Agfa Optima
The Agfa Optima is a camera with program automatic introduced in 1959, and it was the first camera ever with such an automatic. It was replaced by a new generation in 1968 and again in 1976 and remained in the range until the end of Agfa camera production. Agfa also referred to a few other cameras with the suffix Optima , these also had a program automatic. After Agfa stopped producing cameras, the term Optima was used for a color film.
Optima models with release lever (first generation)
prehistory
Problem
Agfa made a special effort to offer cameras that are easy to use, in order to encourage even those with no technical knowledge to take pictures and thus to increase film sales. The difficulties lay in loading the film, focusing and adjusting the exposure. The film loading was least problematic, as it could take over at the film department of the photo retailer. That left the settings before the recording. The distance setting could be omitted with a fixed focus lens , which, however, required a low light intensity. In the case of a not very bright lens, an approximate setting was sufficient, which is why this point was not particularly problematic, especially since the process was easy to convey - even the layman was able to estimate the distance from the camera to the subject and set it on a scale. That left the exposure setting.
The importance of shutter speed and aperture value could practically not be conveyed, which is why wealthy people also used a box camera in the 1930s to avoid the complicated operation (see box camera ). However, all simple cameras only use one or two exposure settings that only roughly matched the given lighting conditions. Black and white film with its large exposure latitude of several f-stops easily led to good results, color film less so. In contrast, the use of color slide film could not be recommended, as this material generally had to be exposed correctly. Evaluations in Agfa's own large-scale laboratory then also showed many incorrectly exposed images.
Automatic programs
At the end of the 1950s, the technology was so advanced that it could relieve the photographer with automatic control. In order to capture all situations that could be recorded with a free hand, it was not enough to just adjust the aperture with a fixed shutter speed; rather, both values had to be influenced. That is why the Agfa Camerawerk Munich invented the automatic program: As the brightness increased, the shutter began to reduce the shutter speed from 1 ⁄ 30 s to 1 ⁄ 250 s, with the aperture remaining open to the maximum in order to counteract blurring with the shortest possible times. Arrived at 1 ⁄ 250 s, when the brightness was increased further, the aperture closed up to the maximum value f / 22, which was also sufficient for very sunny weather. In 1959 Agfa was able to introduce the first camera with this system.
The Optima was preceded by the Automatic 66 medium format camera , a fully automatic machine in which the exposure time automatically adapts to a set aperture value. In contrast to this, the new technology sold so well that the production number already exceeded 1 million cameras after three years.
The first Optima
To underline the effect of the automatic program, the first camera was given the name Optima . To the left of the lens there was a lever that was called the magic button , which was extremely effective in advertising . Pressing the magic button locked the pointer of a measuring mechanism inside the camera, which served as a stop for the exposure adjustment mechanism. In the viewfinder you could see if the button was pressed and whether the brightness was sufficient - a green, otherwise a red mark appeared. When using a flash unit, you had to place the wheel on the bottom right of the lens on the flash symbol, then the shutter worked with 1 ⁄ 30 s and the aperture could be set as usual. This also applied to the long-term exposure, which could also be set on the bike.
“The magic button of this really fully automatic 35mm camera has become a sensation for all photo enthusiasts overnight. The numbers, pointers and scales that were customary up to now have disappeared - and there is no need for reading or calculating. Just one press of the button: Just as your eye reacts to stronger or weaker light, the aperture and exposure times are now continuously and fully automatically controlled. The fully automatic Agfa Optima masters every motif, regardless of the type of film. They take pictures. Find out soon from your photo dealer about the Agfa Optima with the magic button "
The distance setting - at this point the state of the art did not allow automation for some time - was carried out with the Optima and all its successors with three locking symbols, namely portrait (1.5 m), group shot (4 m) and landscape (infinite ). At the bottom of the lens there was a distance scale for a more precise setting. At the first Optima, rascal heads from Max and Moritz von Wilhelm Busch formed the first symbol.
The Optima cost a reasonable DM 238 for the technical effort, but only had a three-lens lens, Color Apotar S 3.9. As was common at the time, she used a selenium cell for light measurement and thus managed without batteries.
