Agfa Agfamatic 2008 Pocket Sensor (1975)
Compact 110 film viewfinder camera with mechanical ratchet operation and flipflash support.
Overview
The Agfamatic 2008 Pocket Sensor is a 110 film viewfinder camera made by Agfa in 1975. It succeeds Agfa's first "Ritsch-ratsch" model and belongs to the second series of Agfamatic cameras, which were designed for flipflash cartridges. The ratchet system is mechanical. Opening and closing the body advances the film and cocks the shutter. A slide switch on the bottom opens the camera to the left. The lens is a fixed-focus Agfa Color-Agnar 26mm f/9.5. Exposure is manual, set with a sun/cloud slider, and there is no built-in light meter. The viewfinder is bright, with parallax markers and 0.5x magnification.
Specifications
| Film Format | 110 cartridge film (13x17mm), color, 24 exposures |
| Lens | Agfa Color-Agnar 26mm f/9.5, 3-element, fixed aperture |
| Shutter | Mechanical, 1/50 sec and 1/100 sec; syncs to 1/50 sec with flash |
| Flash | Accepts Topflash/Agfa Agfamatic pocket LUX 234 flipflash (8 flashes) |
| Dimensions / Weight | 15.8 x 11.4 x 6.4 cm, 280 g |
| Power Source | None required (fully mechanical) |
Design
The Agfamatic 2008 Pocket Sensor features a mix of chrome and plastic construction and operates via a "Ratchet" (Ritsch-Ratsch) system that advances the film and cocks the shutter when the camera is opened and closed. The shutter release is a red sensor point, a touchpad-like membrane button. The design earned the iF Product Design Award in 1974 and is nicknamed the “Ritsch-ratsch” camera for its distinctive operating sound.
Context
Kodak introduced 110 film in 1972, and Agfa was a key early third-party supporter. The Agfamatic 2008 differs from the earlier 2000 model mainly in adding a flash connection for Topflash/8-flip cartridges. Competitors included the Pentax Auto 110 and Minolta 110 Zoom. A variant, the Agfamatic 2008 tele pocket sensor, comes with an attachable telephoto lens.
Market
The Agfamatic 2008 Pocket Sensor is often found in working condition with light wear. It carries a low market value, typically selling for a few euros or dollars. Original flipflash cartridges are commonly non-functional.
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