Gone and bought a flexaret

[digiconvert]

Thanks to everyone who has given advice on MF geaer, naturally I have ignored it all by falling for a flexaret VII from cupog. It looks great and I'm hoping it's a step up from Lubi the Lubitel (not difficult). I like TLRs and decided that a big heavy SLR was not for me (although I did enjoy using an RZ67 at college the other day).
I also take photographs for pleasure so I want a little fun in my picture taking, the Lubitel gives this in spades but the light leaks make for interesting photos. Anyone want to give me the horror stories about flexarets tell me now before it comes so I can be ready. If it's anything like my opemus enlarger it should be a real joy but ....... do you know bwtter ?

Cheers ; chris

 

[Nick Zentena]

Cupog is good. Did he give it a CLA first? I don't think I've ever had a problem with my Va.

 

[digiconvert]

Cupog is good. Did he give it a CLA first?........

Yes, that's why I bought this http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7569611870&rd=1&sspagename=STRK:MEWN:IT&rd=1
rather than take a chance on this http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7571586367&rd=1&sspagename=STRK:MEWA:IT&rd=1

He seems a brilliant dealer and the gear he sells is silly money, I can buy two of these meoptas for the cost of a fairly old rolleicord and with my 'skill' who will know the difference ?

 

[eumenius]

Thanks to everyone who has given advice on MF geaer, naturally I have ignored it all by falling for a flexaret VII from cupog. It looks great and I'm hoping it's a step up from Lubi the Lubitel (not difficult). I like TLRs and decided that a big heavy SLR was not for me (although I did enjoy using an RZ67 at college the other day).
I also take photographs for pleasure so I want a little fun in my picture taking, the Lubitel gives this in spades but the light leaks make for interesting photos. Anyone want to give me the horror stories about flexarets tell me now before it comes so I can be ready. If it's anything like my opemus enlarger it should be a real joy but ....... do you know bwtter ?

Cheers ; chris

Oh, the latest Flexaret would give you fun not only in spades, but in truckloads - believe me, quirky this device could look, but it's capable of doing fine pictures. I used one in USSR times, and it was a gem. Ant it looks really funny, especially that focusing handle and coupled EV scale The focusing screens on them were on a dim side, but maybe that could be helped by, say, Satinsnow glass? Or maybe you've got one bright enough? It's as good as Meopta enlargers, so you'll see it for yourself soon - and it's a SYSTEM camera, with lots of interesting add-ons available

Cheers, and have fun - Zhenya

 

[johnr55]

Unique, But. . .

Weakest point of the Flexaret is film transport/shutter. I've had two and both broke the same place. Went to Autocord instead, it uses the same helical with better shutter mechanism and lenses. Can't beat that neat deco styling, though. Mine are great decoration!

 

[Brac]

Weakest point of the Flexaret is film transport/shutter. I've had two and both broke the same place. Went to Autocord instead, it uses the same helical with better shutter mechanism and lenses. Can't beat that neat deco styling, though. Mine are great decoration!

The models with lever wind transport are known to have a weakness here but later models (I think from the IV on) reverted to knob wind-on and this is supposed to be more robust.

Generally the Flexarets are well thought of and are streets ahead of the rather horrible Lubitel.

 

[digiconvert]

.............. the Flexarets are well thought of and are streets ahead of the rather horrible Lubitel.

Shh, Lubi will hear you
I am hoping to avoid the 'lubitel stoop' caused by trying to peer through that tiny loupe onto the tinier frosted glass screen.

 

[Brac]

Shh, Lubi will hear you
I am hoping to avoid the 'lubitel stoop' caused by trying to peer through that tiny loupe onto the tinier frosted glass screen.

Best of luck, I got so frustrated with mine I sold it on ebay!