Difference between revisions of "Agfa Standard"
(Oops; I mentioned hinged spool-holders in two refs. Combined them now.) |
(Noted actual examples of accessory lens only give 22% increase in length, not 30% as per brochure. Other minor text changes) |
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The shutter is usually the Automat [[everset shutter]] illustrated here, with speeds 1/2, 1/5, 1/10, 1/25, 1/50 and 1/100 second, plus 'B' and 'T'. This was made by [[Gauthier]]; it is not marked with a name, but has the company's logo on it. As noted above, some models were also available with a Compur shutter, giving 1 - 1/200 or 1/250 second plus 'B' and 'T', and with a [[self-timer]]. | The shutter is usually the Automat [[everset shutter]] illustrated here, with speeds 1/2, 1/5, 1/10, 1/25, 1/50 and 1/100 second, plus 'B' and 'T'. This was made by [[Gauthier]]; it is not marked with a name, but has the company's logo on it. As noted above, some models were also available with a Compur shutter, giving 1 - 1/200 or 1/250 second plus 'B' and 'T', and with a [[self-timer]]. | ||
| − | Plate model 208 (for 9x12 plates; the second camera illustrated here) has front rise; there is no shift. The lens carriage on this model latches at the infinity-focus position,<ref name=Pats/> at which the helical mechanism gives focus down to two metres. However, the carriage can be drawn further forward to obtain closer focus, down to about one metre, using a scale on the right of the bed. Some of these cameras have double-anastigmat lenses, in principle [[Convertible lens|separable]], but the bed (with a simple pair of fixed rails) is not long enough to give infinity focus with the front group removed. Instead, slip-on front-mounted ''Verlängerungslinsen'' ('lengthening lenses') | + | Plate model 208 (for 9x12 plates; the second camera illustrated here) has front rise; there is no shift. The lens carriage on this model latches at the infinity-focus position,<ref name=Pats/> at which the helical mechanism gives focus down to two metres. However, the carriage can be drawn further forward to obtain closer focus, down to about one metre, using a scale on the right of the bed. Some of these cameras have double-anastigmat lenses, in principle [[Convertible lens|separable]], but the bed (with a simple pair of fixed rails) is not long enough to give infinity focus with the front group removed. Instead, the 1930s brochure cited above offers slip-on front-mounted ''Verlängerungslinsen'' ('lengthening lenses'): model 'A' is said to extend the focal length by a factor of 1.3, and model 'B' by 1.5:<ref name=B/> actual accessory lenses seen are engraved ''Verlängerungslinse 13.5/16.5'', and indeed increase the focal length only to 16.5 cm, a factor of only about 1.22. Standard model 208 seems to have been discontinued before the smaller cameras: the brochure no longer offers model 208 (roll-film and 6.5x9 cm plate cameras are still listed), and the [[Isolar]], with a more conventional lens carriage, rack-and-pinion focus and both rise and shift, is the only 9x12 camera offered.<ref name=B/> |
The cameras all have a [[brilliant finder]], which rotates for portrait and landscape orientation, and a wire frame finder. Plate models can be used with a ground glass focusing screen. | The cameras all have a [[brilliant finder]], which rotates for portrait and landscape orientation, and a wire frame finder. Plate models can be used with a ground glass focusing screen. | ||
Revision as of 15:24, 5 February 2015
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| Agfa Standard, 6.5×9 cm plate model, with 10.5 cm f/4.5 Agfa Anastigmat; about 1926. Most examples do not have the folding Newton-type finder; this may have been added. image by John Nuttall (Image rights) |
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| Agfa Standard 208 (9x12 cm) showing front rise mechanism image by Miikka Skaffari (Image rights) |
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| Roll-film Standard, showing hinged spool-holders image by Adam Greig (Image rights) |
Agfa Standard cameras are a range of metal-bodied folding cameras, some models for plates and pack film, and others for roll film. They were made by Agfa from about 1926, when the company had recently become part of IG Farben and taken over the Rietzschel factory, until the early 1930s.[1] It is clear from patents filed by Rietzschel that the Standard range of cameras was already planned by the company before the change of name.[2]
- Model 204 is for 6.5x9 cm plates, or 6x9 cm film-pack;
- Model 208 is for 9x12 cm plates;
- Models 254 and 264 (the same camera with a coupled rangefinder) are for 6x9 cm on 120 roll film (Agfa size B2);
- Models 255 and 265 (again, the latter with a rangefinder) are for 6.5x11 cm on 116 roll film (Agfa D6).
Both plate and roll film cameras were available in a normal finish, with black leather and bellows, or a Luxus finish (not described with this term in an early-1930s brochure) with light brown leather.[3] Brown leather added just 4 Marks to the price for equal lens/shutter specifications; however, some specifications were only available with brown leather: for example, the model 254 was offered with the Trilinear f/6.3 or f/4.5, and with the Automat shutter when in black finish, and with the same lenses and the choice of Automat or Compur shutters when in brown.[3][4]
The cameras have a variety of lenses. Those listed in the brochure cited above include the triplet Trilinear as an f/6.3 or f/4.5, the Solinar f/4.5 and the double-anastigmat Helostar f/4.5. Some cameras, perhaps earlier, have lenses engraved as Agfa Anastigmat, available as an f/7.7, f/6.3 or f/4.5 (and presumably the same lens as the Trilinear) or as Agfa Double-Anastigmat f/4.5, and presumably the same as the Helostar. Even in the plate cameras, where the lens carriage slides on rails, the lens is mounted in a helical mechanism for focusing;[2] this gives unit focusing; i.e. the whole lens moves, not just the front element. In surviving examples, the mechanism is frequently stiff because of dried grease.
