Film cameras
Agfa PB16 Antar folding User manual
User manual for Agfa PB16 Antar folding. 19 pages in English. Read the original PDF, download or print a copy without registration.
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Document details
- Brand
- Agfa
- Model / document
- Agfa PB16 Antar folding
- Document type
- User manual
- Language
- English
- Pages
- 19
- File size
- 1.8 MB
- Category
- Film cameras
- Document date
- Not specified in catalog
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Page 3 · Read text
offers marvelous possibilities to the camera
user who really attempts to obtain the maxi-
mum results possible with his equipment.
FOR FINEST Your Antar Camera is a fine instrument.
Learn to use it most effectively.
RESULTS FROM releasesPortraitwhichattachments,are availablecolorforfilters,Antar andcamerascable
greatly increase their versatility.
YOUR ANTAR
CAMERA USE FOR FINEST
PH OTOG RAPHIC
RESULTS USE
PD 16 (2vzx4r/4)
AG FA
PLE NACHROM E AGFA
FILM P LENACH ROME
FILM
AGFA FILM IS fI AGFA FILM, IS GUARANTEED
GUARANTEED "Pictures that Satisfy
or a New Roll Free"
"Picturesthat Satisfy
or a New Roll Free" AGFA ANSCOMadeCORPORATIONby
in Binghamton, N. Y.
r 0 9 - 1 . 5 T M
www.orphancameras.comView original page 3Page 6 · Read text
CHECK OVER THE CAMENA WITH
FIG. I BEFOREYOU
r. Opening release button. press in to open
camera.
2.. Platform. Pull down after releasing catch
(r) until side-arm braces <s)-i;;k:
3. Side-arm braces. See that braces lock and
hold platform rigid.
4. Closing release button. Similar button is
on opposite side of camera. With the cam-
era held between the thumb and middle
finger of the left hand, press the release
buttons on both sides simultaneously.
With the,right hand, m,ove platform up-
ward until securely closed as indicated by
clicking of latch.
5. Vertical footrest.
6. Diaphragm adjustment lever for control-
ling amount of light entering lens.
7. Shutter adjustment lever for varying shut-
ter speeds.
8. Finger release for operating shutter. press
downward to make exposure.
9. Socket for addition of cable release for
operating shutter. A cable release for this
camera is available fnom the Agfa Ansco
Corporation if desired.
ro. Brilliant finder. Turn for horizontal pic-
tures. Return to vertical position before
closing camera. Swing mask marked ,,r5',
upward to obtain range of view for full-
sized pictures.
rr. Bellows.
rz. Winding knob for advancing film.
13. Tripod sockets (only one shown<ther on
front of platform). Remove screws to in-
sert threaded screw on tripod h6ad.
14. Release catch for opening back.
r5. Eye level view finder.View original page 6Page 7 · Read text
TO OPEN THE CAMEBA
To open the camera, hold it in the palm of
the left hand and press the opening release
button (r, Fig. r) with the left thumb. With
the right hand, pull down the platform (z)
until the side-arm braces are locked firmly
in place.
ITO CTOSE THE CAMERA
Be certain, first, that the half-size mask on lI
(ro) finder brilliantthe
vertical is in a is down and that the IIfinder Position.
To close the camera' grasp it in the palm of
the left hand and simultaneously press the two tIclosing release buttons (+) with the thumb and
middle finger. With the right hand then move
the platform upward until it is securely closed l4
as indicated by a clicking of the latch.
Repeat the operation of opening and closing
the camera until you can do it easily and
deftly. Never force the camera at any point.
If any obstruction is enoountered, stop at once
and determine what is in the waY.
FOCUSING
The Antar is a fixed-focus camera requiring
no focusing. All objects from 15 feet to in-
finity are sharply in focus.
THE SHUTTER
The shutter is the mechanism which actu- 1I
ally makes the exposure when taking a pic- J. l
ture. Simply expressed, it does nothing more
than uncover the lens for a very short period
of time so that light fnom the object photo-
graphed may pass through the lens and pro-
ject an image upon the film. However, it does
this uncovering job with a very high.degree
of accuracy.
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Fig. 2
Lens Mounting
TO REGUTATE THE SHUTTEB SPEED
Along the top of the lens mounting (Fig. z,
above), are two shutter-settings, Time and
Inst. (instantaneous).
To set the shutter f'or these settirgs, move
the pointer (2, Fig. r) to a position directly
over the desired figure. In the shutter illustra-
tion, Fig. 2, the shutter is set for instantane-
ous, the standard snaPshot sPeed.
