ordering agfa karat 4

W

wblanchard

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I'm putting in my order for the AGFA Karat 4 folding 35mm camera advertised at Cameraquest. Has anyone used this camera before? I was wondering how well it works and the lens quality.

it takes standard 35mm cartridges..what exactly is this? a roll of film or something different that i will need to purchase and develop?

thanks!
 
It's just your average, everyday roll of 35mm film in the emulsion of your choice. Back in the old days before the 35mm cartridge was standardized, different camera manufacturers had their own proprietary film cartridges that needed to be used in their cameras.
The lens is a Xenon f2 I believe, and it is beautiful, delivering a slightly vintage look (which is a good thing in my opinion.) I have an Agfa Karat with the level viewfinder/rangefinder windows. How much did you pay?
 
I'm ashamed to say...$250.00 ...BUT it is mint condition and people who have ordered from his site before say nice things about the camera quality.

You mentioned a vintage look...what exactly does that mean? I have an OM-1 camera with Zuiko lens that I purchased. When I looked at the pictures it took...they looked different than shooting from a Nikon N65. They actually looked like from the 70's..is this what you are talking about? Or have I gone insane in saying that...:)
 
That is what I mean, but you have to remember that I may also be insane for saying that. Modern lenses, to my eye, generally have a harsh look about the images they produce. Vintage lenses like this Xenon are still sharp but there is a creaminess or smoothness in their images. Or I could just be delusional.

For sure though and without a doubt, I can say I definitely see this in pictures I have that I took with an uncoated Xenar 45mm lens on an Akka-Rette camera I have, and I have lome lovely creamy smooth (glowing) shots I took with a Summar lens on a Leica III I used to have. I'll try to find them to scan and post, but not until tonight. "The look" may have more to do with the lens coating (or lack of) than the lens design, I don't know for sure.

(I'll sell my Karat for $125. Pictures available.)
 
Nice review! Yes, I do believe that is the same camera. *working the roman numerals thru my head*
 
FrankS said:
That is what I mean, but you have to remember that I may also be insane for saying that. Modern lenses, to my eye, generally have a harsh look about the images they produce. Vintage lenses like this Xenon are still sharp but there is a creaminess or smoothness in their images. Or I could just be delusional.

For sure though and without a doubt, I can say I definitely see this in pictures I have that I took with an uncoated Xenar 45mm lens on an Akka-Rette camera I have, and I have lome lovely creamy smooth (glowing) shots I took with a Summar lens on a Leica III I used to have. I'll try to find them to scan and post, but not until tonight. "The look" may have more to do with the lens coating (or lack of) than the lens design, I don't know for sure.

(I'll sell my Karat for $125. Pictures available.)
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Very tempting my friend. Can I see a picture of it?
 
That lens is sharp and I do like the colors it produced. The contrast is nice.

I laughed at your comment about postcards, because it’s goes against all those HP commercials where everything looks a postcard.

I’m curious about filters and accessories for the Karat. Apparently there are some color filters out there and other goodies.
 
The Karats use a small filter size by today's standards. I think it is a 29.5mm or 30mm. Old ones can be found occasionally. You can also use a Series adapter with either a 29.5mm (or whatever the proper thread size is) or a push-on holder. One of my Karats came with a Servies VI push-on holder and a receptacle on the inside of the ever-ready case to hold it when not in use. Start looking know, it may take awhile to find what you are looking for.

-Paul
 
pshinkaw said:
Is the same camera as the Agfa Karat IV? Bill Mattocks on this forum has a nice review on it at

http://www.growlery.com/agfa_karat_iv/

I have a couple of the earlier versions, the Karat 36. They are all nice cameras.

-Paul
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Thanks for the plug! I now have all 4 of the lenses, and am angling to get the one that is NOT LISTED anywhere but seems to exist, the Rodenstock Heliagon 50mm f2. Of all of them, I have to say I like the Xenon f2 the best so far. Sharpest, best rendition of color.

I love the Agfa Karat IV - I think it is a fine, fine, camera that is often overlooked. Try to get a lens cap - they will fit in a pocket when folded, but a lens cap is required to keep the lens scratch-free.

Also, we did manage to get a 32mm push-on filter from Voigtlander (I believe) working correctly. Had to adjust it's attitude a tiny bit. It does help, these lenses will flare.

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks
 
bmattock said:
Thanks for the plug! I now have all 4 of the lenses, and am angling to get the one that is NOT LISTED anywhere but seems to exist, the Rodenstock Heliagon 50mm f2. Of all of them, I have to say I like the Xenon f2 the best so far. Sharpest, best rendition of color.

I love the Agfa Karat IV - I think it is a fine, fine, camera that is often overlooked. Try to get a lens cap - they will fit in a pocket when folded, but a lens cap is required to keep the lens scratch-free.

Also, we did manage to get a 32mm push-on filter from Voigtlander (I believe) working correctly. Had to adjust it's attitude a tiny bit. It does help, these lenses will flare.

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks
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Didnt the retinas have the heliagon 50mm f.2 as an option? I heard this lens was very sharp and the colors were beautiful. Any truth to this?
 
wblanchard said:
Didnt the retinas have the heliagon 50mm f.2 as an option? I heard this lens was very sharp and the colors were beautiful. Any truth to this?
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I don't know - that's why I'm trying to get one of these myself. The Rodenstock was never listed as an option for the Karat IV - only for the Karat 36. But they keep showing up on eBay with the Rodenstock Heliagon 50mm f2 and so I guess I'll have to get one.

What I have is the f2.8 Solinar, the f2 Solagon (have 2 of these), the f2 Xenon, and the f2.8 Xenar. I thought that was all there was, but I guess there is one more to collect. Sigh.

So far, I like the f2 Xenon best for sharpness and color rendition - I thought the Solagon would be the winner, but I was surprised to find that the Xenon was better (to me).

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks
 
I read a couple comments on photo.net about the heliagon 50mm f.2 as an option on the Retinas..and the people who shot with them said the lens was superb. The best one to get and it demanded a higher price.

i did see the karat 4 on ebay with this lens for sale tonight.
 
wblanchard said:
I read a couple comments on photo.net about the heliagon 50mm f.2 as an option on the Retinas..and the people who shot with them said the lens was superb. The best one to get and it demanded a higher price.

i did see the karat 4 on ebay with this lens for sale tonight.
Click to expand...

Shhh.

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks
 
The Retina's did have the Heliagon available in Europe only. I have not shot with one. I am willing to bet that you could but a dead Retina IIIc, IIc, or IIa with the Rodenstock lens and change it on a good one with the Xenon. I changed out the front/rear group on a IIc without much trouble. The F2.8 lens is different from the F2 lens, it is also VERY sharp. I wonder if a lens from Retina could go onto the Karat. As Schneider made both, it would have saved cost.

The one that confounds me is the premium that the Ektar 47mm F2 lens brings on the Retina II. i do have that one, just cleaned the finder, and will have to shoot a roll through it.

Forgot to add that the Retina's take the 29.5mm filters.
 
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