Difference between revisions of "Agfa Billy-Clack"

From Camera-wiki.org
Jump to: navigation, search
(Rewrite.)
(Added link to review)
 
(17 intermediate revisions by 6 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
−
{{stub}}
+
{| class="floatright plainlinks" style="margin:0px 0px 20px 20px;"
 +
||
 
{{Flickr_image
 
{{Flickr_image
−
||image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeronimogirona/452653154/in/pool-camerawiki/
+
|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/ricksoloway/5509116960/in/pool-camerawiki
−
|image= http://farm1.static.flickr.com/229/452653154_64155807c3.jpg
+
|image= http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5258/5509116960_600f6681f0.jpg  
−
|image_align= right
+
|image_align=  
−
|image_text= [[Agfa]] Billy Clack 74
+
|image_text= Billy-Clack No. 51 with early, leatherette covering
−
|image_by= jgs4309976
+
|image_by= Rick Soloway
 
|image_rights= with permission
 
|image_rights= with permission
 
}}
 
}}
−
The '''Billy-Clack''' is either of two strut-folding cameras made by Agfa from about 1934 to 1940.<ref name=McK>{{McKeown12}} p.18</ref> There are two models, for different formats. The name 'Clack' was used for simple cameras made by [[Rietzschel]] before they and Agfa merged (in the creation of IG Farben).<ref name=MG>[http://mgroleau.com/photo/allemagne/agfa/agfa_clack.html Billy-Clack] page, with several pictures, at [http://mgroleau.com/index.html Mario Groleau's website].</ref> In some countries they were sold with the name Speedex.
+
|-
 +
||
 +
{{Flickr_image
 +
|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/alf_sigaro/2308528390/in/pool-camerawiki
 +
|image= http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2125/2308528390_2f403d7232.jpg
 +
|image_align=
 +
|image_text= Billy-Clack No. 74 with leatherette covering
 +
|image_by= Alf Sigaro
 +
|image_rights= nc
 +
}}
 +
|}
 +
The '''Billy-Clack''' is either of two strut-folding cameras made by [[Agfa]] from about 1934 to 1940.<ref name=McK>{{McKeown12}} p.18</ref> There are two models, for different formats. On both, the front panel is decorated with glossy black enamel between raised chrome strips. The name 'Clack' was used for simple cameras made by [[Rietzschel]] before they and Agfa merged (in the creation of IG Farben).<ref name=MG>[http://mgroleau.com/photo/allemagne/agfa/agfa_clack.html Billy-Clack] page, with several pictures, at [http://mgroleau.com/index.html Mario Groleau's website].</ref> In some countries they were sold with the name Speedex.
  
 
===Billy-Clack No. 51===
 
===Billy-Clack No. 51===
−
The '''Billy-Clack No. 51''' (or Speedex No. 51) takes sixteen 4.5×6 cm pictures on 120 film. It has an f/8.8 Igestar lens ('Jgestar'; the name probably refers to Agfa's being part of IG Farben), with three aperture settings (f/8.8, f/11 and f/16, which are achieved by switching between fixed-size apertures, not with an iris); the aperture control is below the lens on the No. 51, not above it, as on the camera pictured. It has a simple 'I' and 'B' shutter. It has [[brilliant finder]]s for landscape and portrait orientation. It has a built-in yellow filter,<ref name=McK></ref> put in place by a pull-tab on the side of the front panel.
+
The '''Billy-Clack No. 51''' (or Speedex No. 51) takes sixteen 4.5×6 cm pictures on [[120 film]]. It has an f/8.8 Igenar lens ('Jgenar'; the name probably refers to Agfa's being part of IG Farben), a [[Periscopic lens|periscopic doublet]] lens<ref>[[:Category: Image by Alf Sigaro|Alf Sigaro]], in the Flickr caption to his photograph of the camera, shown here.</ref> with three aperture settings (f/8.8, f/11 and f/16, which are achieved by switching between fixed-size apertures, not with an iris). It has a simple 'I' and 'B' shutter, [[brilliant finder]]s for landscape and portrait orientation, and a built-in yellow filter. Like many folders of its age, it has a winding key, not a knob, and it has two [[red window]]s, with a swivelling cover.<ref name=MG/>
  
−
Early examples have conventional leatherette covering;<ref name=CdA>[http://www.collection-appareils.fr/agfa/html/billy_clack.php Billy-Clack No. 51] with leatherette covering, at Sylvain Halgand's [http://www.collection-appareils.fr/general/html/francais.php Collection d'Appareils].</ref> McKeown states that cameras made from 1938 onward are covered with ''Robusit'' herringbone-textured covering (the examples pictured in McKeown and on Mario Groleau's site have this covering).<ref name=McK></ref><ref name=MG></ref>
+
Early examples have conventional leatherette covering;<ref name=CdA>[http://www.collection-appareils.fr/x/html/page_standard.php?id_appareil=487 Billy-Clack No. 51] with leatherette covering, at Sylvain Halgand's [http://www.collection-appareils.fr/general/html/francais.php Collection Appareils].</ref> McKeown states that cameras made from 1938 onward are covered with ''Robusit'' herringbone-textured covering (the examples pictured in McKeown and on Mario Groleau's site have this covering).<ref name=McK/><ref name=MG/>
  