Optima I , II and III and 500 S
It made sense to combine the function of the magic key with the trigger function and to move to the right front of the chassis, which as early as 1960 with the Optima I did. It was a cheaper model at 189 DM, which only had the simpler, but also three- lens agnar instead of an apotar , with f / 2.8 and 45 mm focal length. Your Prontor Lux shutter also worked between 1 ⁄ 30 s and 1 ⁄ 250 s.
The Optima II with a Color Apotar f / 2.8, 45 mm and a Prontomator shutter cost 258 DM, the Optima III with the same lens but a Compur shutter that reached up to 1 ⁄ 500 s, 298 DM Both models were also available with a coupled rangefinder, namely as the II S and III S , but the latter was already 358 DM, which seemed expensive for a camera with a three-lens lens.
After the III S on the export models had always been sold as the 500 , matching its shortest shutter speed , it was generally transformed into the 500 S in 1963 when it finally received a suitable four-lens lens with the Solinar f / 2.8, 45 mm .
Optima reflex
The most unusual Optima came out as early as 1960 because it was a two-lens reflex camera. It corresponded to the Flexilette , so there was an Apotar f / 2.8 with 45 mm focal length as a photo lens, but instead of the light shaft it had a prism viewfinder and, as usual, a selenium cell for controlling the automatic program. At 398 DM, however, it cost twice as much as the Flexilette , a price that would actually make one expect a four-lens lens .
Optima Ia
The Optima Ia was once again a trend-setting design, which was not immediately apparent, but it was when you picked it up. While the original Optima weighed 720 g, the Ia was only a remarkably light 400 g. The case and the film guide were made of plastic. After opening a lock on the base plate, you could pull the back wall down to insert a film.
The main advantage compared to a die-cast aluminum housing was the cost-effective production, as the plastic hardly had to be reworked. Together with a perfected mechanism, however, smaller dimensions resulted. Agfa had found a plastic in which screws could be screwed in reliably and which was impact-resistant. At 189 DM, the price of the new camera was the same as that of the Optima I and the Color-Agnar .
Optima 500 SN
The Optima 500 SN from 1966 cost 338 DM and had the four-lens Solinar f / 2.8, 45 mm, but no rangefinder. It came with the plastic housing of the Ia , with the new high-gloss chrome-plated cap in the Parat design .
At this point in time, there was no longer a simpler option , since the lower price range was based on Rapid film . This only changed again in 1968 with the Optima 200 sensor .
Optima sensor (second generation)
Sensor trigger
The widespread use of the Optima actually showed more and more correctly exposed images in the photo laboratory evaluations carried out by Agfa. However, the numerous blurred images were noticeable. It was traced back to long release paths and a release button was devised that moved a maximum of 0.5 mm. Now it was difficult to advertise such a feature, but Agfa succeeded in doing so in an exemplary manner: They spoke of the sensor trigger and its design drew attention to it. Above the release lever there was a circular plastic disc in orange-red, which was very fashionable at the time, and it was also the Agfa advertising color. In addition, this device with a diameter of 16 mm turned out to be extremely large for a trigger. As a side effect, the conspicuous appearance had the advantage that it gave an answer to the question “Where should I press it?”.
With its intensive advertising, Agfa actually managed to make cameras without a sensor trigger appear inferior. By the end of production in 1983, all Agfa photo cameras and even some film cameras were equipped with this shutter release, with the exception of the primitive entry-level model, which had to do without it for cost reasons - 1.5 million cameras had already been sold with it in 1972.
Optima 200 sensor
The first camera to appear in the autumn of 1968 was the Optima 200 sensor with the sensor trigger. It worked essentially like the original Optima and also had a three-lens lens: the Apotar f / 2.8 with a 42 mm focal length. Its closure only lasted up to 1 ⁄ 200 s, from which the model name is derived, but you no longer needed to press a measuring button. When the shutter was cocked, there was either a yellow / green or a red mark in the viewfinder, and when the shutter was released, the automatic exposure started by itself.
In addition, the flash had been simplified, there was a small lever on the hot shoe that switched the camera to flash mode. Then the aperture changed with the focus setting. For this purpose, the guide number of the flash unit on the underside of the lens could be set from 11 to 27.
