Agfa PD16 Clipper (c. 1938)
At 13.5 cm wide, it slips into a coat pocket. Open it, and the steel lens front snaps forward.
Overview
The Agfa PD16 Clipper isn't a folder in the traditional sense. It has no collapsing bellows and no hinged bed. You pull the lens plate forward until metal tabs lock it into place. The rigid steel construction gives it a heft uncommon in consumer cameras of its era, and owners report the weight feels deliberate. It was one of the first products released under the Agfa-Ansco name after Agfa acquired the American firm Ansco, in the mid-1930s. Built in Binghamton, NY, it carried dual branding, sold as both the Agfa PD16 Clipper and the Ansco Clipper.
It's a 616 film camera, shooting fifteen exposures per roll, each frame measuring 2 1/16 x 2 1/2 inches. The lens is labeled as a Unifo double lens, though focal length and aperture aren't documented in available sources. Focus is fixed, pre-set to cover distances from six feet to infinity, so this is a point-and-shoot snapshot camera. The shutter is basic: 1/60 second and bulb, with a self-cocking mechanism that eliminates the need for manual reset between shots. No batteries required. It's entirely mechanical, and users appreciate it for its simplicity and reliability.
Specifications
| Manufacturer | Agfa-Ansco |
| Product Type | Viewfinder camera, 616 film camera |
| Production Years | c. 1938 |
| Film Format | 616 Film |
| Exposure Count | fifteen exposures |
| Image Size | 2 1/16 x 2 1/2 inch |
| Lens | Unifo double lens |
| Shutter Speeds | 1/60 seconds and bulb |
| Shutter Type | instantaneous and bulb shutter mechanism |
| Focusing | Pre-focused to cover everything from six feet to infinity |
| Dimensions (closed) | 13.5 x 9 x 5.4 cm |
| Dimensions (open) | 13.5 x 12.3 x 8.3 cm |
| Construction | durable steel construction |
| Viewfinder | Early versions had a flip-up viewfinder frame; later versions had a rigid finder |
| Film Advance | Early versions had a film rewind knob in addition to the film advance knob |
| Power Source | Does not need batteries; it is a mechanical camera |
Key Features
Extensible Steel Lens Front with Locking Tabs
Unlike folding cameras that hinge at the base, the PD16 Clipper's front standard slides outward on rails, extending the lens to shooting position. The movement is positive, with metal tabs engaging audibly when fully extended. This design avoids the fragility of bellows and keeps a compact profile when closed. The steel construction feels substantial - early versions featured a black enameled front - and resists the warping common in Bakelite-bodied contemporaries.
Self-Cocking Shutter with Bulb Option
The shutter has two modes: a fixed 1/60 second speed and bulb. Once fired, it automatically resets, which saves a step common in earlier mechanical shutters. The bulb setting allows time exposures, useful in low light or for creative effects, though you need a steady support since the camera lacks a tripod socket. According to available documentation, the mechanism is reliable if kept clean and lubricated, and no specific maintenance issues are recorded.
Flip-Up vs. Rigid Viewfinder Evolution
Early production models featured a folding finder, a small wire frame that flipped up from the top plate. Later versions replaced it with a fixed optical frame. The change likely improved durability, as folding finders are prone to bending or breakage. Both types offer basic framing with no parallax correction, typical for cameras in this class.
Film Advance with Dual Knobs (Early Models)
Some early units include both a film advance knob and a separate rewind knob. This dual-knob setup suggests a transitional design, possibly borrowed from earlier Ansco models. Later versions may have simplified this, but the fact sheet doesn't confirm when or if the rewind knob was removed.
Historical Context
The PD16 Clipper emerged shortly after Agfa's acquisition of Ansco, making it one of the first products to bear the combined identity. It was manufactured in Binghamton, NY, and sold under both the Agfa and Ansco brands. The Ansco Clipper is understood to be a later version of the same camera, stripped of Agfa branding. It belongs to the 616 film format lineage, a slightly wider variant of 120 roll film designed for larger snapshots. A higher-spec model, the Agfa Clipper Special 6.3, offered adjustable exposure and a faster f/6.3 lens, and was the top-tier version in the PD16 Clipper range.
Collectibility & Value
Current market estimates place average-condition PD16 Clippers between $20 and $30, with very good examples fetching $30 to $40 and mint units reaching $50 to $60. A Condition "B" unit sold for $31 in 2003, so prices have stayed relatively stable. Recent eBay listings show outliers at both $17.99 and $479.99 - the latter likely reflecting collector demand or bundled accessories. The main barrier to use is film. 616 film is discontinued and larger than standard 120, so it requires modification or custom spooling. Some users note the lens extends smoothly and the camera remains functional decades later.
Market Value
┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │ AGFA PD16 CLIPPER Nov 2026 │ ├──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤ │ High $104 Latest $44 │ │ Median $22 Trend — │ │ Low $8 Volume ~3/mo │ ├──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤ │ $200 ┤ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ $114 ┤ │ │ │ . . │ │ │ │ │ │ . . .│ │ $0 ┤. . . . . .. . . . │ │ ├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────│ │ vol │█ █ █▄ ▄ ▄ ▄▄ ▄ ▄ ▄ ▄ ▄ ▄│ │ └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────│ │ 2026-02 2026-05 2026-08│ └──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
eBay completed sales. Excludes accessories, parts, and non-working units. Hover points for details.
eBay Listings
Recently sold on eBay: $10–$91 (median $22, based on 17 completed sales, past 12 months)
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