Agfa Billy-Clack
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| Agfa Billy Clack 74 image by jgs4309976 (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 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 finders for landscape and portrait orientation. It has a built-in yellow filter,[1] put in place by a pull-tab on the side of the front panel.
Early examples have conventional leatherette covering;[3] 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 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.[1] Again, early examples are covered with leatherette, as pictured here, and later ones have herringbone covering.
Notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 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
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Billy-Clack page, with several pictures, at Mario Groleau's website.
- ↑ Billy-Clack No. 51 with leatherette covering, at Sylvain Halgand's Collection d'Appareils.
