Post by PeterW on May 14, 2007 20:19:38 GMT -5
Hi,
Re recent postings on 110 cameras, I’ve got half a shelf full of them mainly because they were going in boot fairs and charity shops for next-door to nothing. I’ve got to admit that the only one I’ve ever used is an Agfamatic 4008 Tele-pocket, quite a sophisticated little camera which I got about three years ago, and which feels quite up-market in its build and the way it works.
It’s got two fixed-aperture Agfa Apotar lenses which you can select with a switch on the top. The ‘standard’ lens is 5.6/27mm and the Tele is 5.6/47mm. When you switch between them the magnification in the brightline viewfinder alters accordingly. Focus is manually from 1.2 metres to infinity. The film speed is sensed automatically, provided the cartridge has the markings, from ASA 64 to ASA 400.
Exposure is by fully automatic stepless shutter speed with a range from 1/1000sec to 15 seconds in two ranges, 1/30sec upwards and 1/30sec downwards. When you take the first pressure on the button a red signal comes up in the viewfinder if the camera chooses the ‘slow’ range, and the manual advises you to use a tripod, or plug in one of Agfa’s Flip-Flash units, a small bank of eight miniature flash bulbs. You plug it in one way up to take the first four flash shots then turn it upside-down to take the other four. When the flash is plugged in, the shutter speed automatically adjusts according to the focus distance you set. Unfortuntely, these flash banks are no longer available, so you have to have a steady hand or use a tripod.
I’ve had some really crisp 5x7 prints from it, but I haven’t used it since my local shop selling 110 film closed down about a year ago, and I can’t be bothered to send off for any.
And what did I pay for this compact bundle of technology, mint and complete with its snake-chain wrist strap, manual and case? 25p, about 50 cents, in a local charity shop. I see that a classic camera dealer not far from me has one advertised for £25 ($50)!
At the same time, in the same shop, and for the same price I got its less sophisticated brother, the Agfamatic 4000. Very similar and with the same exposure system, but it has only the standard lens, focus is by symbols and it takes rotating four-bulb flash cubes, not the eight-bulb flash bank. Rather ashamed to say I’ve never put a film through this one, though it seems to work OK.
Anyone else had experience with these Agfa models?
PeterW
Re recent postings on 110 cameras, I’ve got half a shelf full of them mainly because they were going in boot fairs and charity shops for next-door to nothing. I’ve got to admit that the only one I’ve ever used is an Agfamatic 4008 Tele-pocket, quite a sophisticated little camera which I got about three years ago, and which feels quite up-market in its build and the way it works.
It’s got two fixed-aperture Agfa Apotar lenses which you can select with a switch on the top. The ‘standard’ lens is 5.6/27mm and the Tele is 5.6/47mm. When you switch between them the magnification in the brightline viewfinder alters accordingly. Focus is manually from 1.2 metres to infinity. The film speed is sensed automatically, provided the cartridge has the markings, from ASA 64 to ASA 400.
Exposure is by fully automatic stepless shutter speed with a range from 1/1000sec to 15 seconds in two ranges, 1/30sec upwards and 1/30sec downwards. When you take the first pressure on the button a red signal comes up in the viewfinder if the camera chooses the ‘slow’ range, and the manual advises you to use a tripod, or plug in one of Agfa’s Flip-Flash units, a small bank of eight miniature flash bulbs. You plug it in one way up to take the first four flash shots then turn it upside-down to take the other four. When the flash is plugged in, the shutter speed automatically adjusts according to the focus distance you set. Unfortuntely, these flash banks are no longer available, so you have to have a steady hand or use a tripod.
I’ve had some really crisp 5x7 prints from it, but I haven’t used it since my local shop selling 110 film closed down about a year ago, and I can’t be bothered to send off for any.
And what did I pay for this compact bundle of technology, mint and complete with its snake-chain wrist strap, manual and case? 25p, about 50 cents, in a local charity shop. I see that a classic camera dealer not far from me has one advertised for £25 ($50)!
At the same time, in the same shop, and for the same price I got its less sophisticated brother, the Agfamatic 4000. Very similar and with the same exposure system, but it has only the standard lens, focus is by symbols and it takes rotating four-bulb flash cubes, not the eight-bulb flash bank. Rather ashamed to say I’ve never put a film through this one, though it seems to work OK.
Anyone else had experience with these Agfa models?
PeterW
