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SAMPLES

SUMMARY
The Ansco Super Regent, also known as the Agfa Super Solinette, reminds me of my favorite classic camera, the Kodak Retina IIIc. Produced by Agfa Camera Werk in Müchen, Germany it’s more like a distant cousin to the Retina IIIc. Both are German made, feature a folding 35mm format, and can fit in your shirt pocket.  The lens on the Super Regent is the four element Tessar-type ‘Solinar’, which may not equal the Schneider Xenon on the Retina IIIc, but it does perform very well.  The Xenon is slightly faster at f2 vs. the f3.5 on the Solinar, but both cameras feature a Synchro Compur shutter with speeds of one second to 1/500th of a second, plus Bulb for long exposures.  The Super Regent supports X and M flash sync and has a self-timer setting.  My electronic Minolta flashes work perfectly with the Super Regent. Both cameras have a rangefinder, the horizontal rangefinder adjustment is located just to the right of the lens, if looking at the lens.  It even has the same type of EV range locking system as the Retina III.

Functionality is slightly annoying.  The focus ring is near the base of the lens barrel close to the camera body.  This makes for awkward focusing.  The shutter does not cock itself during film advance so you must push down the lever with your left hand after advancing the film.  But the film must advance before the lever will release, this is done when the sprockets in the film carriage advance.  It also includes a cold shoe for attaching a flash.  The PC sync socket is on the lens barrel.  There is no built-in meter as with the Retina IIIc, but since the selenium meter on my Retina IIIc is long since dead its presence is irrelevant.  Not as elegant as the Retina IIIc, the Super Regent is an unassuming camera in overall looks and design, but can be a great performer and perfect for grab shots.

CLEANING AND REPAIR
I was lucky to receive this camera in very good condition on the 'bay. Other than basic cleaning of the leatherette with leather cleaner, and glass cleaner for the lens and metal exterior, there wasn't much to do. No fungus or haze on the lens. I did add a minute amount of lighter fluid to the shutter ring to loosen it up a bit but the shutter itself is accurate within a half stop. Firing the shutter several times at all speeds, especially the slower ones, improved performance. A must for all older cameras that have probably been sitting on a shelf or in a box for several years. The rangefinder is also accurate. There is a horizontal adjustment next the lens barrel if needed, I'm assuming the vertical adjustment is beneath the rangefinder housing.

EBAY SUGGESTIONS
This is a wonderful little camera that can be found around ten to twenty dollars on the 'bay or in thrift stores and garage sales. If found in usable condition it makes for a great pocket shooter. If the Ansco Super Regent is scarce when doing Ebay searches also search for the Agfa Super Solinette, which is essentially a rebadge Super Regent. Shipping should be reasonable since this is a small camera. Since the film sprockets inside the camera must be rotated for the shutter cocking lever to release, some sellers may think the shutter won't fire or is broken.

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Agfa Links
www.agfa.com
Agfa Super Solinette Manual
Agfa Shelf
Agfa Solinette II