Agfa Agfamatic 126 (1968–1969)

Name: Agfa Agfamatic 126
Brand: Agfa

A simple plastic viewfinder camera for square 126 film snapshots, made in multiple countries with built-in flash and fixed settings.

Overview

The Agfa Agfamatic 126 is a basic point-and-shoot viewfinder camera designed for 126 film cartridges, producing square pictures. Manufactured by Agfa, it was introduced in 1968 as part of the company's line of 126 film cameras, following Agfa's 1967 debut of cameras using the 126 format. The camera features fixed focus, fixed exposure, and a single-speed shutter, making it a straightforward snapshot device. It has an optical viewfinder and a non-functional decorative selenium cell on the front, confirming it lacks a working light meter.

Specifications

Film Format	126 film cartridges
Picture Format	Square pictures
Lens	Agfa Color-Agnar 1:8/43 mm
Shutter	Single speed
Exposure	Fixed exposure
Focus	Fixed focus
Viewfinder	Optical viewfinder
Lightmeter	Non-functional decorative selenium cell
Flash	Built-in flash; socket for standard flashcubes
Flash Synchronization	Hot shoe
Flash Power	Requires PX825 battery (fits inside film compartment)
Battery	2× AA batteries (for flash)
Film Advance	Knurled wheel on the back
Tripod Socket	On the bottom
Body Material	Plastic
Dimensions	3 1/8" wide x 2 1/2" tall x 2" deep
Countries of Manufacture	Germany, France, Brazil, India

Design

The Agfamatic 126 is a simple point-and-shoot camera with a plastic body and a knurled wheel on the back for film advance. The shutter is released by a button press, and the built-in flash is fired by a separate button. It uses standard flashcubes connected via a hot shoe and requires a PX825 battery for flash operation, housed inside the film compartment. The camera is very similar in design and function to the Autostar X-126, though that model uses X-flashcubes (Magicubes) that do not require a battery.

Context

Agfa introduced the Agfamatic 126 in 1968, part of its early adoption of the 126 film format, which the company began supporting in 1967. It was positioned as an accessible snapshot camera for casual photographers, emphasizing ease of use with fixed focus, fixed exposure, and built-in flash.