Camera lenses made in Czech Republic?

So an odd post in predictions, and I'm not sure I'm actually predicting anything. More questioning I guess.

But why isn't there a 3rd party camera lens made in CZ?

Why do I ask?
Well, for decades now I've come to realize that the Czech Republic is one of the last bastions of seriously fantastic mechanical engineering and manufacture left on Earth. CZ is where they "still make them like they used to" for TONS of great mechanical stuff.

15 years ago - today, ask any woodworker what's the best bang for buck on NEW wood chisels, and the answer is Narex. Made in CZ

Without paying for a boutique full custom 1911, where can you still get a massive steel semi auto pistol that is top quality? CZ

There is a huge and strange relatively new industry of "PCP" air rifles, (pre-charged pneumatic) There are entry level, and very high end ($$multi-K) made every where from Turkey, China, Germany, Sweden, US and,. yes, CZ. Like everything else, the CZ entry's all seem to punch way above their weight.

What does any of this have to do with camera lenses,.

Well then there is Meopta.
https://www.meopta.com​/en/

In the world of scopes, spotting, refile scopes, binoculars etc. there i such a diverse range of pricing it's staggering. Perhaps most familiar to most fellow photographers would be Binocs. From $35.00. - $3,500.00, binoculars have one of the widest ranges of price and quality of anything on the planet.

If you truly understand good optics like any photographer should, you can rule out the $35.00 "Simmons" off the bat. Lots of good options in the mid range often of Japanese manufacture, including Nikon, Pentax, Canon,. then the high end comes in, Zeiss, Lieca, Swarovski, and for rifle scopes add Schmidt and Bender, Leupold, etc. thousands$$

And then there is Meopta of CZ. Optically their rifle scopes compete with the best of the best. Even Leica Their binocs are fantastic! But the prices are much less. They've been making optics for over 80 years.
https://www.meoptaspor​tsoptics.com/us/


So,. will Meopta ever move into 3rd party lenses? do they already make elements for other brands?

Sorry for a rambling "prediction"

There was a thread on another forum about 2007 or 2009 regarding lenses from Czechia, but not much response.
Web search indicates it was the origin of soft contacts inventor, but otherwise not much mention.

At one time CZ motocross bikes were considered some of the best.

They brew some terrific beer, too.

I'm really happy that I read this thread, because over the past few weeks I was trying to get my head around a 3D Printer to buy. After reading the comments here I gave a lot more consideration to Prusa Research, a Czechia company, and ended up buying a Prusa Mini+. What a nicely built machine! Works like a charm too.

Bob_A wrote in post #19328444
I'm really happy that I read this thread, because over the past few weeks I was trying to get my head around a 3D Printer to buy. After reading the comments here I gave a lot more consideration to Prusa Research, a Czechia company, and ended up buying a Prusa Mini+. What a nicely built machine! Works like a charm too.

Fascinating. Another product on the list of "superior stuff made in CZ"

Bohemian crystal

Thanks Jake for this post and links. I always have a high interest in good binocs and scopes, would like to try their products.