This Ansco Shur Shot (Ansco merged with Agfa in 1928) is a remarkably uncomplicated box camera. The front panel is pin-striped metal while the other five faces are constructed in cardboard masked by stippled black leather. It takes rectangular photos; brilliant viewfinders both on the top and side allow for the composition of portrait or landscape shots. The shutter release lever is easy to trigger, firing at the same speed and aperture every time. It also makes fast friends with fruit.

Besides being a little too eager in setting up the film, completely rolling by the spot for the first exposure, and ending up with only seven shots, my first jaunt with the elegantly simple Shur Shot was quite successful. I took all photos in one session, being especially cognizant of the shutter release lever and back panel, both of which may be easily flipped open by a movement as inconspicuous as a brush against one’s person. Scans of these prints can be found below, and except for the streaky overexposure on the last photo, I was quite impressed by the quality. Although next time I should remember to stand over 8 ft/ 2.4 m away from my subjects/ objects if I intend for them to be in focus.

Manufacturer: Agfa

Model: Shur Shot

Type: Point-and-shoot box camera

Date of Production: 1948

Place of Production: Binghamton, NY

Lens: Behind shutter, single

Shutter Speed: 1/60 sec

Aperture: ~f11

Film: 120

Picture size: ~6×9 cm

Exposures Per Roll: 8

Other Features: Two brilliant viewfinders for vertical and horizontal shots, simple shutter-release lever

 

Roll 1:

120 B&W Kodak 400TX Film

03/23/12: Harvard University, Cambridge, MA