Agfa Agfamatic 100 (1970)

A compact 126-format point-and-shoot camera with fixed focus and mechanical shutter controls.

Overview

The Agfa Agfamatic 100 Sensor is a 126-format viewfinder camera made by Agfa-Gevaert in 1970. It was built for amateur photographers and is fully mechanical, so it needs no batteries. It sits in Agfa's pocket lineup and keeps things simple: a fixed focus lens and basic shutter controls for everyday snapshots. It sold well during the 1970s because it was small and easy to use.

Specifications

Film Format	126 film
Maximum Exposures	24
Lens	Agfa Colorstar, 26mm, fixed focus, non-interchangeable
Shutter	Parator shutter, rotating metal blades
Shutter Speeds	Sunshine (1/80 sec), Cloudy (1/40 sec)
Aperture	Two settings: sunny and cloudy
Flash	Magicube flash adaptor with viewfinder indicator
Viewfinder	Basic viewfinder
Power Source	No batteries required
Dimensions	106 x 68 x 51 mm
Weight	175g
Body Material	Plastic
Body Color	Black/silver

Design

The Agfamatic 100 has a compact, lightweight plastic body, shared with the Agfamatic 50 and 55C. The big red "Sensor" shutter button gives the model its full name - Agfamatic 100 Sensor. There is no light meter. The optics are fixed focus, and you pick shutter and aperture settings by scene.

Context

The Agfamatic 100 belongs to the Agfamatic 126 film series, along with the Agfamatic 50, 55C, 108, 200, 208, and 300. It uses 126 film cartridges, which were popular for their simplicity. It was a point-and-shoot aimed at amateurs who wanted a convenient snapshot camera.

Market

Second-hand Agfamatic 100 cameras typically sell for €10 - €30. Buy a tested, working one, and check the film winding mechanism, shutter button, advance lever, lens clarity, and cosmetic condition. A broken one has no repair value. It is described as a cult favorite among analog enthusiasts, noted for its lo-fi charm and dreamy results.