Difference between revisions of "Ambi Silette"

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'''Agfa Ambi Silette''' is a interchangeable lenses [[35mm film]] [[rangefinder camera]] manufactured by [[Agfa]] Kamerawerk AG, in Munich, West Germany, and produced between 1957-1961. The Ambi Silette was the interchangeable lens member of the [[Silette]] range of Agfa cameras which included scale focus viewfinders named Silette and fixed lens rangefinders named [[Silette|Silette Super]] (Sold in the USA as [[Ansco|ANSCO]] Memar and Super Memar). The Ambi Silette was not rebranded by ANSCO for sale in the USA.
+
'''Agfa Ambi Silette''' is an interchangeable lens [[35mm film]] [[rangefinder camera]] manufactured by [[Agfa]] Kamerawerk AG in Munich, West Germany, and produced between 1957 and 1961. The Ambi Silette was the interchangeable lens member of the [[Silette]] range of Agfa cameras which included scale focus viewfinders named Silette and fixed lens rangefinders named [[Silette|Silette Super]] (sold in the USA as [[Ansco|ANSCO]] Memar and Super Memar). The Ambi Silette was not rebranded by ANSCO for sale in the USA.
  
−
The Ambi-Silette was introduced in Photokina 1956, as a result of [[Deckel]] developing a behind the lens Compur [[leaf shutter]]. The behind the lens leaf shutter was an advance for the time, but had several [[Leaf_shutter#Cons|well documented disadvantages]]. Among those having a small maximum diameter (25mm), relatively slow maximum speeds (~1/500) and the inability to support lenses that extend to the rear as they would touch the shutter blades.  
+
The Ambi Silette was introduced in Photokina 1956 as a result of [[Deckel]]'s development of a behind-the-lens Compur [[leaf shutter]]. The behind-the-lens leaf shutter was an advance for the time but had several [[Leaf_shutter#Cons|well-documented disadvantages]]. Among those was a small maximum throat diameter (25mm), relatively slow maximum speeds (~1/500), and the inability to support lenses that extend to the rear, as they would touch the shutter blades.  
  
−
The camera went on sale in 1957 in Germany and 1958 in the rest of the world with Cat Nbr 2090, and while it was expensive for the time it was a fraction of the cost of a Leica. AGFA bet a lot of their future into this camera, even offering a ''lifetime guarantee''. <ref name="Meckman"/>  Initially 3 lenses were offered with the camera, 50/2.8, 35/4 and 90/4. AGFA developed these lenses are a whole interchangeable unit, not just the front unit as in the [[Contaflex_(SLR)|Contaflex]] lens mount. The lens mount is a clamp/bayonet style mount, with only 1 indexing tab which makes switching lenses very easy. In order to provide the best experience with the interchangeable lenses, AGFA introduced a very innovative viewfinder design with variable bright framelines which are selected manually for the 50, 35 and 90mm lenses, and automatic parallax correction. For today's standards the viewfinder is relatively small, but the framelines and the rangefinder are bright and easy to use.   
+
The camera went on sale in 1957 in Germany and 1958 in the rest of the world with Cat Nbr 2090, and while it was expensive for the time it was a fraction of the cost of a Leica. AGFA bet a lot of their future on this camera, even offering a ''lifetime guarantee''.<ref name="Meckman"/>  Initially three lenses were offered with the camera: 50/2.8, 35/4, and 90/4. AGFA developed these lenses as whole interchangeable units, not just the front unit as in the [[Contaflex_(SLR)|Contaflex]] and pre-1958 [[Retina]] lens mounts. The Ambi Silette lens mount is a clamp/bayonet style mount with only one indexing tab, which makes switching lenses very easy. In order to provide the best experience with the interchangeable lenses, AGFA introduced a very innovative viewfinder design with variable bright framelines that are selected manually for the 50mm, 35mm, and 90mm lenses and automatic parallax correction. By today's standards the viewfinder is relatively small, but the framelines and the rangefinder are bright and easy to use.   
  
