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Scheimpflug
Joined: 06 Feb 2010 Posts: 1888 Location: New Zealand / USA
Expire: 2011-11-18
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Posted: Thu Nov 04, 2010 5:08 am Post subject: Agfa Compact (Agfa Optima 935) with Electronic Winder |
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Scheimpflug wrote:
Has anyone heard of the "Agfa Compact", also apparently known as the "Agfa Optima 935"?
(Image from Dirk Meyer via Wikipedia: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Agfa-compact.jpg)
There is one that appeared at a local second hand shop... It is definitely compact, and relatively heavy for its size. It feels well built.
I haven't found much info on it... The lens is an Agfa Solinar 39/2.8, and it is manual focus, but without a rangefinder. Exposure is automatic once you set the ISO, and the film advance and rewind are motorized. It has a small dedicated flash that attaches to the side, as well as a bracket with a hotshoe to hold a traditional flash. The lens retracts when the camera is turned off.
Some more info:
http://www.optiksammlung.de/Agfa/compact.html
http://www.collection-appareils.fr/agfa/html/agfa_compact_electronic.php
http://www.misa-photography.de/home_cams_minicompact.htm
http://www.flickr.com/photos/eergun/page19/
I'm trying to decide if it is worth picking up. _________________ Sigma DP1, Nikon D40 (hers ), Polaroid x530, Pentax P30t, Pentax P50, (P30t/P50 K-A to Nikon F body mount conversion)
Nikon: 18-55/3.5-5.6 "G ED II DX" (F) Soligor: 28/2.8 (FL->F converted), 135/3.5 (F), 3x TC (F, modified) Kalimar: 28-85/3.5 (F)
Vivitar: 70-210/2.8-4.0 Version 3 (F), Tele 500/6.3 Preset (F), 19/3.8 (F) Minolta: 300/5.6 (SR/MC/MD pending F conversion)
Tamron: 28/2.8 (Adaptall) Panagor: 28/2.5 (FD) Aetna: 300/5.6 (F) Osawa: MC 28/2.8 (F)
Vintage Lenses: Dallmeyer: 1940s A.M. 14in 356mm f4 (ULF->M42) 1930s Adon Telephoto Taylor, Taylor & Hobson: 1880s Rapid Rectilinear 8 1/2 x 6 1/2 11.31in f/8 (LF->?)
Parts Lenses: Nikon 35-135/3.5-4.5 (F), Sigma 70-210/4.5 (F), Nikon 50/1.8 Series E (F) |
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Katastrofo
Joined: 26 Feb 2007 Posts: 10405 Location: USA
Expire: 2013-11-19
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Posted: Thu Nov 04, 2010 5:19 am Post subject: |
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Katastrofo wrote:
Very interesting find, looking forward to the pix. Solinar was Agfa's top-o-the-line lens, a Tessar if memory serves. So, zone focus?
Actually, for their Karat series, there were the Soligon and Heligon lenses,
which were above the Solinar. |
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mo
Joined: 27 Aug 2009 Posts: 8982 Location: Australia
Expire: 2016-07-30
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Posted: Thu Nov 04, 2010 5:34 am Post subject: |
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mo wrote:
What is the price? It looks nice enough to pick up for the right price. _________________ Moira, Moderator
Fuji XE-1,Pentax K-01,Panasonic G1,Panasonic G5,Pentax MX
Ricoh Singlex TLS,KR-5,KR-5Super,XR-10
Lenses
Auto Rikenon's 55/1.4, 1.8, 2.8... 50/1.7 Takumar 2/58 Preset Takumar 2.8/105 Auto Takumar 2.2/55, 3.5/35 Super Takumar 1.8/55...Macro Takumar F4/50... CZJ Biotar ALU M42 2/58 CZJ Tessar ALU M42 2.8/50
CZJ DDR Flektogon Zebra M42 2.8/35 CZJ Pancolar M42 2/50 CZJ Pancolar Exakta 2/50
Auto Mamiya/Sekor 1.8/55 ...Auto Mamiya/Sekor 2/50 Auto Mamiya/Sekor 2.8/50 Auto Mamiya/Sekor 200/3.5 Tamron SP500/8 Tamron SP350/5.6 Tamron SP90/2.5
Primoplan 1.9/58 Primagon 4.5/35 Telemegor 5.5/150 Angenieux 3.5/28 Angenieux 3,5/135 Y 2
Canon FL 58/1.2,Canon FL85/1.8,Canon FL 100/3.5,Canon SSC 2.8/100 ,Konica AR 100/2.8, Nikkor P 105/2.5
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Scheimpflug
Joined: 06 Feb 2010 Posts: 1888 Location: New Zealand / USA
Expire: 2011-11-18
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Posted: Thu Nov 04, 2010 5:56 am Post subject: |
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Scheimpflug wrote:
mo wrote: |
What is the price? It looks nice enough to pick up for the right price. |
It's priced at NZ $35 (which is somewhere around US $27.50, AU $27.40, €19.50, or £17.50). It's above my impulse buy threshold... so I'm hoping to find out if it is any good first. So far, I have yet to find a single review of the camera... all I have found are photos of it and specifications.
