Agfa Agomar 85/2.8 [V2]
Slide projector lens fitted to Agfacolor 50, AKA Reflecta Agomar. Aperture unmarked (estimated).
| Weight | 71 g |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 85 mm |
| Focal Length (mm) | 85 |
| Max Aperture (f) | 2.8 |
| Min Aperture (f) | 2.8 |
| Aperture Type | Fixed |
| Rear Mount | 53mm barrel |
| Front Thread | N/A |
16:9 –
This is a confusing lens: apparently just another flimsy plastic-barrel triplet; no serial numbers; not reassuringly heavy or iridescently multicoated – not even important enough to specify the (f2.8) aperture: the V2 is just marked f=85mm. And yet, somehow, against all expectations, it’s brilliant. It’s peculiar because the AgfaColor 50 projector it was fitted to wasn’t a high-end model, or especially well regarded in the market. And yet it’s considerably sharper than the V1 Agomar 85/2.8 and the Tessar Color-Agolon 90.
My only defence against your inevitable incredulity is to plead irrationality by virtue of Delta’s wilful prejudice. We’ve no more interest in the performance of this lens on a projector than we are the behaviour of an enlarger lens on an enlarger. And because we’re shooting in 2022, within the norms of digital post-production, we’re not concerned about high contrast: in fact, we’re more included to view it as a disadvantage. Indeed, the Agfa Agomar 85 [V2] isn’t a modern-looking lens: it renders with low contrast and at least a hint of spherical aberration. Nonetheless, for a projector lens, it resolves very well: peaking at 8.3 in Zone 1 (long range).