review : the agat 18k half frame camera
What is it about half frame cameras that is so charming? Is it the size? They are usually smaller and easier to slip in your pocket… Is it that you get twice as many images per roll? That works out to quite a few images without having to reload- very convenient. Or is it just the little tiny filmstrip like rolls of negs with all of those little images on them? Regardless of what you find most appealing, these cameras were pretty popular back in the 80’s and are making a nice resurgence today. I had always wanted to check out the Agat 18K, so I finally gave in and ordered one from the Ukraine.
July 27th, 2010 |
So, who won?
If you’ve already given it away, good review. The camera looks interesting.
If you haven’t given it away, I’m a college student majoring in photography. This compact, handy camera would get lots of use!
March 28th, 2010 |
I am a teenager that just loves exotic cameras and formats, especially toy cameras. I would like to experience the half frame format, but unfortunately, I cannot afford any of these babies. this little camera could be a nice way to have some fun playing with the half frame format.
September 21st, 2009 |
Something small to pack and use in Kosovo, would be better than to tote around my Fed3 camera. Also, twice the pic’s with one roll of film. Any help a plus, and if you have an extra one for sale let me know. I’ll mail you a U.S.P.M.O. ASAP! Thank you for your time.
August 14th, 2009 |
I’d love a toy camera. Especially a half frame one. Being on my school’s yearbook staff requires me to constantly go out lugging backpacks with lens and standing out in the hot sun. When I go out with my friends, I end up using a digital camera and the photos end up on my computer waiting for the light at the end of the tunnel .. hoping that one day I might just develop them. I need some fun in photography! The Four Corner website is making my fingers crawl towards money I have on my desk and the urge to ask my mom to order a toy camera for me online .. love this website.
August 2nd, 2009 |
I would love to get ahold of my FIRST toy camera. I’ve been drooling over toy cameras for a while now but with so many options, I’m not sure where to start. I’ve taken photography classes and I’m even a fill-in photographer for the newspaper I work for–but I’ve always loved to do more experimental photography, hence my interest in toy cameras. This, I think, would be a great way to get started.
July 25th, 2009 |
I am working on an installation about people/technology/communication. Communication art kind of thing. This camera and format represents an important moment in pre-digital photographic and social history. In communication theory the half-frame could be a metaphor for me, more, ideas. But it’s also ok to delete the disposablle ones. Many of those images converge into one important visual experience to share.
The design increases the human input of an art process.
I think it is an excitiing representation. I choose the AGAT-18k because its simplicity and complexity
fits into my basic belief that art belongs to us all. Not just those who can pay for the latest technology. I would like to include this particular camera of this website because the internet experience is hilighted.
July 19th, 2009 |
I was looking at an Olympus Pen to have some fun with half frame.
Thanks for the review, now I have more options to look around.
I would like to try this one out if you are giving it away to me
July 17th, 2009 |
cause it looks like my girlfriend. Small, cute and compact.
July 16th, 2009 |
I’ve always been interested in the Russian cameras, but the prices of them here in the States has always kept me from trying one out. I sure would like to have a go at one. I’m just a photography junkie I guess, but after the divorce I don’t have a lot of cash to spend on new toys.
Anyway, thanks for the great reviews and I can’t wait to see what you say about the next Russian camera.
July 16th, 2009 |
It’d be neat to put beside my Smena Symbol and see what the offspring would turn out like. Plus I like quirky wierd stuff and the loading steps on this put a smile on my face. I think I’d get as much pleasure and pain loading film into it as I would by the pictures.
Cheers!
July 15th, 2009 |
I would love to rock this little Russian gem and I will tell you why –
Half frame is perfect for those of us who hesitate. If you’ve failed to fully grasp the concept of “don’t think, just shoot” then go half frame! I purchased my Golden Half from the fourcornerstore and absolutely love it – the size, the feel, and the fact that I can get almost 50 shots from a single roll is absolutely fantastic. The freedom to be able to not feel like I am “wasting film” is a photographic relief! The only drawback on my golden half is the lack of any control over exposure besides the sunny/cloudy switch. I’ve been making photographs for years and as much as I love my toy cameras, when the results come in I sometimes find myself wishing I had had a little more control. That’s where you come in, Agat 18k! You are everything I could possibly want from a toy cam. So rest assured, your gift will not be in vain – with the Agat, my inhibitions can relax, and I can relax, and maybe I can finally create that photograph i’ve been waiting to make my whole photographic life.
