Agfa Ansco PB20 6x9 Folding Camera
Photo thanks to Tami and Leanne
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This Agfa-Ansco Plenax model pb20 was made in the U.S.A. by Agfa-Ansco
Inc. during the mid-1930s. A related Agfa-Ansco Plenax PB-16 folder was
also produced. These cameras came with a variety of lenses, including
Antar, Hypar, and Tripar optics. This example features a Hypar f/6.3 lens.
Agfa of Germany joined forces with Ansco Inc. in the United States in
1928, forming Agfa-Ansco Inc. For obvious reasons relating to the second
world war, Agfa-Ansco Inc. became the more familiar
GAF Corp. in 1939 (General Aniline and Film Company - Aniline was a popular
series of chemical dyes originally developed and patented by German
chemists).
Most people finding such an old looking folder could be forgiven if they
believed they had stumbled upon a photographic treasure. Unfortunately,
these folders are not considered collectibles, and generally sell well
under $50 US (and even $25). They were mass produced, and the optics
lack the cachet of other German optics (e.g., Zeiss).
This low price makes them attractive to folks who want to try out
"Grandad's" camera and see what such a low cost folder can do. You might
be pleasantly surprised. While not as sharp as much more costly lenses,
the larger format can make for some surprisingly decent photos
considering the low investment. Again, I have included this camera in our
medium format online library as another example of our claim that medium
format need not be prohibitively expensive to start out.
The 6 1/4" x 3 1/2" x 1 1/2" original box shows a lot of wear, it is marked "Agfa Ansco Folding Camera PB20 Plenax made by Agfa Ansco Corporation, Binghamton, N.Y. USA" and "PB20 hypar f6.3, takes full or half size pictures, 2 1/4 x 3 1/4 or 2 1/4 x 1 5/8 in. JN 101". The camera is in great condition and looks well cared for. There is a little wear on the handle, and a little on the outer case, the bellows look great, the lenses look good but need cleaning, the shutter works fine. The outer perimeter of the lens is marked "SPEED OF SHUTTER T B 100/50/25" "DIAPHRAM OPENINGS 32/22/16/11/8/f6.3", "Made in America by AGFA ANSCO CORP. Binghamton, N.Y.". The center of the lens reads "Hypar f 6 3 Anastigmat", also "INF 50 25 15 12 10 8 6 5". It says to use "PB 20 AGFA FILM". The latest patent number is 2,005,818, other pats pend.
A note on the Agfa PB20 Plenax. I recently purchased a model of this
camera that has only one fixed shutter speed, and a bulb setting. So
readers should be aware that not all models have the multi-shutter speeds
as listed for the PB20 Plenax on your web site. The camera also required
620 film. I was able to modify it so it could take 120 spools by breaking
off the bottom holder of the camera film spool holders. The take up reel
120 spool will fit but the turn handle engagement axle did not work very
well so I put the 620 spool back on. I will have to make sure lab returns
this spool, but at least I can use the 120 spool the film comes with. I
have yet to take pictures with this yet, will try this weekend. It should
be interesting to see what results I get.
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