'You are now the proud owner of a technically perfect camera' starts the Optima's
instruction manual. Automation had been increasing throughout the fifties but Agfa
won the race to produce a camera with fully automatic exposure control. The 'magic button'
on the left of the lens activates the meter and allows the shutter to be released. A
special wide-angle version of the Color-Apotar was also fitted so that focussing
could be limited to three points.
Optima I (1960)
lens
45mm f2.8 Agfa Color-Agnar
shutter
Prontor-Lux
In 1961 Agfa introduced two second generation Optima models that dispensed with the 'magic button'. The meter
activating on first-pressure of the shutter release. Economies were made for this basic model
- a Color-Agnar lens replaced the original's Apotar and the shutter was the simpler Prontor-Lux where a fixed
speed was set by the film rating.
Film speed (ASA)
10
32
50
100
200
Shutter speed (sec)
1/30th
1/60th
1/125th
1/250th
1/250th
Optima II (1960)
lens
45mm f2.8 Agfa Color-Apotar
shutter
Prontormator
The Optima II was realeased in Britain some months later than the Optima I & III. All three models abandoned the
39mm focal length adopting a more conventional 45mm lens, in the case of the Optima II this was Agfa's acclaimed
Apotar triplet. The Prontormat shutter will always give the fastest shutter speed possible - 1/
250th - running through the apertures until f2.8 is reached, only then will it select a lower speed.
Optima IIS (1960)
lens
45mm f2.8 Agfa Color-Apotar
shutter
Prontormator
The Optima IIS was a rangefinder equipped version of the standard Optima II produced exclusively for the American
market. Aside from the addition a brightline finder that moves to correct for parallax it is otherwise identical to the Optima II.
Optima III (1960)
lens
45mm f2.8 Agfa Color-Apotar
shutter
Compur-Special
The sole difference between the Optima II and III is the latter's Compur Special shutter. As well
as having a higher top speed of 1/500th but gives a '...full gamut of exposures by
a programme involving continuous variation of shutter speeds and lens apertures' (source
Complete Guide to the Miniature Camera TLJ Bentley)
Optima IIIS (1960)
lens
45mm f2.8 Agfa Color-Apotar
shutter
Compur-Special
As with the Optima IIS the IIIS has a rangefinder and parallax compensating brightline finder. For closer work a
proximeter attachment is said to have been made but I have yet to find one.
Optima-Reflex
lens
two 45mm f2.8 Agfa Color-Apotar
shutter
The Optima-Reflex marries the Optimas' exposure automation with the Flexilette's
TLR layout. It addressed the criticism of the earlier model's waist level finder by adding a fixed pentaprism. Like the
Flexilette the viewing screen is bright and focussing is carried out by a large split image rangefinder.
Optima IA (1962)
lens
45mm f2.8 Agfa Color-Agnar
shutter
Prontor-Lux
The Optima IA replaced the original Optima I model in 1962. Identically specified to the earlier model the IA
was of a simplified construction employing plastic and stamped metal parts in place of die-cast components. The
IA closely resembles the Silette L and
Silette LK then in production.
Optima 500S (1961)
lens
45mm f2.8 Agfa Color-Solinar
shutter
Compur-Special
The Optima 500S differs only slightly from the IIIS. It shares the same shutter but has a
four-element Color-Solinar lens of better definition than the Color-Apotar, as well as a self-timer.
Also noticeable is the rewind crank standing proud of the top-plate (right facing) where the earlier models have a
recessed rewind knob.
Optima 500
lens
45mm f2.8 Agfa Color-Apotar
shutter
Compur-Special
Although a non-rangefinder model of the orinal 500S was produced it was not sold in the UK and from
the instruction manual
it appears to have been only a rebadged Optima III for the US. Both the models were given a cosmetic upgrade in the
mid-Sixties in line with other Agfa ranges of the time.
Optima 500SN
lens
45mm f2.8 Agfa Color-Solinar
shutter
Paratic
More consumer oriented than earlier versions of the 500S the SN retains the four glass Solinar lens but dispenses
with the rangefinder in favour of a viewfinder display of the three focussing points.
Optima-Rapid
Optima-Rapid 250 (1964)
lens
45mm f2.8 Agfa Color-Agnar
shutter
un-named
The Optima-Rapid 250 is considerably smaller than the Optima
500 which appeared around the same time, largely due to using Agfa's
Rapid cassette. The camera's operation relies on a cassette being in place to set the film
speed and to release the shutter. Unlike most Rapid cameras however the Optima-Rapid takes 12 36mm x 24mm frames on
a loading rather than 16 24mm x 24mm images.
Optima-Rapid 125C (1966)
lens
35mm f2.8 Agfa Color-Apotar
shutter
Paratic
The next generation of Optima-Rapid was even more compact than the 250 above, though as solidly constructed and
featured the superior Color-Apotar lens in place of the Color-Agnar.
The 'C' suffix indicates that this model has an inbuilt flashcube holder in the top plate.
A rear view of the camera is shown on the left with a flashcube fitted the battery for which is inserted in a
compartment under the flash exposure table on the right of the picture. If ISO 50 or 60 film is used however the camera
sets the appropriate aperture automatically from the distance lens focus is set at: a similar arrangement was used
for Kodak's Retina S2
Optima-Rapid 250V (1966)
lens
35mm f2.8 Agfa Color-Apotar
shutter
Paratic V
Slightly better specified than the 125C with a higher top shutter speed and as indicated by the 'V' suffix this model
also has a self-timer; other than that the main difference is a hotshoe for flash attachment in place of the 125C's
flashcube holder.
Optima-Rapid 500V (1966)
lens
35mm f2.8 Agfa Color-Solinar
shutter
Paratic V
Probably the best specified camera Agfa made for its Rapid cassettes the 500V not only has a faster shutter but also adds
a four glass Solinar lens. Otherwise it's similar to the 250V producing 16 24mm x 24mm images per Rapid load.
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