The shutter is usually the Automat everset shutter illustrated here, with speeds 1/2, 1/5, 1/10, 1/25, 1/50 and 1/100 second, plus 'B' and 'T'. This was made by Gauthier; it is not marked with a name, but has the company's logo on it. As noted above, some models were also available with a Compur shutter, giving 1 - 1/200 or 1/250 second plus 'B' and 'T', and with a self-timer.
Plate model 208 (for 9x12 plates; the second camera illustrated here) has front rise; there is no shift. The lens carriage on this model latches at the infinity-focus position,[2] at which the helical mechanism gives focus down to two metres. However, the carriage can be drawn further forward to obtain closer focus, down to about one metre, using a scale on the right of the bed. Some of these cameras have double-anastigmat lenses, in principle separable, but the bed (with a simple pair of fixed rails) is not long enough to give infinity focus with the front group removed. Instead, the 1930s brochure cited above offers slip-on front-mounted Verlängerungslinsen ('lengthening lenses'): model 'A' is said to extend the focal length by a factor of 1.3, and model 'B' by 1.5:[3] actual accessory lenses seen are engraved Verlängerungslinse 13.5/16.5, and indeed increase the focal length only to 16.5 cm, a factor of only about 1.22. Standard model 208 seems to have been discontinued before the smaller cameras: the brochure no longer offers model 208 (roll-film and 6.5x9 cm plate cameras are still listed), and the Isolar, with a more conventional lens carriage, rack-and-pinion focus and both rise and shift, is the only 9x12 camera offered.[3]
The cameras all have a brilliant finder, which rotates for portrait and landscape orientation, and a wire frame finder. Plate models can be used with a ground glass focusing screen.
As noted above, a slim, side-mounted coupled rangefinder was available for several of the Standard cameras. In addition to the roll-film models, where the camera with the RF was a distinct model number, the RF was an option for model 204, adding 20 Marks to the price (the price of the camera without RF was between 55 and 95 Marks, depending on the lens and shutter). The rangefinder is of an interesting type, with only one front window.
The roll-film cameras have spool-holders that hinge out of the camera body for more convenient loading.[2]
Notes
- ↑ 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). p36-37.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 For example German Patent 438404, Photographische Kamera, deren Objektivtraeger durch einen einen Stift umfassenden federnden Schieber in der Stellung auf Unendlich festgehalten wird (Camera whose lens carriage is held in the infinity position by a sprung fastening pin), filed by Rietzschel 12 March 1926 and granted 2 June 1927, describes the combination of a lens carriage latching at the infinity focus position, with a helical focus mechanism, as on the plate cameras. French Patent 599471, Chambre pour films en rouleaux avec porte-bobines basculant à l'intérieur (Camera for roll films with spool-holders hinged from the interior), filed by A. H. Rietzschel GmbH June 1925 and granted January 1926, describes the swing-out spool holders of the roll-film Standard and other Agfa roll-film cameras; British Patent 249383, Improvements in Roll-film Cameras, filed July 1925 and granted March 1926, is equivalent. US Patent 1591072, Spool holder for roll film cameras, filed July 1925 and granted July 1926 makes reference to the original German Patent filed in May 1924. Patents archived at Espacenet, the patent search facility of the European Patent Office.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Agfa brochure Die Agfa Photographie, undated but clearly of the early 1930s; most Standard cameras are still listed, and colour plates are offered.
- ↑ 1929 Agfa Standard 6×9 Luxus roll-film model, with coupled rangefinder, 10.5 cm f/4.5 Solinar lens and Compur shutter; a lot in an auction in October 2005 by Auction Team Breker (the listing is at the LiveAuctioneers site.
Links
- Cameras and documents at Sylvain Halgand's Collection d'Appareils:
- Type 255 (1926) for 6.5x11 cm on 116 film, with 13 cm f/6.3 Trilinear anastigmat
- Omnium-Photo catalogue listing (1927) for cameras including the Type 255 (above), the Type 254 (similar but for 6x9 cm on 120 film) and the 264 with compact rangefinder. The 255 and 254 are both listed with Agfa anastigmats with aperture f/7.7, f/6.3 and f/4.5
- Photo-Plait catalogue listing (1928) for Type 204 plate/film-pack Standard, listed with f/6.3 or f/4.5 Agfa anastigmat, and offering a Compur shutter with speeds to 1/200 second, at considerable extra cost.
- Type 208 (1928) for 9x12 plates and film packs, with a 13 cm f/4.5 Agfa Double-anastigmat (the notes state that an f/6.8 was also available), and with front rise.
- Roll-film Agfa Standard cameras at Malcom Grant Purvis' Fellsphoto site: a 6×9 Luxus model, with (curiously) an f/6.3 Trilinear in the Automat shutter, and 6×9 and 6.5×11 cameras with Agfa Anastigmat lenses in the Automat shutter.
- Agfa Standard plate and roll-film models, at UK collectors' site Roland and Caroline.
- 9×12 cm plate model Standard with an f/4.5 Agfa Double-anastigmat and Automat shutter, at Le Vieil Album.
- 6.5×9 cm plate Standard at Rob Dunne's Vintage Camera Collection.
- User's manual for roll-film Standard cameras, at Mike Butkus' Orphan Cameras.
- List of serial numbers of Agfa Standard cameras
