Agfamatic IIIS

[phisc]

I have a Agfamatic IIIS, one of the seemingly few 35mm cameras Agfa

made with the name Agfamatic. It's a rangefinder camera with an

automatic exposure setting, a flash setting (within which you can

adjust the aperture f/22 to f/2.8), and a B setting. No real manual

settings. It comes with a 45mm "Afga Color-Apotar" lens (f/2.8). I

suspect Apotar was not a top-of-the-line lens. In any case, in mine,

the mechanism that automatically (and manually in flash setting) stops

the lens down is very slow to do its business; the camera is thus not

really working except in wide-open mode. But it's an interesting

camera I'd like to know anything about. I've found nothing Googling

it. Does anyone recognize this camera model? Do you know its dates

and relationships to other Agfa cameras of the time?

[physiognomy]

Hey Philip,

 

This site might give you some leads...

 

http://www.frankfurt--hoechst.de/agfa%20optima.htm

 

It would seem that your Agfamatic IIIS might be better known as a Optima IIIS... There is an auction running (you know where) for one now that is dated 1961 ...

 

Hope that was of some help!

 

Peter

[phisc]

Peter,

Thanks -- that sure looks like the same camera, right down to the shiny finish on the leather case. The one difference appears to be in the words "Agfamatic" versus "Optima" on the outer ring around the lens; even the font used appears the same. I imagine they were sold in different markets under the different names.

It has a nice feeling about it, except for that clunky shutter button on the front; however, there is a plug underneath that for a shutter release cable.

Once I figure out what its shutter speed is at that wide-open aperture, I think I'll try some film in it.

[vrankin]

Philip:

I had one for a week after being the only bidder at $10 on "you-know-where." The triplet lens isn't very sharp on the edges at large apertures, and only a little better stopped down. The camera was "chunky" and nice and heavy, though. It was a bit slow on stopping down and needed a "CLA" (clean-lube-adjust.)I didn't want to put any money into that. It comes down to a choice between keeping a nice camera on the shelf for a conversational piece, CLA, or passing it along to another buyer. I chose the last option. But after reading your post, kind of wish I had it now, to play around with.