−
An updated version (Type II- Catalog Nbr 2091) of Ambi Silette appeared in 1959.  The most significant change to the camera was a revised rangefinder with a 5mm wider base, probably to match the  130mm lens that was launched at the time other changes included: <ref name="Meckman">[https://mikeeckman.com/2019/06/agfa-ambi-silette-1957/ Mike Eckman's Notes on the Ambi-Silette]</ref><ref>[https://wesloderandnikon.blogspot.com/2019/06/the-ambi-silette-agfas-most-ambitious.html Agfa's most ambitious camera by Michael Wescott Loder]</ref>
+
An updated version (Type II- Catalog Nbr 2091) of Ambi Silette appeared in 1959.  The most significant change to the camera was a revised rangefinder with a 5mm wider base, probably to match the  130mm lens that was launched at the time. Other changes included: <ref name="Meckman">[https://mikeeckman.com/2019/06/agfa-ambi-silette-1957/ Mike Eckman's Notes on the Ambi-Silette]</ref><ref>[https://wesloderandnikon.blogspot.com/2019/06/the-ambi-silette-agfas-most-ambitious.html Agfa's most ambitious camera by Michael Wescott Loder]</ref>
 
*Front look changed, as the RF and frameline windows are separated
 
*Front look changed, as the RF and frameline windows are separated
 
*Addition of strap lugs
 
*Addition of strap lugs
Line 21: Line 21:
 
*Cosmetic changes to the film advance lever (protrudes from back) and film reminder dial (Types of film)
 
*Cosmetic changes to the film advance lever (protrudes from back) and film reminder dial (Types of film)
 
   
 
   
−
Sales of the Ambi Silette were good, but rangefinder sales were quickly surpassed by SLRs in which AGFA never found success, despite its efforts with the [[Agfaflex]] line,  production of the Ambi Silette ceased in 1961.
+
Sales of the Ambi Silette were good, but rangefinder sales were quickly surpassed by SLRs, in which AGFA never found success despite its efforts with the [[Agfaflex]] line. Production of the Ambi Silette ceased in 1961.
  
 
==Specifications==
 
==Specifications==
Line 46: Line 46:
 
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*Film format: 135 film cartridges (perforated 35mm film) with a 24x36mm image
 
*Film format: 135 film cartridges (perforated 35mm film) with a 24x36mm image
−
*Shutter: Synchro-Compur behind the lens [[Leaf shutter|leaf shutter]].  Speeds: B, 1-1/500 ; Setting : ring set close to camera body, with 2 little handles.  
+
*Shutter: Synchro-Compur behind the lens [[Leaf shutter|leaf shutter]].  Speeds: B, 1-1/500 ; Setting: ring set close to camera body, with 2 little handles.  
−
*Shutter release: on the right of the top plate, standard cable release socket
+
*Shutter release: on the right of the top plate; standard cable release socket
−
*Film winder: Short stroke winder, acts as cocking lever
+
*Film winder: short stroke winder, acts as cocking lever
 
*Frame counter: coupled with winding lever, advance type, manual setting
 
*Frame counter: coupled with winding lever, advance type, manual setting
 
** Type I cameras have an additive frame counter, reset mark has a red A
 
** Type I cameras have an additive frame counter, reset mark has a red A
 
** Type II cameras have a subtractive frame counter, reset setting depends on number of frames of film (red triangles for 20 and 36 exp rolls)
 
** Type II cameras have a subtractive frame counter, reset setting depends on number of frames of film (red triangles for 20 and 36 exp rolls)
 
