Agfa Ambi Silette question

[markbono]

Just received a very nice Silette. I am just a little confused about how to set up film speed. First of all can I use 400? What setting should I use on the film type indicator? These are my choices(I am using B&W) Col T, Col K, Col NT, Col NK, 160 ASA, 100 ASA, 40 ASA, 16 ASA, 8 ASA. I am still a rookie(f/stops, film speeds, etc) One of the things it says in the manual "it should here be pointed out that high speed and ultra speed film should not be used for miniature photography if it can be avoided, but only when their employment is quite essential". Any insights or direction would sure be appreciated. Thanks Mark

 

[bmattock]

Mark,

Correct me if I am wrong, but I thought the Ambi Silette did not have a built-in meter. This is the one I am thinking of:

http://www.cameraquest.com/agfambi.htm

If this is the same camera, you need not worry - you can use any film speed you like. But you will need to obtain a light meter of some kind.

In a nutshell - 'faster' film (higher ASA or ISO number) is more sensitive to light. It will be properly exposed at a faster shutter speed or smaller aperture than slower speed film (lower film speed number). You set your meter to the film speed you have put in the camera, and it presents you with a range of options - you choose the shutter speed & aperture you prefer from the range given. Again in a nutshell - faster shutter speeds freeze action but require more open apertures, while slower shutter speeds blur action, but allow the use of smaller apertures. It is a balancing act designed to make sure the right amount of light falls on your film - either use more or less light (bigger or smaller number aperture) or light for longer or shorter period of time (faster or slower shutter speed) to reach that goal. Faster film allows you to adjust that to some extent.

Think of it this way - faster film requires less light to reach correct exposure - so you could use it more effectively in areas where there is less light, like indoors or on overcast days, etc. Slower film is better for sunny days outdoors. In very, very, general terms.

Anyway, getting back to your Ambi Silette - if that's what you have - it does not matter what you set the film type to - because if the camera has no internal meter, it is just there for decoration - for you to 'remember' what speed film you have in the camera. And not of those except 160 ASA and 100 ASA are really made anymore anyway. You can use whatever film speed you like, as long as you have an external meter.

I hope you find that helpful!

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks

PS - Nice camera!

 

[markbono]

Thanks Bill great info! You are correct the Ambi Silette does not have a built in meter. I am starting to understand more every day both from reading/searching and people like you who take the time to pass along their knowledge. I really appreciate the info. Any recommendations on a light meter for this camera? Thanks again for your help Mark

 

[bmattock]

Mark,

You're more than welcome, happy to help. RFF is a special place, we all help each other out here, and nobody lords it over anyone else for having more or less experience. Stick around, you'll feel at home in no time.

As to meters - they're a wild and wooly world of personal choices and price points! A lot depends on what you expect to use your meter for. There are two main types - reflected light and ambiant light. One measures the light that reflects back at you - meaning you stand and point it in the direction you wish to shoot. The other measures light falling upon the subject - meaning you place the meter where the object is that you intend to photograph. Everything else is just a variation on one of those two types. There are many terms, like spot-meter, flash-meter, and so on. But I would guess that just starting out, you'd want a fairly inexpensive reflected-light meter that was small enough to carry in a pocket. And although there are many folks here who love antique or vintage meters, I'd advise against it for someone just starting out.

Depending on your budget, I would consider a Gossen Digisix ($130-$150 roughly) or if budget is a concern, a Kalt Capitol Meter ($40 to $60). There are better meters than both of these, but they tend to either be more expensive or older (or require more 'vintage meter' understanding to operate correctly). I would advise against getting an older used meter for a newcomer - you want at least ONE measurement device to be accurate, so if your exposures end up being off, you know you can blame your camera shutter speed, not maybe the meter and maybe the camera or maybe some weird combination of both. You want at least one known quantity (my opinion).

I have a Sekonic L-358 which my wife bought me for Christmas one year. Yes, it's expensive, but I have ONE high-end lightmeter and dozens of vintage cameras - so it is kind of a one-time expenditure.

Anyway, lots of folks with lots of opinions on meters - and most of them have dearly-held opinions regarding them, so take all you hear with a grain of salt. Any modern meter that measures reflective light accurately is liable to be a good one to get you started, if it is something you like and find affordable.

The biggest mistake (again in my opinion) that most newcomers make is failing to learn to set exposure properly. Photography is about art, yes - composition and focus and so on. But the mechanics of it begin with proper exposure. If you don't master that, the creative side is liable to fail. So an investment in a proper light meter is just that, in my humble opinion - an investment in your new hobby. It's a worthy one to consider spending a penny or two on.

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks

 

[Scarpia]

If you are getting a silette with the Agnar 2.8, 45 mm I have two scans to show you; one taken around 1964 in Stockholm and one taken a year or two in Warrensburg, NY. Same camera, a bottom feeder Silette which I have had for over forty years. The more recent scan may not upload due to its size but I will try. The scene is one I have taken with many cameras and lenses but the only one that is sharper was taken with a Contax G-1 and a Planar f2, 45mm
Kurt M.

I don't think it uploaded :bang: :bang: