Afga Isolettes and Venturas?

[jay moussy]

Calling Isolette scholars, here.

Agfa Venturas 6x6 were stepsisters to isolettes as I understand, in the U.S. at least.
Most Venturas models I read about are Ventura Deluxe 66", with winding knob operated with the right hand design.

I just bought a Ventura at auction. Pictures read "Ventura" and a stylized "V" below the word. No "Deluxe" or "66" like most other Venturas showing up in searches.
Lens is Apotar, shutter is Prontor-S. Winding knob is used by left hand, a sign of an early model?

So, the body seems to be an Isolette I, but fitted with the better Apotar - Prontor combo.


I am told "Ventura" is unknown in Germany, even though many read "assembled in Munchen", and sometimes "U.S. Occupied".

 

[AgX]

I am told "Ventura" is unknown in Germany, even though many read "assembled in Munchen", and sometimes "U.S. Occupied".

Of course they were made in Germany, in Agfa's huge camera plant.

But the term "ventura" already is strange for a german camera, no similar term comes to my mind.
But to be fair, there were quite some strange names at german cameras...

 

[itsdoable]

Some external sources indicate the "Agfa Ventura 66 Deluxe" was the export version of the "Isolette II".

The "Ventrua Deluxe" (no "66") appears to be an export version of the original Isolette (before the "I").

And the "Ventura 66" (no "Deluxe") appears to be similar to the Isolette I.

 

[nosmok]

I have a Ventura 6x9 body that I acquired lens-less (and placed a 105mm Solinar on). Have seen a few other Ventura 6x9 for sale with Apotar, one in Australia. My guess is it was an export model for English language markets.

 

[jay moussy]

Well, the Ventura is here!
Front lens element is clear, aperture smooth, shutter is good down to 2 seconds, film winder knob a little stiff, but improving - as always, when was the last time camera was used?

And, as expected, I am at fixed-focus 5 feet mode!, so I hav eto read up on Agfa grease (a.k.a contact cement).

 

[gone]

You'll need some high test alcohol, at least 91% to 99%. Take off the whole lens and shutter assembly and soak it in a cup filled w/ that. Let it soak at least a day, longer is better.

Things should come apart (mark where infinity is first though), and be sure to get every tiny smidgen of that green stuff out of the threads. An Apotar is a very good lens, especially stopped down.

Are the bellows OK? That and the stuck lens are about all that can happen to those cameras, which I guess is plenty enough to keep anyone busy. Once you get those things addressed it shouldn't give you any more trouble.

 

[jay moussy]

Things should come apart (mark where infinity is first though), and be sure to get every tiny smidgen of that green stuff out of the threads.

I need to learn what to mark, when, and how so as not to have to play too much with film plane glass?

Are the bellows OK?

We will see. They all have that deceiving look...
I was spoiled with an earlier Agfa, a Billy Clack (1938?) with great bellows, may be leather.

 

[Besk]

I once had a Ventura 66 Deluxe. Solinar lens, Compur rapid shutter. Had to replace the bellows though.

 

[M Carter]

Alcholol wouldn't loosen up my isolette after soaking for a WEEK, so the whole group went in the oven - that did the trick. I think I put it on a cookie sheet, put it in, turned the oven to 200°f for an hour, then tuened the oven off and let it sit an hour so no sudden temp changes. Screwed looks with some pressure after that.

Here's an article on Rangefinder collimating (pretty easy) if you take it apart - I wouldn't rely on marking where the focus knob sat.

And here's a zip file of articles I saved on Isolette repair - mine was a III, I also had to loosen the stuck rangefinder screw with a soldering iron. It's a badass little camera now.

 

[jay moussy]

The "Remove the infinity post and CCW the whole lens assembly out" that most tutorials advocate only works if it is willing to twist off the shutter assembly.

Not here, not yet. Hair dryer mode