Optima Ia

Optima Ia with Dutch manual image by AGFA (Image rights)

The Optima Ia is a 1962 model from the Optima series by Agfa. has an optical bright frame finder with parallax marks, a distance setting ring with symbols around the front lens element, and an aperture setting ring with separate aperture setting scales for B-mode or flash synchronized speed 1/30 seconds. The automatic exposure mode (A-mode, without flash) has to be switched on with the same ring. Film speed setting is possible only up to 200 ASA. The camera's bottom & back part can be removed very easily for loading the film. Film advance has to be done with a tiny advance lever. Other than the Optima I's lever it's mounted on the camera top. The exposure counter is readable from the side. Its advantage over the Optima I of 1960 is its hot shoe and maybe a different shutter. A similar model was the Agfa Agfamatic Ia.

Links

• Optima Ia user manual from Mike Butkus's OrphanCameras.com