AGFA Ambi SIlette (1957-8)

titrisol70 · Joined: 14 Dec 2021 Posts: 183 Location: State of Denial

I learned about this beauty a few years back, thanks to an article in Stephen's Gandy Cameraquest. He called it poor man's Leica and I was curious about it.
A full description of the camera here: Ambi Silette - Camera-wiki.org - The free camera encyclopedia

A few weeks back someone in APUG offered a complete kit (Type I) with all 4 lenses+proxar.
Speeds below 15 were sluggish but that is a common problem with Compurs that can be solved with a few drops of electrical contact cleaner in the shutter to clean the slow-gear assembly and self timer, both should be fine for a few years

Went outside with Film and a few observations
- Speed ring is very easy to use
- Lens focusing seems to be precise, the viewfinder is bright and the framelines are very nice.
- Aperture ring in the front is a VG idea, can use them without watching
- Camera handles very well for the age, nice and bright viewfinder, and the frame lines are a joy to use
- Changing lenses is super-easy, whomever invented that mount should teach the others a few lessons
- No lightmeter but that is fine, I have a handheld and also an app in the mobile phone.
- It is sad that AGFA wasn't more successful with this, the system handles better than the Contax (I know this is heresy)
- Ambion 35mm/4 lens is a joy to use, the 50mm is good but the 90 and 130 feel awkward, especially the 130 is huge

Flash synch should work at all speeds with electronic flash, I ordered the Godox Lux Senior with the retro look and should be fine.

Photos with 35/4 lens
Kodak Gold 200 exposed using sunny 16 (250/11)
Cary NC

Doc Sharptail · Joined: 23 Nov 2020 Posts: 1200 Location: Winnipeg Canada

Nice photo's!
You did well for exposure.
It's been about a year since I used my on-board in my head meter. Wink

Interesting camera too.

-D.S.

alex ph · Joined: 16 Mar 2013 Posts: 1674

Very luminous and at the same time well exposed shots, even indoors. The camera must have a great optics.

titrisol70 · Joined: 14 Dec 2021 Posts: 183 Location: State of Denial

Another one came my way, of the 2nd type

Longer RF base, strap-lugs among the differences

The RF was out of whack; thanks to Chris Sherlock videos I was able to fix it
It turned out to be some solidified grease on the arm that moves the split-beam mirror

philslizzy · Joined: 07 Aug 2012 Posts: 4744 Location: Cheshire, England

Looks great. I had a chance of one with 3 lenses but as I was thinking about it the shop closed down.

LOL seems that anything that isn't actually a Leica is a poor mans Leica.

titrisol70 · Joined: 14 Dec 2021 Posts: 183 Location: State of Denial

I got the 4 lens set and it is a very good camera
Feels more like a 1960s camera that a Leica/Contax

This is the 130/4 Telinear with its own viewfinder