Samstag, 21. August 2010

My first camera...




...was a AGFAMATCIC 200 with its huge orange "Sensor" button.  It was a gift from my parents to my tenth birthday 1976.
Some technical data: The lens (Color-Agnar) 40 mm f8.2 consists of three elements and can be stopped down by one step, the shutter can be set to two speeds (1/40 and 1/80 s). This  yields to four different exposure settings from cloudy to beach, which can be choosen at the lens. As film format 126 cartriges (Instamatic) have to be used. Through the open back cover  the square (28 x 28 mm) image window can be seen:

The camera is as simple, that it works without any problems even today. Presumably you will have little chance to get some cartriges today, or even somebody for film processing.
My slightly younger sister was given a similar model (presumably after constant nagging). However, it was only an Agfamatic 100 (with only two shutter speeds, without a possibility to stop down).
Flashing was possible, too. On top of the camera small bluish flash cubes can be plugged in. While forwarding the film the cube turns by 90°to be ready for the next of four possible flahes per cube. Because these things were expensive, I could not try this to often.