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cooltouch
Joined: 15 Jan 2009 Posts: 9096 Location: Houston, Texas
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Posted: Sat Dec 31, 2011 7:18 pm Post subject: Agfa Isolette III -- a clean shopgoodwill find |
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cooltouch wrote:
I wish I could say that I picked this camera up for a great price, but I can't say that I did. I won the auction, but it cost me $90 to be the successful bidder. Still, I think it was worth every penny. The camera is in almost mint condition. Flash photos tend to reveal every speck of dust, so just ignore the dust in the following photos.
All the shutter speeds work, although the slow ones are about 1 stop slow. The self timer works. The bellows are in good condition; no light leaks. The rangefinder patch in the viewfinder still has excellent contrast. This camera has a feature similar to the Rolleiflex MX-EVS models in that it will vary the aperture according to the shutter speed selected, if so desired.
This is why the camera is so clean. Still, this case is in very good condition. All the seams are intact and the leather has no cracks.
This Isolette III has the 75mm f/3.5 Solinar lens, which indicates it is a late III. Probably around 1958 or so. Synchro Compur shutter.
I'll have to dismount the lens/shutter assembly to get into the focusing helical, I'm figuring. The folks over at KY Photo -- the camera repair site -- suggest a variety of ways of loosening up the hardened lubricant. Most of them involve the application of heat and an aggressive chemical, like xylene or acetone. I think I'll try the heat route first. I'm afraid the xylene or acetone might remove paint. To free up the rangefinder wheel, I'll have to remove the top and dismantle the rangefinder assembly. A fairly involved operation, all in all.
Before I do any of this, I'm tempted to take the camera out and shoot with it as-is. The lens is frozen at infinity, so I'll be able to shoot scenics or landscapes with it just as it is. Stop it down to f/8 or f/11 and that should give me adequate depth of field. I think I still have a couple of rolls of Tri-X around here somewhere. Once I've shot a roll I'll come back here and post some of the photos. _________________ Michael
My Gear List: http://michaelmcbroom.com/photo/gear.html
My Gallery: http://michaelmcbroom.com/gallery3/index.php/
My Flickr Page: https://www.flickr.com/photos/11308754@N08/albums
My Music: https://soundcloud.com/michaelmcbroom/albums
My Blog: http://michaelmcbroom.com/blogistan/ |
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iangreenhalgh1
Joined: 18 Mar 2011 Posts: 15679
Expire: 2014-01-07
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Posted: Sat Dec 31, 2011 8:19 pm Post subject: |
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iangreenhalgh1 wrote:
Looks like a lovely camera Michael, hope you can get some nice images from it, even without relubing the helical. _________________ I don't care who designed it, who made it or what country it comes from - I just enjoy using it! |
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martinsmith99
Joined: 31 Aug 2008 Posts: 6950 Location: S Glos, UK
Expire: 2013-11-18
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Posted: Sat Dec 31, 2011 8:21 pm Post subject: |
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martinsmith99 wrote:
That looks a good deal. I have tge Isolette ii with the Apotar lens and it's sharper than I expected; the Solinar is supposed to be even better.
The body can be bought back to new condition with a fibreglass eraser pen. _________________ Casual attendance these days |
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ludoo
Joined: 18 Sep 2009 Posts: 1397 Location: Milan, Italy
Expire: 2011-12-05
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Posted: Sat Dec 31, 2011 9:02 pm Post subject: |
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ludoo wrote:
The stuck helicoid problem is common to most Agfas of that period, check the threads for the Karat line too. If you bring it back into shape it's a fantastic camera, I have a soft spot for Agfas... _________________ My galleries
Digital: Samsung EX-1
Past Digital: Samsung NX10, Sigma SD9, Sigma SD10, SD14, DP2, Pentax *istD, Kx, Fuji S2 Pro, Canon 5D
Analog: packfilm Polaroids, 6x9 Kodak folders, Pentacon Taxona half-frame, Fujica ST605n, Walz Envoy, Olympus 35 S-II, Olympus Wide S
Past Analog: Polaroid 600se, Polaroid 110B, Canon IIF, various fixed-lens and Russian rangefinders, ...
Past Lenses: Nikkor 24/2.8, Nikkor SC 50/1.4, Nikkor 50/2, Nikkor H 85/1.8, Nikkor P 105/2.5, Nikkor Q 135/3.5, Fujinon 100/2.8, Fujinon EBC 100/2.8, Fujinon EBC 135/3.5, Fujinon EBC 200/4.5, Mamiya SX 135/2.8, CZJ Flektogon 35/2.4, CZJ Pancolar 50/1.8 zebra, CZJ Sonnar 135/3.5, ...
altroformato
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Katastrofo
Joined: 26 Feb 2007 Posts: 10405 Location: USA
Expire: 2013-11-19
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Posted: Sun Jan 01, 2012 2:17 am Post subject: |
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Katastrofo wrote:
I've seen the Agfa Solinar (just the lens/shutter assembly) go for over $100 on the 'bay.
