compur
Been spending a lot of time on here!
One of my favorite recent finds was this Agfa Ambi-Silette, purchased
for a fraction of its value at a swap meet. Agfa made these from 1956-61.
This one is the later variation (1960-61) with 3 viewfinder windows and
strap eyelets. The earlier version one had 2 windows and no eyelets. There
was also a rare Deluxe version with snake skin covering.
This one had a roll of Kodachrome-X (~1965-75) still in it. The camera is fully
working and included the original case. It has the 50mm f/2.8 Color-Solinar
lens (tessar type). Agfa made 3 other lenses for it: 35/4, 90/4 and 130/4.
There were also 2 close-up Proximeter attachments. The lenses share the
same filter size except for the 130mm.
The rangefinder/viewfinder is quite good on the Ambi-Silette. It is large and
bright with parallax correction. It has selectable bright-line frame lines
for the 35/50/90 lenses. A sliding switch on top of the camera picks the
desired frame lines. The 130mm lens had its own finder. There is a flip-up
cover for the viewfinder windows (not really needed in my opinion).
The quiet leaf shutter is in the camera rather than in each lens. Servicing
it, if needed, is not a major ordeal as it is with some other German 35mm
leaf shutters of this vintage (it can be removed relatively easily by a
camera tech). Speeds are 1 second to 1/500 plus B with sync at all speeds
via terminal on the front of the camera.
I think this one is a keeper. :heart:
Now to find the other lenses!
for a fraction of its value at a swap meet. Agfa made these from 1956-61.
This one is the later variation (1960-61) with 3 viewfinder windows and
strap eyelets. The earlier version one had 2 windows and no eyelets. There
was also a rare Deluxe version with snake skin covering.
This one had a roll of Kodachrome-X (~1965-75) still in it. The camera is fully
working and included the original case. It has the 50mm f/2.8 Color-Solinar
lens (tessar type). Agfa made 3 other lenses for it: 35/4, 90/4 and 130/4.
There were also 2 close-up Proximeter attachments. The lenses share the
same filter size except for the 130mm.
The rangefinder/viewfinder is quite good on the Ambi-Silette. It is large and
bright with parallax correction. It has selectable bright-line frame lines
for the 35/50/90 lenses. A sliding switch on top of the camera picks the
desired frame lines. The 130mm lens had its own finder. There is a flip-up
cover for the viewfinder windows (not really needed in my opinion).
The quiet leaf shutter is in the camera rather than in each lens. Servicing
it, if needed, is not a major ordeal as it is with some other German 35mm
leaf shutters of this vintage (it can be removed relatively easily by a
camera tech). Speeds are 1 second to 1/500 plus B with sync at all speeds
via terminal on the front of the camera.
I think this one is a keeper. :heart:
Now to find the other lenses!