The ADOX 300 is a vintage 35mm film camera produced by the German company Adox in the early 1960s. It is known for its distinctive design and innovative features for its time. It was one of the few 35mm cameras equipped with interchangeable film magazines, allowing one to change film-type in the middle of a roll, e.g. going from color to BW.
The ADOX is what you’d call a true design camera. A gleaming model with allure. But also quite heavy. Yet it’s not an SLR, but a leaf shutter camera without a rangefinder. That’s also the only thing missing from this otherwise complete camera. Focusing is done by guesswork—or better said, by wisely combining aperture (zone focusing) and estimating distance.
The camera sits securely in the hand, and all the controls are easily and quickly accessible. The most curious features of the ADOX are the interchangeable film cassettes and the unique light meter. This works with the Exposure Value (EV) system. This is a number that represents a combination of a camera’s shutter speed and aperture that together determine how much light reaches the film or sensor. It simplifies exposure settings into a single number, making it easier to compare or adjust exposure without needing to specify the individual shutter/aperture pair each time. On the ADOX with a leaf shutter, the process is further simplified by allowing the shutter and aperture controls to be linked such that, when one was changed, the other was automatically adjusted to maintain the same exposure.
For example: Each increase of 1 EV means halving the light (equivalent to either halving the exposure time or using a smaller aperture by one stop).
When you turn the middle ring on the lens barrel, both the shutter speeds (up to 1/500s) and the aperture (from F2.8 – F22) change in usable combinations. On the left, there is a release button—if you press it, the shutter can also be adjusted independently. If you want to set the correct EV value initially, you also disconnect the two rings and set the correct (red) EV value on the right side, as indicated by the light meter. But how does the light meter works? Well actually there is no manual available online, but thanks to Mike Eckman we found a very easy video that explains the light meter:
The built-in selenium light meter is also known as the Bewi Automat, made by Ernst & Wilhelm Bertram, a German light meter manufacturing company This meter is uncoupled, meaning it doesn’t automatically adjust the camera’s exposure settings but provides a reading to guide manual adjustments. So the first thing to do, like any other light meter, is setting the actual film speed that defines how much light is needed for good exposures.
You see a little chrome button located on the left back of the camera, press and hold it for a second and release it. You see a red number appear in the inner circle that represents the right exposure (LV) value given the environment or subject you were aiming the selenium cell on front of the camera. Now use set that same number on the middle ring on the lens barrel.
There is another lever next to the light measure button and as far as I understand it is to cock the shutter without advancing the film. Like for making a double exposure or switch the magazines without losing a frame on the film. That brings us to the unique feature of the interchangeable film cassettes. The cassettes on the ADOX 300 camera are a unique and innovative feature for its time. Here’s a breakdown of what they are and how they work. While not widely adopted by other manufacturers, the system gave the ADOX 300 a unique advantage in the 1950s and remains a point of interest for vintage camera enthusiasts today.
The ADOX 300 used a proprietary quick-load film cassette system designed to allow photographers to:
- Pre-load multiple film rolls into special ADOX metal cassettes.
- Quickly swap film mid-roll without needing to rewind the entire roll.
- Resume shooting later without losing exposures.
You can use any (1)35 mm film, from BW, color to slidefilm. Each cassette can be opened by a little slider on the left (A= open and Z=close(d)). Inside the new film is easily loaded on the right by pulling out the film (re-)wind button down on the cassette. Drag the film to the other side and between the spools slide and fix it in the outer take up spool. Turn the take up spool so the film is fixed and close the back of the cassette. Do not forget to close the slider ot the position Z. Now rotate the wheels on the back for reminders as which film is in use and which ISO it has. This remains visible when the cassette is also back in the camera. Now also set the red arrow of the framecounter on top of the cassette to the marking on the right. Finally open the camera by turning the lock on the bottom plate to A. Now shake the camera a bit so the back flips open and look carefully at the two ‘screw’ like inserts that holds the cassette in place. They need to be aligned in the same position of the ones on the bottom plate of the cassette, otherwise you cannot insert the cassette. Now insert it and close the camera by putting the lever on the bottom to Z.
Cock the shutter with the big front lever that also winds the film! Look into the window on the right top plate and see that the framecounter counts backwards and the number 36 will be the first frame.
Now the fun part starts with taking your pictures. Look through the bright focus window, measure light and set it to the front barrel of the lens. Guess the distance and set it with the front rong of the lens. Cock and wind the film and use the shutter button that also has a connection for a quick release cable. On the front barrel there is also a switch for automated (X) and bulb flash (M) (as there is also a PC connection for the flash). The V stand for delay, meaning you have around 8 seconds to take the picture with you in it:)
For a tripod there is a solid connection on the bottom plate and the cold shoe on top can be used for lots of accessories, like a flash, rangefinder and so on. It’s a pity that the ADOX 300 doesn’t have a rangefinder system; otherwise, it would have been a completely innovative camera — especially since it already includes a fantastic light meter and offers great flexibility by allowing the use of multiple films at the same time. It’s a beautifully designed camera that is rightly popular among collectors and delivers (very) good results thanks to the good 45mm Cassar lens by Steinheil, a basic but fast (F2.8) three element anastigmat lens design.