In addition to these figures on the front
plate of the shutter identically corresponding
figures will be found on the top of the shutter.
The shutter is operated, or "tripP€d," by the
finger release (4, fig. r) or by a cable release
if such has been added. Care must be taken
when the relea.seis pressed down in making anView original page 8Page 9 · Read text
exposure not to jar or move the camera. If
the camera is moved, a blurred picture will
result. Holding the opened camera in the
palm of the left hand, its back held firmly
against the body f,or support, practice the shut-
ter operation until you are certain exposures
can be made without moving the camera.
When the shutter is set for instantaneous, a
single pressure on the release lever trips the
shutter, opening and closing it.
When the shutter is set for Time, one down-
ward pressure opens the shutter, following
which a second pressure is necessary to close
it. In other words, the lens remains open the
full time, however long, between the two op-
erations of the lever. Time is used for in-
terior work and l,ong exposures, such as may be
counted with the second hand of a watch. Time
exposures sh,ould never be made of rnoving
objects. The addition of a cable release is
especially valuable for time exposures to pre-
vent danger of moving the camera.
THE DIAPHRAGM
The diaphragm is an adjustable circular
opening behind the lens element which con_
trols the amount of light passing through the
lens. When the diaphragm is adjusted so that
the full aperture of the lens is utilized, it is
said to be "wide open.', When the diaphragmis adjusted to its smallest opening, it is sai<l 1
to be "stopped down.', li # This diaphragm is operated by means of the
lever, (0, tr'ig. r), also shown on Fig. 2 set
under the numeral zz. This lever is con_nected with a pointer on the opposite side of i
the shutter which moves along a similar row lof figures on the flange at the top of the
shutter. Thus, the diaphragm setting may
www.orphancameras.com IIII IView original page 9Page 10 · Read text
also be read from above while holding the camera at waist level. In order to view the operation of this dia- phragm, set the shutter speed on Time and press down once on the finger release. Then, with the shutter open, move the diaphragm lever at the bottom of the shutter back and forth slowly, and you will be able to observe the change in the size of the opening as the lever moves. The stops or settings indicated along the bottom of the shutter face plate and along the top flange are standard openings in the Focal or "f System," and are of known exposure value regardless of the size or make of camera. They are referred to as f :r4, f':r6, f zzz, f:gz. COTOR FITTEB The diaphragm lever also operates a yellow color filter which is useful in emphasizing cloud effects and in landscapes and flower studies to obtain more correct color rendition' When the lever is moved over to the setting marked "Filter," the yellow filter is brought into place. In this position the lens is wide open (f :r4) to allow the maximum amount of light through the lens and filter. PROPER EXPOSUNE With bright sunshine and the shutter setting at "Inst.," the opening for average pictures on Plenachnorne Film is f :16. For more exposure' which will be necessary on gray or cloudy days, the diaphragm may be 'opened to f :r4' For half as much exposure' which will be required when taking pictures with intense sunshine, the diaphragm opening may be re- duced to f:zz. It is evident, then, that the lower the number, the larger the opening, and of course, the larger openings let through more light, giving greater exposure.View original page 10
Page 11 · Read text
fn general, close-ups require a greater expo-
sure than distant scenes; winter conditions
necessitate more exposure than bright summer
days. Pictures taken with extremely intense
light, such as sunlit beaches and brilliant snow
scenes will require less exposure than normal.
TTIE FINDENS
The Antar camera is equipped with both the
brilliant finder for locating the subject with the
camera held at waist level, and the direct view
finder for holding the camera directly to the
eye. 'l The brilliant finder requires little explana-
tion. When making half-size exposures it is . {
used with the small mask marked r 5 down.
When full-size exposures are beinf ntade, the
tnask must be raised upward and to the front
in order to utilize the entire finder.
When making full-size exposures in the
vertical position, read the finder as shown in
Fig. 3, and when taking pictures in the hori-
zorttal position, swing the finder go degrees to
the left and read it as shown in Fig. 4, dis-
regarding the portions indicated in the cuts
by white space.
{
,
iq
Fie. s Fi€. +
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:-,
Always remember to lower the mask and
return the finder to the vertical position be-
fore closing the camera. Otherwise, they will
become j'ammed and possibly thrown out of
alignment.