The one in the shop has its lens cover open with the lens retracted, and the sliding cover for the viewfinder is closed and will not open. I suspect that there is a mechanical interlock of some sort that will need repair, but it could just be that it needs batteries in it (2x AAA) to sort itself out. I would have to consider it an as-is purchase and hope for the best. _________________ Sigma DP1, Nikon D40 (hers ), Polaroid x530, Pentax P30t, Pentax P50, (P30t/P50 K-A to Nikon F body mount conversion)
Nikon: 18-55/3.5-5.6 "G ED II DX" (F) Soligor: 28/2.8 (FL->F converted), 135/3.5 (F), 3x TC (F, modified) Kalimar: 28-85/3.5 (F)
Vivitar: 70-210/2.8-4.0 Version 3 (F), Tele 500/6.3 Preset (F), 19/3.8 (F) Minolta: 300/5.6 (SR/MC/MD pending F conversion)
Tamron: 28/2.8 (Adaptall) Panagor: 28/2.5 (FD) Aetna: 300/5.6 (F) Osawa: MC 28/2.8 (F)
Vintage Lenses: Dallmeyer: 1940s A.M. 14in 356mm f4 (ULF->M42) 1930s Adon Telephoto Taylor, Taylor & Hobson: 1880s Rapid Rectilinear 8 1/2 x 6 1/2 11.31in f/8 (LF->?)
Parts Lenses: Nikon 35-135/3.5-4.5 (F), Sigma 70-210/4.5 (F), Nikon 50/1.8 Series E (F) |
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mo
Joined: 27 Aug 2009 Posts: 8982 Location: Australia
Expire: 2016-07-30
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Posted: Thu Nov 04, 2010 5:59 am Post subject: |
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mo wrote:
Can you haggle by pointing out it may have an issue? Some 2nd hand places have no idea and just guess the price.When I was in NZ last I found the 2nd hand stuff overpriced. _________________ Moira, Moderator
Fuji XE-1,Pentax K-01,Panasonic G1,Panasonic G5,Pentax MX
Ricoh Singlex TLS,KR-5,KR-5Super,XR-10
Lenses
Auto Rikenon's 55/1.4, 1.8, 2.8... 50/1.7 Takumar 2/58 Preset Takumar 2.8/105 Auto Takumar 2.2/55, 3.5/35 Super Takumar 1.8/55...Macro Takumar F4/50... CZJ Biotar ALU M42 2/58 CZJ Tessar ALU M42 2.8/50
CZJ DDR Flektogon Zebra M42 2.8/35 CZJ Pancolar M42 2/50 CZJ Pancolar Exakta 2/50
Auto Mamiya/Sekor 1.8/55 ...Auto Mamiya/Sekor 2/50 Auto Mamiya/Sekor 2.8/50 Auto Mamiya/Sekor 200/3.5 Tamron SP500/8 Tamron SP350/5.6 Tamron SP90/2.5
Primoplan 1.9/58 Primagon 4.5/35 Telemegor 5.5/150 Angenieux 3.5/28 Angenieux 3,5/135 Y 2
Canon FL 58/1.2,Canon FL85/1.8,Canon FL 100/3.5,Canon SSC 2.8/100 ,Konica AR 100/2.8, Nikkor P 105/2.5
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Scheimpflug
Joined: 06 Feb 2010 Posts: 1888 Location: New Zealand / USA
Expire: 2011-11-18
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Posted: Thu Nov 04, 2010 6:06 am Post subject: |
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Scheimpflug wrote:
Possibly... I tried a bit while I was there, but the person minding the store couldn't do much. I would have to go back when the shop owner was around. _________________ Sigma DP1, Nikon D40 (hers ), Polaroid x530, Pentax P30t, Pentax P50, (P30t/P50 K-A to Nikon F body mount conversion)
Nikon: 18-55/3.5-5.6 "G ED II DX" (F) Soligor: 28/2.8 (FL->F converted), 135/3.5 (F), 3x TC (F, modified) Kalimar: 28-85/3.5 (F)
Vivitar: 70-210/2.8-4.0 Version 3 (F), Tele 500/6.3 Preset (F), 19/3.8 (F) Minolta: 300/5.6 (SR/MC/MD pending F conversion)
Tamron: 28/2.8 (Adaptall) Panagor: 28/2.5 (FD) Aetna: 300/5.6 (F) Osawa: MC 28/2.8 (F)
Vintage Lenses: Dallmeyer: 1940s A.M. 14in 356mm f4 (ULF->M42) 1930s Adon Telephoto Taylor, Taylor & Hobson: 1880s Rapid Rectilinear 8 1/2 x 6 1/2 11.31in f/8 (LF->?)
Parts Lenses: Nikon 35-135/3.5-4.5 (F), Sigma 70-210/4.5 (F), Nikon 50/1.8 Series E (F) |
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ludoo
Joined: 18 Sep 2009 Posts: 1397 Location: Milan, Italy
Expire: 2011-12-05
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Posted: Thu Nov 04, 2010 6:42 am Post subject: |
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ludoo wrote:
Interesting camera. I'd test the exposure meter and shutter with fresh bateries by pointing it to light/dark areas, and if it works I'd get it. It seems really rare, I've never seen one around. The German version of an Olympus XA2. _________________ My galleries
Digital: Samsung EX-1
Past Digital: Samsung NX10, Sigma SD9, Sigma SD10, SD14, DP2, Pentax *istD, Kx, Fuji S2 Pro, Canon 5D
Analog: packfilm Polaroids, 6x9 Kodak folders, Pentacon Taxona half-frame, Fujica ST605n, Walz Envoy, Olympus 35 S-II, Olympus Wide S
Past Analog: Polaroid 600se, Polaroid 110B, Canon IIF, various fixed-lens and Russian rangefinders, ...