 
===Billy-Clack No. 74===
 
===Billy-Clack No. 74===
−
The '''Billy-Clack No. 74''' takes eight 6×9 cm pictures on 120 film. It has an f/11 Bilinar lens, with aperture settings for f/16 and f/22, again by switching between fixed-size apertures. Like the No. 51, it has an 'I' and 'B' shutter and brilliant finders for both orientations. It also has a folding frame finder on the camera body. Instead of the yellow filter, McKeown states that this camera has a portrait lens, operated by the metal tab on the right of the front panel.<ref name=McK></ref> Again, early examples are covered with leatherette, as pictured here, and later ones have herringbone covering.
+
The '''Billy-Clack No. 74''' takes eight 6×9 cm pictures on [[120 film]]. It has an f/11 Bilinar [[achromat]] lens, with aperture settings for f/16 and f/22, again by switching between fixed-size apertures. Like the No. 51, it has an 'I' and 'B' shutter and brilliant finders for both orientations. It also has a folding frame finder on the camera body. Instead of the yellow filter, McKeown states that this camera has a portrait lens.<ref name=McK/> Again, early examples are covered with leatherette, as pictured here, with vertical stripes impressed above the Agfa rhombus logo. Later cameras have herringbone covering.<ref>[https://www.photo.net/forums/topic/436142-agfa-folder-id-help-please/ Late-version Billy Clack No. 74] in a post on [https://www.photo.net/forums/ photo.net].</ref>
  
−
===Notes===
+
==Notes==
 
<references />
 
<references />
 +
 +
==Links==
 +
* [https://www.butkus.org/chinon/agfa/agfa_billy_clack/agfa_billy_clack.htm Agfa Billy Clack English & German PDF manual] at [https://www.butkus.org/chinon/index.html www.OrphanCamera.com]
 +
*[https://oldcamera.blog/2011/08/04/agfa-billy-clack/ Agfa Billy-Clack review] at [https://oldcamera.blog/ The Oldcamera.blog]
  
 
[[Category: 4.5x6 strut folding]]
 
[[Category: 4.5x6 strut folding]]
 
[[Category: 6x9 strut folding]]
 
[[Category: 6x9 strut folding]]
−
[[Category: German 4.5x6 viewfinder folding]]
+
[[Category:German 4.5x6 viewfinder folding]]
 
[[Category:German 6x9 viewfinder folding]]
 
[[Category:German 6x9 viewfinder folding]]
−
[[Category: B|Billy-Clack]]
+
[[Category:B|Billy-Clack Agfa]]
 
[[Category: Agfa|Billy-Clack]]
 
[[Category: Agfa|Billy-Clack]]
 +
[[Category:120 film]]

Latest revision as of 04:39, 8 September 2023

5509116960_600f6681f0.jpg
Billy-Clack No. 51 with early, leatherette covering
image by Rick Soloway (Image rights)
2308528390_2f403d7232.jpg
Billy-Clack No. 74 with leatherette covering
image by Alf Sigaro (Image rights)

The Billy-Clack is either of two strut-folding cameras made by Agfa from about 1934 to 1940.[1] There are two models, for different formats. On both, the front panel is decorated with glossy black enamel between raised chrome strips. The name 'Clack' was used for simple cameras made by Rietzschel before they and Agfa merged (in the creation of IG Farben).[2] In some countries they were sold with the name Speedex.

Billy-Clack No. 51

The Billy-Clack No. 51 (or Speedex No. 51) takes sixteen 4.5×6 cm pictures on 120 film. It has an f/8.8 Igenar lens ('Jgenar'; the name probably refers to Agfa's being part of IG Farben), a periscopic doublet lens[3] with three aperture settings (f/8.8, f/11 and f/16, which are achieved by switching between fixed-size apertures, not with an iris). It has a simple 'I' and 'B' shutter, brilliant finders for landscape and portrait orientation, and a built-in yellow filter. Like many folders of its age, it has a winding key, not a knob, and it has two red windows, with a swivelling cover.[2]

Early examples have conventional leatherette covering;[4] McKeown states that cameras made from 1938 onward are covered with Robusit herringbone-textured covering (the examples pictured in McKeown and on Mario Groleau's site have this covering).[1][2]

Billy-Clack No. 74

The Billy-Clack No. 74 takes eight 6×9 cm pictures on 120 film. It has an f/11 Bilinar achromat lens, with aperture settings for f/16 and f/22, again by switching between fixed-size apertures. Like the No. 51, it has an 'I' and 'B' shutter and brilliant finders for both orientations. It also has a folding frame finder on the camera body. Instead of the yellow filter, McKeown states that this camera has a portrait lens.[1] Again, early examples are covered with leatherette, as pictured here, with vertical stripes impressed above the Agfa rhombus logo. Later cameras have herringbone covering.[5]

Notes

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 McKeown, James M. and Joan C. McKeown's Price Guide to Antique and Classic Cameras, 12th Edition, 2005-2006. USA, Centennial Photo Service, 2004. ISBN 0-931838-40-1 (hardcover). ISBN 0-931838-41-X (softcover). p.18
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Billy-Clack page, with several pictures, at Mario Groleau's website.
  3. ↑ Alf Sigaro, in the Flickr caption to his photograph of the camera, shown here.
  4. ↑ Billy-Clack No. 51 with leatherette covering, at Sylvain Halgand's Collection Appareils.
  5. ↑ Late-version Billy Clack No. 74 in a post on photo.net.

Links

Retrieved from "http://camera-wiki.org/index.php?title=Agfa_Billy-Clack&oldid=225652"