GAF Ansco Autoset CdS

The GAF Ansco Autoset CdS is a viewfinder camera. It was introduced in the mid-1960s. The model was sold to photographers under the Ansco / GAF (General Aniline & Film) brand. The camera was produced by the Japanese company Minolta. There is no corresponding model under the Minolta brand. The model should not be confused with the Ansco Autoset without the suffix “CdS”.

The camera comes with a fixed lens. The name of the lens is “Ansco Rokkor”. The focal length is 45 mm and the largest aperture of the lens is f/2.8. The smallest aperture is specified in the manual as f/16. You have to focus the lens manually on the desired subject. The closest focusing distance for this lens is 91 cm or 3 feet.

Photography is made easier by the built-in CdS light meter. It can be used with films with a sensitivity of ISO 12 to ISO 400. The photo camera has automatic exposure and sets aperture and shutter speed automatically.

The shutter speeds range from 1/125 second to 1/30 second. The 1/30 second can also be selected manually. In addition, there is a Bulb mode for long exposures. In this mode, the shutter remains open as long as the shutter release button is held down. It makes sense to use a cable release here. The camera can be mounted on a tripod for blur-free shots.

The use of a flash is possible via the PC flash socket. The flash unit can be attached to an accessory shoe on the top. Power is supplied to the camera by a mercury battery.

Films for the GAF Ansco Autoset CdS

The GAF Ansco Autoset CdS is a 35mm camera and requires 35mm film. The exposure area of the 35mm camera has a size of 24mm x 36mm. With this size of exposure area, 36 photos normally fit on a normal film (135-36). The film in the camera must be manually advanced and rewound, as there is no automatic film advance. 35mm films are still made today. They can be developed in most laboratories.

Possible films for the Autoset CdS are the Fujifilm Superia 400* for color photos and the Kodak T-Max 400* for B&W images. Both films are well suited for a wide range of applications. This is also attested to them in test reports. Other suitable films are also offered by Foma, Rollei and Adox, among others. It is only important that the sensitivity of the films is in the range of ISO 12 and ISO 400.