Camera Talk

I learned about this beauty a few years back, thanks to an article in Cameraquest by Stephen Gandy. He called it poor man's Leica and I was curious about it.
A full description of the camera here: Ambi Silette - Camera-wiki.org - The free camera encyclopedia

A few weeks back someone in APUG offered a complete kit (Type I) with all 4 lenses+proxar.
Speeds below 15 were sluggish but that is a common problem with Compurs that can be solved with a few drops of electrical contact cleaner in the shutter to clean the slow-gear assembly and self timer, both should be fine for a few years

Went outside with Film and a few observations
- Speed ring is very easy to use
- Lens focusing seems to be precise, the viewfinder is bright and the framelines are very nice.
- Aperture ring in the front is a VG idea, can use them without watching
- Camera handles very well for the age, nice and bright viewfinder, and the frame lines are a joy to use
- Changing lenses is super-easy, whomever invented that mount should teach the others a few lessons
- No lightmeter but that is fine, I have a handheld and also an app in the mobile phone.
- It is sad that AGFA wasn't more successful with this, the system handles better than the Contax (don't burn me for heresy). I wish I had this camera when I was shooting IR film (using a fixed lens RF)
- Ambion 35mm/4 lens is a joy to use, the 50mm is good but the 90 and 130 feel awkward, especially the 130 is huge.
- All lenses use the same filter size (35.5mm screw or 37mm push-on) except for the 130 (62mm)





Photos with 35/4 lens
Kodak Gold 200 exposed using sunny 16 (250/11)
Cary NC

Like with every good magnet... one attracts the other

I lowballed at an auction and got a Type II (1959-60) which was a modified version with a longer RF base for the 130mm lens.
A few cosmetic differences otherwise, yay strap lugs!!!

The good news is that it came with an original manual and leather case, and box; the bad is that the RF needs adjustment, and the 50mm lens needs a cleaning



Top shows differences in the winding lever, frame counter, and the frame selection lever

Nice catch! Is the shutter working?

Compurs are easy to maintain, the type I was working but 1 was sluggish. I cleaned and lubed that shutter and is within 1/3 stop
Type II, needs a cleaning, and RF adjustment. I'll do that in the wintertime

Luckily LearnCameraRepair has the Ambi Silette parts and service manual which helped me a lot

Type II seems more comfortable for winding and the longer rf it’s always good.
Congrats for the set! Lovely!

Yep, a very interesting camera indeed. And great lenses too : these photos look very good.

Yeah, there's just something about AGFA's, you can't own just one. The photos look fine, and having the Type II now means you have a back-up body. Just in case.

PF

Great camera for it's day. A real icon......

The Ambion 35 is a fine lens

Wilson NC in a grey and dreary day
Fomapan 400 in Microphen

The Ambion 35 is a fine lens

Indeed! I wonder if these lenses are similar to the ones in the Selectaflex range.