Agfa Optima Sensor Electronic

Agfa Optima Sensor electronic

 

A series of cute, very compact viewfinder cameras Agfa launched in 1976. It replaced the former Optima Sensor series (Optima 200 Sensor etc.) and inherited from it the popular red shutter button and the unique film rewind system, where the advance lever is used for rewinding the film aswell. A prominent feature is the huge viewfinder, which claims a fair part of the camera body. Agfa released 6 models, but the last model, without a special name, is a copy of the 535. The difference is, that it was made in Portugal and not in Germany.

 

The models are called 335, 535, 1035, 1535 and flash, plus the nameless one from Portugal.

 

Some features they have in common and not already mentioned:

* programmed automatic exposure, Paratronic shutter

* a lens with 40 mm focal length, nearest focus distance is 0.9 m

* zone focusing, except the model with rangefinder. Exact distance scale under the lens.

* hot shoe and selectable f-stop for flash operation, except the model with built-in flash

* underexposure warning, a red LED in the viewfinder

* exposed film is wound into a lightproof container

* cable release socket, tripod bush

* rotating pattern for film advance check

* film speed 25 to 500 ISO

* filter thread 49 mm

* three batteries PX625 are required (except flash model), battery compartment is in the film chamber

 

The 335 was introduced in 1978 and was the model at the lower end. It has the slowest lens, the single-coated three-element 3.5/40 Agnatar (the instruction manual says that it has 4 elements, but usually the 3-element lenses of Agfa are called Agnar), shutter speeds from 1/30 to 1/300.

 

The 535 (1976) was slightly advanced. With the single-coated four-element 2.8/40 Solitar it has a better lens, and it has a 1/500 as top speed.

 

The 1035, also from 1976, has the same lens but multi-coated (Solitar S), the range of shutter speeds increased from 15 s to 1/1000 s. The symbols for zone focusing are also displayed in the viewfinder, additionally there is a green LED for the shutter speeds from 1/30 s or faster. It is the only model which sports a self-timer, amazinlgy it's a mechanical one, at least it has a red LED for countdown.

 

The 1535 from 1979 has the same lens and the same shutter speeds like the 1035. Instead the symbols for the focus distance in the viewfinder it has a true rangefinder, which makes the viewer a bit dimmer, so some photographers prefer the 1035 over it.

 

The flash-model is technically a 535 with a folding flash light, and its design looks rather improvised. Some changes had to be made: a battery compartment on the left side for 2 AAA 1.5 V micro cells. The film advance lever needed a new shape, also the cable release socket found a new place. The focus ring moved forward and doubles now as small lens hood. Due to the fact that the aperture ring was dropped I assume that the flash works in flashmatic mode: the setting of the aperture is coupled with the focus distance. It is the only model with strap lugs.

 

I have also an early model of the 535 in my collection, which reveals that some changes were made: the stability of the tripod socket was improved and the aperture ring got a small grasp. The early pattern on the film advance check was red/black.

 

 

Done