Difference between revisions of "Ami (WZFO)"

From Camera-wiki.org
Jump to: navigation, search
m (revert previous edit (6x6 is subecategory))
 
(3 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown)
Line 8: Line 8:
 
}}
 
}}
  
The '''Ami''' is a toy viewfinder cameras made of plastic by the Polish firm [[Warszawskie Zakłady Fotooptyczne]] (WZFO).
+
The '''Ami''' is a toy viewfinder camera made of plastic by the Polish firm [[Warszawskie Zakłady Fotooptyczne]] (WZFO).
  
Made around 1960, the Ami takes 6×6 cm exposures on [[120 film]]. It has a 75/8 simple, [[fixed-focus]] [[meniscus lens]], and only one shutter speed of 1/50 sec (with [[flash sync]]hronization for [[flashbulbs|flash bulbs]] only). Aperture is f/16 for sunny and f/8 for cloudy. According to Michał R. Adamczyk, "[its body] was made of 'styropol' - Polish high impact polystyrene, which bettered aesthetics and reduced weight" compared with the [[Druh]].
+
Made around 1960, the Ami takes 6×6 cm exposures on [[120 film]]. It has a 75/8 simple, [[fixed-focus]] [[meniscus lens]], and only one shutter speed of 1/50 sec (with [[flash sync]]hronization for [[flashbulbs|flash bulbs]] only). Aperture is f/16 for sunny and f/8 for cloudy.
 
The camera was intended for use with 40-50 [[ASA]] (17-18 DIN) films on clear days, with aperture 16 in the sunlight and 8 in the shadow or under light clouds. On cloudy days, 100-200 ASA (21-24 [[Film speed|DIN]]) films and aperture 8 were recommended.
 
The camera was intended for use with 40-50 [[ASA]] (17-18 DIN) films on clear days, with aperture 16 in the sunlight and 8 in the shadow or under light clouds. On cloudy days, 100-200 ASA (21-24 [[Film speed|DIN]]) films and aperture 8 were recommended.
  
There were rumors that the name "Ami" came from the name of it's creator, the engineer '''A'''dam '''Mi'''kołajczyk<ref name="adami">[http://www.fotomuzeum.pl/aparaty/aparaty-powojenne/34-ami-wzfo-pzo-warszawa.html AMI - (WZFO - PZO), fotomuzeum.pl]</ref>. Other rumors say that the name was chosen after an internal contest in WZFO, where the winning name was "''Przyjaciel''" ("friend" in polish), proposed by Janina Michalska. But was considered too long and changed to the french translation<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTe8R_taJAs 🎞 WZFO Ami - historia i recenzja aparatu - Fotografia Analogowa, Youtube] - @namesurename-fotografiaana3168 comment (in Polish)</ref> (french was a widely studied foreign language in Poland during the Communist period).
+
As part of the [[Ami series]], was followed by the [[Ami 2]] in the same year and by the [[Ami 66]] in 1969.
 
 
There was a Flash called Amilux designed for the Ami series, Powered by 22.5v battery it used type "lb-2" Bulbs.
 
 
 
Was followed by the [[Ami 2]] in the same year and by the [[Ami 66]] in 1969.
 
  
 
==Specifications==
 
==Specifications==
Line 38: Line 34:
 
* Tripod thread: 1/4"<ref name=marjed>Mariusz Jedynak (2018). ''Polskie Aparaty Fotograficzne 1953-1985''. Wydawnictwo MS. ISBN 978-83-61915-67-6.</ref>
 
* Tripod thread: 1/4"<ref name=marjed>Mariusz Jedynak (2018). ''Polskie Aparaty Fotograficzne 1953-1985''. Wydawnictwo MS. ISBN 978-83-61915-67-6.</ref>
 
* Dimensions: 143x82x100 mm
 
* Dimensions: 143x82x100 mm
* Price: 269 złoty in 1968.<ref name="adami" /><ref>Kalendarz Przyjaciółki 1968</ref>
+
* Price: 269 złoty in 1968.<ref>[http://www.fotomuzeum.pl/aparaty/aparaty-powojenne/34-ami-wzfo-pzo-warszawa.html AMI - (WZFO - PZO), fotomuzeum.pl]</ref><ref>Kalendarz Przyjaciółki 1968</ref>
  
 
==Versions==
 
==Versions==

Latest revision as of 20:23, 25 August 2023

The Ami is a toy viewfinder camera made of plastic by the Polish firm Warszawskie Zakłady Fotooptyczne (WZFO).

Made around 1960, the Ami takes 6×6 cm exposures on 120 film. It has a 75/8 simple, fixed-focus meniscus lens, and only one shutter speed of 1/50 sec (with flash synchronization for flash bulbs only). Aperture is f/16 for sunny and f/8 for cloudy. The camera was intended for use with 40-50 ASA (17-18 DIN) films on clear days, with aperture 16 in the sunlight and 8 in the shadow or under light clouds. On cloudy days, 100-200 ASA (21-24 DIN) films and aperture 8 were recommended.

As part of the Ami series, was followed by the Ami 2 in the same year and by the Ami 66 in 1969.

Specifications

  • Frame size: 56x56 mm (120 film type)
  • Film advance: manual, with red window
  • Lens: fixed, meniscus, 75 mm 1:8
  • Focusing: fix focus, from 2 m to infinity
  • Aperture: 1:8, 1:16
  • Shutter: two leaf everset shutter, one 1/50 s shutter speed
  • Cold shoe and standard PC socket
  • Flash sync: flashbulbs only
  • Tripod thread: 1/4"[1]
  • Dimensions: 143x82x100 mm
  • Price: 269 złoty in 1968.[2][3]

Versions

There are 21 different documented versions of the Ami[1]. They were available in 3 colours (white, beige and blue), with 6 different shutter button colours and 5 different logos (A[4],B[5],C[6],D,E[7]).
The "type 2" versions differ in the addition of the WZFO logo in the flash shoe.

type version front colour top colour shutter button logo
1 1 white white A
2 B
3 C
4[4] rosso A
5[5] yellow B
6 green C
7 beige red A
8 yellow B
9 green C
10 light green
11[7] blue white white E
12 blue A
13 red
14 yellow B
15 green C
16[6] light green
17 black A
18 B
19 C
2 1 white A
2 D

Notes

  1. 1.0 1.1 Mariusz Jedynak (2018). Polskie Aparaty Fotograficzne 1953-1985. Wydawnictwo MS. ISBN 978-83-61915-67-6.
  2. AMI - (WZFO - PZO), fotomuzeum.pl
  3. Kalendarz Przyjaciółki 1968
  4. 4.0 4.1 type 1 version 4, Polskie aparaty fotograficzne
  5. 5.0 5.1 type 1 version 5, Wikimedia Commons
  6. 6.0 6.1 type 1 version 16, Polskie aparaty fotograficzne
  7. 7.0 7.1 type 1 version 11, Polskie aparaty fotograficzne

Links

Sources

  • Ami camera instruction manual