AgfaPhoto film

The History of Agfa

Agfa, short for Aktien-Gesellschaft für Anilinfabrikation, was founded in Berlin in 1867 as a dye manufacturer before moving into photography in the early twentieth century. It grew into one of the so-called "big four" film manufacturers alongside Kodak, Fujifilm and Ilford, and was responsible for major innovations including Agfacolor, one of the earliest practical colour film processes, which predates Kodachrome.

In 1964, Agfa merged with the Belgian company Gevaert to form Agfa-Gevaert. As film sales declined sharply in the digital era, Agfa-Gevaert exited the consumer film market altogether in 2004, discontinuing the Vista range and other well-known consumer products.

The Agfa name lived on, however, licensed for use as the AgfaPhoto brand. Rather than manufacturing film itself, AgfaPhoto has operated as a brand for film produced elsewhere and rebranded for the consumer market. The original Agfa Vista 200, which used Japanese-sourced film stock, was discontinued in 2018 when that supply ended, but the Vista Plus range has continued to be sold since, remaining one of the most affordable colour films on the market and a firm favourite for holiday snapshots, disposable-style cameras and Lomography-inspired shooting.

Agfa / AgfaPhoto's Camera Film Ranges

Vista Plus 200 is an everyday consumer colour negative film with warm, punchy tones and an extremely friendly price, making it a popular choice for students, holidaymakers and anyone picking up film for the first time. Vista Plus 400 is the faster option, offering greater exposure latitude for indoor shots and lower light conditions.

Agfa's historic professional and slide film ranges, such as Precisa slide film and various Agfacolor stocks, are no longer in production, but expired rolls remain sought after by collectors and enthusiasts of the brand's distinctive vintage colour rendering.

Choosing the Right Agfa Film

If you're looking for one of the cheapest ways into colour film photography, or simply want a bright, punchy look for holiday and lifestyle shots, Vista Plus 200 is ideal for bright, sunny conditions, while Vista Plus 400 handles overcast days and indoor shooting more comfortably. Compare AgfaPhoto Vista prices on Filmproof to find the best value roll.