*Lens Mount: bayonet, very easy mounting 43.5mm register distance
 
*Lens Mount: bayonet, very easy mounting 43.5mm register distance
−
**Lens release: press the lens release button on the lower front of the lens mount  and simultaneously turn the lens counter clock-wise gripping the fixed milled ring on the lens
+
**Lens release: press the lens release button on the lower front of the lens mount  and simultaneously turn the lens counter-clockwise while gripping the fixed milled ring on the lens
−
*Lenses: interchangeable lenses <ref>[http://www.cameraquest.com/agfambi.htm Cameraquest Ambi-Silette article]</ref> <ref>[http://www.butkus.org/chinon/agfa/agfa_ambi_silette/agfa_ambi_silette.htm Instruction Manual] at Mike Butkus' Orpahn Cameras</ref><ref>[https://www.urmonas.net/photocat/agfacat/agfacat.html AGFA sales catalogue ] at [https://www.urmonas.net/index.html Richard Urmonas website ]</ref> <br> These lenses were sold in a plastic capsule with silica gel inserts.  All lenses use the same size filters 37mm slip-on or 35.5mm screw-on with the exception of the 130mm lens which appeared later (1959)
+
*Lenses: interchangeable lenses <ref>[http://www.cameraquest.com/agfambi.htm Cameraquest Ambi-Silette article]</ref> <ref>[http://www.butkus.org/chinon/agfa/agfa_ambi_silette/agfa_ambi_silette.htm Instruction Manual] at Mike Butkus' Orpahn Cameras</ref><ref>[https://www.urmonas.net/photocat/agfacat/agfacat.html AGFA sales catalogue ] at [https://www.urmonas.net/index.html Richard Urmonas website ]</ref> <br> These lenses were sold in a plastic capsule with silica gel inserts.  All lenses use the same size filters (37mm slip-on or 35.5mm screw-on) with the exception of the 130mm lens, which appeared later (1959)
−
** 50mm f/2.8 Agfa Color-Solinar (4 elements in 3 groups - 5 blade diaphragm) sold as standard lens and is the well known AGFA version of the [[Tessar]]  
+
** 50mm f/2.8 Agfa Color-Solinar (4 elements in 3 groups; 5 blade diaphragm) sold as standard lens and is the well known AGFA version of the [[Tessar]]  
−
** 35mm f/4 Color-Ambion (4 elements in 3 groups - 5 blade diaphragm)
+
** 35mm f/4 Color-Ambion (4 elements in 3 groups; 5 blade diaphragm)
−
** 90mm f/4 Color-Telinear (5 elements in 4 groups - 5 blade diaphragm)
+
** 90mm f/4 Color-Telinear (5 elements in 4 groups; 5 blade diaphragm)
−
** 130mm f/4 Color-Telinear (6 elements - 5 blade diaphragm) - This lens uses 62mm filters and requires an extra viewfinder for composing.
+
** 130mm f/4 Color-Telinear (6 elements; 5 blade diaphragm) - This lens uses 62mm filters and requires an extra viewfinder for composing.
 
** Recently a 35mm f/2.8 Schneider Curtagon (Agfa Typ 4401-100) was reported by Michael Wescott Loder<ref>[https://wesloderandnikon.blogspot.com/2019/05/schneider-lens-for-agfas-ambi-silette.html Schneider lenses for Agfa Ambi Silette] by Michael Wescott Loder</ref> and seems to be a prototype.
 
** Recently a 35mm f/2.8 Schneider Curtagon (Agfa Typ 4401-100) was reported by Michael Wescott Loder<ref>[https://wesloderandnikon.blogspot.com/2019/05/schneider-lens-for-agfas-ambi-silette.html Schneider lenses for Agfa Ambi Silette] by Michael Wescott Loder</ref> and seems to be a prototype.
  
−
*View finder: coupled view/rangefinder, matching RF images, w/ bright-line frames, parallax correction by a switch on the top plate adjusts to the 35-50-90mm lenses, the 130mm lens required a separate viewfinder for composition
+
* Viewfinder: coupled view/rangefinder, matching RF images, with bright-line frames. Parallax correction by a switch on the top plate adjusts to the 35-50-90mm lenses; the 130mm lens required a separate viewfinder for composition.
−
**Focusing: matching yellow-dot rangefinder images in the finder, coupled with the distances ring on the lens, w/DOF scale; Focus range: 1-10m +inf
+
** Focusing: matching yellow-dot rangefinder images in the finder, coupled with the distance ring on the lens, w/DOF scale; focus range: 1-10m +inf
−
**Flip-up cover:  protecting the view- and rangefinder windows on front of the camera, and providing shade.
+
** Flip-up cover protects the view- and rangefinder windows on front of the camera and provides shade.
  
