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Agfa Optima I |
 Version française |
Manufactured or assembled in Germany from (Circa) 1960 to (Circa) 1964.
Index of rarity in France: Frequent (among non-specialized garage sales)
Inventory number: 72
See the complete technical specifications
Chronology of cameras Agfa
Originally in the 1930s, Agfa used the name Optima to refer to a film in a particular format. Each negative measured 7.5 x 10.5 cm, the film allowing for 8 exposures and only Agfa-compatible cameras could use it. It was a failure.
The name was reused from the late 1950s for cameras using the standard 135 film.
These are very solidly constructed cameras, with the use of chrome metal. They have a rapid wind lever located on the back of the cover. At the base of the lens, a rectangular plate is decorated with lines. The brand's logo is on the right side of this plate. The shutter release button is in the form of a lever located on the opposite side of this plate, with the Optima Ia being a special case. They have a light meter controlling the exposure.
| Years | |||
| Optima |  |
1959-60 | Programmed exposure, shutter priority |
| Optima I |  |
1960-64 | Shutter speed adjusted according to film sensitivity |
| Optima Ia |  |
1962-69 | Programmed exposure, replaces the Optima I |
| Optima II |  |
1960-64 | Programmed exposure, shutter priority |
| Optima III |  |
1960-66 | Programmed exposure |
| Optima II S |  |
1961-66 | like Optima II, but with rangefinder |
| Optima III S |  |
1961-66 | like Optima III, but with rangefinder |
| Optima 500 S |  |
1963-66 | like Optima III S, but with rangefinder |
This series was replaced by the Optima Sensor series at the end of the 1960s.
The Agfa Optima I is simpler than the Optima. The exposure control lever does not exist, since a single lever combines the shutter release and the exposure control. The light meter takes into account the film sensitivity (only 12 to 200 ASA) and the ambient light and then selects the appropriate shutter speed and aperture.
It has a collimated viewfinder in which an exposure accuracy indicator appears (red/green).
Since the lens and shutter are less advanced than those of the Optima, the Optima I is less expensive than the latter.
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