Agfa Ansco Memo (1939–1941)

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 made by the Agfa-Ansco Company starting in 1939. It came in three versions - basic, middle, and top "De-luxe" - with differences in lens, finish, and features. A half-frame (18x24mm) version followed in 1941. The film advance is a claw mechanism, derived from the 1927 Ansco Memo design and worked by a sliding knob on the back plate. Production ended after the U.S. government seized Agfa-Ansco assets as enemy property in late 1941. After the seizure, the American company went back to the Ansco brand name.

Specifications

Design

The Agfa Ansco Memo is a metal-bodied horizontal folding camera, though early models may have used wooden construction. The claw-based film advance uses no sprockets, just a sliding knob on the back plate. The f/5.6 model has a textured flat black paint finish. The f/4.5 and f/3.5 models are covered in black morocco leather with nickel-plated trim, and they add a depth of field calculator and accessory shoe. The "De-luxe" version has 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 an alternative to Kodak’s patented 35mm cassette, one that wouldn't infringe on it. Ansco merged with Agfa in the U.S. in 1928 and became Agfa-Ansco. The Agfa-branded Memo camera launched in 1939. Film compatibility with the Agfa Karat and Rapid systems only goes one way. 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. The sliding tabs of the film advance often jam, and lubrication can often fix that. Other typical problems are slow shutter speeds (B, T) that don't work, lens haze, and deteriorated leatherette. The camera is considered less common in some markets, such as the UK.

eBay Listings

Agfa Ansco Memo Camera 35 mm. S/N # 31901 - NO CASSETTES -

$87.65

Agfa Ansco Memo 35mm Camera Memar f/5.6 Lens w 2 Film Casset

$125

Agfa Ansco Memo II Automatic PLEASE READ

$39.00

☆ AGFA-ANSCO MEMO Camera with 2 FILM CASSETTES☆Agfa Memar f:

$75.00

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