AGFA: Optima

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The original Optima was released in 1959 and was the first manufactured camera with programmed exposure, obtained by a selenium-meter driven mechanical system. Moving its exposure setting lever down triggers a mechanical system that obtains aperture value and speed from the electromechanical part of the meter. The system mirrors a green or a red signal into the viewfinder when the camera catches appropriate exposure settings from the meter or not. The camera does not require any batteries. Left hand "magic" exposure setting lever must be held down while pressing the top-mounted shutter release in the automatic setting mode. In the flash setting mode you need only press the shutter release. The lens Color-Apotar S 39mm f/3.9 and the shutter is special Compur-B with speeds 1/30-1/250. The camera also has a wheel on the top that could be set to the film value (ASA or DIN). It is claimed to be the world's first fully automatic 35mm camera. It also sold as Agfamatic in Canada.