Incidentally, reflardin€ both oI these fi.nders,
it must be understood that in the exposure ot
halt-size pictures, when the camera is in the
vertical position, horizontal halI-size pictures
are taken, and vice versa. This point will be
better understood when the mask for reducing
the film size is described at a later point.
THE FOOTREST AND TRIPOD
SOCKETS
The vertical footrest (5, Fig. r) is for taking
Time exposures when a tripod is not available.
The footrest is easily extended by pulling it
out at right angles to the platform, after
which the camera may be set upon a table,
ledge, or railing for support.
In order to use the tripod sockets (r3, Fig.
r) it is necessary to remove the plug-screws
first. This may be done with a small coin,
after which the tripod is screwed securely into
place. The screws sh,ould be replaced after
removal of the tripod in order to protect the
interior of the camera against dust or other
foreign matter which might prove injurious toII the shutter mechanism.li
The vertical tripod socket is located on the
camera platform near the hinge; the horizontal
socket is on the camera side plate below the
film winding knob.
The vertical footrest or a tripod should aI-
ways be used for time exposures rather than
attempting to hold the camera in the hands.
I I
*EitlView original page 12Page 13 · Read text
LOA,DING THE CAMENA
To load the camera, it is first necessary to
open the back which is held by a catch (t+,'
Fig. r) at the top under the handle.
f n order to release this catch, hold the
camera in the left hand, platform side in and
handle to the top. Then lay the fingers of the
right hand across the camera handle and exert
an upward pressure upon the under front edge
of the long metal catch (Fig. 5). When this
catch has been released, continue with a back-
ward pressure to swing the hinged camertt
back downward.
I.,iE. s
Repeat the operations of opening and clos-
ing the back until you can operate the catch
easily and deftly.
THE MASK FOR HALF.SIZE PICTUNES
Before loading the camera it is essential for
you to determine the size of pictures desired
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for the particular roll being loaded. You have
the choice with the same roll of film, between
loading the camera for 8 full-size pictures or
for r5 half-size pictures.
Upon opening the camera back for the first
time you will notice a black rectangular frame
(Fig. 6) between the film r,ollers (Fig. 6).
This frame or mask determines the size of the
exposure made on the film. When it is in
place, the picture size is reduced by half, and
r 5 exposures to the roll are obtained. When
the frame is lifted out and entirely removed
from the camera, 8 full-size exposures are
obtained from one roll.
Due to the fact that the film is stretched on
top ,of this mask, decision as to the picture size
should be made before the camera is loaded,
for it is necessary to continue this size picture
until after the roll has been fully exposed.
Fie. 6
tlpon the removal of the mask for full-size
pictures, care should be taken to place the
metal frame where it will not become lost or
r3
^lView original page 14Page 15 · Read text
l
bent. However, a new mask can always be
bought from your dealer.
I
rNsERrrNGTHEFnM _i
With the back open you are now ready to i Iload the camera with film. Note that the fresh
roll goes into the lower chamber at the oppo- |
site end of the camera from the winding knob.
In the chamber at the knob end, you will find
an empty metal spool. It is onto this spool
that the film is wound as used, so that when r
all exposures are taken it is this top spool i
which is removed from the camera for finishing. 1
It should be remarked at this point that the lf
small, compact size of your Antar Camera I
requires film wound on the new small meta! i
spool, designated by the Agfa Ansco Corpora- t
tion as PDr6. Be sure to ask for the thin i
metal spool, as this camera will not accommo- i
date film w,ound on the ordinary larger wooden
film sp,ool.
To load the film into the camera, first swing ' i
up the spool carrier for the lower or empty
chamber until it is at right angles to the caq--
era. Holding the two ends of this carrier r
slightly apart (being careful not to bend them
permanently out of positi,on), drop the fresh -l
sp,ool into place, taking care that it is inserted rt
right end around. In other words, be certain
that the pointed end of the paper will come ilI
from the top and not the bottom of the roll,
and that only the red or green side of the t'
paper will show, the black side being toward
the lens.
After being certain that the two pins set in
the carrier ends are engaged in the spool end- i
holes, swing the carrier and film down into I
place in the chamber. Break the sticker which -'4
r4 I
iI
i
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IView original page 15Page 16 · Read text
seals the roil, remove the Agfa Film guarantee
slip, and carry the end of the paper across the
back of the camera, and across the black metal
mask if it is being used. Permit the paper to
pass over the two metal rollers (never attempt
to thread the film under these rollers) and
thread the pointed end into the slot in the
empty spool as shown in Fig. 7.