Past Lenses: Nikkor 24/2.8, Nikkor SC 50/1.4, Nikkor 50/2, Nikkor H 85/1.8, Nikkor P 105/2.5, Nikkor Q 135/3.5, Fujinon 100/2.8, Fujinon EBC 100/2.8, Fujinon EBC 135/3.5, Fujinon EBC 200/4.5, Mamiya SX 135/2.8, CZJ Flektogon 35/2.4, CZJ Pancolar 50/1.8 zebra, CZJ Sonnar 135/3.5, ...
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Scheimpflug
Joined: 06 Feb 2010 Posts: 1888 Location: New Zealand / USA
Expire: 2011-11-18
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Posted: Thu Nov 04, 2010 8:39 am Post subject: |
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Scheimpflug wrote:
ludoo wrote: |
Interesting camera. I'd test the exposure meter and shutter with fresh bateries by pointing it to light/dark areas, and if it works I'd get it. It seems really rare, I've never seen one around. The German version of an Olympus XA2. |
I'm not exactly sure how to test the meter... I think the viewfinder just has a pair of green and red LEDs... so as long as the green one lights, you would have to trust that it is setting a reasonable shutter speed and aperture... I suppose I could try covering the lens and watching for the red LED?
The shutter is another tricky bit. From what I have read, the camera is "smart", and will only fire the shutter if it has film in it...
It does seem to be rare! Especially with the accessory flash. I am well aware that rare does not always equate to "valuable", but at least it makes it interesting. _________________ Sigma DP1, Nikon D40 (hers ), Polaroid x530, Pentax P30t, Pentax P50, (P30t/P50 K-A to Nikon F body mount conversion)
Nikon: 18-55/3.5-5.6 "G ED II DX" (F) Soligor: 28/2.8 (FL->F converted), 135/3.5 (F), 3x TC (F, modified) Kalimar: 28-85/3.5 (F)
Vivitar: 70-210/2.8-4.0 Version 3 (F), Tele 500/6.3 Preset (F), 19/3.8 (F) Minolta: 300/5.6 (SR/MC/MD pending F conversion)
Tamron: 28/2.8 (Adaptall) Panagor: 28/2.5 (FD) Aetna: 300/5.6 (F) Osawa: MC 28/2.8 (F)
Vintage Lenses: Dallmeyer: 1940s A.M. 14in 356mm f4 (ULF->M42) 1930s Adon Telephoto Taylor, Taylor & Hobson: 1880s Rapid Rectilinear 8 1/2 x 6 1/2 11.31in f/8 (LF->?)
Parts Lenses: Nikon 35-135/3.5-4.5 (F), Sigma 70-210/4.5 (F), Nikon 50/1.8 Series E (F) |
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ludoo
Joined: 18 Sep 2009 Posts: 1397 Location: Milan, Italy
Expire: 2011-12-05
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Posted: Thu Nov 04, 2010 10:35 am Post subject: |
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ludoo wrote:
If the film/shutter lock is anything like old Voigtlander cameras, it just means the shutter won't cock unless the wheel moving film turns, which you can easily do with the back open using your fingers. Then check that aperture changes by firing with the camera pointed at a bright light, and at a darker spot. _________________ My galleries
Digital: Samsung EX-1
Past Digital: Samsung NX10, Sigma SD9, Sigma SD10, SD14, DP2, Pentax *istD, Kx, Fuji S2 Pro, Canon 5D
Analog: packfilm Polaroids, 6x9 Kodak folders, Pentacon Taxona half-frame, Fujica ST605n, Walz Envoy, Olympus 35 S-II, Olympus Wide S
Past Analog: Polaroid 600se, Polaroid 110B, Canon IIF, various fixed-lens and Russian rangefinders, ...
Past Lenses: Nikkor 24/2.8, Nikkor SC 50/1.4, Nikkor 50/2, Nikkor H 85/1.8, Nikkor P 105/2.5, Nikkor Q 135/3.5, Fujinon 100/2.8, Fujinon EBC 100/2.8, Fujinon EBC 135/3.5, Fujinon EBC 200/4.5, Mamiya SX 135/2.8, CZJ Flektogon 35/2.4, CZJ Pancolar 50/1.8 zebra, CZJ Sonnar 135/3.5, ...
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Seele
Joined: 17 Apr 2009 Posts: 741 Location: Sydney Australia
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Posted: Thu Nov 04, 2010 4:38 pm Post subject: |
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Seele wrote:
I remember this camera when it first came out and it had some very positive reviews. Being an electronic camera it would need fresh batteries and a roll of dead film to get it tested properly. |
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fish4570
Joined: 06 Jan 2010 Posts: 4514 Location: At the confluence of the Locust Fork of the Warrior River and Black Creek, Alabama
Expire: 2012-03-21
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Posted: Mon Nov 08, 2010 3:15 am Post subject: |
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fish4570 wrote:
It is a good looking thing ... _________________ Paul
I chase Light
http://blackcreekjournal.blogspot.com/ |
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hanskerensky
Joined: 10 Apr 2010 Posts: 27 Location: Limburg, The Netherlands
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Posted: Sat Nov 13, 2010 10:26 am Post subject: |
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hanskerensky wrote:
Well, i had also one. Surfaced during an attic clearing. It's surely a nice looking camera but unfortunatly it didn't function.
