Agfa Ansco Memo (1939–1941)

Name: Agfa Ansco Memo
Brand: Agfa

Compact 35mm folding viewfinder camera with proprietary film cassette system and claw-based film advance.

Overview

The Agfa Ansco Memo is a 35mm folding viewfinder camera produced by the Agfa-Ansco Company starting in 1939. It was offered in multiple versions—basic, middle, and top "De-luxe"—with variations in lens, finish, and features. A half-frame (18x24mm) version was introduced in 1941. The camera uses a unique claw-based film advance mechanism derived from the 1927 Ansco Memo design, activated by a sliding knob on the back plate. Production ceased after the U.S. government seized Agfa-Ansco assets as enemy property in late 1941. After the seizure, the American company reverted to the Ansco brand name.

Specifications

Lens	Anastigmat "Agfa Memar", f/3.5, f/4.5, or f/5.6; approx. 50mm focal length, uncoated
Film Format	Full-frame 24x36mm; half-frame 18x24mm version introduced 1941
Film Cassette	Proprietary Ansco Memo (24 exposures); also accepts Agfa Rapid/Karat cassettes (12 exposures)
Shutter Speeds	f/5.6 model: 1/25s, 1/50s, 1/100s, B, T; f/4.5 and f/3.5 models: 1/2s to 1/250s, B, T
Aperture Range	f/5.6 to f/22 (f/5.6 model)
Focusing	Manual front-element focus, down to 3.5 feet
Flash Sync	No flash synchronization; no hot shoe on base models
Frame Counter	Manually-reset 24-exposure indicator
Viewfinder	Centrally mounted on top plate

Design

The Agfa Ansco Memo is a metal-bodied horizontal folding camera, though early models may have used wooden construction. It features a claw-based film advance system with no sprockets, using a sliding knob on the back plate. The f/5.6 model has a textured flat black paint finish, while f/4.5 and f/3.5 models are covered in black morocco leather with nickel-plated trim and include a depth of field calculator and accessory shoe. The "De-luxe" version adds a rangefinder accessory shoe. Lenses were likely supplied by Wollensak, and the shutter design resembles the Wollensak Alphax.

Context

The Ansco Memo cassette was developed in the 1920s as a non-infringing alternative to Kodak’s patented 35mm cassette. After Ansco merged with Agfa in the U.S. in 1928, forming Agfa-Ansco, the Agfa-branded Memo camera launched in 1939. It shares partial film compatibility with the Agfa Karat and Rapid systems—Memo cameras can use Rapid cassettes, but Karat cameras cannot use Memo cassettes.

Market

The f/4.5 model sold for about $25 in 1939, and the f/3.5 model for $35. Common issues include jammed film advance sliding tabs, which can often be fixed with lubrication. Other typical problems are non-functional slow shutter speeds (B, T), lens haze, and deteriorated leatherette. The camera is considered less common in some markets, such as the UK.