Agfa Futura Af zoom
APS film compact with zoom lens, infrared autofocus, and built-in flash
Overview
The Agfa Futura Af zoom is a simple autofocus zoom compact made for Agfa-Gevaert AG, Leverkusen (Germany). It shoots the APS 240 film format. The lens is a 25-50mm zoom, focused by active 4-stage infrared autofocus. The electronic shutter is program-controlled and runs from 1.5 seconds to 1/250 second. Film loading is automatic drop-in, and the camera reads DX coding for ISO 400 film and records PQI data. You can pick Classic, High Definition or Panorama print formats, but not change them mid-roll. It imprints date and time on the film automatically, and both film advance and rewind are motorized.
Specifications
| Lens | 1:5.8 – 1:8.9 / 25 – 50mm zoom (4-element glass) |
| Focus | Active 4-stage infrared autofocus |
| Film format | APS (240) |
| Exposure control | Automatic, controlled by CdS cell |
| Shutter | Program-controlled electronic shutter, 1.5 sec. – 1/250 sec. |
| Viewfinder | Real image zooming optical viewfinder with masks for print format |
| Flash | Built-in; red-eye reduction; 7.2m range with ISO 400 film at wide-angle |
| Weight | 190 g without CR-2 battery |
| Dimensions | 112 x 62 x 37 mm |
| APS features | PQI data storage; Print formats: Classic, High Definition, Panorama; Date and time imprint: Yes |
| Misc | Motorized functions; Lens interchangeability: No; Water resistance: No |
Design
The built-in flash has red-eye reduction. The viewfinder is a real image zooming optical type that adjusts with the lens. The camera was sold with an archive box made to hold the camera and up to 30 rolls of APS film.
Context
Agfa developed cameras like the Futura Af zoom to boost sales of APS film. It was part of a broader industry effort to modernize consumer photography with advanced film formats and automated features.
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