_________________ -------------------------------------------------------
See my Flickr pages <a>here</a> |
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Scheimpflug
Joined: 06 Feb 2010 Posts: 1888 Location: New Zealand / USA
Expire: 2011-11-18
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Posted: Fri Nov 19, 2010 12:44 pm Post subject: |
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Scheimpflug wrote:
Seele wrote: |
I remember this camera when it first came out and it had some very positive reviews. |
Thanks! That's encouraging...
hanskerensky wrote: |
Well, i had also one. Surfaced during an attic clearing. It's surely a nice looking camera but unfortunatly it didn't function. |
Yep, that's it! Do you still have it? I would be interested to know what the symptoms were when it failed... Did you use it in the past, or was it non-functional when you purchased it? _________________ Sigma DP1, Nikon D40 (hers ), Polaroid x530, Pentax P30t, Pentax P50, (P30t/P50 K-A to Nikon F body mount conversion)
Nikon: 18-55/3.5-5.6 "G ED II DX" (F) Soligor: 28/2.8 (FL->F converted), 135/3.5 (F), 3x TC (F, modified) Kalimar: 28-85/3.5 (F)
Vivitar: 70-210/2.8-4.0 Version 3 (F), Tele 500/6.3 Preset (F), 19/3.8 (F) Minolta: 300/5.6 (SR/MC/MD pending F conversion)
Tamron: 28/2.8 (Adaptall) Panagor: 28/2.5 (FD) Aetna: 300/5.6 (F) Osawa: MC 28/2.8 (F)
Vintage Lenses: Dallmeyer: 1940s A.M. 14in 356mm f4 (ULF->M42) 1930s Adon Telephoto Taylor, Taylor & Hobson: 1880s Rapid Rectilinear 8 1/2 x 6 1/2 11.31in f/8 (LF->?)
Parts Lenses: Nikon 35-135/3.5-4.5 (F), Sigma 70-210/4.5 (F), Nikon 50/1.8 Series E (F) |
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Scheimpflug
Joined: 06 Feb 2010 Posts: 1888 Location: New Zealand / USA
Expire: 2011-11-18
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Posted: Fri Nov 19, 2010 1:27 pm Post subject: |
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Scheimpflug wrote:
Well, I went back to the shop today with a pair of AAA batteries, and they still had the Agfa. I mentioned that I had been in before, pointed out that the viewfinder cover was stuck and the lens cover wasn't in the right position, and asked if I could test it with batteries...
I put the batteries in, and the camera immediately went "whirrrrr-CLACK!" and the lens was retracted with the cover tightly closed. I nudged the sliding viewfinder cover downward, and "Snap! whir-whir-whir-CLACK!" the lens was out and locked, and the viewfinder cover was open.
I hadn't thought it all through, but right then and there, proving that it worked, I lost all of my bargaining chips to haggle on price. Oh well.
So here it is:
It's too bad I'm a user and not a collector, because this one came with everything but the box.
Included are:
* The camera, with a neck strap
* An Agfa leather-type case
* The guarantee cards
* A business card for the national sales manager for Agfa-Gevaert NZ Ltd.
* A "Useful Tips" booklet
* An instruction book (text)
* An instruction book (figures)
* A clip-on flash (markings: 6933/100, referred to in the manuals as the "Compact Lux", powered by an additional two AAA batteries)
* A right-angle flash bracket, with a cold-shoe and a sync cord socket
There is some writing on the guarantee card, indicating that it was purchased in Auckland on July 12, 1985. It's hard to believe that this is a 25-year-old camera! _________________ Sigma DP1, Nikon D40 (hers ), Polaroid x530, Pentax P30t, Pentax P50, (P30t/P50 K-A to Nikon F body mount conversion)
Nikon: 18-55/3.5-5.6 "G ED II DX" (F) Soligor: 28/2.8 (FL->F converted), 135/3.5 (F), 3x TC (F, modified) Kalimar: 28-85/3.5 (F)
Vivitar: 70-210/2.8-4.0 Version 3 (F), Tele 500/6.3 Preset (F), 19/3.8 (F) Minolta: 300/5.6 (SR/MC/MD pending F conversion)
Tamron: 28/2.8 (Adaptall) Panagor: 28/2.5 (FD) Aetna: 300/5.6 (F) Osawa: MC 28/2.8 (F)
Vintage Lenses: Dallmeyer: 1940s A.M. 14in 356mm f4 (ULF->M42) 1930s Adon Telephoto Taylor, Taylor & Hobson: 1880s Rapid Rectilinear 8 1/2 x 6 1/2 11.31in f/8 (LF->?)
Parts Lenses: Nikon 35-135/3.5-4.5 (F), Sigma 70-210/4.5 (F), Nikon 50/1.8 Series E (F) |
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ludoo
Joined: 18 Sep 2009 Posts: 1397 Location: Milan, Italy
Expire: 2011-12-05
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Posted: Fri Nov 19, 2010 2:29 pm Post subject: |
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ludoo wrote:
I'm jealous!
