Agfa Speedex 0
Art Deco Credentials ⓘ
Bold, geometric cameras from Deco’s golden age
Iconic: Defining and celebrated Art Deco design
- Produced during the main Art Deco period.
- Symmetrical geometric design on side panels.
- Raised chrome strips and glossy black enamel on side panels.
- Chrome inserts on struts.
- Wavey design on shutter body.
- Agfa rhombus logo on body leatherette.
- Striped pattern on body leatherette.
- Elongated hexagonal red window.
- Ornate film winder with knurled edge.
- Black and chrome detailing on viewfinder.
- Black and chrome detailing on table stand.
Specification
| Manufacturer | : | Agfa |
|---|---|---|
| Produced | : | 1932 - 1937 |
| Classification | : | Medium Format |
| Body Type | : | Folding Bed |
| Bellows Deployment | : | Self Erecting |
| Construction | : | Metal |
| Film Type | : | 127 |
| Film width | : | 46mm |
| Image Size | : | 4 x 6.5 cm |
| No. of Images | : | 8 |
| Lens Type | : | Solinar |
| Focus Type | : | Variable |
| Focal Length | : | 75mm |
| Focal Range | : | 7ft - inf. |
| Aperture Type | : | Iris |
| Apertures | : | f/3.9 - f/32 |
| Shutter Type | : | Compur |
| Shutter Speeds | : | T,B, I(1/300s - 1s) |
| Size Open (w x h x d) | : | 75 x 120 x 95 mm |
| Size Closed (w x h x d) | : | 75 x 120 x 29 mm |
| Weight | : | 445g |
Description
The Speedex 0 (Billy 0) is a small vertical folding camera, made by Agfa from 1932 to 1937. It makes eight pictures 4x6.5 cm on 127 roll film. The lens is either an f/3.9 Solinar (a Tessar-type) in a Compur shutter (as pictured), or f/5.6 Igestar anastigmat in a dial-set Pronto shutter. It is focused by screwing the front element in and out. On my example the focus scale is in feet, and is marked down to 7 feet although some of the cameras with the Igestar were scaled in metres. It has a flip-up frame viewfinder on the body and a brilliant finder on the shutter which swivels for portrait and landscape images. The Speedex Zero is slimmer and more elegant than most cameras and is well made.
Get a camera like this from Ebay - Agfa Speedex 0
How to Use
This camera takes 127 film which is still available from select outlets - search for 'Rera Pan 100-127' which is a black & white film. For those photographers in the UK, try Nick & Trick photographic services. If you want to use a particular type of film which is not available commercially, then you can cut your own 127 film from any 120 film. See my page on 'How to cut 127 film from 120 film'.
Shutter speed can be varied between 1 sec and 1/300s although the accuracy with an old camera is not guaranteed, especially at 1/300s. The aperture range is f/3.9 to f/32
If you don't want to bother with an exposure meter, follow the guide shown. It is based on the 'Sunny 16' rule. Film is so forgiving and will produce acceptable results even when overexposed by 2 or 3 stops or underexposed by 1 stop.
Remember that the exposure guide in the camera user manual may not be helpful as it is based on the use of old film with a low ISO value.
The tables assume that the sun is at least 30 degrees above the horizon - that's 10am - 5pm on a summer's day in the UK.
If you are not sure about the light level, err on the side of overexposure - i.e. assume the smaller f number.
Where there is a choice, a larger f number will give a larger depth of field.
For the slowest speed, you may need a tripod to stop blur through shake.
Using ISO 100/125 film
| Weather Conditions | Shadow Detail | Shutter Speed (s) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/50 | 1/100 | 1/300 | ||
 SunnySnow/Sand | Dark with sharp edges | f/32 | f/22 | f/16 |
| Sunny | Distinct | f/22 | f/16 | f/11 |
 Slight Overcast | Soft around edges | f/16 | f/11 | f/8 |
 Overcast | Barely visible | f/11 | f/8 | f/5.6 |
 Heavy Overcast | None | f/8 | f/5.6 | f/4 |
 Open Shade/Sunset | None | f/5.6 | f/4 | f/3.9 |
Get Film for this camera from Ebay - 127 film
Photographs taken with this camera
The pictures below were taken with this camera. One thing I learned from this was that I should have cleaned and vacuumed the inside of the camera, particularly the bellows, before using it. As you can see on the third picture, which is an enlarged version of the second picture, there are small bits of dust that have got onto the film. Film used Rera Pan 100-127.
