Say hello to my little (new) friend....

[schrackman]

I went ahead and bought the Agfa Parat 1 that I saw in the antique store. Inside and out it looks very clean. Shutter doesn't stick, nor is there haze in the lens or viewfinder. It also came with the original black leather Agfa case. Cost me just a tad more than $17. Not a bad purchase, I think.

Only one question...just what do those three symbols stand for under the name PARAT - 1 on the lens? I have an idea, but I'd be guessing. And what of the dial on the bottom of the camera?

Ray

[ZeissFan]

Oh cool. You went for it.

This is a zone-focus camera. You can either use the pictograms above the lens or the distance scale under the lens.

From what I can tell, the pictograms represent a portrait, group and distance (often depicted as a mountain).

This camera has the Apotar, which is a triplet. It's a decent lens, although it will perform best when stopped down to f/8 or smaller. Triplets often tend to be a bit soft in the corners when shot wide open. That might make for some interesting photos.

The 30mm focal length should take care of most focusing errors.

Looks rather cool and appears to be a very compact camera.

Good decision on buying it.

[tedwhite]

Cute, I say.

[schrackman]

Thanks ZeissFan & Ted.

ZF, yes, I think you are correct about the focus symbols. There is an arrow both on the top and bottom side so you can focus using either the symbols or the distance scale.

I'm still a tad confused about the dial (see pic below) which is located at the bottom of the camera and can be turned once the back cover is opened. I suspect it is for the film speed. I also suspect this camera was made for lower speed films, at least 100 and slower if I am correct about the dial.

Check out the pic with the film recommendation on the inside of the back cover! Yeah, like I've got a good chance of coming across it anytime soon, lol.

Another neat feature is that it has a hotshoe, and I've got a couple older flashes that just might work, although I would love to find an original for it.

Almost forgot...production year was 1963, which makes this camera a couple years older than me. :-)

Ray

Oh cool. You went for it.

This is a zone-focus camera. You can either use the pictograms above the lens or the distance scale under the lens.

From what I can tell, the pictograms represent a portrait, group and distance (often depicted as a mountain).

This camera has the Apotar, which is a triplet. It's a decent lens, although it will perform best when stopped down to f/8 or smaller. Triplets often tend to be a bit soft in the corners when shot wide open. That might make for some interesting photos.

The 30mm focal length should take care of most focusing errors.

Looks rather cool and appears to be a very compact camera.

Good decision on buying it.

[Trius]

It appears the dial is the film/exposure counter.

And as for the Isopan ... yeah. But hey, you never know!

[ZeissFan]

Yes, that's the frame counter on the bottom.

Half-frame would give you 72 shots on a roll of 36. It almost feels like it's too much film. Who ever thought that would happen?

Your camera lacks the autoexposure, which is controlled by a selenium cell. That's actually a benefit. You simply set the shutter speed and aperture manually. So you don't have to worry about a selenium meter that is no longer functioning or isn't functioning correctly.

I love the look of that little camera.

[daniel~]

It looks cute indeed! Even though an entry-level product perhaps, it seems well-made. I have a full-frame AGFA Selectronic S, which maintains some of such lovely boxy look but with RF focusing. An overlooked camera that gives nice surprise.

[schrackman]

Ah! the frame counter. Why didn't I think of that? It's so obvious. Thanks folks.

[shadowfox]

Hello!
What a cutie, I have its (f)older brother, an Agfa Super :)

[schrackman]

Wow, what a neat camera. I checked out this link here (http://www.certo6.com/cam/superisolette.html) and it takes some great photos!

Now, I'm looking for two things for my new half frame:

1) a b/w film that comes in 12 exposures. I wanted to try Agfapan 100 and Neopan Acros 100 but these only come in 24 and 36 exposures respectively.

2) A free online manual for the Parat 1.

Can't seem to find either so far. Any suggestions, anyone?

Ray

[oldrangefinderguy]

I have one of these that I bought off fleabay a year or two ago. Somehow I never got around to trying it with film. I did notice that the shutter button seems unreasonably stiff on my example; so much so that I wonder whether I could hold the little thing steady while taking a shot. I'm curious to hear if the same is true of your's.

Randy

[HuubL]

Congrats. I have an Agfa Optima Parat, a very similar model but with an all chrome metal body. A very hefty camera for its size. Unfortunately, the image quality will not benefit from the half-frame format. It's just sitting pretty in my collection. I don't use it.

[shadowfox]

Unfortunately, the image quality will not benefit from the half-frame format. It's just sitting pretty in my collection. I don't use it.

Ah, then I guess you need to see images from half-frame cameras :cool:. With modern film, the image quality is superb. Just some examples from an Olympus Pen-FT:

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/100/292723464_be41d99758_o.jpg

a bit more colorful:

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/86/274396548_a44b6a03b1_o.jpg

unless printed at larger than 11x14, you can't tell... :D

[schrackman]

Beautiful images, shadowfox! That first one is surreal!

Ray

[Cale Arthur]

a b/w film that comes in 12 exposures. I wanted to try Agfapan 100..
I don't know if this will help, but Ultrafine has APX400 in 20exp. rolls.. cheap, too. Finding 12exp. rolls of b&w is kinda tough these days. Here's a link.. APX400 (http://www.ultrafineonline.com/agapx400fi35.html)

--c--

[HuubL]

Ah, then I guess you need to see images from half-frame cameras :cool:. With modern film, the image quality is superb. Just some examples from an Olympus Pen-FT:

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/100/292723464_be41d99758_o.jpg

a bit more colorful:

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/86/274396548_a44b6a03b1_o.jpg

unless printed at larger than 11x14, you can't tell... :D
I agree, your Oly Pen photos are very nice. Especially the first one. Very special! But, did you blur the borders with the central area in focus or is that the result of the lens?