I have a soft spot for Agfas, and this one is really beautiful. _________________ My galleries
Digital: Samsung EX-1
Past Digital: Samsung NX10, Sigma SD9, Sigma SD10, SD14, DP2, Pentax *istD, Kx, Fuji S2 Pro, Canon 5D
Analog: packfilm Polaroids, 6x9 Kodak folders, Pentacon Taxona half-frame, Fujica ST605n, Walz Envoy, Olympus 35 S-II, Olympus Wide S
Past Analog: Polaroid 600se, Polaroid 110B, Canon IIF, various fixed-lens and Russian rangefinders, ...
Past Lenses: Nikkor 24/2.8, Nikkor SC 50/1.4, Nikkor 50/2, Nikkor H 85/1.8, Nikkor P 105/2.5, Nikkor Q 135/3.5, Fujinon 100/2.8, Fujinon EBC 100/2.8, Fujinon EBC 135/3.5, Fujinon EBC 200/4.5, Mamiya SX 135/2.8, CZJ Flektogon 35/2.4, CZJ Pancolar 50/1.8 zebra, CZJ Sonnar 135/3.5, ...
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estudleon
Joined: 15 May 2008 Posts: 3754 Location: Argentina
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Posted: Fri Nov 19, 2010 10:05 pm Post subject: |
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estudleon wrote:
What nice agfa!!!
And the lens solinar, is the name of the best agfa lens design (tessar) _________________ Konica 2,8/100
CZJ: 4/20, 2,4/35, 1,8/50 aus jena, 3,5/135MC, Pentacon 1,8/50
Pentax S-M-C-1,4/50
Helios 44-3
Mamiya 2,8/135
Misc. : jupiter 9
Stuff used:
A) SRL
Alpa 10 D - kern macro Switar 1,9/50 -black, Kilffit apochromat 2/100.
Asahi pentax spotmatic super takumar 1,4/50
Contaflex super B tessar 2,8/50 Pro-tessar 115
Leica R3 electronic summicron 2/50 elmarit 2,8/35
Konica Autoreflex 3 (2 black and chrome one), TC, T4. 2,8/24, 3,5/28 not MC and MC, 1,8/40, 1,4/50, 1,7/50 MC and not MC, 1,8/85, 3,2/135, 3,5/135, 4/200
Minolta XG9 2,8/35, 2/45, 3,5/135
Nikkormat FTn 1,4/50, 2,8/135
Fujica ST 801, 605, 705n. 3,5/19, 1,4/50, 1,8/55, 4/85, 3,5/135.
Praktica MTL 5 and a lot of M42 lenses.
Voigtlander. Bessamatic m, bessamatix de luxe, bessamatic cs, ultramatic and ultramatic cs.
Skoparex 3,5/35, skopagon 2/40, skopar 2,8/50, skopar X 2,8/50, super lanthar (out of catalogue) 2,8/50, dinarex 3,4/90, dinarex 4,8/100, super dinarex 4/135, super dinarex 4/200, zoomar 2,8/36-83, portrait lens 0, 1 and 2. Curtagon 4/28 and 2,8/35
Canon AV1, 1,8/50
Rolleiflex SL35 and SL35 E. 2,8/35 angulon, 2,8/35 distagon, 1,4/55 rolleinar, 1,8/50 planar, 4/135 tessar, 2,8/135 rolleinar, x2 rollei, M42 to rollei adap.
Etc.
RF
Yashica Minister III
Voightlander Vito, vitomatic I, Vito C, etc.
Leica M. M2, M3 (d.s.) and M4. Schenider 3,4/21, 2/35 summaron 2,8/35 (with eyes). Summicron 2/35 (8 elements with eyes), 2/35 chrome, 2/35 black, 1,4/35 pre asph and aspheric - old -, 2/40 summicron, 2,8/50 elmar, 2/50 7 elements, 2/50 DR, 2/50 - minolta version, 1,4/50 summilux 1966 version, 1,4/75 summilux, 2/90 large version, 2/90 reduced version of 1987, 2,8/90 elmarit large version, 4/135 elmar. |
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ludoo
Joined: 18 Sep 2009 Posts: 1397 Location: Milan, Italy
Expire: 2011-12-05
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Posted: Sat Nov 20, 2010 6:56 am Post subject: |
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ludoo wrote:
estudleon wrote: |
And the lens solinar, is the name of the best agfa lens design (tessar) |
The best is the Solagon, a double gauss. _________________ My galleries
Digital: Samsung EX-1
Past Digital: Samsung NX10, Sigma SD9, Sigma SD10, SD14, DP2, Pentax *istD, Kx, Fuji S2 Pro, Canon 5D
Analog: packfilm Polaroids, 6x9 Kodak folders, Pentacon Taxona half-frame, Fujica ST605n, Walz Envoy, Olympus 35 S-II, Olympus Wide S
Past Analog: Polaroid 600se, Polaroid 110B, Canon IIF, various fixed-lens and Russian rangefinders, ...
Past Lenses: Nikkor 24/2.8, Nikkor SC 50/1.4, Nikkor 50/2, Nikkor H 85/1.8, Nikkor P 105/2.5, Nikkor Q 135/3.5, Fujinon 100/2.8, Fujinon EBC 100/2.8, Fujinon EBC 135/3.5, Fujinon EBC 200/4.5, Mamiya SX 135/2.8, CZJ Flektogon 35/2.4, CZJ Pancolar 50/1.8 zebra, CZJ Sonnar 135/3.5, ...
