucked out there. Maybe someday I'll spring for a Rollie but they are always so expensive.

Im 0 for 2 on FSU cameras. My first Kiev had pretty much everything wrong with it (all slow speeds were way off, film transport problems where every frame overlapped, and the rangefinder was way off), but I still loved it. I ended up getting one straight from a Ukraine seller that had done a CLA on it.

I also got a mint FED 2 that I thought everything was working on. I shot a whole roll of film with it and many of the pictures turned out wonderful, but then one of the shutter ribbons broke, and I attempted to fix it myself. I bought replacement new old stock ribbons from Fedka, and tried to replace them myself, and that didn't work out so good. I havent yet gotten another FED 2, but plan on it someday. When I do, I'll go the same route as I did with the Kiev and get one thats already been serviced.

As for the Flexaret, I still have it on my desk! 🙂 Its so pretty!

 

[eckmanmj]

As already mentioned, before disposing of it should you try shooting a couple of rolls and observe the results.

Personally I would not sell also taking into account some aspects:

It is the latest in a line of cameras made by Meopta.

I know no other camera that is capable of using many different formats and sizes of film.

It is extremely nice for my taste.

As a user ten Flexaret that's my opinion.

Regards.

PS: You forgive the translation: I do not speak English.

I am only quoting the last response, but thanks everyone for the responses! I know 3 TLRs aren't a lot. I guess I had a little bit of buyers remorse seeing these beauties sitting on my desk along with so many other excellent cameras that aren't being used.

Part of the problem is that its winter here, and I like shooting color. Some photographers are good at finding beauty in the desolate drab of winter's grays and blues, but thats not me.

Once spring comes, I think my passion will be reignited and I'll be happy to take several of these out and shoot them. 🙂

And responding directly to thundertwin72, you do not need to apologize for your English. Your use of it is better than many American teenagers and 20-somethings these days! 🙂