Agfa Major

Introduction: The Agfa Major at a Glance

The Agfa Major is a folding camera with a bellows, an f/7.7 anastigmat lens and a very short list of controls. Its original instruction manual calls it the Agfa PD16 Major Camera, published by Agfa Ansco of Binghamton, New York, and printed in the U.S.A. It belongs with the analog cameras that ask you to slow down.

According to that manual, the camera was designed so that owners could get good results without any special photographic knowledge. Each roll of PD16 film yields 8 pictures measuring 2 1/2 x 4 1/4 inches, which is about 6.4 x 10.8 cm. Those are large frames, so each picture has plenty of room for detail.

Shooting with a folding camera is a deliberate process. You open it, estimate the distance, choose a speed and an aperture, and only then press the shutter.

Design Roots and Historical Background

A folding camera for newcomers

The manual describes a camera that folds. You press an opening release button, pull the platform down after releasing the catch, and lock it in position with side-arm braces. The lens then sits at the end of the bellows.

The same booklet stresses ease of use. It promises good pictures to people who have no special background in photography, which fits the simple set of settings described below.

Agfa Ansco and the PD16 format

The manual is credited to Agfa Ansco in Binghamton, New York, and states that the product was made in the U.S.A. The format is named in the title itself: PD16 roll film, with 8 exposures per roll.

Key Technical Highlights

Lens, shutter and aperture

The lens is an f/7.7 anastigmat. Apertures are set with a lever and are marked f/7.7, f/11, f/16, f/22 and f/32. Shutter speeds are T for time, B for bulb, and 1/100, 1/50 and 1/25 second. The fastest setting is 1/100 second, so bright light and steady hands help.

Because the aperture list starts at f/7.7, daylight suits the camera best.

Focusing and finders

You focus by turning the lens barrel. The distance scale runs from 5 feet (about 1.5 m) to 50 feet (about 15 m) and infinity. The manual asks for careful distance estimates. Alternatively, the booklet describes a fixed-focus method: set the barrel to 15 feet (about 4.6 m) and the aperture to f/16, and everything from about 8 1/2 feet to 62 feet is covered.

There are two finders, a waist-level finder and an optical eye-level finder. For horizontal pictures with the waist-level finder, the manual says to swing the finder 90 degrees to the left. A cable release can be added through a socket on the underside of the shutter casing, and you pull out the vertical footrest to use it.

Quick specification list

• Folding camera with bellows and an f/7.7 anastigmat lens.
• PD16 roll film, 8 pictures of about 6.4 x 10.8 cm.
• Shutter: T, B, 1/100, 1/50 and 1/25 second.
• Apertures: f/7.7, f/11, f/16, f/22 and f/32.
• Focus scale from 5 to 50 feet and infinity; cable-release socket.

Modern-Day Use in 2026

Where the Agfa Major excels

The Agfa Major rewards patience. Its simple controls and two finders make it a hands-on way to practise exposure and distance estimation.

Use it for:

• Landscapes and architecture shot in good daylight.
• Learning exposure with a short list of speeds and apertures.
• Tripod-based projects with the cable release.

Practical shooting tips

• Pick f/16 and the fixed-focus setting for quick snapshots when you do not have time to estimate distances.
• Support the camera on a wall, railing or tripod, especially at the slower speeds.
• Use the waist-level finder for calm, low-angle views and the eye-level finder for fast framing.

Buying and Maintenance Guide

What to check before buying used

A bellows camera has several parts that can wear out, so inspect it carefully:

• Hold the open bellows up to a bright light and look for pinholes, cracks or loose corners.
• Fire the shutter at every speed and on B and T; listen for sticking or uneven timing.
• Look through the lens for haze, fungus, scratches or separation, and test the aperture lever.
• Open and close the camera, checking that the platform, side-arm braces and focusing barrel move smoothly and lock.
• Inspect both finders for dirt or damage.

Also check the film compartment for rust, damaged light seals and anything that could scratch film. Confirm which film you can use with the PD16 format before you commit.

Film, power and storage

The manual covers film, shutter, aperture, focus and finders, so the film format is the main thing to plan for.

• Remove any batteries from accessories before storing them.
• Keep the camera folded and stored in a dry, cool place.

Basic care and accessories

A few simple photography accessories keep a folding camera in good shape:

• A padded case or bag to protect the bellows and lens.
• A microfiber cloth and a blower for the lens.
• A sturdy tripod and a cable release for slow speeds.
• A light meter or an exposure chart, since the camera offers only a few speeds.

Conclusion: Slow, Simple, Satisfying

The Agfa Major is a folding bellows camera built around a straightforward idea: give people a lens, a few shutter speeds, a few apertures and two finders, and let them make good pictures without special knowledge. It records 8 large frames on each roll of PD16 film.

If you like deliberate, hands-on photography, a carefully inspected example is a rewarding way to practise. Check the bellows, shutter and lens, and plan your film supply.

Ready to explore cameras like the Agfa Major? Browse our analog cameras, see more medium and larger format film cameras, and pair them with useful photography accessories at DutchThrift.com.

Sources: original Agfa Ansco instruction manual for the PD16 Major camera (free PDF on this page). No camera-wiki page was available for this model.