Agfa Selectronic Sensor

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Overview

In 1970, Agfa introduced the Selectronic Sensor range, comprising two cameras. These models continued in production until 1976 when they were replaced by the Optima Sensor Electronic series.

The Selectronic Sensor was a viewfinder camera, while the Selectronic Sensor S was a rangefinder camera, and enjoyed a better quality - Tessar type - "Solinar" lens.

The target market for the Selectronic Sensor cameras seems to have been that of a second camera for a serious enthusiast. They have some fairly unique features.

Features

Both cameras were very similarly styled, and replicated some unique design features first seen in the Optima Sensor 200 and 500, but had an all black finish. The Selectronics were sold alongside the Optima Sensor models.

  • The shutter release is an electromagnetic type. It's very smooth in use, and was designed to eliminate camera shake.
  • The shutter itself is a "Paratronic", which comprises two blades. Its control is electromagnet.
  • Shutter speeds are step-less between a massive 15 seconds and 1/500th of a second.
  • There are two circular windows on the front of the camera: the right-hand window is a CdS cell, while the left is a luminous indicator that shows the battery condition and flashes during delayed exposure.
  • The large viewfinder displays both the shutter speed and aperture, via two separate projected scales.
  • The film loading mechanism comprises a closed receptacle with a slit, through which the film leader is inserted and gripped by a sprocket wheel (no slots in spools or their variations), such that exposed film disappears behind a door and is (apparently) protected against accidental opening of the back cover.
  • The film transport mechanism is unusual in as much as a small lever marked “R” (located on the users right side of the lens) reveals a push-button, which reverses the transport gearing so that the film advance lever rewinds the film, with the exposure dial counting down and thus showing when the film is fully rewound. The film advance lever is on the user's left side of the bottom plate, and the film is effectively exposed up-side-down.

Technical Specifications

Viewfinder: Large reverse-Galilean finder, 0.78x magnification (at a guess), with selected aperture and shutter speed displayed on two separate scales across the top and down the right side of the viewfinder respectively (the symbol under "30" is a tripod).

Focus: Manual.

Lens: Agfa Color Apotar f/2.8 45mm (3 Elements in 3 Groups).

Close Focus: 3' (0.9m).

Diaphragm: Stopping down to about f/22.

Shutter: Agfa Paratronic, with speeds of 15 sec. (yes that's correct - 15 whole sec!) to 1/500 continuously variable. Mechanical timer for 10 sec delay.

Cable Release: On the back-side of the top plate (above the battery test button).

Meter: CdS cell.

Exposure: Aperture priority auto exposure.

Film Speed: 25 - 400 ASA (15 - 27 DIN). Selection is “coin-operated”.

Filter Size: 49mm screw fit.

Flash: Standard hot shoe with center contact, automatic switchover from time to flash mode by touch probe in the hot shoe, which is automatically activated by the inserted flash.

Film Advance: Lever.

Frame Counter: Manually zeroed, then counts up and counts down on rewind.

Rewind: A lever reverses the winder gearing, so the film advance lever rewinds the film.

Back Opening: Sliding catch. When the back is opened, a film retaining spindle on the base of the camera also pops out.

Size: 117 x 83 x 66 mm (W x H x D).

Weight: 470g.

Battery: 2 PX625, although it will work properly with alkaline 625 size cells: if the test light illuminates, then the meter will operate. The batteries fit in a neat little pullout drawer on the side of the camera.


Other Selectronic Cameras

In 1980, the Selectronic name was given to three Agfa SLRs featuring the K mount.


Links

Agfa Optima Sensor Cameras
Classic Optima | Optima Sensor 200 | Optima Sensor 500 | Selectronic Sensor | Selectronic Sensor S
Modern Optima Sensor 335 | Optima Sensor 535 | Optima Sensor 1035 | Optima Sensor 1535 | Optima Sensor | Optima Flash Sensor