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estudleon
Joined: 15 May 2008 Posts: 3754 Location: Argentina
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Posted: Sat Nov 20, 2010 12:32 pm Post subject: |
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estudleon wrote:
ludoo wrote: |
estudleon wrote: |
And the lens solinar, is the name of the best agfa lens design (tessar) |
The best is the Solagon, a double gauss. |
It's your taste, that's right for you.
In mine, when the lens is single coat I prefer the IQ of the tessar's (here in agfa calculation) design over the double gauss, with certain exceptions where it is not the solagon (50 nor 55 mm).
My point is the following: In tessar design, the solinar has a determinated and very good quality (among the best tessars design, like xenar, skopar). In the double gauss world, in my opinion the solagon isn't among the best RF lenses (summicron M, Canon or Nikkor RF, Konica 1,9/47, yashica 1,7/45, etc.)
We were speak about RF cams.
I recognice that the last versions of the agfa apotar had almost the same IQ of the solinar.
Anyway, all are very good ones. _________________ Konica 2,8/100
CZJ: 4/20, 2,4/35, 1,8/50 aus jena, 3,5/135MC, Pentacon 1,8/50
Pentax S-M-C-1,4/50
Helios 44-3
Mamiya 2,8/135
Misc. : jupiter 9
Stuff used:
A) SRL
Alpa 10 D - kern macro Switar 1,9/50 -black, Kilffit apochromat 2/100.
Asahi pentax spotmatic super takumar 1,4/50
Contaflex super B tessar 2,8/50 Pro-tessar 115
Leica R3 electronic summicron 2/50 elmarit 2,8/35
Konica Autoreflex 3 (2 black and chrome one), TC, T4. 2,8/24, 3,5/28 not MC and MC, 1,8/40, 1,4/50, 1,7/50 MC and not MC, 1,8/85, 3,2/135, 3,5/135, 4/200
Minolta XG9 2,8/35, 2/45, 3,5/135
Nikkormat FTn 1,4/50, 2,8/135
Fujica ST 801, 605, 705n. 3,5/19, 1,4/50, 1,8/55, 4/85, 3,5/135.
Praktica MTL 5 and a lot of M42 lenses.
Voigtlander. Bessamatic m, bessamatix de luxe, bessamatic cs, ultramatic and ultramatic cs.
Skoparex 3,5/35, skopagon 2/40, skopar 2,8/50, skopar X 2,8/50, super lanthar (out of catalogue) 2,8/50, dinarex 3,4/90, dinarex 4,8/100, super dinarex 4/135, super dinarex 4/200, zoomar 2,8/36-83, portrait lens 0, 1 and 2. Curtagon 4/28 and 2,8/35
Canon AV1, 1,8/50
Rolleiflex SL35 and SL35 E. 2,8/35 angulon, 2,8/35 distagon, 1,4/55 rolleinar, 1,8/50 planar, 4/135 tessar, 2,8/135 rolleinar, x2 rollei, M42 to rollei adap.
Etc.
RF
Yashica Minister III
Voightlander Vito, vitomatic I, Vito C, etc.
Leica M. M2, M3 (d.s.) and M4. Schenider 3,4/21, 2/35 summaron 2,8/35 (with eyes). Summicron 2/35 (8 elements with eyes), 2/35 chrome, 2/35 black, 1,4/35 pre asph and aspheric - old -, 2/40 summicron, 2,8/50 elmar, 2/50 7 elements, 2/50 DR, 2/50 - minolta version, 1,4/50 summilux 1966 version, 1,4/75 summilux, 2/90 large version, 2/90 reduced version of 1987, 2,8/90 elmarit large version, 4/135 elmar. |
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ludoo
Joined: 18 Sep 2009 Posts: 1397 Location: Milan, Italy
Expire: 2011-12-05
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Posted: Sat Nov 20, 2010 1:08 pm Post subject: |
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ludoo wrote:
Ahhhh ok, you are speaking of personal taste and actual use, then it's a different matter. I was just saying that the Solagon is the "best" in the sense that it was their most expensive and rarer lens. _________________ My galleries
Digital: Samsung EX-1
Past Digital: Samsung NX10, Sigma SD9, Sigma SD10, SD14, DP2, Pentax *istD, Kx, Fuji S2 Pro, Canon 5D
Analog: packfilm Polaroids, 6x9 Kodak folders, Pentacon Taxona half-frame, Fujica ST605n, Walz Envoy, Olympus 35 S-II, Olympus Wide S
Past Analog: Polaroid 600se, Polaroid 110B, Canon IIF, various fixed-lens and Russian rangefinders, ...
Past Lenses: Nikkor 24/2.8, Nikkor SC 50/1.4, Nikkor 50/2, Nikkor H 85/1.8, Nikkor P 105/2.5, Nikkor Q 135/3.5, Fujinon 100/2.8, Fujinon EBC 100/2.8, Fujinon EBC 135/3.5, Fujinon EBC 200/4.5, Mamiya SX 135/2.8, CZJ Flektogon 35/2.4, CZJ Pancolar 50/1.8 zebra, CZJ Sonnar 135/3.5, ...
altroformato
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Scheimpflug
Joined: 06 Feb 2010 Posts: 1888 Location: New Zealand / USA
Expire: 2011-11-18
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Posted: Fri Nov 26, 2010 7:12 am Post subject: |
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Scheimpflug wrote:
Thanks ludoo and estudleon. The discussion is somewhat academic, since I can't change the lens on this camera, but it is always good to know where your equipment stands in the rankings.
