[ENG] Flexaret IIa: 70-Year-Old Twin-Lens Reflex Camera Captures Stunning Black & White Photos!

Step into the golden age of analog photography with my Flexaret IIa, a twin-lens reflex (TLR) camera made in 1947 by the legendary Meopta factory in Czechoslovakia. I discovered this gem on Norway’s Finn classifieds for just €45, and despite being over 70 years old, it works flawlessly.

Using Fomapan black-and-white films (200 & 400 ASA), also from the Czech Republic, my son Alvar and I developed the films at home. As a retired photojournalist and editor, I spent decades in darkrooms. Today, I scan the negatives and use Photoshop for minor adjustments, preserving the classic look of film photography.

The Flexaret IIa is simple but precise. Its Prontor-SVS shutter runs from 1 second to 1/300 sec., and the Meopta Mirar II lens (80mm f/3.5) delivers crisp, detailed shots. Like many vintage TLRs, you manually cock the shutter after advancing the film—double exposures can happen if you’re not careful!

After World War II, the Flexaret was a practical alternative to expensive Rolleiflex or Rolleicord cameras. Its high-quality optics and durable construction made it popular with both amateurs and small newspapers in Norway, proving that excellent craftsmanship existed even behind the Iron Curtain.

Produced from 1939 to 1970, Flexaret cameras remain iconic among collectors and analog photography enthusiasts. The Meopta factory still operates today, known for precision optics and optical engineering.

Watch the video to see the Flexaret IIa in action and experience the timeless beauty of black-and-white film photography!