Difference between revisions of "Ami (WZFO)"

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| image_source=http://www.flickr.com/photos/35573024@N03/3431192687/in/pool-camerapedia
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| image_source=https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ami_WZFO.png
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| image_text=Ami 66
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| image_text=type 1 version 5 Ami
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|image_by= Ivan Ruggiero
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The '''Ami''', '''Ami 2''' and '''Ami 66''' are toy viewfinder cameras made of plastic by the Polish firm [[Warszawskie Zakłady Fotooptyczne]] (WZFO).
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The '''Ami''' is a toy viewfinder camera made of plastic by the Polish firm [[Warszawskie Zakłady Fotooptyczne]] (WZFO).
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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.
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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.
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As part of the [[Ami series]], was followed by the [[Ami 2]] in the same year and by the [[Ami 66]] in 1969.
  
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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. 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]].
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==Specifications==
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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 recomended.
 
 
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| image_source=http://www.flickr.com/photos/35573024@N03/3431192827/in/pool-camerapedia/
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| image_text=Ami 2 with Amilux flash
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| image_text=Top half of the box. Two other box designs exist.
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|image_by= Ivan Ruggiero
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|image_rights= creative commons
 
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The '''Ami 2''' is a revised version of the Ami; it offers adjustable shutter speed of 1/30, 1/60 and 1/125 sec plus B. The lens is now built of two glass elements and can be focused in two settings: for 2,5-4 meters and 4 meters to infinity. The camera has a built-in double exposure safety, and a standard cable release socket. Contrary to the Ami and Ami 66 it can be used with electronic flashes at all shutter speeds, while with flash bulbs at 1/30 sec only.
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* Frame size: 56x56 mm (120 film type)
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* Film advance: manual, with red window
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* Lens: fixed, meniscus, 75 mm 1:8
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* Focusing: fix focus, from 2 m to infinity
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* Aperture: 1:8, 1:16
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* Shutter: two leaf everset shutter, one 1/50 s shutter speed
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* Cold shoe and standard PC socket
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* Flash sync: flashbulbs only
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* Tripod thread: 1/4"<ref name=marjed>Mariusz Jedynak (2018). ''Polskie Aparaty Fotograficzne 1953-1985''. Wydawnictwo MS. ISBN 978-83-61915-67-6.</ref>
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* Dimensions: 143x82x100 mm
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* 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>
  
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The '''Ami 66''' looks more dramatic, the front of its lens assembly containing a fat circle of fake photocells, as if in tribute to the [[Lord Martian]]. Again according to Adamczyk, its shutter is simpler (and worse) than that of the original Ami. The shutter speeds are 1/50 sec and B, while flash synchronization is for flash bulbs only. The lens is a single element, fixed focus one again; the camera is generally a modernized and simplified original Ami, offering the same performance (just the shutter setting B was added). The Ami 66 was apparently being built from early 1970s to around 1980.
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==Versions==
  
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The example examined<ref>By Camerapedia editor Hoary.</ref> was, surprisingly, accompanied by an all-leather case: a slightly tight fit, but thanks to its convex back very obviously made for a camera without a film ''plane'' and almost certainly designed for this camera: the inside of the snout of the case was marked either "1972" or "10/72" and the inside of the strap "15 Czerw 1973" (15 June 1973); all combining to suggest camera manufacture in the early 1970s.
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There are 21 different documented versions of the Ami<ref name=marjed />. They were available in 3 colours (white, beige and blue), with 6 different shutter button colours and 5 different logos (A<ref name="version4">[http://www.polskie-aparaty-fotograficzne.pl/7_ami/amiczerwony.jpg type 1 version 4, Polskie aparaty fotograficzne]</ref>,B<ref name="version5">[https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ami_WZFO.png type 1 version 5, Wikimedia Commons]</ref>,C<ref name="version16">[http://www.polskie-aparaty-fotograficzne.pl/7_ami/amizielony.jpg type 1 version 16, Polskie aparaty fotograficzne]</ref>,D,E<ref name="version11">[http://www.polskie-aparaty-fotograficzne.pl/7_ami/amiszarypudelko.jpg type 1 version 11, Polskie aparaty fotograficzne]</ref>).
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<br>
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The "type 2" versions differ in the addition of the WZFO logo in the flash shoe.
  
