ADOX START

The Adox Start is a compact 120 film folding camera from the early 1950s. It was the entry-level model in Adox's line of medium format cameras, built for amateurs who wanted something cheap and easy to carry. It is a simplified version of the more advanced Adox Sport and Adox Flex models.

Overview

Fotochemische Werke GmbH made the Start in Leverkusen, Germany - the same company that produced Agfa-branded photographic materials. It was released between 1950 and 1955 as part of a postwar push to supply accessible photographic equipment to a growing consumer market. Adox positioned it as the economical option in its folding camera lineup, below higher-end models like the Adox Sport and Adox Flex. Unlike those, the Start left out coupled rangefinders and high-speed shutters. It does the basics and is easy to use.

The Adox Start shoots 6×6 cm images on 120 roll film, 12 exposures per roll. It has a fixed-focus lens and a simple scale-focus system, which suits snapshots at typical daylight distances. The bellows collapse and the front standard is hinged, so the camera fits in a coat pocket when closed. It is built mostly of metal with leatherette covering, in the utilitarian style of postwar German engineering, and favors durability and function over luxury.

The Start lacks the precision optics and mechanical sophistication of its siblings. It still brought medium format to more people during a period of economic recovery in Western Europe. It appealed to casual photographers who wanted better image quality than 35mm box cameras could give but were not ready to buy more complex or expensive systems.

Specifications

Specification	Value
Type	Folding viewfinder camera
Film Format	120 roll film
Image Format	6×6 cm (12 exposures)
Years Produced	1950–1955
Lens	Adox Anastigmat f/4.5, 75 mm
Aperture Range	f/4.5 to f/22
Focus	Scale focus (3 ft to ∞), zone focusing via distance markings
Shutter	Compur-Rapid shutter
Shutter Speeds	B, 1 – 1/400 second
Shutter Release	Threaded side-mounted lever with mechanical cocking
Metering	None (manual exposure)
Exposure Modes	Manual only
Viewfinder	Optical frame-type viewfinder with parallax correction marks
Bellows	Leather bellows with folding metal struts
Film Advance	Red window on back for frame counting
Tripod Socket	1/4"-20 threaded socket (standard)
Dimensions (Closed)	Approx. 110 × 90 × 50 mm
Weight	Approx. 550 g (without film)
Flash Sync	No flash sync

Key Features

Compact folding design with rigid struts and leather bellows enables portability while maintaining structural integrity.
75 mm f/4.5 Adox Anastigmat lens provides sharp, well-corrected images for its class, delivering performance comparable to contemporary Zeiss and Schneider lenses.
Compur-Rapid shutter with speeds up to 1/400 sec offers versatility in various lighting conditions and allows use of flash synchronization at all speeds via PC terminal.
Simple scale focusing system with preset distance settings (3 ft, 6 ft, 15 ft, ∞) enables quick snapshot photography without rangefinder complexity.
Red window film advance with frame numbers visible through the back ensures accurate frame spacing on 120 film.

Historical Context

The Adox Start arrived during a rapid expansion in amateur photography in West Germany and export markets. In the early 1950s, demand for affordable yet capable cameras surged as economies recovered from World War II. Adox was already established as a supplier of photographic paper and film under the Agfa umbrella. It used its manufacturing infrastructure to make cameras that filled the gap between basic box cameras and professional-grade folding models.

The Start was aimed at budget-conscious buyers who wanted medium format image quality without the cost or complexity of a rangefinder or high-speed lenses. It competed directly with the Kodak Brownie Starlet, Wirgin Edinex, and early Zeiss Ikon Nettar series. It was not as refined as the top-tier Adox Sport, which had a coupled rangefinder and a faster lens. The Start was a reliable, well-built platform with a quality shutter and solid optical performance.

Despite its simplicity, the Adox Start benefited from German engineering standards of the era, including precision machining of the shutter mechanism and high-quality lens coatings. By the mid-1950s, though, the rise of 35mm cameras and integrated light meters began to erode the market for simple medium format folders. Production of the Start ceased around 1955, likely due to shifting consumer preferences and increasing competition from Japanese manufacturers entering the European market.

Collectibility & Value

Today the Adox Start is modestly collectible. It is valued more for its history and mechanical charm than for rarity or investment potential. Complete examples in working condition typically sell for $80 - $150 USD on secondary markets such as eBay or specialized camera forums. Cameras with original cases, instruction manuals, or unblemished leatherette may command slightly higher prices.

Collectors should check several areas on an Adox Start. First, the bellows must be free of pinholes and light leaks. Deteriorated bellows are common due to age and improper storage. Second, the Compur-Rapid shutter should fire cleanly at all speeds, particularly the faster ones (1/250 and 1/400 sec), which can stick if the shutter is gummed up. Third, the red window should be intact and free of clouding, and the frame numbers visible through the back must line up correctly with the film gate.

Common issues include stiff focusing levers, misaligned folding struts, and worn film spindles. Repair parts are scarce, but the camera shares components, especially the shutter and lens assembly, with other German folding cameras of the era, so donor-based repairs are possible. With no electronics or batteries, the Adox Start stays fully mechanical and usable with proper servicing.

Similar Cameras

Kodak Brownie Starlet 127 – A simpler, lower-cost folder for 127 film, though with smaller negatives and inferior optics.
Zeiss Ikon Nettar 515 – A comparable 6×6 folding camera with similar features but often equipped with Tessar-type lenses.
Wirgin Edinex 55 – A German-made folder with interchangeable lenses, targeting a slightly more advanced user.
Agfa Record III – A premium folding camera with coupled rangefinder, representing the higher end of the market.
Rolleicord Ia (Type 2) – A TLR alternative offering similar image quality but in a different form factor.

Repair & Maintenance

The Adox Start needs no batteries and works entirely mechanically. The Compur-Rapid shutter must be cocked by hand before each exposure using the side-mounted lever, which also advances the shutter timing. Regular maintenance means cleaning the lens elements now and then, checking the bellows for light leaks, and lubricating the focusing mechanism and shutter blades if they get sluggish.

Common repair challenges include disassembling the shutter without specialized tools and replacing damaged red window plastic. Skilled technicians can hand-craft replacement bellows, though original parts are rare. Given the all-metal construction and high-quality materials, a fully serviced Adox Start can remain functional for decades.

Similar items on eBay

No exact Adox Start listings are live right now — these searches show current Adox and similar vintage camera gear on eBay:

Search Adox Start on eBay Browse Adox camera gear on eBay

As an eBay Partner, we earn from qualifying purchases. This helps support our independent vintage technology research.