−
*Self-timer: ~8s, set the small green lever above the shutter to V after winding. Lever resets to X after pressing shutter release  
+
*Self-timer: ~8s, when the small green lever above the shutter is set to V after winding. Lever resets to X after pressing shutter release.
−
*Flash PC socket: on the front plate, right of the shutter.
+
*Flash PC socket on the front plate, right of the shutter  
 
** Flash-sync adjustment via the small green lever on the top of the shutter;  M 1/60-1/500, X all speeds with electronic flash  
 
** Flash-sync adjustment via the small green lever on the top of the shutter;  M 1/60-1/500, X all speeds with electronic flash  
 
*Back cover: Hinged, opens by the latch on the left side of the camera
 
*Back cover: Hinged, opens by the latch on the left side of the camera
−
*Others: Cold-shoe; Memory dial; Tripod socket 1/4 inch; Supporting slide on the front of the bottom plate for tabletop use.
+
*Others: Cold-shoe; memory dial; tripod socket 1/4 inch; supporting slide on the front of the bottom plate for tabletop use
 
*Dimensions: 125x90x40mm (5.0x3.5x1.6") LxHxD without lens
 
*Dimensions: 125x90x40mm (5.0x3.5x1.6") LxHxD without lens
 
*Weight: 530g (~18.5 oz) without lens  
 
*Weight: 530g (~18.5 oz) without lens  

Revision as of 21:14, 1 January 2023

747049004_1a79f1206b_n.jpg
Agfa Ambi Silette (1957)
image by Alf Sigaro (Image rights)

Agfa Ambi Silette is an interchangeable lens 35mm film rangefinder camera manufactured by Agfa Kamerawerk AG in Munich, West Germany, and produced between 1957 and 1961. The Ambi Silette was the interchangeable lens member of the Silette range of Agfa cameras which included scale focus viewfinders named Silette and fixed lens rangefinders named Silette Super (sold in the USA as ANSCO Memar and Super Memar). The Ambi Silette was not rebranded by ANSCO for sale in the USA.

The Ambi Silette was introduced in Photokina 1956 as a result of Deckel's development of a behind-the-lens Compur leaf shutter. The behind-the-lens leaf shutter was an advance for the time but had several well-documented disadvantages. Among those was a small maximum throat diameter (25mm), relatively slow maximum speeds (~1/500), and the inability to support lenses that extend to the rear, as they would touch the shutter blades.

The camera went on sale in 1957 in Germany and 1958 in the rest of the world with Cat Nbr 2090, and while it was expensive for the time it was a fraction of the cost of a Leica. AGFA bet a lot of their future on this camera, even offering a lifetime guarantee.[1] Initially three lenses were offered with the camera: 50/2.8, 35/4, and 90/4. AGFA developed these lenses as whole interchangeable units, not just the front unit as in the Contaflex and pre-1958 Retina lens mounts. The Ambi Silette lens mount is a clamp/bayonet style mount with only one indexing tab, which makes switching lenses very easy. In order to provide the best experience with the interchangeable lenses, AGFA introduced a very innovative viewfinder design with variable bright framelines that are selected manually for the 50mm, 35mm, and 90mm lenses and automatic parallax correction. By today's standards the viewfinder is relatively small, but the framelines and the rangefinder are bright and easy to use.

An updated version (Type II- Catalog Nbr 2091) of Ambi Silette appeared in 1959. The most significant change to the camera was a revised rangefinder with a 5mm wider base, probably to match the 130mm lens that was launched at the time. Other changes included: [1][2]

  • Front look changed, as the RF and frameline windows are separated
  • Addition of strap lugs
  • 35mm Frame Lines disappear when 90mm Frame Lines are selected
  • Change in order of Frame Lines from 35-50-90 to 50-35-90
  • Exposure counter changed from additive to subtractive order
  • Cosmetic changes to the film advance lever (protrudes from back) and film reminder dial (Types of film)

Sales of the Ambi Silette were good, but rangefinder sales were quickly surpassed by SLRs, in which AGFA never found success despite its efforts with the Agfaflex line. Production of the Ambi Silette ceased in 1961.

