Information wanted on an "Agfa Optima Lux Computer" Flash

[Emil]

Hi everyone

I have found an old flash, an Agfa Optima Lux Computer.

Would anyone happen to know if the clear dot on the front that looks like a light sensor cell is really that?

The flash has a diagram on the back for setting aperture, but I'm unsure if it somehow measures ambient light and sets its output to match.

I've tried googling for a manual, but I've only learned that it was made for the Agfa Optima Sensor series of cameras.

On the back of the flash it says to use f/4 at 100ASA at a distance of 0.9-3m. Is that a guide number of 12?

Thanks for any info

Emil

 

[jaketfa]

what are the chances that you still have this flash in 2021?

 

[AgX]

"Computer" at a german flash of that period always means built-in autoexposure. That was the wording of those days...

I guess the American had it with "Thyristor", though this even describes a special, energy-saving, form of auto-exposure.

 

[Huss]

what are the chances that you still have this flash in 2021?

I have one. Use it w my Optima 1535

aaand just tested it - no longer works.

Wah waaaaaaahhhhh...

 

[Huss]

Aaaaaanddd - new batteries and it works! It is a very sweet looking flash. Looks great on my M5

 

[AgX]

The design of the latest Agfa Optima series was outstanding. The accompaning flash had to play into that.

That Agfa Optima design then was taken up in the later Plaubel Makina 67 by another german designer.