July 14th, 2009 |
Glad you reviewed this. I was seriously looking at getting one. I thought it would be a great little pocketable half frame that was toy like. Thanks for saving me some money
July 14th, 2009 |
I bought an olympus pen-ee half-frame from a junk store a few weeks back and it turned out to be broken beyond repair. I’m facinated by the half frame format though, especially the fact that you can take two images on one normal 35mm exposure. I want to do a series where I take two half frame images that have something in common and scan them together. I was trying to purchase an Agat 18k on ebay for this purpose, but due to quickly dwindleing student funds and the extremely high shipping fees for a camera from Russia, I had to abandon my plan. Then I read this review. Yay!
July 13th, 2009 |
I would love to have that half frame camera because those cameras rock! What really makes those pictures look good is when you put print (or upload) both halves of the frame, not single images. You can get some cool juxtapositions and just fun images.
July 13th, 2009 |
I’m extremely interested in getting that camera if you are willing to give it away. The reason? I love half frames! Film is expensive in my country (Uruguay) and it’s getting hard to keep on shooting old school. Besides this I love everything inherent to the kind of cameras, the number of frames, the vertical format (now that I think of it, this particular half frame must be horizontal judging from the first picture you posted, right?) and last but not least the portability they usually sport.
Having said all that I have to disclose that I do own another half frame (Oly Pen EES-2) so maybe you might find a more deserving person. But if that’s not the case I’m more than willing to take care of that little baby!
Thanks for your generosity and excellent reviews!
Hails from Uruguay!
July 13th, 2009 |
I’ll be very blunt with you. I never win anything. I have entered a lot of contests on this site only to have my hopes crushed once the winners are announced. I even spent a good £20 on a tombola only to win nothing while everyone else was winning on their first try. If you know anything of my life situation right now you would know that I got married in April but I can’t even win in this because I have been stuck in America since May trying to get a visa to go live with my wife. It will probably be another 2 months before I can see here again. This is not something I would wish on anyone, especially newlyweds. Oh, and I can’t work because of visa complications so I have no money. So take pity on me my friend if you like and choose me, but really, I don’t expect to win at all.
July 13th, 2009 |
Try shooting with a pre M Leica. Those are total PITAs.
July 12th, 2009 |
I’m a highschool photographer who constantly shoots with my Holga in and out of school. My funds have been running very low recently, and with a new year starting I feel that I might have some trouble to keep dishing out money to scan/develop as an alternative to taking digital photos for my dig. photo classes. Therefore, a half frame camera like this would be wonderfully economical for those purposes and offers a lot of new artistic options. It also just looks awesome!
July 12th, 2009 |
i got a pen EES-2 for the last two months, i sold it because i found the better one, mint condition, until then, the seller of the camera gone with the wind, maybe this russian will help me to explore the uniqueness of half frame camera. so much story that we could make with only 2 frames. fantastic!
July 12th, 2009 |
It does sound frustratingly complicated. Great review, too.
However, I do love Belomo’s products, and I’ve always wanted a half-frame dealie to have a go at. The idea of getting two shots to each frame sounds like increidbly good value, fun, and useful – pairing images to each frame for double-the imaging fun. I would love to get my hands on that one, for the confusing Cyrillic writing on the front, because it looks a bit weird, and for all those other reasons above.
Perfick
July 12th, 2009 |
I’ve seen these on ebay but I don’t like the looks compared to the Chaika II. BTW, who designs these things? It’s looks like it’s more work to load these than a 4×5 film back. So far I’m sticking with my Olympus Pen EE for when I fiend for half frame.
Thanks for the review.
July 12th, 2009 |
I think I should get this camera so that I can shoot a roll with it and then send it onwards to one of my friends who is a camera fanatic with very little money
July 12th, 2009 |
I would like one for when I am out tricking with friends. I often shoot a lot in order to capture the movement, and to have twice the shots on a roll of film would be quite convenient.
July 12th, 2009 |
It does sound frustratingly complicated. Great review, too.
However, I do love Belomo’s products, and I’ve always wanted a half-frame dealie to play with. The idea of getting two shots to each frame sounds like increidbly good value, fun, and useful – pairing images to each frame for double-the imaging fun. I would love to get my hands on that one, particularly for the confusing Cyrillic writing on the front, because it looks a bit weird, and for all thos reasons above.
Perfick.