Agfa Movexoom

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With one exception , Agfa used Movexoom to designate all cine film cameras that had a zoom lens. The first camera appeared in 1963 and therefore still with the Normal 8 format ; production of the last models ended in 1977.

zoom lens

Meaning for the cine film

In contrast to the photo cameras, zoom lenses not only simplify operation when filming, in that one could dispense with changing the lens to change the focal length, they also enable new creative possibilities with zooming while filming, which very quickly became the standard of an amateur film. That is why Agfa highlighted the zoom lens in the model name and changed the name Movex, which was already known from the pre-war era, into Movexoom . The only exception was the Microflex , where it seemed more important to emphasize its compact dimensions.

Technical development

The calculation of zoom lenses absolutely required a reasonably powerful computer support. At Agfa, this became possible with the transition from the Zuse Z 11 to the Zuse Z22 in 1958, after which the first cine camera with such a lens went into production in 1963.

Models

Movexoom

The first Agfa camera with a zoom lens came out in 1963, the Movexoom , which could be recognized by a long lever on the lens with which the focal length was set from 9 mm to 30 mm. Agfa called its first zoom Vario , the light intensity was f / 1.8. The film was already moved by an electric drive, so no more spring mechanism.

Movexoom S , S 1 , S 2

The Movexoom S appeared in 1967 as the first Agfa camera with a zoom lens for the new Super 8 system . It was available in three variants, as S with Varigon f / 1.8; 10 mm to 35 mm focal length, as S 1 with Movaron f / 1.8; 9 mm to 36 mm focal length and as S 2 with Movaron f / 1.8; 7.5 mm to 60 mm focal length, i.e. eight times zoom.

It was a single-lens reflex camera with automatic exposure control that worked with TTL measurement. As a simple model, the S 1 was limited to 18 frames / s and 24 frames / s. the other two also offered slow motion with 45 frames / s.

Movexoom 2000 , 3000 , 4000

The Movexoom 2000 to 4000 series replaced the Movexoom S in 1970 ; it caught the eye at first glance with its unusual design, which did not match the current Agfa line, because it was not a development by the Camerawerk in Munich , but by Minolta Cameras that Agfa sold under its own name.

The main differences between the variants were the zoom range of their lens: the 2000 had a Variostar f / 1.8 with a focal length of 8.5 mm to 35 mm ( i.e. four times the zoom), the 3000 had a Variostar f / 1.8 with 7 mm up to 42 mm focal length (six times zoom) and the top model 4000 a Variostar f / 2.5 with 6 mm to 60 mm focal length (ten times zoom). In addition, there was no slow motion with the 2000 , it only ran at 18 fps and 24 fps. The 3000 also offered time lapse with 9 frames / s and slow motion with 50 frames / s as well as single frame switching, for which you could also connect a flash unit. And you could turn off the automatic exposure control.

Of the two large models, there were still the versions 3000 Synchrosound and 4000 Synchrosound for sound film recordings. Since the Super 8 sound film cassette did not come out until 1973, these cameras still worked according to the two- tape process, so you could connect a tape recorder with a pulse head.

What they all had in common was the operation with 6 mignon cells, which were located in the fixed, non-foldable handle, motorized zoom and cross-fading. The weight was between 1220 g and 1430 g.

Movexoom 10 sound

Movexoom 6 and Movexoom 10

In 1976 Agfa presented a modern camera in the usual shape of Schlagheck Schultes Design . They were available with a six- and ten-fold zoom lens, accordingly they were called Movexoom 6 mos electronic and Movexoom 10 mos electronic . The mos referred to the advanced control, it stands for Metal Oxide Semiconductor and refers to the use of integrated circuits in electronics, which was still remarkable at the time . Agfa mainly advertised its reliability, so it said in the accompanying advertisement:

“The new MOVEXOOM mos electronic is the first Super 8 camera with MOS technology and a servo digital motor. All important functions are controlled by a new electronic switching element (MOS = Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor). This switching element is smaller than a match head, but far superior to conventional controls thanks to its unparalleled precision. And - just like the new digitally controlled light measuring system - it is completely wear-free.
The new MOS technology and decades of construction experience in camera construction led to optimal precision and absolute reliability. That is why you receive a 3-year guarantee worldwide on the MOVEXOOM, which is manufactured according to the strictest quality standards in German craftsmanship. "

The Movexoom 6 had an Agfa Variostar f / 1.8 with a focal length of 7 mm to 42 mm and a close focus limit of 1 m, the Movexoom 10 had an Agfa Variostar macro f / 1.8 with a focal length of 6 mm to 60 mm, which focuses on subjects from the front lens could. In addition, its power zoom could have two speeds instead of just one.

With their electronic controls, both cameras could automatically fade in, fade out and cross-fade and expose a single image every 0.3 s, 1 s or 60 s, for which a photo flash could also be connected. The self-timer let the camera run for 5 s or 10 s after 10 s. The film speeds available were 9 frames / s, 18 frames / s and 24 frames / s. The slow motion worked with 54 frames / s.

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