Agfa Optima Sensor 1535 (1979)
Compact 35mm rangefinder with fully automatic exposure, built-in flash, and a bright viewfinder.
Overview
The Agfa Optima Sensor 1535 is a 35mm film rangefinder camera introduced in 1979 as the top model in Agfa's Optima Sensor series. It features a fixed 40mm f/2.8 Agfa Solitar S lens, fully automatic electronic exposure, and a built-in coupled rangefinder for accurate focusing. Designed for ease of use, it targets beginners and casual photographers while offering solid build quality and sharp optics. The camera includes a built-in flash, automatic film loading, and a large, bright reverse-Galilean viewfinder with exposure indication via two LEDs.
Specifications
| Film Type | 135 film (35mm) |
| Lens | Agfa Solitar S 40mm f/2.8, 4 elements in 3 groups |
| Shutter | Automatic electronic Paratronic, 15s to 1/500s |
| Aperture | f/2.8 to f/22 |
| Exposure Mode | Full automatic |
| Viewfinder | Reverse-Galilean with projected frame lines; green and red exposure LEDs |
| Flash | Built-in, manual aperture; sync speed 1/30s, guide number 14 |
| Battery | Three P625U/1.5V batteries |
| Dimensions | 104 × 69 × 56 mm |
| Weight | 260 grams |
| Metering | CdS cell |
| Filter Size | 49 mm |
| ISO Range | 25 to 500 |
| Focus Range | 0.9 m to infinity |
| Features | Cable release socket, tripod mount |
Design
The Optima Sensor 1535 has a mostly metal body with plastic top and bottom plates, a large red two-stage shutter button, and a plastic film compartment cover. It uses a dense circuit board to control the electronic shutter and features automatic film engagement with the advance lever activating the camera. The rewind function is activated by pressing and turning the knob to "R". The accessory shoe includes a lever that sets the shutter to 1/30 sec when a flash is mounted. The built-in coupled rangefinder provides a large, bright view, and the camera lacks a shutter button lock.
Context
The Optima Sensor 1535 was the flagship model in Agfa's long-running Optima Sensor series, which spanned the 1960s–1970s and emphasized fully automatic, electronically controlled exposure. It belongs to a family of fixed-lens 35mm rangefinder cameras designed for intuitive operation and compact portability.
Market
Common issues include stuck shutter blades, electronic failure, degraded foam light seals, corroded battery contacts, a bent flash-sync lever, and rangefinder misalignment. Repair often requires disassembling the top plate, with internal component order being critical, and may involve lens removal. Cleaning shutter blades with lighter fluid, battery contacts with white vinegar, and replacing light seals are recommended fixes. A full CLA and repair cost $80 in 2017.
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