Agfa Agfamatic 901 motor (1979–1981)

Motorized 110 film pocket camera with fixed focus, electronic shutter, and CdS metering via needle match in viewfinder.

Overview

The Agfa Agfamatic 901 motor is a 110 film pocket camera made by Agfa Camera Werk AG from 1979 to 1981. A motor transports the film and cocks the shutter, so there is no manual advance. The lens is fixed focus, set to distances from 1.2 meters. The housing is simple plastic, all black except for an orange Sensor trigger. A black button in front of the shutter turns on continuous shooting at 0.8 frames per second. The camera shares technology with the Agfa Agfamatic 4000 pocket Sensor and belongs to the Agfamatic line of 110 film cameras.

Specifications

Film Type	13 x 17 mm, Pocketfilm 110
Lens	Agfa Color-Apotar 1:6,3/27 mm (three-element construction)
Shutter	Einfachverschluss (simple shutter) with electronic speed selection: 1/50, 1/125, or 1/200 sec (speeds vary by film sensitivity)
Exposure Metering	CdS exposure meter with needle matching in viewfinder; set via slider with weather pictograms
Flash Connection	For Topflash and Agfa Agfamatic Lux 901 electronic flash
Film Advance	Motor-driven
Power	Two AAA batteries
Viewfinder	Bright frame lines
Shutter Release	Sensor trigger: 16 mm orange disc requiring 300 grams of pressure; travel less than 0.5 mm
Body Material	Plastic housing

Design

The Agfamatic 901 motor uses a simple plastic housing described as "eher einfach" (rather simple) due to cost pressure, with a more compact form than typical Agfamatic models. The motor handles both film transport and shutter cocking, removing the need for a sliding advance. The shutter is derived from the Agfa Agfamatic 2008 pocket Sensor. Shutter speed is selected via a top-mounted slider with two weather pictograms, which powers the camera on and sets exposure based on film sensitivity. Exposure is confirmed by aligning a needle in the viewfinder, activated by pressing a button on the exposure slider.

Context

The 1979 Agfa Agfamatic 901 E motor was the world's first 110 film camera with built-in motor. The Agfamatic 901 motor came out shortly after it and rounded out the new series at a lower price point. It differs from the 901E by lacking automatic exposure control. Other models in the 901 series are the 901E motor and 901S motor, all part of Agfa's 110 film camera lineup.