The Agfa Shur Shot was a brand of basic box cameras manufactured in
Binghamton, New York by Ansco, which went though several minor
variations. For a period of approximately 15 years, cameras originating
with Ansco in the USA and some from Agfa in Germany were branded as
Agfa Ansco.
The series began in about 1932, and Shur Shot cameras originally
carried the name Agfa-Ansco in use at that time. Post-1943 models were
branded as Ansco alone. The cameras were made in sizes for 120 and 116
film; but because of the Agfa connection these were specified using the
German designations B2 and D6 respectively.
A Shur Shot is a simple cardboard box covered with leatherette. A
structural panel of wood behind the metal faceplate holds the shutter
mechanism, and a fixed aperture of approximately f/13. The image is
formed by a single backwards-facing meniscus lens behind this.
Early models had two pebbled-glass viewfinders, and later models two
brilliant viewfinders, which allowed either horizontal or vertical
composition. Most models permitted long (bulb) exposures by pulling a
small tab outwards. The more advanced models also included a slider
which positioned either a smaller aperture (approximately f/22) or a
yellow filter in front of the main lens. (The filter was intended for
black & white photography, e.g. to deepen the tone of blue skies.)
(Sold December 2017)
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