An Agfa Super Sillette Gets Around

<p>I bought this a few years ago but only just got around to putting a film through. It was a 400ISO print film of indeterminate age I found in the fridge, not the best test for Apotar lens perhaps.</p><div></div>

<p>The camera went with us to Llandudno, North Wales. This is looking over the Conway estuary towards the Carneddau mountains in the distance.</p><div></div>

<p>And looking the other way - the Pier.</p><div></div>

<p>Back nearer home, the tiny village of Wigston Parva, Leicestershire.</p><div></div>

<p>I'm not sure whether it's still a church - someone seems to be using it as an allotment. The village pump is certainly not used.</p><div></div>

<p>This is the village postbox / noticeboard. I tried to remove the large notice to show the board better, but it was too securely fixed with drawing pins (thumb tacks to some of you ...).</p><div></div>

<p>Near to Wigston Parva is High Cross, the crossing point of the Roman Watling Street and Fosse Way, and regarded as the centre of Roman England. This rather tatty monument is the remains of a great cross which once stood nearby at the crossroads, but was moved back after it was damaged in the eighteenth century. Amazingly now it is practically in someones back garden! The very busy A5 road which largely follows Watling Street is just behind the hedge at the back of this shot, which was the only one I did of it as it was the last on the roll.</p><div></div>

<p>The last three shots were done at a place called Faircharm Trading Estate in Leicester, a rambling old factory whose buildings were painted some years ago but now the colours have faded and mellowed with time.</p><div></div>

<p>Another one. The camera behaved perfectly, the rangefinder seems accurate, only the focussing is a little stiff.</p><div></div>

<p>Last one. The scans were done commercially by Jessop's. Thanks for looking.</p><div></div>

<p>Almost unbelievable what you've accomplished with this Agfa Sillette, John. This camera definitely was not made on a Monday, like mine must've been !</p>

<p>The colors and textures of your subjects scanned well, no matter what old 400 speed film you used. Pics were shot somewhere in the lens's sweet-spot (f/8 orf/11), I'm guessing ? <br>

I really like the look of old brick, stucco, peeling paint, and ivy. Makes me want to put a Sillette in my pocket and stroll some of the industrial wastelands in my back yard.</p>

<p> </p>

<p>Totally sweet! Thanks for sharing. I enjoyed my visit :)</p>

<p> Very nice work. I've got three of the Sillette series, one of them in my bag now with some of my last Kodachrome. Heading for the Smokies soon, I think I'll take it with me.</p>

<p>Rick H.</p>

<p>An excellent camera, John. I have an Ansco Super Memar which is the version that was<br>

exported to the US. As I was looking at mine the other day I realised it was almost a year<br>

since I last used it so I loaded it up with film and am happily shooting away. Enjoy your<br>

camera.</p>

<p>Incredible images John, the selection is perfect, the detail in those bricks, the town vista are just plain wonderful.<br>

I had one of these with slow speeds, it did not survive my surgery unfortunately however, these are a dime a doze at the auction site so I will get around to one at some point.<br>

Really well done</p>

<p>Really nice set, John. I've been wondering if a camera like this might be in my future though expect the output wouldn't be half as interesting.</p>

<p>Nice work, John. That Apotar f/3.5 is a surprising little lens, and you've produced some great images. I seem to have collected quite an assortment of Silettes; I really like their simplicity and build quality, and the fact that they just seem to keep going. Along with the early Retinettes, to me they typify "family cameras" of the era. I really must make them the subject of a post, when I get the time. Great colour in these pics of yours. Thanks for another fine post.</p>

I too am impressed with how well the lens did! Thae film has survived the depths of the freezer and has delivered excellent results. I loved the first tow or three images. Made me want to be there! The later pictures with their muted colors showed how well the lens handles subtleties of light. All in All an excellent outing! Thanks for posting!

<p>Thanks to all for the comments, most of the shots will have been at f8 or 11. The camera, which has its original ever ready case, is a delight to use with a clear viewfinder, bright rangefinder spot and all controls visible from above. it seems to me that cameras of this era are the most satisfying to use - all metal, coated lenses, full range of shutter speeds, rangefinders, but later they started to use plastic and modern / "streamlined" features, built in exposure meters and automatic systems which often don't work nowadays. Thanks again.</p>

<p>Those are great, I too really liked the last one, but all were great.</p>

<p>~Jack</p>

 

<p>Those a re great pictures. Congratulations...</p>