Vintage in beautiful original leather case.
Agfaflex I/II (also known as Colorflex)
- The Agfaflex I/II is a 35mm fixed-lens single-lens reflex (SLR) camera manufactured by Agfa in Germany around 1958. Interestingly, outside of the United States, this model was marketed as the Colorflex.
- Lens: It features a 50mm f/2.8 Color Apotar lens. The Color Apotar is a 3-element lens that delivers decent image quality for its time.
- Shutter: The Agfaflex I/II boasts a Prontor Reflex leaf shutter with speeds ranging from 1 second to 1/300th of a second. This shutter mechanism ensures precise exposure control.
- Viewfinder Options:
- The viewfinder is interchangeable between two options:
- Waist-Level Finder (Agfaflex/Colorflex I): This finder allows you to compose your shots while looking down at the camera. It's great for low-angle shots and discreet photography.
- Eye-Level Pentaprism (Agfaflex/Colorflex II): The pentaprism finder provides a more traditional SLR experience, allowing you to look directly through the viewfinder. It's ideal for precise framing and focusing.
- Light Meter: Positioned above the lens, the Agfaflex I/II features an uncoupled selenium light meter. This means that the meter reading doesn't directly adjust the exposure settings but provides guidance for manual adjustments.
- Mirror Mechanism: Unlike modern SLRs with instant-return mirrors, the Agfaflex's mirror does not return instantly after exposure. You'll need to advance the film to reset the mirror.
- Later Models: Subsequent models (Agfaflex III/IV/V) introduced interchangeable lenses and were sold under the name Ambiflex outside the US. These later versions expanded the system's versatility.
Agfa Ambiflex
- The Agfa Ambiflex, produced around 1960, is another 35mm SLR camera made by Agfa. It shares some similarities with the earlier Agfaflex models but adds a crucial feature:
- Interchangeable Lenses: The Ambiflex was designed for photographers who wanted flexibility in lens choice. You can swap out lenses to suit different shooting scenarios.
- Default Lens: Out of the box, the Ambiflex comes with an Agfa Color-Solinar 50mm f/2.8 lens. The Color-Solinar is known for its sharpness and good color rendition.
- Manual Focusing: Like most cameras of its era, focusing is entirely manual. You turn the lens barrel to achieve precise focus.
- Manual Exposure: Exposure settings are also manual. You set the aperture (f-stop) and shutter speed based on your judgment or external light meter readings.
In summary, both the Agfaflex I/II and the Agfa Ambiflex represent a nostalgic era of film photography. Their mechanical simplicity and the tactile experience of using them make them beloved by vintage camera enthusiasts. If you ever get your hands on one, take it out for a spin—it's like stepping back in time!