A special feature was the film transport, which was also taken over by the following generation: The film threaded itself in automatically, whereby the take-up spool was inaccessible under a plastic plate, so that if the rear wall was opened accidentally, the already exposed photos would be retained. In addition, the film cartridge was on the right, so it had to be inserted upright instead of upside down as usual. Rewinding was not done with a crank, but after switching the film transport with the quick-release lever. To do this, a small lever had to be pushed in the direction of view of the camera on the bottom right of the lens towards the center of the camera and then upwards, after which a metal pin jumped out, holding it in this position.
For close-ups there was the Natarix lens for shots from 40 cm to 70 cm away. The universal viewfinder Natarix had to be used, which was pushed onto the camera's accessory shoe and did not activate the automatic flash due to a recess in its foot.
The factual camera design, which clearly stood out from the previous series, came from Schlagheck Schultes Design . The list price of the Optima 200 sensor was 219 DM.
Optima 500 sensor
The Optima 500 sensor from 1969 came in the same housing, but, in keeping with its name, worked with shutter speeds of up to 1 ⁄ 500 s. The decisive difference, however, was the exposure measurement with Cds instead of selenium cells. Such cadmium sulfide photocells responded more quickly to changes in light, but required a battery, which on the 500 was in a compartment on the right-hand side of the housing cover. The mechanics for the exposure control remained unchanged, however, an electronic shutter was first available in the Agfa Selectronic and then in the subsequent series.
In addition, the 500 sensor dispensed with the automatic flash, with regard to the so-called computer flashes, which were still expensive , you could set a diaphragm on the lens, which was activated when the flash unit was pushed open. This camera cost 249 DM and was also available with a black housing cover for an additional charge. However, it always had the same lens as the 200 sensor , although a three-lens model in this price range was now completely inappropriate.
Derived models
There were also versions of both models without automatic programming, which were aimed at photo amateurs. They found only a few buyers, but Agfa was able to realize them with little effort: The Silette LK Sensor largely corresponded to the Optima 200 sensor, but was only a semi-automatic camera. The counterpart to the Optima 500 Sensor was called Selectronic Sensor.
Optima Sensor electronic (third generation)
Paratronic lock
Agfa had already introduced the Paratronic at Selectronic before it was built into all Optima models with a new generation of cameras. Its electronics were completely located in the lens barrel, so that the camera housing could be kept smaller than before. With the Optima, the shutter had a two-stage sensor trigger. A light touch led to the exposure control with a light-emitting diode display in the viewfinder. Then a red LED shone when the exposure time was less than 1 ⁄ 30 s. Models 535 and 1035 also had a green diode that indicated the area above.
Optima 535 sensor
The last generation continued the line started in 1959 with the Optima 535 Sensor in 1976. Its shape was again from Schlagheck Schultes Design . These models differed mainly in their more modern appearance, but the predecessor series now seemed antiquated, as plastic technology now allowed more complex housing shapes. The tripod thread on the side also made it possible to attach a wrist strap. The unusually large viewfinder, which made it particularly easy to use, was also striking.
The brightness control during flashing was carried out according to the Optima 500 sensor , since the so-called computer flashes were now standard. Loading and transport of the film worked unchanged, except that the quick-release lever was now on top of the camera and the switch to film return transport on the left - it was a button that had to be pressed and turned.
According to the model name, the shortest shutter speed was 1 ⁄ 500 s. Agfa gave 15 s as the longest shutter speed, but in fact the shutter could open for up to about 3 minutes, but then it closed with howling - but the images were perfectly exposed. The electronics were powered by three button cells instead of two previously, the battery compartment was under the back wall - with the film inserted, the operating instructions recommended changing it in the dark.
The Solitar 40 mm f / 2.8 lens had four lenses, whereby the entire lens, not just the front lens, was moved to adjust the distance. Initially, the outward-facing edges of the built-in lenses were blackened, but later cost-saving measures were taken at this point. The film speed setting was no longer on top of the housing cover, but on the lens. As usual, it ranged from ISO 25/15 ° to ISO 500/28 ° and pushed a graduated filter in front of the measuring cells. These were located inside the filter holder, which therefore had to be larger than before. A 32 mm plug-in filter was changed to a 49 mm screw thread.