Specifications

50571538206_9a1d403a4a_n.jpg
Ambi Silette Type II (1959)
with all 4 interchangeable lenses
and 130mm auxiliary viewfinder
image by eBayer ellawr-50 (Image rights)
18761201398_2e7e41e460_n.jpg
Ambi Silette Type II (1959)
image by Julian Schröder (Image rights)
  • Film format: 135 film cartridges (perforated 35mm film) with a 24x36mm image
  • Shutter: Synchro-Compur behind the lens leaf shutter. Speeds: B, 1-1/500 ; Setting: ring set close to camera body, with 2 little handles.
  • Shutter release: on the right of the top plate; standard cable release socket
  • Film winder: short stroke winder, acts as cocking lever
  • Frame counter: coupled with winding lever, advance type, manual setting
    • Type I cameras have an additive frame counter, reset mark has a red A
    • Type II cameras have a subtractive frame counter, reset setting depends on number of frames of film (red triangles for 20 and 36 exp rolls)
  • Lens Mount: bayonet, very easy mounting 43.5mm register distance
    • Lens release: press the lens release button on the lower front of the lens mount and simultaneously turn the lens counter-clockwise while gripping the fixed milled ring on the lens
  • Lenses: interchangeable lenses [3] [4][5]
    These lenses were sold in a plastic capsule with silica gel inserts. All lenses use the same size filters (37mm slip-on or 35.5mm screw-on) with the exception of the 130mm lens, which appeared later (1959)
    • 50mm f/2.8 Agfa Color-Solinar (4 elements in 3 groups; 5 blade diaphragm) sold as standard lens and is the well known AGFA version of the Tessar
    • 35mm f/4 Color-Ambion (4 elements in 3 groups; 5 blade diaphragm)
    • 90mm f/4 Color-Telinear (5 elements in 4 groups; 5 blade diaphragm)
    • 130mm f/4 Color-Telinear (6 elements; 5 blade diaphragm) - This lens uses 62mm filters and requires an extra viewfinder for composing.
    • Recently a 35mm f/2.8 Schneider Curtagon (Agfa Typ 4401-100) was reported by Michael Wescott Loder[6] and seems to be a prototype.
  • Viewfinder: coupled view/rangefinder, matching RF images, with bright-line frames. Parallax correction by a switch on the top plate adjusts to the 35-50-90mm lenses; the 130mm lens required a separate viewfinder for composition.
    • Focusing: matching yellow-dot rangefinder images in the finder, coupled with the distance ring on the lens, w/DOF scale; focus range: 1-10m +inf
    • Flip-up cover protects the view- and rangefinder windows on front of the camera and provides shade.
  • Self-timer: ~8s, when the small green lever above the shutter is set to V after winding. Lever resets to X after pressing shutter release.
  • Flash PC socket on the front plate, right of the shutter
    • Flash-sync adjustment via the small green lever on the top of the shutter; M 1/60-1/500, X all speeds with electronic flash
  • Back cover: Hinged, opens by the latch on the left side of the camera
  • Others: Cold-shoe; memory dial; tripod socket 1/4 inch; supporting slide on the front of the bottom plate for tabletop use
  • Dimensions: 125x90x40mm (5.0x3.5x1.6") LxHxD without lens
  • Weight: 530g (~18.5 oz) without lens


5160804570_6a29365fa3.jpg
5160836858_47116916d8.jpg
Agfa Ambi Silette (1957) and with Agfa Tully Images by Süleyman Demir (Image rights)
5160201419_9224bf21e2_m.jpg
5160201715_dcaeb250af_m.jpg
5160202255_1fa783892d_m.jpg
5160202999_c493bbb69c_m.jpg
Agfa Ambi Silette (1957)

Images by Süleyman Demir (Image rights)

Notes

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Mike Eckman's Notes on the Ambi-Silette
  2. ↑ Agfa's most ambitious camera by Michael Wescott Loder
  3. ↑ Cameraquest Ambi-Silette article
  4. ↑ Instruction Manual at Mike Butkus' Orpahn Cameras
  5. ↑ AGFA sales catalogue at Richard Urmonas website
  6. ↑ Schneider lenses for Agfa Ambi Silette by Michael Wescott Loder

Links

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