Agfa Jsorette?

[ChristopherCoy]

I was given $30 to play at the casino. Luckily I found a penny machine that turned my $30 into $100, and miraculously the spousal unit stated I could keep it and buy something fun!

I really like 6x6 and with a Hassy, Holga, and an in route to me Certo Phot, I've got a few options when shooting. But I'm thinking, "why not blow the hundred on something out the box and collectible, but useable?" Sooo I'm looking at some 6x6 folders.

I really like this Agfa Jsolette that I found, which as I understand it is the early version of the Isolette. What is one of these actually worth?

Any other suggestions for something similar with bellows?

 

[Brian Legge]

You actually have an Isolette. The 'J' is a common misinterpretation. These are certainly competent folders. The line went on to eventually include the Super Isolette. There are a lot of stellar options out there.

What are you looking for? Do you _need_ a rangefinder or can you make due with a scale focus camera?

 

[BobD]

Before buying an Isolette make sure the focus is working as that feature is often frozen by time-hardened grease and in need of repair.

 

[PaulMD]

Also consider an Ikonta, the non-rf models (Ikonta, not Super Ikonta) are cheap and retain the excellent rigidity of this series, and the lenses are quite good, even the Novar Anastigmat triplets. I have a 6x6 triplet Ikonta which I often pair with the new Ektar film, it produces fun results which can be easily enlarged or scanned.

 

[jnoir]

Actually, it is not a misinterpretation: At the very beginning, there were Jsorettes, those first models with black baquelite cover have the word "Jsorette" clearly embossed on the leatherette for the front door (it has to do, IIRC, with some particularities of the German language in that era):

IMHO, it is the less desirable version of those Agfas. The Isolette III (uncoupled RF) can be obtained with Prontor shutter and Apotar lens for about that price.

I would also suggest having a look at a Franka Solida III or IIIE (with or w/o RF) with S-K Radionar or an Ensign AutoRange 220 (with CRF), some of my favourite folders and very capable indeed.

 

[mwdake]

I have one with the 'J' variant.
Even though it might look like a 'J' it really is an 'I'.

In old German the capital 'I' was written like this.
If you need another example look at Jhagee versus Ihagee on Exacta cameras of similar era; I think the change took place around 1937-38.

 

[Wade D]

I really like the Agfa Isolette I bought for my birthday 2 years ago. $40.00 from ebay. The previous owner had new bellows installed and the zone focus is smooth. It has an 85mm f/4.5 Agnar lens and a Vario shutter with only 3 speeds so it is a base model. I've shot a couple dozen rolls through it and am pleased with the sharpness and contrast obtained with such a simple camera.