Agfa Billy Record

Agfa Billy Record is a series of medium format film folding camera made by Agfa and produced between 1933-49.

Billy record cameras were listed in catalogs by lens openings as models 8.8, 7.7, 6.3 and 4.5. The names are based on the maximum lens opening. The basic body is the same for 8.8, 7.7 and 6.3 models. The 4.5 model uses the body style of the Agfa Billy Compur. All models use 120 roll film for 6x9cm frames. The lens is Agfa Anastigmat Igestar in Automat shutter in 8.8, 7.7 and 6.3 models. There are some cosmetic variations, like chrome decors, during their production period. The camera was succeeded by the Agfa Billy Record II.

Agfa Billy Record 8.8

Billy Record 8.8 c.1938 image by Alf Sigaro  (Image rights)

• Produced between 1933-42+
• Lens: Agfa Anastigmat Igestar 1:8.8/105mm, or Igestar 8.8/100mm
• Shutter: Agfa Automat, speeds 1/25 - 1/100 sec.
• Aperture: 1:8.8-1:16

Agfa Billy Record 7.7

Billy Record 7.7

• Produced between 1933-42+
• Lens: Agfa Anastigmat Igestar 1:7.7/100mm (three optical elements)
• Shutter: Agfa Automat, speeds 1/25 - 1/100 sec.
• Aperture: 1:7.7-1:32
• Weight: 560 g
• Dimensions: 165×88×37mm (closed), 165×108×131mm (open)
• The 7.7 model was also available in 1949 and sold in the USA and UK as Speedex Record. (Probably using pre-war inventory or parts)

Agfa Billy Record 6.3

Billy Record 6.3 postwar

Billy Record 6.3 prewar

• Produced between 1933-42+
• The 6.3 model was also available in 1948 and sold in the USA and UK as Speedex Record. It has Igestar 100mm f/6.3 lens in Prontor shutter.

Agfa Billy Record 4.5

Billy Record 4.5 (1936)

There are two models:

• 1936 model
  • Produced between 1936-39
  • It is like the Billy Compur but without the Compur shutter. Strut style is also like Billy Compur.
  • Eye level folding frame finder: on the left or right side of the body
  • No double exposure prvention
  • Apotar 105mm f/4.5 lens in Prontor II shutter with speeds 1/25-1/125 +T and B
• 1940 model
  • Produced between 1940-49
  • This postwar model is slişght differences than 1936 model
  • Folding optical finder: on the right side of the body
  • Different winding knob
  • Double exposure prevention
  • Early models have prewar style lens and shutter: Apotar 105mm f/4.5 lens in Prontor II shutter
  • Later Apotar lens in Prontor-S shutter with speeds 1-1/300 +B.
  • "Made in Germany" stamped below the Agfa logo.

Links

• in lippisches-kameramuseum
• Billy Record at Vintage Folding Cameras (the camera with Apotar lens is a Billy Record II, not I)
• on www.collection-appareils.fr by Sylvain Halgand
  • Billy Record user manual
  • Agfa Billy Record
  • Agfa Billy Record 4,5
  • Agfa Billy Record 7.7
  • Agfa Billy Record 8,8
  • Agfa Billy Record II
  • Agfa Billy-Clack
  • Agfa Billy-Record I
• Billy Record 8,8 and Billy Record 4,5 at The Camera Site by Reijo Lauro