Meopta

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Meopta is a Czech-based manufacturer of optical goods, which previously included still and movie cameras, darkroom equipment and projectors. The company still makes telescopes, binoculars and microscopes, as well as optical systems for industrial, medical, aeronautical and military uses.[1]

The company was founded as Optikotechna in 1933 in Prerov, in what was then Czechoslovakia.[2] Optikotechna used facilities bought from the failing Bradac brothers' company, and the Bradacs themselves worked as designers for Optikotechna and Meopta.[3] It started producing enlargers and darkroom equipment and even its own lenses. During the war, all sorts of optical equipment was being produced for the German military, since the factory found itself in the occupied zone. The first camera was produced in 1939, the Flexette, a 6×6 TLR that was the startoff for what was to become a long line of TLRs. In 1946 the company was nationalized and renamed Meopta. After the fall of communism, it was privatized in 1992. After a period of collaboration with the US company TCI (originally Tyrolit Company, Inc.), makers of optical glass and glass components, TCI became first distributors of Meopta goods in the US, and finally became Meopta USA.[2]


Cameras

120 film

TLR

  • Kamarad I (Bradac Brothers)
  • Kamarad II (Bradac Brothers)
  • Autoflex (Bradac brothers, later Optikotechna)
  • Optiflex (Luxurious model, Optikotechna, later Meopta)
  • Flexette (Bradac brothers, later Optikotechna)
  • Flexaret I (Bradac brothers, later Optikotechna)
  • Flexaret II (3 types exist, type 2 with frame counter is very rare, Optikotechna, later Meopta)
  • Flexaret IIa (made as cheaper alternative to III)
  • Flexaret III
  • Flexaret IIIa (same as the III but with a Flash Synchro Shutter)
  • Flexaret IV
  • Flexaret IVa (can take 35mm insert)
  • Flexaret V
  • Flexaret Va (extra winding knob added to rewind 35mm film)
  • Flexaret VI (early version in black skin, later version in grey skin)
  • Flexaret Standard (most commonly in black skin but also exists in grey skin)
  • Flexaret VII (grey skin only, can also use 6x4.5 or 24x24 masks and has double exposure option)
  • Flexaret VIIa (silver distance scale, no double exposure button)

TLR Prototypes / rare ones

  • Flexaret Astro (based on VI, factory focused to infinity, only B time shutter)
  • Flexaret Reporter (for fast shooting)
  • Flexaret 12-24 (1970s prototype)
  • Flexaret VII (fast advance like Reporter model, possibility to use Praktisix pentaprism)
  • Flexaret Vb (bayonet filter mount, dark green skin)
  • Flexaret V with exposure meter (with rolleiflex style side focussing)
  • Flexaret II for oscillograph (also 3x5 format and counter window for 24 frames)
  • Flexaret IV ŠKOLNÍ PŘÍSTROJ (for schools)
  • Stereo Flexaret (used by J. Hanzelka)
  • Flexarex (interchangeable lenses, 70mm film)

Folding

  • Milona

Panoramic

32x45 film

  • Meta

35mm

Interchangeable lens (viewfinder/rangefinder)

Fixed lens

Stereo

16mm subminiature

16mm stereo


11.5mm subminiature


Large format

Enlargers

  • Agrand 10x12,5
  • Agrand 9x12
  • Axomat Ia
  • Axomat II
  • Axomat 3
  • Axomat 4
  • Axomat 4a
  • Axomat 5
  • Axomat 5a
  • Colombo
  • Ideal
  • Laborant
  • Magnitarus 13 x 18
  • Magnitarus 10 x 15
  • Magnifax II
  • Magnifax 3
  • Magnifax 3a
  • Magnifax 4
  • Meogrand
  • Multifax
  • Mignoret
  • Mikromax
  • Opemus 4 x 4
  • Opemus 6 x 6
  • Opemus IIa
  • Opemus III
  • Opemus 4
  • Opemus 5
  • Opemus 6
  • Opemus 6a
  • Opemus 7
  • Opemus Standard
  • Opemus Standard 2
  • Proximus
  • Proximus 2


Notes

  1. Meopta website, retrieved June 2012.
  2. 2.0 2.1 Company history, also on the Meopta website.
  3. McKeown, James M. and Joan C. McKeown's Price Guide to Antique and Classic Cameras, 12th Edition, 2005-2006. USA, Centennial Photo Service, 2004. ISBN 0-931838-40-1 (hardcover). ISBN 0-931838-41-X (softcover). p149 (Bradac), 761 (Optikotechna) and 662 (Meopta).

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