[shadowfox]

I agree, your Oly Pen photos are very nice. Especially the first one. Very special! But, did you blur the borders with the central area in focus or is that the result of the lens?

Thank you...
I blur the outer edges in PSP to give the impression that the central boat looks like a toy boat :)

[schrackman]

Ah, so you cheated? lol That's okay, being a digital photographer I am used to digital manipulation to help a photo along.

BTW, I just shot my first few frames with the Parat-1 today using Neopan Acros 100 36 exposure film. Now I only have 68 more frames to go!!

Yeah, it'll take me a while but hopefully I'll get a few good dyptichs out of it.

Ray

Thank you...
I blur the outer edges in PSP to give the impression that the central boat looks like a toy boat :)

[Kent]

Thank you...
I blur the outer edges in PSP to give the impression that the central boat looks like a toy boat :)

Hi! I like these ideas, but you should not use a circular blur, rather a linear one. ;)

[shadowfox]

Ah, so you cheated? lol That's okay, being a digital photographer I am used to digital manipulation to help a photo along.

BTW, I just shot my first few frames with the Parat-1 today using Neopan Acros 100 36 exposure film. Now I only have 68 more frames to go!!

Yeah, it'll take me a while but hopefully I'll get a few good dyptichs out of it.

Ray

LOL!!
If it makes the picture looks nicer/cooler, I'm ok with "cheating" :D

Btw, for the same reason (it takes a while) I always sacrifice the cheapest film I can get to test a camera, especially a half-frame, that way I don't have to wait until the roll is finished.

I can't wait to see the results from your cute camera!

[shadowfox]

Hi! I like these ideas, but you should not use a circular blur, rather a linear one. ;)

Yes, if I want to do this properly, I'd make a semi-circular mask and leave the stuff in front of the boat sharp. But I was lazy :p

[schrackman]

LOL!!
If it makes the picture looks nicer/cooler, I'm ok with "cheating" :D

Me too. I know there are some "purists" out there–and God bless 'em–but let's be practical here. The value of some photos are actually enhanced greatly by manipulating the image, whether it be in the darkroom or on the screen of your computer.

I don't think your boat photo would have had quite an impact on me if you had not enhanced it just a bit.

Have you framed that photo and tried to sell it or have it displayed in a coffee shop or something near that harbor? If not, you should.

Ray

[shadowfox]

Me too. I know there are some "purists" out there–and God bless 'em–but let's be practical here. The value of some photos are actually enhanced greatly by manipulating the image, whether it be in the darkroom or on the screen of your computer.

I don't think your boat photo would have had quite an impact on me if you had not enhanced it just a bit.

Very true, besides, the "traditional" darkroom post-processing isn't veiwed as "cheating", so why the digital ones seem to be biased against.

Have you framed that photo and tried to sell it or have it displayed in a coffee shop or something near that harbor? If not, you should.

Ray

Ray, that's very kind of you to say that. I wish I live near that harbor :)

[ZeissFan]

By the way, this takes a regular 35mm cassette. You don't have to worry about special film lengths or anything like that.

It has a countdown frame dial. So you set the max exposures, and when you reach 0, you're finished with the roll.

I'm interested in seeing how well the Apotar performs, and also your opinion of the front-mounted shutter release.

[kb244]

*Says Hello to Ray's new Parat*

Polly wana cracker?

Hehe just messing with you I just thought it said Parrot at first.

[julio1fer]

The Apotar is underrated, same as the Zeiss Novar and othert triplets. Those lens have a double personality - f8 and below, very sharp. Wide open, they are soft in the corners and give a dreamish look.

I'd bet you'll be pleasantly surprised.

[schrackman]

By the way, this takes a regular 35mm cassette. You don't have to worry about special film lengths or anything like that.

It has a countdown frame dial. So you set the max exposures, and when you reach 0, you're finished with the roll.

I'm interested in seeing how well the Apotar performs, and also your opinion of the front-mounted shutter release.

Yeah, I kinda figured out how to use that little dial. I set it to 72 for a 36 exposure roll of film. I've been trying to shoot off as many pictures as I can so that it doesn't take forever to fill up the roll.

I am having a hard time getting used to a fully manual camera like the Parat. Everytime I take a picture I keep forgetting to set the focus, LOL. Such a simple thing to forget. So I imagine there will be a lot of photos out of focus. But who knows, I may get lucky with a few. I'm gonna try to finish up this roll before the end of the week and send it out to a forum member for developing.

As for the front mounted shutter release, I can't say I'm all that crazy about it. I notice that every time I snap the shutter my finger movement moves the camera. That's a problem when one gets to 1/30th or bulb. I prefer the top mounted shutter release, like my Canonet has.

Anyway, the fun of it all will be in waiting to see just what the pictures will really turn out like. :-)

Ray

[oftheherd]

Yeah, I kinda figured out how to use that little dial. I set it to 72 for a 36 exposure roll of film. I've been trying to shoot off as many pictures as I can so that it doesn't take forever to fill up the roll.


...



Ray

Consider Shadowfox's advice. Remember, if you take 72 exposures, you will pay for 72 prints plus development. If you take 24, you will pay for 24 prints and development.

Nice camera BTW.