Agfa Box I (1930–1933)
A basic German box camera for 6x9 cm roll film, designed for beginner photographers.
Overview
The Agfa Box I (model 54) is a basic box camera made by Agfa for beginner photographers, produced from 1930 to 1933. It captures 6x9 cm exposures on 120 film, using Agfa's film size B2. It is the simpler of two box cameras listed in Agfa’s early 1930s brochure, with the other being the more advanced Box-Spezial (model 64). The camera is part of the Agfa Box series, which includes models 34, 44, 50, and Synchro Box.
Specifications
| Film Format | 6x9 cm on 120 film (Agfa B2) |
| Body Construction | Metal-bodied with leatherette covering |
| Shutter | 'I'-and-'B' shutter |
| Lens | Meniscus lens |
| Viewfinders | Watson-type viewfinders with small ground-glass screen for vertical and horizontal use |
| Aperture Control | Pull-out tab above the lens selects one of three fixed apertures |
| Model Number | Agfa model 54 |
Design
The lens and shutter are protected behind a special front protective lens. A ridge projects from the camera’s right side to shield the shutter controls from accidental operation. The camera uses a meniscus piece of glass as its lens and lacks a cable-release socket and tripod bush.
Context
The Agfa Box I was introduced in 1930 as Agfa’s first box camera for 6×9 cm roll film. It is part of a broader Agfa Box series aimed at popularizing photography in Germany during the early 1930s.
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