Agfa Ambi Silette

If you enjoy shooting rangefinders it doesn't get much better than this. Launched in 1957, this was Agfa's top of the line 35mm camera. Smaller, lighter, and significantly cheaper than a Leica, this is a very nice and very capable alternative.

The most significant upgrade on this camera from the earlier Silette models is the interchangeable lenses. There are 4 available for this camera: 35mm f/4 Color-Ambion, 50mm f/2.8 Color-Solinar, 90mm f/4 Color-Telinear, and 130mm f/4 Color-Telinear. Agfa lenses have a good reputation for sharpness, and these lenses, as suggested by the name, are coated and formulated to give excellent quality colour images. Expect high saturation. All but the 130mm lens take push on 37mm filters. The 130mm lens takes 62mm threaded filters.

The viewfinder and rangefinder patch are protected behind a hinged cover, that you will need to lift to use the camera. Some people find this a major annoyance. It doesn't bother me. When lifted it also works as a shade that reduces glare in the viewfinder.  The viewfinder is large, bright, and has frame lines for the 35, 50, and 90mm focal lengths. There is also parallax correction. If you use the 130mm lens you will require Agfa's turret finder with 130 viewer.

The synchro-compur shutter has a top speed of 1/500, plus bulb mode. There is a PC flash connector and cold shoe. The camera is synchronised for flash at all speeds.

This camera came with the 90mm f/4 lens. The clamp lens mount is extremely easy to use, allowing for swift lens changing. We have since acquired the 130mm f/4 lens with the accessory viewfinder. This lens has a large front element that takes 62mm threaded filters. It will focus as close as 9 feet.

Ours is the type II model, released in 1959. The base is slightly larger than on the earlier model to accommodate the 130mm lens that was released the same year. It also has strap lugs, which are absent on the 1957 model.

An exceedingly nice camera with a nice range of lenses. 

 

Update: March 2021

We have since acquired a type 1 model. This one had clearly been unloved and unused for quite some time. The owner knew little about it and on first inspection we discovered the poor fellow was full of sand. Looks like its last outing was to the beach. 

It came with the 50mm f/2.8 Color-Solinar, which has a very slight chip on the front element. We haven't tested how this effects the final image yet. Despite the sandy interior, the camera still seems pretty happy and is firing no problem. 

There are some slight differences between the earlier and later models, as these photos show:

Model 1 Top Plate

Model 2 Top Plate

Model 1 Viewfinder

Model 2 Viewfinder

Now to give the model 1 a good clean!

Update August 2021

After much searching we finally found an Agfa Proximeter for sale. This close up attachment was specifically for the Ambi Silette and allowed parallax-free close focusing. There were two attachments available, which allow use at varying subject distances. They can be used on the 50mm or 90mm lens.

 

On the 50mm lens, Proximeter I allows focusing from 100-50cm. Proximeter II allows focusing from 50-33cm, and both Proximeters in combination allow focusing from 33-25cm.

On the 90mm lens, Proximeter I allows focusing from 100-64cm, Proximeter II allows focusing from 50-38cm, and both combined allow 33-28cm.

 

Subject distances must be measured from the front of the lens mount. When used in combination, Proximeter II must be attached first, and then Proximeter I to the outer mount.

 

Agfa do not recommend a wider aperture than f/5.6 when using these attachments.

So hurrah, a new toy to make this camera even more versatile. Ours is the Proximeter I. It is in excellent condition and came with its original leather case, which is pristine, instructions, and original box. 

 

We even know a little about its history as the original receipt was tucked inside the box. It shows that this attachment was originally purchased in 1963 from John's Photographic Store in Singapore for $43.00. 

A very nice find that we look forward to trying out.