Ansco Shur Shot

Note: The Ansco Shur Shot has no connection to the post-1979 Sure Shot point & shoot cameras from Canon

Post-1948 version Ansco Shur-Shot image by Nesster (Image rights)

A brand of basic box cameras manufactured in Binghamton, New York by Ansco, which went though several minor variations.

The series began in about 1935, and Shur Shot cameras originally carried the name Agfa-Ansco in use at that time. Post-1943 models were branded as Ansco alone. The cameras were made in sizes for 120 and 116 film; but because of the Agfa connection these were specified using the German designations B2 and D6 respectively.

A Shur Shot is a simple cardboard box covered with leatherette. A structural panel of wood behind the faceplate holds the shutter mechanism, and a fixed aperture of approximately f/13. The image is formed by a single backwards-facing meniscus lens behind this.

Two brilliant viewfinders were provided to allow framing photos in either horizontal or vertical orientations. Most models permitted long (bulb) exposures by pulling a small tab outwards. The more advanced models also included a slider which positioned either a smaller aperture (approximately f/22) or a yellow filter in front of the main lens. (The filter was intended for black & white photography, e.g. to deepen the tone of blue skies.)

To load film it is necessary to pull out the wind knob, which then permits the entire film carriage (and lens) to slide out of the body. The metal faceplate of the camera can also be taken off by lifting tabs off of two small pegs, giving access to the shutter and viewfinder (e.g. if cleaning or lubrication is required).

The very simple, reliable, and maintainable design of the Shur Shot has preserved large numbers of them in perfectly usable condition right up to the present day.

Links

• Ansco Shur Shot D6 at Matt Denton's photosite
• manual
• ansco shur shot at Sylvain Halgand's www.collection-appareils.fr
• Ansco D-6 Shur Shot (converted to 120) at Pete Lutz's photosite

Made for "B2" film, equivalent to 120 image by Voxphoto (Image rights)

Early Shur Shot model, all-black face with white lines image by Inspiredphotos (Image rights)

c.1940 Agfa Ansco Shur Shot image by Steve Harwood (Image rights)

Agfa-Ansco D-6 Shur-Shot image by ф6пункт3 (f6point3) (Image rights)