Shooting expired Vision500t with the fantastic AGFA Optima 1035 sensor.

The above camera is a wonderful example of German engineering and features a sharp 40mm f2.8 lens, automatic exposure, flash aperture adjustment, a big red “sensor” shutter button, and keeps your exposed film safe from the dreaded “is there film in here…oooops” problem by spooling into an enclosed chamber. For a detailed review of the camera, check out this Analog Insights review. This single review sold me on the idea that I must own this semi-rare masterpiece of camera design.

I couldn’t have said it better. What I love about this camera is the huge, bright viewfinder with zone focus indicators. I learned zone focusing with the Minox 35 GT, but often forgot that I had changed to a close focus distance and wasted a shot when I got back to shooting street stuff at a distance. No problem here as the viewfinder clearly shows mountains, a couple people, or an individual. The only thing that would have made this possibly my favorite camera of all time is being an aperture priority rather than a program exposure camera.

So, with rising film prices, I opted for a cheap roll of expired Vision500t. This film is made for Tungsten lighting and has a blue cast – cool temperature for the colors. The fact that it was expired meant that it needed to be exposed at 250iso. I had to do some post-editing as the shadows were just to grey/low contrast. The camera/lens did well though! Sharp details and exposed accurately for the iso setting.

One drawback of zone focus is that it’s easier at a wide-open aperture, which this indoor shot clearly was (likely f.28), to miss focus. There is a rangefinder version of this camera but it’s much more expensive and as a street photographer, I rarely shoot close up and wide-open – so not worth the expense/effort. I’ve only seen a few on auction sites and the price is crazy.

Here’s a shot with some bokey that could have benefitted from some exposure compensation…

Next, we see a shot with deep shadows and a bright blue sky. How did the Optima fare with the mid-tones and balancing the two extremes? You be the judge…

That’s it for my review of this wonderful camera and film that… well, I got what I paid for. Let me know in the comments if you’ve used this camera, or have any tips, or questions about it.

Cheers,

Daniel