Agfa Isolette III query

[AndyNC]

Hi All,

My first post here.
I was given an Agfa Isolette III some years ago and I though it was time to get it back into action. This is my first camera repair.
I have managed to strip, clean and reassemble the shutter mechanism and get it operational with the shutter running about 1/3 stop slow so no real problems. Originally the shutter could not fully operate and the focus was very stiff. Green grease issue.

But I have a lack of understanding regarding the timer operation and I can’t tell if it’s not working properly or not.
In the manual the operation is (with names in brackets added by me):
1) Cock the shutter.
2) Turn lever 6 (timer lever) to the left as far as it will go. Shifting lever 9 (synchro lever) must be put implicitly on “RED X”
3) Press exposure trigger in usual way.

What I have found is to set the timer with stressing the timer gears, I have to cock the shutter, set the synchro on to M cock the timer, set synchro back to X and fire the shutter.
If I leave the synchro on X setting the timer forces the gears. If I cock the timer on M and fire the shutter the timer does not operate and the shutter fires immediately.

When it was apart I noted that there is a lever in the timer mechanism that is affected by the synchro lever and this would disengage the timer gears and allow a smooth cocking.

So could some one with more experience than me explain how to use the timer?

ps: shone a light into the bellows, they lit up like a Christmas tree. Next task new bellows.

Kind regards

Andy

 

[Donald Qualls]

The advice in general these days is not to try to use the self-timer in most old round shutters. It's far more prone to problem than the main shutter operation, and if it jams there's a risk of damaging other parts trying to get it to fire the shutter (and the shutter is unusable while the timer is jammed).

 

[gone]

What Donald said. Just assume that any old camera that has a self timer doesn't have a self timer. I've seen numerous shutters hang up when using the self timer, and a few never came back into operation.

 

[Dan Daniel]

bellows-
http://www.sandehalynch.com/camerawork/bellows.php

 

[AndyNC]

Hi,

Thank you for your responses.

I made a mistake in my original post. Part should read
"What I have found is to set the timer without stressing the timer gears, I have to cock the shutter, set the synchro on to M cock the timer, set synchro back to X and fire the shutter."

Donald, Momas: I understand what you are saying and have thought to to myself "Do I need the timer?". My personal task it to get the camera working so I'm trying to find out how the timer should be operated so that I can check if it is working correctly. Regarding whether I use it or not, I'm hoping that some one with experience of using the Isolette would be able to explain in more detail than the manual. At the moment I can get the timer to work well but my method does not agree with the manual.

Dan: I've already contacted Sandeha so I can replace my "Christmas tree". Ha also has sent me a link on cleaning the rangefinder.

Kind regards
Andy

 

[Donald Qualls]

There were a number of different shutters on various Isolette models and price points. A photo of yours would surely help.

 

[AndyNC]

Good point.
It's the PRONTOR-S with the Agfa Apotar 1:4.5 / 85

Sorry a bit big.
Thanks
Andy

 

[Ray Van Nes]

Hi All,

My first post here.
I was given an Agfa Isolette III some years ago and I though it was time to get it back into action. This is my first camera repair.
I have managed to strip, clean and reassemble the shutter mechanism and get it operational with the shutter running about 1/3 stop slow so no real problems. Originally the shutter could not fully operate and the focus was very stiff. Green grease issue.

But I have a lack of understanding regarding the timer operation and I can’t tell if it’s not working properly or not.
In the manual the operation is (with names in brackets added by me):
1) Cock the shutter.
2) Turn lever 6 (timer lever) to the left as far as it will go. Shifting lever 9 (synchro lever) must be put implicitly on “RED X”
3) Press exposure trigger in usual way.

What I have found is to set the timer with stressing the timer gears, I have to cock the shutter, set the synchro on to M cock the timer, set synchro back to X and fire the shutter.
If I leave the synchro on X setting the timer forces the gears. If I cock the timer on M and fire the shutter the timer does not operate and the shutter fires immediately.

When it was apart I noted that there is a lever in the timer mechanism that is affected by the synchro lever and this would disengage the timer gears and allow a smooth cocking.

So could some one with more experience than me explain how to use the timer?

ps: shone a light into the bellows, they lit up like a Christmas tree. Next task new bellows.

Kind regards

Andy

The bellows on the Isolette are easy to replace. Four screws and the film gate comes out. A gentleman in England, makes new bellows, a Sandahe Lynch. In different colours too!

 

[AndyNC]

Hi Ray,

Thank you for your comments, I have a set of his bellows in front of me waiting for me to fit them. I chose black so it wouldn't attract attention although the coloured ones do look good.
He also has a good video on YouTube
Well presented history of his adventure in cameras.


In my original post I was after finding how the timer was supposed to work as the manual I have, and ones on the web are for a different shutter.

Do you know how the one in the photo should work?

Best regards
Andy