Agfa Rondinax vs Kodak Day Load

George Mann said:

He said that it does. The pictures of it in the box shows its frame indicator.

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Good catch! That's an excellent price you paid, heck, it comes with the original box, booklet, and the belt looks in very good condition. I'm fairly sure that you got yourself a Pre-WWII tank, the date should be printed behind the manual (Ex: 1239 - December 1939). When you'll have the time, would you mind sharing a PDF of the manual with the Rondinax blog?

Helios 1984 said:

Good catch! That's an excellent price you paid, heck, it comes with the original box, booklet, and the belt looks in very good condition. I'm fairly sure that you got yourself a Pre-WWII tank, the date should be printed behind the manual (Ex: 1239 - December 1939). When you'll have the time, would you mind sharing a PDF of the manual with the Rondinax blog?

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I have the blog saved, but I had no idea that this item was older than the '50's.

Are the older ones made better?

As far as the manual goes, I would have to take it somewhere and have it photocopied.

My tank appears to be identical to the Essex 35.

George Mann said:

I have the blog saved, but I had no idea that this item was older than the '50's.

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AGFA started manufacturing the Rondinax 60 in 1937 and the model 35 was present in their 1938 catalog. I believe they kept manufacturing them during the war as photographic equipment was a necessity.
If yours is Pre-1945, it will say "IG Farbenindustrie" on the side of the box.

George Mann said:

Are the older ones made better?

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I think they were all built with quality throughout the production run. Heck, they were good enough for Leitz put their name on them for almost 20 years.

George Mann said:

My tank appears to be identical to the Essex 35.

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That’s because the Essex 35 is a clone of the original Rondinax 35. I believe they were manufactured under licence from AGFA as the patent is pressed on their lids.