Agfa PB20 Readyset

The Agfa PB20 Readyset represents Agfa's entry into the burgeoning 35mm market during the mid-1930s, produced from 1934 to 1939. Positioned as a budget-friendly, user-friendly camera, it utilized the then-emerging 135 film cartridge but featured a simpler construction and design compared to more sophisticated contemporaries like the Leica II or Contax II. Targeted at the mass market, the Readyset prioritized accessibility and ease of operation for amateur photographers, likely offering fixed shutter speeds and a basic lens without the advanced features of its higher-end peers. Its production span coincided with a critical period where 35mm was transitioning from niche applications to mainstream photography, making it a representative example of the affordable cameras driving that adoption.