Agfa Selecta (1962–1967)

Name: Agfa Selecta
Brand: Agfa

35mm viewfinder camera with motor drive, coupled rangefinder, and selenium-cell metering

Overview

The Agfa Selecta was introduced in 1962 and produced until 1967. It is a fixed-lens 35mm viewfinder camera developed by Agfa-Gevaert N.V. after it acquired the assets of bankrupt German maker Iloca. It is based on the Iloca Auto-Electric prototype. The Selecta-M (the "M" is for Motorantrieb) was designed to simplify photography with motorized film advance and shutter-priority automatic exposure. It has a coupled rangefinder with automatic parallax correction, zone focus symbols, and a low light warning system. The meter uses a selenium cell, so it needs no battery, and there is a manual override for exposure control. The entire film back is removable, which allows mid-roll film changes.

Specifications

Film Format	35mm
Lens	Color-Solinar-R (made by Rodenstock)
Focusing	Coupled rangefinder with automatic parallax correction; zone focus symbols and scale as alternatives
Exposure Control	Shutter priority automatic with manual override
Light Meter	Selenium cell (no battery required)
Shutter	Compur, 1/30 to 1/500 sec (five speeds)
Aperture	f/4 and smaller
Film Speed Setting	Includes DIN 21 (ASA 100)
Motorwind	Built-in, powered by two AA batteries
Viewfinder	Coupled rangefinder with low light warning and red/green exposure indicator disks
Film Back	Completely removable
Power Source	Two AA batteries for motor drive; selenium cell powers meter

Design

The Selecta-M is built to the standard of premium Agfa cameras of the early 1960s, with the heavy build typical of its class. Agfa gave it the house style, so it looks consistent with the Silette and Optima ranges. The aperture control may be electrical, though the exact mechanism is not confirmed. The design puts automation and ease of use first, with motorized film advance and automatic exposure in a rangefinder body.

Context

Agfa acquired Iloca's assets after the company's 1960 bankruptcy, which was caused in part by competitors disrupting its shutter supply. The Selecta-M was Agfa's evolution of the Iloca Auto-Electric prototype, launched to expand its line of automated 35mm viewfinder cameras. It shares design lineage with the Silette and Optima series. It is also part of Agfa's broader family of fixed-lens 35mm cameras, which includes the Isoly, Optima, Silette, and Selectronic models. A later version with motorized wind and rewind was also produced.

Market

The Selecta-M was originally priced at over £200. Today it is commonly found non-working or with significant faults. The usual problems are inoperative manual apertures, failed selenium cells, sluggish shutter speeds (especially 1/30 and 1/60 sec), and malfunctioning meter-aperture mechanisms. It has been described as having "numerous major faults" and is often sold as a project camera. Working examples have sold for around £55, while listings at Camera Traders show a value of approximately $149 CAD, depending on condition. Shutter performance may improve with use, and the camera can be operated manually if the meter fails.