Fi€. z
Be very certain that the paper is centered
on the upper spool in order that it will wind
evenl5r. Now give the winding knob a few
turns, suffi.cient to bind the paper and assure
its firm grasp by the upper spool. Close the
back of the camera by swinging it upward into
place until a click indicates that it is locked
securely. Never 'open the back of the camera
from this point until the roll has been com-
pletely exposed.
r 5View original page 16Page 17 · Read text
Swing open the No. r Peephole cover (Fig.
8), and continue turning the winding knob
slowly until the figure r appears in this lower
peep hole. An indicat-
ing hand and row of
d o t s w i l l b e s e e n
shortly before the first
figure appears in place.
The camera is now
ready for the first
picture.
When using Pan-
chromatic film, which
is sensitive to red
light, be sure to keep
the red windows cov-
ered at all times ex-
cept when winding the Fig. 8
film.
If eight full-size exposures are being taken
and the masking frame has been entirely
removed from the camera, only the No. r or
lower peephole is used throughout. In which
case, immediately after taking the first pic-
ture, wind again until figure a appears in the
lower peephole, and s,o on until the roll has
been completely exposed, after which con-
tinue to turn the knob until the red or green
paper is completely wound off onto the spool
at the knob end of the camera.
Where fifteen half-size exposures are de,
sired and the masking frame has been left in
the camera, both the No. r and No. z peepholes
are used. The first exposure is made with the
figure r at the lower window. After a picture
has been made with the film in this position,
the winding knob is then turned very slowly
(only about one full turn of the knob is neces-
r 6
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sary) until the figure r appears at the uPper
or No. z peephole. For the third exposure the
figure z is at the lower window, for the fourth
it is moved to the upper' and so on until all
fifteen exposures have been made. Do not
make an exposure when figure 8 appears at
the upper window.
UNTOADING
When the film has been completely wound
onto the knob spool, open and swing down the
back of the camera. Pull out the winding knob
until the upper spool carrier is free to be
r moved upward from the chamber.
Fold under the pointed end of the red or
green paper, and seal the spool with the sticker
which will be f,ound at the loose end. This iso ao prevent unrolling and fogging of the film
after it has been removed from the spool
carrier.
With the fingers, separate the ends of the
* spool carrier slightly and remove the exposed
I roll from the camera. It is now ready to be
t developed and printed. Transfer the empty
spool to the upper chamber, remembering to
push the winding licnob back into place. The
camera is now ready for the insertion of a fresh
roll of film in the manner already described.
CAUTIONS
Your Antar Camera may be loaded or un-
loaded in daylight. However, these operations
' should be done in a subdued light; never in
direct sunlight.
Before loading the camera, make certain that $'' the shutter is closed.
In startirrg the red or green paper at the
time of loading a fresh roll, always see that it
is even, fitting the spool neatly. Otherwise, it
is likely to climb up one end of the spool,
r 7View original page 18Page 19 · Read text
causing the pr,otective paper to tear and pos-
sibly fogging the film.
Also, always make it a practice to wind to
the next number immediately after taking a
picture. In this way, when you start to use it,
the camera is always ready for the next picture
with no possibility that another exposure will
be made on top of one already taken, thus
spoiling both exposures.
In making exposures, always hold the cam-
era level. Otherwise, your finished prints will
show an undesirable slanting of the subject
and background. Hold the camera perfectly
still whBn making the exposure.
Keep the lens of your Antar Camera clean.
A dirty lens or rain or mist on the front
lens will cause fogged or cloud5r niptures. To
clean the lens, use a soft linen or cotton cloth.
Do not let the sun shine directly on the lens
when taking a picture. This produces a
"Flare" of light on the film which shows in
the finished picture. If photographing towards
the source of light, hold your hand or hat
above the lens as a shade, but sufficiently high
to prevent its being included in the picture.
Select your background carefully. A good
subject can be spoiled by such backgrours',{s a1
telephone poles, clapboard houses, etc. .J'ebp
your backgrounds simple. A backgrou,:,1 of
foliage is usually unobtrusive and pleasing.
The f,oregoing instructions explain the
mechanical operatiorr of y,our Antar Camera.
These should be thoroughly understood before
attempting to take pictures.
Do not be content, however, with the mas-
tery of these simple details. Photography
r8
www.orphancameras.comView original page 19From the M. Butkus Camera Manual Library. Original publisher and archive notices are retained.
Check the model and edition against your equipment.
PDF verified 2026-10-10.