Meopta Flexaret camera

The Flexaret is an iconic line of twin-lens reflex (TLR) cameras produced between 1939 and 1970. Originally manufactured by the company Optikotechna in Přerov, Czechoslovakia, the brand became part of the Meopta national enterprise after World War II. These cameras were designed to be high-quality yet accessible alternatives to expensive German models like the Rolleiflex, earning them the nickname 'national pride' among Czech photographers.

The cameras are characterized by their vertical design with two lenses—one for viewing and one for taking the photograph—and a distinctive anchor-shaped focusing lever. While consumer camera production ended in 1970 due to shifting industrial priorities within the Eastern Bloc, the manufacturer Meopta continued to evolve, specializing in advanced precision optics for military, industrial, and scientific applications.

Following the Velvet Revolution, Meopta was privatized and owned for several decades by the Rausnitz family. In 2023, the company reached a significant milestone when it was acquired by The Carlyle Group, a global investment firm. Today, while Meopta no longer produces film cameras, it remains a world leader in high-end optical solutions, headquartered in Přerov, Czech Republic.