Agfa Isolette III - A Tribute
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I have an Ansco branded version. The Ansco Speedex Special R. An Isolette III for the US market.
It was a gift from an APUG member a few years ago who's hobby was to buy them, refurbish them and give them away. Mine has new bellows and has had a total shutter clean.
A very nice medium format camera which is smaller than most 35mm cameras.
Steve.
It was a gift from an APUG member a few years ago who's hobby was to buy them, refurbish them and give them away. Mine has new bellows and has had a total shutter clean.
A very nice medium format camera which is smaller than most 35mm cameras.
Steve.
I also have an Ansco branded version which was a gift from my late aunt.
Ansco 6X6 Folder by Narsuitus, on Flickr
Ansco 6X6 Folder by Narsuitus, on Flickr
Here's mine:
It's an Isolette III with 4.5 Solinar lens and Synchro Compur shutter. I haven't been able to use it yet because the focusing mechanism is frozen -- a common problem with these cameras -- and I haven't wanted to tear into it for fear of screwing it up. I've just recently found a repair place that works on old cameras like this, so I'm probably gonna take it into them and have them give it a going over.
From what I've read, the Isolettes, especially the late ones like mine, rival the Zeiss Super Ikonta B in terms of image quality -- which is why I bought mine. I miss my Super Ikonta Bs.
It's an Isolette III with 4.5 Solinar lens and Synchro Compur shutter. I haven't been able to use it yet because the focusing mechanism is frozen -- a common problem with these cameras -- and I haven't wanted to tear into it for fear of screwing it up. I've just recently found a repair place that works on old cameras like this, so I'm probably gonna take it into them and have them give it a going over.
From what I've read, the Isolettes, especially the late ones like mine, rival the Zeiss Super Ikonta B in terms of image quality -- which is why I bought mine. I miss my Super Ikonta Bs.
Agfa Record...the Record III and Billy Record probably the most available.
The Record III is a 6x9 folder with an uncouple rangefinder, very similar in operation to the Isolette III.
Nice! I just got one myself (from Certo6) and surfed your blog review while waiting for mine to arrive 
May I know where you got the bellows from?
I try to make one, well attempted two times then found out that bellow making is not for me. :-(
I picked up a super isolette (coupled rangefinder) about 10 years ago (solinar lens) and often bring it along with my 500C and so have had many comparisons and other than some film edge sharpness difference its hard to tell the images apart. I paid about $350 from Jurgen Kreckel and was worth every penny
OP
OP
Nice! I just got one myself (from Certo6) and surfed your blog review while waiting for mine to arrive
I was lucky with mine (and paid a fraction of the same camera) but one hauled by Jurgen Kreckel would be a jewel for sure....
Thanks rpavich for checking my blog.....
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- baachitraka
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A Prontor-S/SV/SVS is not so hard to clean.
Synchro- Compurs can be different.
Synchro- Compurs can be different.
But not necessarily hard, unless you remove things that you don't need to remove.
Out of curiosity I soaked Prontor SV in lighter fluid and came out clean except 1s and it is bit slow. Previously all slow speed and self-timer was frozen.
I was going to jump in with Agfa Record too but then realized you were asking about ANSCO-branded 6x9's. The equivalent to the Record on the ANSCO side was basically the Viking, which presumably means it was the best ANSCO 6x9 folder you could get. As with the Record it came in different quality levels, but as far as I know was never as well appointed as the best Records, and was never offered with a rangefinder. So I think the short answer to your question is NO - no ANSCO-branded 6x9 folders with a rangefinder. ...unless I'm missed something.
In my experience soaking whole can cause the dirt to end up on shutter blades, hindering their operation. What I usually do is remove the front plate, then use a syringe to very lightly apply lighter fluid to axle ends on self-timer and escapement mechanisms. In case of a shutter with a moving "ring" beneath the speed selection plate, I take that off and clean both the outer lens barrel and the ring from inside. Here I usually apply a couple of drops of oil when assembling to make the ring rotate smoothly.
Also, I usually exercise the escapement mechanism in-place right after applying lighter fluid until it runs satisfactorily. This can be done by pushing in the lever at the end of the mechanism a bit to allow it to move, then using a screwdriver to move the pin that gets moved by the speed selection ring.
Exactly.
Yes, that was out of curiosity I soaked in lighter fluid. 
Yes, that was out of curiosity I soaked in lighter fluid.
You're not the only one who has done that.
If that method is used, it's best to give it at least another bath in lighter fluid/naptha, because the first bath can leave a thin film of oil on everything in the shutter.DcAnalogue, your Isolette photos are excellent and everyone of them deserve to be framed and even be in an exhibition. You have a great eye for composition! Very inspiring, to say the least. They are also a nice thumb's up for the simple Apotar triplet, that can take incredible photos in the hands of a good photographer.
My naked shutter took three baths, well one time with reinigungsbenzin but it was happy with lighter fluid aka feuerzeugbenzin.
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