Agfa Mini (1982–After 1984)

A simple, fixed-focus 110 film camera made in India. Squeeze the body to advance the film and cock the shutter.

Overview

The Agfa Mini is a basic 110 film viewfinder camera introduced in 1982 as part of Agfa's revived product range. It was made in India and sits in the most basic tier of Agfa's 110 cameras, with no adjustable settings. The shutter has two speeds, 1/40 and 1/80 second, and the camera picks one based on whether a flash is connected. The lens is the Agfa Color-Optar f/11 32 mm, fixed focus from 1.2 meters. There is no exposure meter. It is a 'click-clack-click' camera with no manual winding. You squeeze the body together to cock the shutter and move the film, a system Agfa called Repitomatic.

Design

The Agfa Mini has no user-adjustable settings. Shutter speed is automatic: 1/80 sec with no flash attached, 1/40 sec with a flash connected. Film advance and shutter cocking are built into the body mechanism, so squeezing the sides together does both. Agfa labeled this Repitomatic. The shutter release is a recessed orange disc with very little travel, and it takes 300 grams of pressure. The camera came in multiple colors and has a top-mounted flash socket. Attach the Agfamatic Pocket Lux flash and the film door jams shut and cannot be opened.

Context

The Agfa Mini corresponds exactly to the Agfamatic Pocket 508 Sensor. It was positioned as one of the most basic 110 cameras in Agfa's lineup, and it was part of the 1982 revival of Agfa's consumer camera range.