Looking forward to your first pix! |
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cooltouch
Joined: 15 Jan 2009 Posts: 9096 Location: Houston, Texas
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Posted: Sun Jan 01, 2012 3:05 am Post subject: |
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cooltouch wrote:
Katastrofo wrote: |
I've seen the Agfa Solinar (just the lens/shutter assembly) go for over $100 on the 'bay.
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I believe it. All the more reason for me to exercise care as I continue forward with this refurbishment.
Something I've been noticing every time I open it up is a faint creaking sound coming from the bellows. I'm thinking that, even though they are in excellent cosmetic shape and they have no light leaks, they are probably dry and may begin to crack if I exercise them much. So I'm wondering if a good leather restoration product -- like Lexol -- might be advised. What do y'all think?
Lexol:
http://www.lexol.com/
Can I assume that these bellows were made from leather, or maybe something else? _________________ Michael
My Gear List: http://michaelmcbroom.com/photo/gear.html
My Gallery: http://michaelmcbroom.com/gallery3/index.php/
My Flickr Page: https://www.flickr.com/photos/11308754@N08/albums
My Music: https://soundcloud.com/michaelmcbroom/albums
My Blog: http://michaelmcbroom.com/blogistan/ |
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Katastrofo
Joined: 26 Feb 2007 Posts: 10405 Location: USA
Expire: 2013-11-19
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Posted: Sun Jan 01, 2012 3:31 am Post subject: |
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Katastrofo wrote:
Unfortunately, the bellows are the Isolettes' Achilles heel. They are made of paper/cellulose laminated to a woven black canvas
material on the inside. I sent my Apotar Isolette to Attila that had good bellows, but I was always careful when opening the camera.
I used to have the link to the guy that made those nice colored leather bellows that Jurgen uses, but they are rather 'spensive. |
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Laurence
Joined: 26 Mar 2007 Posts: 4809 Location: Western Washington State
Expire: 2016-06-19
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Posted: Sun Jan 01, 2012 7:19 am Post subject: |
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Laurence wrote:
I had the Isolette III with Solinar lens...I wish I never, ever would have sold it. I think my mind was on more
camera GAS, and I clouded my own judgement. I have been looking at images from that sweet camera, and realizing
just how sharp and vivid they really are.
I'll have another one sometime, I'm sure.
The one I had was from Jurgen, and I paid plenty for it at the time. I think it was around $125 or so then. However, there
was a good part of the transaction: It had a nice new deep red bellows and leather, and of course a pretty good CLA. Extremely
smooth camera. _________________
Assent, and you are sane;
Demur,—you ’re straightway dangerous,
And handled with a chain.
Emily Dickinson
Cameras and Lenses in Use:
Yashica Mat 124 w/ Yashinon 80/3.5,
CV Apo-Lanthar 90/3.5SL, (Thank you Klaus),
Pentax 645,
Flek 50,
Pentax-A 150
Pentax-A 120 Macro
Voigtlander Vitomatic I w/Color Skopar 50/2.8
Konica TC and zoom lenses (thanks Carsten)
Contax AX
Yashica ML 50/2
Yashica ML 35/2.8
Carl Zeiss Contax 50/1.4
Tamron Adaptall SP 17/3.5
Tamron Adaptall 28/2.5
Tamron Adaptall SP 300/2.8 LD (IF)
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cooltouch
Joined: 15 Jan 2009 Posts: 9096 Location: Houston, Texas
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Posted: Sun Jan 01, 2012 7:35 am Post subject: |
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cooltouch wrote:
Hey Laurence, well sounds to me like the price you paid back then was actually a pretty good deal in retrospect. The Isolette III and its Ansco Speedex (Special R?) equivalent are not that rare, so hopefully you'll be able to add another to your stable soon.