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There is no word ''ami'' in Polish. French was a widely studied foreign language in Poland during the Communist period, and the name of this camera was probably intended to evoke the French word ''ami'' ("friend").
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{|class="toccolours" border="1" style="clear:both; background-color:#e0e0e0; margin:2em auto; text-align:center; border-collapse:collapse;"
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! type
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! version
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! front colour
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! top colour
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! shutter button
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! logo
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|-
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| rowspan="19" style="text-align:center;" | 1
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| 1
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| rowspan="6" colspan="2" style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000;" | white
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| rowspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;" | white
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| A
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|-
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| 2
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| B
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|-
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| 3
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| C
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|-
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| 4<ref name="version4" />
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| style="background-color:#fe0000; color:#ffffff;" | rosso
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| A
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|-
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| 5<ref name="version5" />
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| style="background-color:#f8ff00;" | yellow
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| B
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|-
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| 6
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| style="background-color:#32cb00;" | green
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| C
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|-
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| 7
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| rowspan="4" colspan="2" style="background-color:#e1c699;" | beige
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| style="background-color:#fe0000; color:#ffffff;" | red
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| A
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|-
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| 8
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| style="background-color:#f8ff00;" | yellow
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| B
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|-
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| 9
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| style="background-color:#32cb00;" | green
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| rowspan="2" | C
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|-
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| 10
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| style="background-color:#34ff34;" | light green
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|-
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| 11<ref name="version11" />
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| style="background-color:#3531ff; color:#ffffff;" | blue
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| style="background-color:#ffffff;" | white
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| rowspan="2" style="background-color:#ffffff;" | white
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| E
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|-
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| 12
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| rowspan="8" colspan="2" style="background-color:#3531ff; color:#ffffff;" | blue
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| rowspan="2" | A
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|-
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| 13
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| style="background-color:#fe0000; color:#ffffff;" | red
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|-
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| 14
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| style="background-color:#f8ff00;" | yellow
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| B
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|-
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| 15
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| style="background-color:#32cb00;" | green
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| rowspan="2" | C
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|-
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| 16<ref name="version16" />
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| style="background-color:#34ff34;" | light green
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|-
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| 17
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| rowspan="3" style="background-color:#000000; color:#ffffff;" | black
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| A
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|-
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| 18
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| B
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|-
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| 19
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| C
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|-
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| rowspan="2" | 2
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| 1
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| rowspan="2" colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000;" | white
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| A
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|-
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| 2
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| D
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|}
  
 
==Notes==
 
==Notes==
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==Links==
 
==Links==
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In English:
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* [http://www.polskie-aparaty-fotograficzne.pl/amifolder.htm#amizolty.jpg Ami, Ami2 and Ami 66] at [http://www.polskie-aparaty-fotograficzne.pl/index.htm Polskie aparaty fotograficzne] (in Polish)
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* [http://mradamczyk.one.pl/polskie/ami-ang.htm Ami, Ami 66 and Ami 2] at Michał R. Adamczyk's [http://mradamczyk.one.pl/polskieaparaty.htm Polskie aparaty fotograficzne]
 
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* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ami_66 Ami 66] at Wikipedia
 
  
 
==Sources==
 
==Sources==
 
* Ami camera instruction manual
 
* Ami camera instruction manual
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* Ami 2 camera instruction manual (actually an addition to the Ami manual)
 
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* Ami 66 camera instruction manual
 
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* Ami, Ami 2 and Ami 66 cameras.
 
  
 
[[Category:WZFO]]
 
[[Category:WZFO]]
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[[Category:6x6 viewfinder]]
 
[[Category:6x6 viewfinder]]
 
[[Category:Toy cameras]]
 
[[Category:Toy cameras]]
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[[Category:1965]]

Latest revision as of 20:23, 25 August 2023

52595944274_b01a0cfacf_n.jpg
type 1 version 5 Ami
image by Ivan Ruggiero (Image rights)

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

52633305333_51bf35a9e3_m.jpg
Top half of the box. Two other box designs exist.
image by Ivan Ruggiero (Image rights)
  • 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
Retrieved from "http://camera-wiki.org/index.php?title=Ami_(WZFO)&oldid=225362"