THE FIRST Agfa Silette 35mm. camera was introduced in 1953. Since then, its popularity (and that of others in its range) has steadily increased. Now, in keeping with the modern trend for streamline design and clean styling, the latest Silette emerges with only one control knob on the top housing, and features the efficient luminous 'suspended frame' or bright-line type of viewflnder. The innovations make it a slightly larger camera (the lens is also of longer focal length) and a little heavier, the net result being that it is even nicer to handle, with a more 'solid' feel.

    Of rigid construction, its die-cast light alloy body is finished in satin chrome, bright chrome, black leather with black metal trim. Body dimensions are : 5⅜ x 3¼ x 1¼in., the lens and shutter mounting adding another I¼in. to the depth, making it 2½in. overall. The thumbpiece of the rapid trigger wind lever, and the top accessory shoe project outside these limits. Weight is 20oz. Although in the 'modest' price group (it is £ 24 14s 2d.), the new Silette features an f/2.8 lens, Compur-rapid shutter with light-value ring, interlocked shutter and film transport mechanism.

    The ends of the satin-chromed top housing slope inwards, and this section is now deeper (⅞in.). The exposure counter disc which was formerly part of the film transport control is no longer on the top housing ; it is now a separate unit with its edge only protruding from the rear near the base. A milled disc with ratchet movement enables it to be set quickly. The rapid

trigger-wind film transport lever is situated between the junction of the top housing and the main body, with just the edge visible, and this conforms to the body shape so as to become part of it. The thumbpiece is still conveniently placed for instant flick-round movement, its position being about ⅝in. from the top and 1¾in. from the end, at the back of the camera. One swing transports the film, sets the shutter and operates the exposure counter as before.
    The plunger type shutter release is internally threaded to take a flexible cable release, and is set in a cup-shaped depression which helps to minimize camera movement—the right index finger can lie along the flat top for support while the actual pressure is applied solely by the tip. A standard accessory shoe is positioned centrally over the lens axis, while below it, at the front, are the two windows which comprise the luminous frame and viewfinder with a commendably large (⅜in. diameter) eyepiece. Looking through it, the image is a warm straw-colour, the picture limits being indicated clearly by a white luminous suspended frame which shows quite a bit of the subject outside the frame limits, making it easy to follow action. There is also a secondary broken line as a guide for parallax compensation at close distances. The only other

New Look
A 'new look' has been given to the lens mounting panel: it has slanting sides and a large flat bevel near the top. In the bottom left-hand corner is the 3mm. co-axial flash socket, diagonally opposite the name 'Agfa'. The 50mm. f/2.8 Color-Solinar lens is a four-element coated anastigmat. There is no rangefinder, and focusing is by front cell rotation to engraved distances : Inf., 30, 15, 10, 8, 6, 5, 4, 3.5 feet, the figures being adjacent to a depth-of-field scale. Aperture settings of f/2.8, 4, 5.6, 8, 11, 16, 22 are engraved on a locking ring immediately behind the shutter setting ring, and the two are interlocked in the usual light-value fashion. Pressing a serrated key at the edge of the locking ring, with a movement towards the camera body, instantly

disengages the coupling. Any aperture can be set against any speed, and midway positions are possible, but not midway shutter speeds. The Compur-Rapid shutter is speeded 1/500, 1/250, 1/125, 1/60, 1/30, 1/15, 1/8, 1/4, 1/2, 1 second and B, with a side lever for setting V (delayed action or self-timer) position. The lever normally rests at its X setting for flash synchronisation. An outer milled ring selects the shutter speeds in conjunction with the light-value ring already mentioned ; action is by click-stop movement. All scales are readable from the top when the camera is held in a working position.

Flush Sunk
    In the base, the tripod bush is in line with the lens axis, and the rewind release is flush-sunk a little to one side. The hinged back is opened by means of a pull-out lever in the side of the" body, revealing an interior as well made as the rest of the camera. There is a permanent take-up spool with milled disc end for easy threading, double sprocket film transport, machined film channels, and excellent light baffling behind the lens. On the hinged back is a small lug which guards against cassette movement, a sprung film pressure plate— shaped at the ends to ensure that film perforations cannot

become disengaged from the sprockets—and a guide roller. The camera has no side lugs to take a neck sling, since it is intended for use with an ever-ready leather case, available at £ 2 14s. 6d.

    We found this new model to be excellent in every way. It fits the hands comfortably, there are no fragile 'bits and pieces' to be careful of, and the precision workmanship and finish is self-evident. The rapid trigger wind lever functions well, the shutter release is smooth and jerk-free, and quite slow speeds can be hand-held with confidence. Even in dimly-lit interiors the marginal limits of the luminous frame finder were clearly seen, and the large eyepiece gives no trouble to spectacle-wearers. Lens performance is very good indeed ; edge definition at full aperture (f/2.8) showed only slight fall-off, optimum aperture was around f/5.6 on the model tested. The focusing movement has no looseness or backlash, and the camera finish is impeccable. Perhaps some might consider the new design a little severe and plain, or prefer non-slipping sides on the top housing, but this is a matter of taste ; none will question the camera's efficiency. We understand that another model, having a Color-Apotar f/2.8 lens and Prontor SVS shutter, is available.