Agfa Optima-Parat - 100% Agfa

[bernard_lazareff]

<p>Realized that my <del>collection</del> equipment did not include any half-frame camera. Found an Agfa Optima-Parat for a very reasonable price ("don't know if camera works, sold as-is"); minimum offer; sole bidder. Cosmetics OK apart from small metal plate on shutter release. <br /> That is the model with auto programmed aperture and speed, all that from a Se photocell cell (no battery), and a 2.8/30 Solinar. Shutter clicks; aperture seems to react to light level; looks good. Appearance reminiscent of a 50's electric bread toaster. <br /> Still not 100% sure it actually works, I'll do a short test of 1/2 dozen exposures. With what? With APX-100 developed in Rodinal (1+50, 15'@20°C); what else for an Agfa camera?<br>

[<strong>edit</strong>] <em>Figure caption erroneously mentions Paramat instead of Optima-Parat; can't seem to be able change it.</em> </p><div></div>

[bernard_lazareff]

<p>But before proceedings with the results of the test film; I remembered that about 3 months ago, there was a remark that CMC posts lacked in quantitative content. So I made a scientific evaluation of the substantiality(??) of the Paramat. From which I conclude that the Paramat is more substantial than at least five (5) disposable cameras. </p><div></div>

[bernard_lazareff]

<p>Now for the results of the test film. I have to confess that despite being very interesting in some lighting situations, APX-100 is not my favorite for oudoors scenery. Anyway... some banal snapshots during a Saturday afternoon stroll.</p><div></div>

[bernard_lazareff]

<p>Second pic</p><div></div>

[bernard_lazareff]

<p>Third and last. Looks like a barn, actually a dorm for a summer camp.<br /> Pictures are OK, but I'm not enthused. Maybe would be nice for keeping a record during a trip (72 exp!), but a d*****l camera does that better. Possibly I'll repeat a test with FP4/D76. Or Silvermax. </p><div></div>

[Two23]

<p>I've just shot a test roll in a half frame camera myself. I'll have results (one way or another) in a week. I have to wonder how long it took for the average owner to get to frame 72. Might have two Christmases on one roll!</p>

<p>Kent in SD</p>

[subbarayan_prasanna]

<p>The pictures look impressive with the soft tones merging nicely at the edges. Thanks for the post. sp.</p>

[John Seaman]

<p>The shots look fine to me, and what a stylish little camera. I've got an original Olympus Pen somewhere, but perhaps the thought of making and scanning 72 exposures is a little daunting.</p>

[rick_drawbridge]

<p>Love those little Agfa cameras from that era, with the rather distinctive glitzy style. Does this version have the very good Solinar lens? The quality of the images you posted suggests that this may be the case.</p>

[bernard_lazareff]

<p>@ all who commented so far: than you for looking and commenting<br>

Possibly my lack of enthusiasm for the results was unfair. First, that the programmed auto exposure would work after 40+ years says a lot about the design and construction of that camera. Second APX100+Rodinal was fun but not technically the best choice<br>

@ Kent: "<em>I have to wonder how long it took for the average owner to get to frame 72</em>" probably more than it takes their grand-children to fill a 4GB memory card. "<em>I've just shot a test roll in a half frame camera myself. I'll have results (one way or another) in a week</em>" So now you are committed; there is no going back; the crowd is waiting;-)<br>

@ Subbarayan: personally I prefer outdoors scenes with a little more "snap". I can't put my finger on the technical reason; it's not a just a matter of contrast, since my scanning software rescales to 0-255 after clipping black/white as instructed (2%/0.5%). <br>

@ John: "<em>the thought of making and scanning 72 exposures is a little daunting</em>" Apart from the issue of definition (that is especially important in half-frame) I think I could do it unattended using V700+Vuescan. Anyway, that is unlikely to become my everyday camera. <br>

@ Rick: "<em>the rather distinctive glitzy style</em>" Soon I hope I'll post about an even more glitzy half-frame (eh eh). "<em>Does this version have the very good Solinar lens?</em>" Apparently all versions (Optima-Parat, Paramat) have the Solinar, and differ only in the exposure automation. "<em>The quality of the images you posted suggests that this may be the case</em>" A little hard to tell within the limit of 700 pixels for inline pics. To make a fair appraisal of the lens I should use a different film, and also sharpen the scan by just the amount required to restore what can be restored of the scanners's MTF (maybe someday I'll post about that). </p>

[allard_wunderink]

<p>Nice little camera. I especially like its contemporary nickname: 'Silber-Fisch'. About the lenses: I own a Paramat with the Apotar instead of the Solinar lens.</p>

[tony_lockerbie]

<p>Very typical Agfa style from that era, they always look great, even if some of their cameras were a bit ordinary. Trick was to get one with the better lens/shutter combo. The other thing is that I didn't know that Agfa made a half frame....so my education is (almost) complete.<br>

Your results look good so it's worth persisting with this little Agfa...but with 12 exposure films!</p>

[Mike Gammill]

<p>Neat little camera. With the fine grain films available today one can really unlock the potential of the better half frame cameras. Thanks for posting.</p>