In another development, I grabbed a roll of Fuji Superia 200 and loaded the Agfa Compact this afternoon, intending to take a roll of test shots to see how the camera performed. Unfortunately, loading the film is as far as I got.
I loaded the camera by the instructions - making sure that the film leader engaged in the takeup spool, and closing the bottom first and then the back. The film winder automatically advanced the film, and the counter moved from "A" to "1", as expected. However, when I attempted to take a shot, nothing happened. There were no lights in the viewfinder, no sounds, no shutter, and no film advancing.
The manual says to replace the batteries when the lens extends or retracts slowly, and mine is anything but slow, so I know the batteries are OK. It also zipped right along when I told it to rewind the film back into the cartridge. It just couldn't take any pictures.
Since the camera has power and the film advance motor is working, I suspect that the issue is with the shutter release button, perhaps just not making good contact electrically. However, since this camera is so automated, it could also be that one of the other sensors isn't responding correctly, and the camera doesn't think it is in the right state to be ready to fire.
Either way, it looks like I have some repair work to do. Wish me luck. _________________ Sigma DP1, Nikon D40 (hers ), Polaroid x530, Pentax P30t, Pentax P50, (P30t/P50 K-A to Nikon F body mount conversion)
Nikon: 18-55/3.5-5.6 "G ED II DX" (F) Soligor: 28/2.8 (FL->F converted), 135/3.5 (F), 3x TC (F, modified) Kalimar: 28-85/3.5 (F)
Vivitar: 70-210/2.8-4.0 Version 3 (F), Tele 500/6.3 Preset (F), 19/3.8 (F) Minolta: 300/5.6 (SR/MC/MD pending F conversion)
Tamron: 28/2.8 (Adaptall) Panagor: 28/2.5 (FD) Aetna: 300/5.6 (F) Osawa: MC 28/2.8 (F)
Vintage Lenses: Dallmeyer: 1940s A.M. 14in 356mm f4 (ULF->M42) 1930s Adon Telephoto Taylor, Taylor & Hobson: 1880s Rapid Rectilinear 8 1/2 x 6 1/2 11.31in f/8 (LF->?)
Parts Lenses: Nikon 35-135/3.5-4.5 (F), Sigma 70-210/4.5 (F), Nikon 50/1.8 Series E (F) |
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Scheimpflug
Joined: 06 Feb 2010 Posts: 1888 Location: New Zealand / USA
Expire: 2011-11-18
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Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2011 7:08 am Post subject: |
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Scheimpflug wrote:
So a bit of an update-
I opened the camera up to see what was wrong, and the first thing I can tell you is that this camera is SOLID. The engineering & packaging work is really incredible.
There are only a few screws which hold the camera together, and surprisingly, two of them are the contacts for the external flash. Once you have the screws out, the camera halves won't budge. I'm confident that you could use it like this for months without even noticing that the screws are missing. There are a few hidden snaps, and then with some persuasion, the halves will separate. Oh, and the sliding cover over the rewind switch on the top has to come off first.
Once you have the halves off, the camera will go SPROINGGGG and a sprinkling of tiny pieces will become lost forever, and others will move into positions that will take hours to figure out where they should have gone. Agfa sort of thought of this, and I can advise that if you open the camera with the viewfinder cover OPEN (and the lens extended), then things will hold together better and it will be much easier to put back together. There is a tiny tiny tiny roller in the viewfinder cover switch assembly that will fall out, and due to the mechanical/electrical interlocks, the camera will be 100% useless without it. DO NOT LOSE THIS PIECE! It is not immediately obvious that it is missing, just that you put it all together and nothing works.
Ok, so with the camera apart, I started tracing the shutter button assembly, only to find that it is a mechanical linkage that disappears to somewhere deep inside the camera. I couldn't reach the actual switch, and further disassembly of the camera was quite daunting, so I elected to just blast it with air to see if it was a dust issue. To my delight, it was!
I put the camera back together, and waited for the next day to test it out with some film. _________________ Sigma DP1, Nikon D40 (hers ), Polaroid x530, Pentax P30t, Pentax P50, (P30t/P50 K-A to Nikon F body mount conversion)
Nikon: 18-55/3.5-5.6 "G ED II DX" (F) Soligor: 28/2.8 (FL->F converted), 135/3.5 (F), 3x TC (F, modified) Kalimar: 28-85/3.5 (F)
Vivitar: 70-210/2.8-4.0 Version 3 (F), Tele 500/6.3 Preset (F), 19/3.8 (F) Minolta: 300/5.6 (SR/MC/MD pending F conversion)
Tamron: 28/2.8 (Adaptall) Panagor: 28/2.5 (FD) Aetna: 300/5.6 (F) Osawa: MC 28/2.8 (F)
Vintage Lenses: Dallmeyer: 1940s A.M. 14in 356mm f4 (ULF->M42) 1930s Adon Telephoto Taylor, Taylor & Hobson: 1880s Rapid Rectilinear 8 1/2 x 6 1/2 11.31in f/8 (LF->?)
Parts Lenses: Nikon 35-135/3.5-4.5 (F), Sigma 70-210/4.5 (F), Nikon 50/1.8 Series E (F) |
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Scheimpflug
Joined: 06 Feb 2010 Posts: 1888 Location: New Zealand / USA
Expire: 2011-11-18
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Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2011 7:20 am Post subject: |
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Scheimpflug wrote:
With the camera working, I can give a bit of an operational usage report.
