schrackman
Established
I went ahead and bought the Agfa Parat 1 that I saw in the antique store. Inside and out it looks very clean. Shutter doesn't stick, nor is there haze in the lens or viewfinder. It also came with the original black leather Agfa case. Cost me just a tad more than $17. Not a bad purchase, I think.
Only one question...just what do those three symbols stand for under the name PARAT - 1 on the lens? I have an idea, but I'd be guessing. And what of the dial on the bottom of the camera?
Ray
Only one question...just what do those three symbols stand for under the name PARAT - 1 on the lens? I have an idea, but I'd be guessing. And what of the dial on the bottom of the camera?
Ray
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ZeissFan
Veteran
Oh cool. You went for it.
This is a zone-focus camera. You can either use the pictograms above the lens or the distance scale under the lens.
From what I can tell, the pictograms represent a portrait, group and distance (often depicted as a mountain).
This camera has the Apotar, which is a triplet. It's a decent lens, although it will perform best when stopped down to f/8 or smaller. Triplets often tend to be a bit soft in the corners when shot wide open. That might make for some interesting photos.
The 30mm focal length should take care of most focusing errors.
Looks rather cool and appears to be a very compact camera.
Good decision on buying it.
This is a zone-focus camera. You can either use the pictograms above the lens or the distance scale under the lens.
From what I can tell, the pictograms represent a portrait, group and distance (often depicted as a mountain).
This camera has the Apotar, which is a triplet. It's a decent lens, although it will perform best when stopped down to f/8 or smaller. Triplets often tend to be a bit soft in the corners when shot wide open. That might make for some interesting photos.
The 30mm focal length should take care of most focusing errors.
Looks rather cool and appears to be a very compact camera.
Good decision on buying it.
T
tedwhite
Guest
Cute, I say.
schrackman
Established
Thanks ZeissFan & Ted.
ZF, yes, I think you are correct about the focus symbols. There is an arrow both on the top and bottom side so you can focus using either the symbols or the distance scale.
I'm still a tad confused about the dial (see pic below) which is located at the bottom of the camera and can be turned once the back cover is opened. I suspect it is for the film speed. I also suspect this camera was made for lower speed films, at least 100 and slower if I am correct about the dial.
Check out the pic with the film recommendation on the inside of the back cover! Yeah, like I've got a good chance of coming across it anytime soon, lol.
Another neat feature is that it has a hotshoe, and I've got a couple older flashes that just might work, although I would love to find an original for it.
Almost forgot...production year was 1963, which makes this camera a couple years older than me.
Ray
ZF, yes, I think you are correct about the focus symbols. There is an arrow both on the top and bottom side so you can focus using either the symbols or the distance scale.
I'm still a tad confused about the dial (see pic below) which is located at the bottom of the camera and can be turned once the back cover is opened. I suspect it is for the film speed. I also suspect this camera was made for lower speed films, at least 100 and slower if I am correct about the dial.
Check out the pic with the film recommendation on the inside of the back cover! Yeah, like I've got a good chance of coming across it anytime soon, lol.
Another neat feature is that it has a hotshoe, and I've got a couple older flashes that just might work, although I would love to find an original for it.
Almost forgot...production year was 1963, which makes this camera a couple years older than me.
Ray
ZeissFan said:
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Trius
Waiting on Maitani
It appears the dial is the film/exposure counter.
And as for the Isopan ... yeah. But hey, you never know!
And as for the Isopan ... yeah. But hey, you never know!
ZeissFan
Veteran
Yes, that's the frame counter on the bottom.
Half-frame would give you 72 shots on a roll of 36. It almost feels like it's too much film. Who ever thought that would happen?
Your camera lacks the autoexposure, which is controlled by a selenium cell. That's actually a benefit. You simply set the shutter speed and aperture manually. So you don't have to worry about a selenium meter that is no longer functioning or isn't functioning correctly.
I love the look of that little camera.
Half-frame would give you 72 shots on a roll of 36. It almost feels like it's too much film. Who ever thought that would happen?
