Agfa Isoly I: Lens and shutter cleanup

Dali · Jan 17, 2023

Hi there,

Do you know how to access the shutter and both sides of the meniscus lens of this camera? The shutter speeds (1/30 & 1/100) are quite unstable and the lens could see the benefit of a cleaning.

I don't see any visible screw (apart from those close to the camera body; I removed them without much success...) and I don't want to break or damage anything (the camera is in pretty good cosmetic condition).

Thanks!

cmacd123 · Jan 17, 2023

Not sure of that model, but in general the set screws are taken out of the front of the lens, and the bezzel comes off. with the infinity stop out of the way, the front lens element can be UN-threaded. That exposes a ring to take the front cover off the shutter. then you can dismantle the "works" and get at the shutter and aperture blades.

what is the make and model of the shutter? some factory manuals are online.

Dali · Jan 17, 2023

Problem is that I don't see any screw to remove... The meniscus is attached to a black plastic helicoid for focus and the helicoid is surrounded by a shiny bezel bearing the distance scale. Is this bezel glued or screwed? Is the shutter accessible beneath it? I don't know.

The shutter model is unknown to me. It is an everset type, like one found in simple cameras like Diana or Holga.

4season · Jan 17, 2023

If it’s anything like Holga, look for a focus stop screw on the rear of the lens.

gone · Jan 18, 2023

That front element should just unscrew off. But I always gave the shutters on cameras like that a few squeezes of lighter fluid in the little slot on the side and usually that worked. Often oil on the blades causes issues as well. W/ the front (or rear) element off, you can clean them w/ a Q-tip and lighter fluid.

Dali · Jan 18, 2023

Yes, once the meniscus is removed, I guess I can access the shutter and clean it. But the whole point is how to remove this damned meniscus without damaging it..?

gone · Jan 18, 2023

Maybe you have an Isoly Junior? Agfa made a bewildering amount of different Isoly cameras (and let's not forget the Isola tube cameras). On mine, the knurled front surround just screwed off, and then the lens element would plop out if you turned the camera so that the lens was upside down and spanked it a bit on the back. But some of the models seem to have a different type of system, like the Junior shown on this website below. If you can post a pic of yours, it might clear things up.

Isoly - Camera-wiki.org - The free camera encyclopedia

camera-wiki.org

Dali · Jan 18, 2023

Definitely Isoly I like stated in the title.

Agfa Isoly I: Lens and shutter cleanup

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