The camera is miserable to use. There, I said it.
I think Agfa was eager to show off the motor winding feature, so this is a camera that operates in a continuous burst mode at all times. There is no half-press of the shutter, it is just an on/off switch. If you are pressing the shutter, it is taking pictures as fast as it can. And let me tell you, it is fast.
The shutter is a leaf shutter in the lens, and it is extremely quiet. My first time, I pushed the button and heard the winder, but I was waiting for the shutter click or the winder to stop when it was finished. In just a few seconds I had taken 7 pictures. I tried just bouncing my finger on the button to take one shot, but this did not register with the camera enough to take a shot. So the learning curve is to figure out just how long you have to hold your finger down to take ONE shot... but not so long as to take multiple. Since the shutter is so quiet, this is a real challenge.
I started with a 24-exposure roll, and I think I got 3 genuine intentional shots on it before the shutter button started acting up again... the counter is reading 15.
I probably won't take it apart again. It looks great, it is well built, and I'm sure the manual focus lens is top notch as well. But man is it a pain to use. _________________ Sigma DP1, Nikon D40 (hers ), Polaroid x530, Pentax P30t, Pentax P50, (P30t/P50 K-A to Nikon F body mount conversion)
Nikon: 18-55/3.5-5.6 "G ED II DX" (F) Soligor: 28/2.8 (FL->F converted), 135/3.5 (F), 3x TC (F, modified) Kalimar: 28-85/3.5 (F)
Vivitar: 70-210/2.8-4.0 Version 3 (F), Tele 500/6.3 Preset (F), 19/3.8 (F) Minolta: 300/5.6 (SR/MC/MD pending F conversion)
Tamron: 28/2.8 (Adaptall) Panagor: 28/2.5 (FD) Aetna: 300/5.6 (F) Osawa: MC 28/2.8 (F)
Vintage Lenses: Dallmeyer: 1940s A.M. 14in 356mm f4 (ULF->M42) 1930s Adon Telephoto Taylor, Taylor & Hobson: 1880s Rapid Rectilinear 8 1/2 x 6 1/2 11.31in f/8 (LF->?)
Parts Lenses: Nikon 35-135/3.5-4.5 (F), Sigma 70-210/4.5 (F), Nikon 50/1.8 Series E (F) |
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mo
Joined: 27 Aug 2009 Posts: 8982 Location: Australia
Expire: 2016-07-30
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Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2011 7:35 am Post subject: |
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mo wrote:
A little OT but I had this problem with the Yashica MG1...the quietness not the speed factor
Quote: |
The shutter is a leaf shutter in the lens, and it is extremely quiet |
_________________ Moira, Moderator
Fuji XE-1,Pentax K-01,Panasonic G1,Panasonic G5,Pentax MX
Ricoh Singlex TLS,KR-5,KR-5Super,XR-10
Lenses
Auto Rikenon's 55/1.4, 1.8, 2.8... 50/1.7 Takumar 2/58 Preset Takumar 2.8/105 Auto Takumar 2.2/55, 3.5/35 Super Takumar 1.8/55...Macro Takumar F4/50... CZJ Biotar ALU M42 2/58 CZJ Tessar ALU M42 2.8/50
CZJ DDR Flektogon Zebra M42 2.8/35 CZJ Pancolar M42 2/50 CZJ Pancolar Exakta 2/50
Auto Mamiya/Sekor 1.8/55 ...Auto Mamiya/Sekor 2/50 Auto Mamiya/Sekor 2.8/50 Auto Mamiya/Sekor 200/3.5 Tamron SP500/8 Tamron SP350/5.6 Tamron SP90/2.5
Primoplan 1.9/58 Primagon 4.5/35 Telemegor 5.5/150 Angenieux 3.5/28 Angenieux 3,5/135 Y 2
Canon FL 58/1.2,Canon FL85/1.8,Canon FL 100/3.5,Canon SSC 2.8/100 ,Konica AR 100/2.8, Nikkor P 105/2.5
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Minolfan
Joined: 30 Dec 2008 Posts: 3436 Location: Netherlands
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Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2011 9:32 am Post subject: |
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Minolfan wrote:
May be it helps to use the flash? That needs some time to reload after each picture taking! |
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Philmiller
Joined: 20 Apr 2011 Posts: 1 Location: UK
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Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2011 6:56 pm Post subject: Agfa Compact |
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Philmiller wrote:
I worked for Agfa until 2007 and remember the launch of the Agfa Compact well. It was the last Agfa camera made in Munich before the camera works closed in 1981. That's one of the reasons why it is so heavy - German engineering!
The most common fault was with the lens opening mechanism. I have one here that I bought for my wife in 1980; it still works but is something of an antique now. Try taking the batteries out, open the shutter and viewfinder cover, then put the batteries back in move the switch again and the lens should come out. Then close in the usual way. I just tried that on my wife's camera and it worked.
All Agfa branded cameras made after 1980/1 were sourced from the Far East.
The 'AgfaPhoto' cameras on sale today have only the Agfa brandname in common. The 'AgfaPhoto' company has no connection with the current Agfa company which pulled out of photography in 2005. _________________ Phil Miller - formerly Agfa UK |
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