Agfa Box 44 (1932–1938)
Entry-level roll film box camera sold at a promotional price of 4 Reichsmarks to boost film sales.
Overview
The Agfa Box 44 was a simple box camera made by Agfa Camera Werk AG from 1932 to 1938, designed for beginners using 120 roll film to produce 6x9 cm images. It featured a fixed-focus meniscus lens and a rotary disk shutter with limited speed options, requiring users to manage exposure without a built-in meter. The camera’s housing combined cardboard and wood for structure, with sheet metal front and rear panels. Marketed under the nickname "Preisbox" (Prize), it was part of a 1932 campaign where customers collected four 1-Mark coins marked with the letters A, G, F, and A to claim the camera at the discounted price of 4 Reichsmarks. The campaign was a major success, selling 900,000 units before its conclusion and helping to popularize photography among the general public.
Specifications
| Film Format | 120 film |
| Image Size | 6x9 cm |
| Lens | Meniscus f/11 |
| Shutter | Rotary Disk Shutter (Moment und Zeit) |
| Focus | Fixed focus |
| Exposure Metering | without |
| Flash Connection | without |
Design
The Agfa Box 44 was constructed primarily from cardboard and wood for rigidity, with sheet metal used for the front and rear panels. Its design was intentionally simple to keep production costs low, reflecting its role as an affordable entry-level camera.
Context
The Box 44 was introduced as part of a promotional campaign in 1932, where Agfa sold the camera at a loss—4 Reichsmarks—with the business model relying on profits from future film sales. It succeeded the first Agfa Box camera for 6×9 cm film from 1930 and preceded the Agfa Box 50, which revived the series' popularity in the 1950s. The Box 44 was one of the most successful and best-selling cameras in history, playing a key role in making photography accessible to a wider audience. It belongs to a series that includes the Agfa Box 34, Box 50, Box I (model 54), and Box-Spezial (model 64).
Market
The Agfa Box 44 has a reported street price of $20. Reviewers note its optical quality is very poor, with a limited shutter speed—often only one—making it difficult to use. It received low scores for image quality (1/5) and versatility (1/5), with a moderate score for value for money (3/5). The verdict: “If you want to use one, arm yourself with patience and don't have big expectations.”
eBay Listings
As an eBay Partner, we earn from qualifying purchases. This helps support our independent vintage technology research.