Agfa Isomat Rapid (1965)

Simple 24x24 square-format camera using Agfa's Rapid film system, released the year after the format's 1964 launch.

Overview

The Agfa Isomat Rapid is a compact camera Agfa made in 1965 for its Rapid film system. It shoots 16 square 24x24mm images from two feet of bulk film loaded in a Rapid cassette. Exposure metering comes from a selenium cell, so it needs no batteries. There are two modes, automatic and flash, and a lever on the upper-right side of the lens picks between them. Automatic mode uses a fixed 1/70 shutter speed. Flash mode uses 1/30. With the shutter half-pressed, the viewfinder shows a green light for correct exposure and a red light for underexposure, plus red/blue tabs that indicate exposure status.

Specifications

Lens	38 mm 3-element Color-Agnar f:4.5 lens
Focus System	Zone focus via symbols at top of lens and distance scale at bottom
Exposure Modes	Automatic and flash
Shutter Speed (Auto)	1/70
Shutter Speed (Flash)	1/30
Power Source	Selenium cell, no batteries needed
Film Format	16 square images from two feet of bulk film in a Rapid cassette
Film System	Rapid film system
Image Format	24x24 square format
Exposure Control	Selenium meter
Viewfinder	Simple, with red/blue tabs to indicate underexposure
Flash	Hot shoe; aperture selectable for flash, shutter speed 1/30

Design

The Isomat Rapid is built of plastic and loads film through a Rapid cartridge. The cartridge has no central spindle and is shorter than a standard 135 cassette. The camera only works with Robot-type or Rapid cassettes, and the shutter fires only when a cassette is loaded. A metal plate on the cassette sets the film speed for compatible cameras. If the back is opened mid-roll, the film is protected.

Context

Agfa introduced the Rapid film system in 1964 as a response to Kodak’s 126 film and Instamatic cartridge. The aim was easier loading than standard 35mm. The system descended from the 1930s Karat system and competed directly with Kodak’s 126 format, though 126 ultimately eclipsed it. By the late 1960s, Agfa had shifted to selling 126 cameras, and the Rapid cartridge is now discontinued.

Market

The shutter will not fire unless the camera is loaded with a film cassette and the back is closed. As of 2012, working models were often available on eBay for less than $10.