Thanks for the info on the material, Kat. If light leaks begin to appear, I think I will try using some stuff I already have. It's a rubber sort of compound, called "Plasti-Dip" and is made for insulating pliers and screwdriver handles, etc., from electric shock. I have some black PD in a spray can, and I've used it to seal light leaks in my Canon IIIa rangefinder's shutter. I applied it with a brush, painting it onto the shutter surface, and it worked well for this. So hopefully if I have to chase light leaks, PD will do the job I need. I'm thinking though that some sort of conditioner may also be helpful as a way to moisturize the bellows and keep them limber. _________________ Michael
My Gear List: http://michaelmcbroom.com/photo/gear.html
My Gallery: http://michaelmcbroom.com/gallery3/index.php/
My Flickr Page: https://www.flickr.com/photos/11308754@N08/albums
My Music: https://soundcloud.com/michaelmcbroom/albums
My Blog: http://michaelmcbroom.com/blogistan/ |
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kansalliskala
Joined: 19 Jul 2007 Posts: 5037 Location: Southern Finland countryside
Expire: 2016-12-30
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Posted: Sun Jan 01, 2012 9:23 am Post subject: Re: Agfa Isolette III -- a clean shopgoodwill find |
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kansalliskala wrote:
cooltouch wrote: |
I'll have to dismount the lens/shutter assembly to get into the focusing helical, I'm figuring. |
I think you get the front element helicoid off by just unscrewing the 3 tiny screws between the nameplate and focusing scale. I'll check that with my (broken shutter ) example.
edit:
like this, the whole operation less than 5 minutes, except calibration of course.
small screws above the 3,5 / 75 marking
_________________ MF: Kodak DCS SLR/c; Samsung NX10; OM-10; Canon T50
Zuiko 28/3.5, Distagon 35/2.8; Yashica ML 50/2;
Zuiko 50/1.4; S-M-C 120/2.8; Zuiko 135/3.5; 200/5;
Tamron AD1 135/2.8, Soligor 180/3.5; Tamron AD1 300/5.6
Tamron zooms: 01A, Z-210
Yashicaflex C; Київ 4 + Юпитер 8, 11; Polaroid 100; Olympus XA; Yashica T3
Museum stuff: Certo-Phot; Tele-Edixon 135; Polaris 90-190; Asahi Bellows; Ixus IIs
Projects: Agfa Isolette III (no shutter), Canon AE-1D (no sensor),
Nikon D80 (dead), The "Peace Camera"
AF: Canon, Tokina, Sigma Video: JVC GZ-MG275E |
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Big Dawg
Joined: 28 Jan 2009 Posts: 2530 Location: Thach Alabama
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Posted: Sun Jan 01, 2012 3:21 pm Post subject: |
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Big Dawg wrote:
Sweet camera. I have only one folder...a Busch Pressman at the moment. I've been avoiding them as the bellows can be such an issue. _________________ Big Dawg |
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cooltouch
Joined: 15 Jan 2009 Posts: 9096 Location: Houston, Texas
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Posted: Sun Jan 01, 2012 4:33 pm Post subject: |
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cooltouch wrote:
Thanks for the tip, kansalliskala. Man-o-man, it would have been a while before I figured that one out. So it looks like I won't have to remove the lens/shutter assembly from the body after all. I think I'll try opening her up in a little while.
BD, I've always thought the Bush Pressmans were cool cameras. They seem to be somewhat better built than Graflex. Somewhere between a Linhof and a Graflex, I guess. What format is yours?
I've owned a number of bellows cameras. Guess I've just been lucky so far. None of them have had light leaks. Can't say the same for my PS-4 slide duplicator attachment for my PB-4 bellows though -- the bottom section of its bellows is just plain missing. _________________ Michael
My Gear List: http://michaelmcbroom.com/photo/gear.html
My Gallery: http://michaelmcbroom.com/gallery3/index.php/
My Flickr Page: https://www.flickr.com/photos/11308754@N08/albums
My Music: https://soundcloud.com/michaelmcbroom/albums
My Blog: http://michaelmcbroom.com/blogistan/ |
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Big Dawg
Joined: 28 Jan 2009 Posts: 2530 Location: Thach Alabama
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Posted: Sun Jan 01, 2012 7:31 pm Post subject: |
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Big Dawg wrote:
cooltouch wrote: |
Thanks for the tip, kansalliskala. Man-o-man, it would have been a while before I figured that one out. So it looks like I won't have to remove the lens/shutter assembly from the body after all. I think I'll try opening her up in a little while.
BD, I've always thought the Bush Pressmans were cool cameras. They seem to be somewhat better built than Graflex. Somewhere between a Linhof and a Graflex, I guess. What format is yours?
I've owned a number of bellows cameras. Guess I've just been lucky so far. None of them have had light leaks. Can't say the same for my PS-4 slide duplicator attachment for my PB-4 bellows though -- the bottom section of its bellows is just plain missing. |
5x4 unless I use the adapt-a-roll. Then it is a 6x9.
_________________ Big Dawg |
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