The recommended retail price was DM 259 plus the ever-ready case, which was initially a leather case with a built-in “cup” for the lens barrel, and later only a black synthetic leather bag. While the pocket cameras had a silver metal link chain, the Optima only included a silver knurled screw with a black, braided nylon band and a rubber shoulder pad. In the first cases, the disc, which shows the film transport on the underside, was not ribbed and nickel-plated, but flat and alternately painted red and black. In addition, the side tripod thread, into which the shoulder strap was normally screwed, was still made of plastic. But because some owners used tripods with screws that were too long, the screws sometimes broke through the housing.
Optima 1035 sensor
The Optima 1035 sensor, which appeared at the same time as the 535, differed according to its model name with a shortest shutter speed of 1 ⁄ 1000 s. In addition, her Solitar S 40 mm f / 2.8 lens was multi-coated and there was a self-timer and a display of the set distance in the viewfinder. The latter consisted of the three familiar symbols and a red pointer on the underside. The self-timer was mechanical regardless of the electronic shutter. It was opened with a lever facing the camera at the top left next to the lens, during the lead time a red light-emitting diode flashed above the lens.
Optima 335 sensor
In 1978 the Optima 335 sensor followed with simplified equipment. The Agnatar 40 mm f / 3.5 single-coated lens had three lenses. According to the model designation 335, the exposure time only reached up to 1 ⁄ 300 s, with Agfa giving 2 s as the longest time. A red LED lights up in the viewfinder from 1 ⁄ 30 s and longer.
1535 sensor
In 1979 the top model, the Optima 1535 Sensor, added a built-in mixed image rangefinder to the equipment of the 1035. It was sold for about 300 DM.
In addition, there was now the cube-shaped black flash unit Optima Lux with the guide number 12 at ISO 100/21 °. It had its own measuring cell and was supplied by two separate AAA cells.
Optima Sensor electronic and flash
For cost reasons, Agfa relocated production to Portugal / Coimbra in the so-called Reflecta plant. Not only the current projectors Diamator and Diamator AF , but also the Optima Sensor electronic - identical in construction to the 535 - and which, according to the trend of the time, have a built-in, i.e. H. in this case a hinged flash-equipped camera flash is produced. The flash looked a bit bulky and heavy because of this originally not intended installation, but offered satisfactory functionality. It had a side battery compartment for two AAA cells.
Optima 935 / Agfa Compact
In 1981, Agfa gained notable attention with the Agfa Compact, as it had a lens that operated electrically when the lens cover was pushed open. This was advertised as a sssssit camera and was made possible by a tiny "rubber-metal" motor in the take-up spool. Motorized retractable lenses were still new and only became standard in viewfinder cameras a few years later. The olive green case of the Compact was also special.
The Compact also had a four-lens lens, namely the multi-coated Solinar 39 mm f / 2.8. Your light meter could be set to a sensitivity of ISO 25/15 ° to 400/27 ° and the exposure time ranged from 1 ⁄ 45 s to 1 ⁄ 1250 s. The scope of delivery included a metal bracket and a cable for connecting an ordinary flash unit. A flash unit that could be attached to the side was available as an accessory.
The Compact was the last camera manufactured at the Agfa Camerawerk in Munich.
The designation Optima in other series
Agfa also built the automatic program into cameras from other series, which were then given the addition of Optima for a while. This is how the Rapid Optima and Rapid Parat models came about . In 1974 the pocket cameras 5000 Optima Pocket Sensor and 6000 Optima Pocket Sensor with electronic shutter control appeared.
With the transition to the Agfamatic 5008 Macro Pocket Sensor and 6008 Macro Pocket Sensor , the addition to the name was finally dropped, although these two cameras retained the automatic program control unchanged.
Finally, the Agfa Compact also existed under the alternative name Optima 935 . The Compact could also be seen as a new generation of the Optima series.
All cameras labeled Optima also had a distance setting with three locking symbols.
literature
- Günther Kadlubek, Rudolf Hillebrand: AGFA - history of a German global company from 1867 to 1997. 2nd edition. Verlag Rudolf Hillebrand, Neuss 1998, ISBN 3-89506-169-7 .
Web links
- AGFA
- Agfa department
- Optima
- The Agfa Optima sensor electronic family A fan website for the cult camera of the 1970s