Camera Talk

Scored this set locally for about 85 USD equivalent. Agfa Selectaflex, Solinar 50/2.8, Ambion 35/3.4 and Telinear 90/3.4. Hope that the price was right.



I am not a great fan of leaf-shutter SLRs, but I do like the lenses that Agfa mounted on their higher end cameras. Some Selectaflexes came with the highly regarded Solagon 55/2, but I'd be very glad of a good Solinar anytime.

This camera does not seem to be a very popular model, compared to the Agfaflexes. Looking in the Web, there are models with smaller "Selectaflex" sign over the front. This one has the larger type.

The Selectaflex offers shutter-priority or manual exposure, speeds 1/300 to 1 second and B. Both exposure modes seem to work, and speeds seem not too far off, although the auto-aperture selection seems erratic. There are probably a lot of old lubricants inside this camera.

The camera and lenses are smaller than I expected, but heavy. Handling is, well, German.

This set is going now to my tech for cleaning and lubrication; controls are quite stiff. A test roll will come later on. The lenses look clear, fortunately, and the set seems to have seen light use by a careful amateur. Seller's story: it was her granddad camera, bought in a trip. Seller is an amateur photographer herself, Nikon fan.

With the set I also received a Metz Mecablitz 118, without the loading cable. Have to do some research on this device.

Beautiful and clean. Seems like a bargain price.

Yes, you did quite well at that price, Julio. It does look to be in good cosmetic shape. Maybe this was the inspiration for the Leica R8 body design.

PF

Nice camera Julio, I will hope you enjoy it

Oooo, nice.

This is probably one of the heaviest SLRs that you'll encounter. I have one tucked away somewhere. I'm curious to see what you do with this.

That's a great kit for a great price! Beautiful!

Thanks! It is now in the technician's able hands.

This is probably one of the heaviest SLRs that you'll encounter. I have one tucked away somewhere. I'm curious to see what you do with this.

Mike, maybe I have to look for a cart then!

I forgot to put the set over the scale, will do when it comes back. It did not seem much worse than a Retina IIIS or a Contarex, about 2 lb. Maybe there is some exaggeration going round.

As for size, It is slighty smaller than a Canon 7 and the lenses are small for an SLR.

Is there a common rear lens group behind the shutter, as on the Canon EX-EE?

WIll have to check after the camera comes back, but I am almost sure that there is no common rear lens group behind the shutter.