Agfa Moto-Rapid C (1968–1969)
35mm film viewfinder camera using the Rapid cartridge system, produced for two years with a spring motor drive.
Overview
The Agfa Moto-Rapid C is a 35mm film viewfinder camera made by Agfa from 1968 to 1969. It uses the Rapid system, which features 35mm film in a cartridge without a central spool, and captures 16 exposures per cartridge at a frame size of 24 x 24 mm. The camera has a metal body and includes a built-in self-timer, M and X flash synchronization, and a brightline viewfinder. It was sold for 196 francs in 1969.
Specifications
| Film Format | Rapid system (35mm film in a cartridge without a central spool) |
| Frame Size | 24 x 24 mm |
| Frame Capacity | 16 exposures |
| Winding/Motor Mechanism | Spring motor |
| Lens | Agfa Color-Agnar f/2.8 |
| Shutter | Prontor-SVS shutter |
| Shutter Speeds | 1 second to 1/300 second, plus B |
| Viewfinder | Brightline viewfinder |
| Flash Sync | M and X flash synchronization |
| Self-Timer | Built-in self-timer |
| Body | Metal body |
Design
The Moto-Rapid C is the final evolution of the Iso-Rapid series and features a spring motor winding mechanism, uncommon for cameras of this type. The motor is wound by turning the lens. The shutter release has an unconventional shape, and the flashcube is synchronized with the film advance mechanism.
Context
The Rapid system was introduced in 1964 by a consortium of European firms as a competitor to Kodak's 126 film cartridge, with Agfa updating its earlier Karat system. Agfa released four camera lines using the Rapid system starting in 1964/65: Iso-Rapid, Isomat-Rapid, Silette Rapid, and Optima Rapid. The Moto-Rapid C is the latest evolution of the Iso-Rapid line.
Market
The Agfa Moto-Rapid C is considered the rarest of the Agfa Rapid cameras from this period. In France, it is indexed as rare in non-specialized garage sales.
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