Agfa Automatic 66 (1956)

The first medium format camera with aperture priority auto-exposure, using a selenium meter and a pneumatic control system.

Overview

The Agfa Automatic 66 is a 6×6 medium format folding camera, introduced by Agfa in 1956. It takes 120 film and makes 6x6cm exposures. It has a coupled rangefinder and a selenium light meter. It belongs to a series of medium format folders that grew out of the pre-War Isolette and ran through models like the Super Isolette and the Automatic 66. It shares a lot with the Agfa Super-Isolette: the lens, bellows, film transport and rangefinder mechanism. It is larger and heavier, though.

Specifications

Film Format	120 film, 6x6cm exposures
Lens	75 mm f/3.5 Agfa Color-Solinar, multicoated
Shutter	Prontor SVA
Shutter Speeds	1 to 1/300 second, plus 'B' and automatic 'A' setting
Exposure Modes	Aperture priority auto (A), manual (M)
Meter Type	Selenium light meter with pneumatic metering
Focusing	Unit focusing, coupled rangefinder
Serial Number Example	U17190

Design

The Agfa Automatic 66 uses a part-electrical and part-pneumatic exposure mechanism based on a selenium light meter and a galvanometer, controlling a pneumatic shutter speed selector. The system adjusts shutter speed via a variable-diameter air port that acts as an escapement, with film speed and aperture settings biasing the meter output. This aperture priority auto-exposure system was the first of its kind in a medium format camera. The lens, the Agfa Color-Solinar, is a color-corrected Tessar-type design. The camera folds into a compact form with bellows construction and was patented by Durst (German patent DBP 923525). The automatic exposure system can be switched off for manual operation using the Prontor SVA shutter.

Context

The Agfa Automatic 66 evolved from the pre-War Isolette. It was part of a line of medium format folding cameras in the 1950s and shares core components with the Super-Isolette. It was never produced under the Ansco brand.

Market

The camera is considered rare and innovative. Many are found with dead auto exposure, because the selenium meter and the galvanometer/coil assembly fail often, and that assembly is difficult to repair or replace. Some users recommend running it in manual mode to keep the mechanism working. Anecdotal market prices range from ~$19 to $2,500, depending on condition and function.