Agfa Billy I (1950)
A 120 film folding camera with interchangeable shutter and lens configurations, produced as part of Agfa’s long-running Billy series.
Overview
The Agfa Billy I is a 120 film folding camera introduced in 1950 as part of Agfa’s Billy series, which began in 1927 and remained in production through 1960. It features a new stylish design from version 1 and is constructed as a folding camera. The model was offered with multiple configurations, including different lenses and shutters, allowing for variation in performance and price. Early models (1950–1951) came with a metal-frame glassless viewfinder, replaced in 1952 by a tiny optical viewfinder.
Specifications
| Film Format | 120 roll film |
| Image Format | 6x9 cm (2 1/4 x 3 1/2 inch) |
| Lens (common) | Agnar 105mm f/6.3 lens |
| Focusing | Front-element scale focusing down to one metre |
| Shutter (common option 1) | Vario shutter with speeds 1/25, 1/50, 1/200 second, plus 'B' |
| Shutter (common option 2) | Pronto shutter with speeds 1/25, 1/50, 1/100, 1/200 second, plus 'B' and a self-timer |
| Lens (low-spec example) | f/11 Isomar lens with no focus control but two aperture stops |
| Shutter (low-spec example) | 'I' and 'B' shutter |
| Aperture (low-spec example) | f/11 and f/16 |
| Sync Socket | PC-sync socket for flash bulbs |
| Tripod Socket | One tripod socket on the "lens cover" plate |
| Film Loading | Metal cover for the red window used to read frame counter |
Design
The Agnar 105mm f/6.3 lens uses a 3-element/3-group design. The shutter release is connected via a metal rod, allowing the user to depress a lever near the camera body to fire the shutter. The camera uses a folding construction, and the front plate displays depth of field ranges for f/11 and f/16 on low-spec models.
Context
The Billy camera series includes over eight models: Billy Zero, Billy Clack, Billy I Luxus (also known as Billy Igetar 8.8), Billy II, Billy Record, Billy Record II, and Billy Compur. The Agfa Billy I is part of the Agfa Billy series lineup, which also includes the Agfa Billy, Agfa Billy-Clack, Agfa Billy Compur, Billy II, Agfa Billy Jgetar 8.8, Agfa Billy Record, and Agfa Billy Record II.
Reception
Though a simple 3-element lens design, the Agnar 105mm f/6.3 performs well from f/8 onwards. One user, Adam Paul, reports preferring the photos from his Billy I, noting it works dependably in decent daylight despite its limitations.
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