Click here for complete Site Map

This is a 1930's Agfa Billy Clack. Its a 120 rollfilm bellows camera which takes 16 pictures 6cm x 4.5cm in size. The Billy Clack is a simple camera - performing little better than a box camera from the same period. It is however quite stylish and easy to use. It is not a conventional folding camera. Instead it uses struts to extend the bellows for picture taking. The bellows can then be collapsed back into the camera body when not in use.

Also known as the Speedex Clack in the UK, the camera is sometimes embossed on the lower front 'Billy Clack' and sometimes just 'Made in Germany" as on this example. It was also available in a very similar model which took 8 pictures 6x9cm and has a longer body.

In addition to the specifications listed below - the camera also boasts a cable release socket and a built in yellow (cloud) filter.

This one cost about £20 from an Antique fair - however the condition is not perfect with some signs of rust. For this sort of money you should be able to get one in much better condition.

Specifications Lens Type single element (?) Jgenar/Igenar Focal Length 75mm Maximum Aperture F8.8 Film Type 120 Roll Film Picture Size 6x4.5cm Shutter Instantaneous (1/30) + B Flash Sync NO

This picture was taken with an Epson PhotoPC 650 digital camera.

One thing thats not particularly obvious is how to change the shutter setting between the Instantaneous (1/30) and B. If you look just behind the lens panel - next to the top view finder window you should find an 'dot' and a 'dash' embossed into the surface. There should also be a little metal arrow which points to one of them. If you set the arrow to the 'dash'- you will get the B setting. If you move it over to point at the 'dot' the shutter should now work in instantaneous mode - which is approximately 1/30 of a second.

The first photo is of special significance to me because it was taken at Lacock Abbey. This was home to Henry Fox Talbot who pioneered the negative/positive photographic process in the 1840s. Appropriately enough - this was also the first roll of film I processed myself. Coincidentally the cloisters photographed here have also recently appeared in the Harry Potter movies.

The second photo is from the camera manual showing fashions of the 1930s when this camera was made.


Got a question or can't find the info you are looking for? Click HERE to contact us.

Click here for Basic Guide to Rollfilm Cameras

Click here for other Billy cameras

Click here for the Agfa shelf

Click here for complete Site Map

All text and images Copyright © 2000-2011 Roland Givan, unless otherwise stated. All Rights Reserved.

[Home Page] [Agfa Billy Record II] [Agfa Billy Clack] [Agfa Clack] [Agfa Flexilette] [Agfa Isolette I] [Agfa Isolette II] [Agfa Isolette III] [Agfa Jsolette V] [Agfa Jsolar] [Agfa Karat 6.3] [Agfa Lucimeter S] [Agfa Parat 1] [Agfa Paramat] [Agfa Solinette II] [Agfa Silette] [Agfa Standard] [Agfa Super Isolette] [Agfa Synchro Box] [Boots Bug Camera] [Boots Giraffe Camera] [Boots Polar Bear Camera] [Boots Tiger Camera] [Cat & Mouse Camera] [Doggy Camera] [Cosmic/Smena Symbol] [Epson PhotoPC 650] [Fed 4b] [Fujica Drive] [Homemade 35mm] [Homemade 4x5"] [Iskra] [Komsomolets] [Lubitel Collection] [Minolta Dynax 7000i] [Olympus 35] [Olympus PEN D] [Pingo Camera] [Polaroid Instant 10] [Polaroid i-zone] [Polaroid SLR680] [Polaroid Super Swinger] [Polaroid SX-70] [Praktica Family Camera] [Seagull 4B] [SeaShot Underwater] [Thomas Tank Camera] [Kodak Ultra Sport] [Universal Finder] [Voigtlander Brilliant V6] [Voigtlander Fo. Brilliant] [Yashica 72E] [Yashica Mat] [Zeiss Ikon Contessa 35] ["Zenit"] [Zenit 3M] [Zenit E] [Zenit EM] [Zorki-4K]