Your camera lacks the autoexposure, which is controlled by a selenium cell. That's actually a benefit. You simply set the shutter speed and aperture manually. So you don't have to worry about a selenium meter that is no longer functioning or isn't functioning correctly.
I love the look of that little camera.
daniel~
Established
It looks cute indeed! Even though an entry-level product perhaps, it seems well-made. I have a full-frame AGFA Selectronic S, which maintains some of such lovely boxy look but with RF focusing. An overlooked camera that gives nice surprise.
schrackman
Established
Ah! the frame counter. Why didn't I think of that? It's so obvious. Thanks folks.
shadowfox
Darkroom printing lives
Hello!
What a cutie, I have its (f)older brother, an Agfa Super
What a cutie, I have its (f)older brother, an Agfa Super
schrackman
Established
Wow, what a neat camera. I checked out this link here and it takes some great photos!
Now, I'm looking for two things for my new half frame:
1) a b/w film that comes in 12 exposures. I wanted to try Agfapan 100 and Neopan Acros 100 but these only come in 24 and 36 exposures respectively.
2) A free online manual for the Parat 1.
Can't seem to find either so far. Any suggestions, anyone?
Ray
Now, I'm looking for two things for my new half frame:
1) a b/w film that comes in 12 exposures. I wanted to try Agfapan 100 and Neopan Acros 100 but these only come in 24 and 36 exposures respectively.
2) A free online manual for the Parat 1.
Can't seem to find either so far. Any suggestions, anyone?
Ray
oldrangefinderguy
Member
I have one of these that I bought off fleabay a year or two ago. Somehow I never got around to trying it with film. I did notice that the shutter button seems unreasonably stiff on my example; so much so that I wonder whether I could hold the little thing steady while taking a shot. I'm curious to hear if the same is true of your's.
Randy
Randy
HuubL
hunter-gatherer
Congrats. I have an Agfa Optima Parat, a very similar model but with an all chrome metal body. A very hefty camera for its size. Unfortunately, the image quality will not benefit from the half-frame format. It's just sitting pretty in my collection. I don't use it.
shadowfox
Darkroom printing lives
HuubL said:
Ah, then I guess you need to see images from half-frame cameras
. With modern film, the image quality is superb. Just some examples from an Olympus Pen-FT:
a bit more colorful:
unless printed at larger than 11x14, you can't tell...
schrackman
Established
Beautiful images, shadowfox! That first one is surreal!
Ray
Ray
Cale Arthur
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HuubL
hunter-gatherer
I agree, your Oly Pen photos are very nice. Especially the first one. Very special! But, did you blur the borders with the central area in focus or is that the result of the lens?shadowfox said:Ah, then I guess you need to see images from half-frame cameras
a bit more colorful:
unless printed at larger than 11x14, you can't tell...
shadowfox
Darkroom printing lives
HuubL said:
Thank you...
I blur the outer edges in PSP to give the impression that the central boat looks like a toy boat
schrackman
Established
Ah, so you cheated? lol That's okay, being a digital photographer I am used to digital manipulation to help a photo along.
BTW, I just shot my first few frames with the Parat-1 today using Neopan Acros 100 36 exposure film. Now I only have 68 more frames to go!!
Yeah, it'll take me a while but hopefully I'll get a few good dyptichs out of it.
Ray
BTW, I just shot my first few frames with the Parat-1 today using Neopan Acros 100 36 exposure film. Now I only have 68 more frames to go!!
Yeah, it'll take me a while but hopefully I'll get a few good dyptichs out of it.
Ray
shadowfox said:Thank you...
I blur the outer edges in PSP to give the impression that the central boat looks like a toy boat
Kent
Finally at home...
shadowfox said:Thank you...
I blur the outer edges in PSP to give the impression that the central boat looks like a toy boat
Hi! I like these ideas, but you should not use a circular blur, rather a linear one.
shadowfox
Darkroom printing lives
schrackman said:
LOL!!
If it makes the picture looks nicer/cooler, I'm ok with "cheating"
Btw, for the same reason (it takes a while) I always sacrifice the cheapest film I can get to test a camera, especially a half-frame, that way I don't have to wait until the roll is finished.
I can't wait to see the results from your cute camera!