135compact.com       110 cartridge ultra compact cameras       Agfamatic 508 Pocket


In early 1974 Agfa was one of the first companies (after the 1972 Kodak launch) to release a series of Kodak 110 pocket film
*(see below) cameras. They were called Agfamatic, like the series with the bigger Kodak cartridge film, but had the "pocket" in their name. The series was numberd in 1000s.  In 1977 the flashcubes were replaced by an 8-Topflash and the numers were changed to 1008 and so on. All were replaced in 1978 by the "motor" series with motorized film advance.

* 110 film was introduced by Kodak in 1972. The film sits in a cartridge, like Kodak's earlier 126 film, but is much smaller. A frame is 13mm × 17mm, has one perforation per image to control film advance and 24 frames per cartridge (12 were also available). The film is protected by a backing paper like 120 film. The frame number is visible through a window at the back of the cartridge. The basic film is ordinary 16mm film which was already on the market, so it could be processed in existing machines. The small picture size made very small, pocketable cameras possible.

Kodak introduced with its 110 film a line of Kodak Pocket Instamatic cameras which were followed by cameras from other manufacturers. Most cameras were cheap point-and-shoot, but very sophisticated models were also made. Small digital cameras made 110 film obsolete. Bit by bit manufacturers
stopped making 110 format film (Fujifilm in 2009), but in 2012 (and 2019) Lomography made a large batch of 110 film, followed by other firms.


The camera presented, the Agfamatic 508 Pocket, is a simple entry model of the series. It has a cheap plastic body. This set was obviously a present box from the the German Pharmazeutical company Bayer.
Its main features are:

32mm F11 Agfa Color Optar fixed focus lens
Shutter 1/100s, 1/50s when flash is inserted
Size 122x53x327,  Weight 150 gr.
100 ISO, Topflash available

jpg/110_agfamatic_508_IMG_3202.JPG
The box.

jpg/110_agfamatic_508_IMG_3203.JPG
The whole set, camera, flash bulbs, strap, film cartridge in their original box.

jpg/110_agfamatic_508_IMG_3205.JPG
Camera closed.

jpg/110_agfamatic_508_IMG_3209.JPG
Bottom. Nothing to see.

jpg/110_agfamatic_508_IMG_3211.JPG
Camera front open.


jpg/110_agfamatic_508_IMG_3207.JPG
Top view. Big red shutter release. Topflash socket.


jpg/110_agfamatic_508_IMG_3207.JPG
Camera back. Film window and viewer window.

jpg/110_agfamatic_508_IMG_3214.JPG
Film compartment

This camera is very easy to use, silde it open and it's ready. 
It has no manual settings. You have only to frame. After taking a picture, you have to close the camera for film advance and shutter cocking (push-pull advance, very handy). Putting a film is easy as well, you drop the film into the compartment, advance to the first frame and that's it.

It's a simple point and shoot camera with no settings. Seen today's low prices of the luxury models, you better get one of those.


back