Agfa Karat love.

[titrisol]

Rapid cartridges seem like a very good candidate for 3D printed replacements.

My first attempt looks OK, but is going to scratch the film. I need to go to SLA printingto get a very smooth final product

 

[Donald Qualls]

I need to go to SLA printingto get a very smooth final product

Another option (much cheaper than buying a resin printer) is to switch to a 0.2 nozzle and adjust slicer settings accordingly. I've seen filament prints done with a fine nozzle and layer height that rival SLA results. Slow, but for some results worth the wait.

 

[SpinierPigeon]

Aw man, I haven't had a chance to shoot mine yet. I love the ergonomics of it though. The combined rangefinder/viewfinder is a really interesting idea (and not hard for me to use) and I love the way it pops open. I do have a long list of cameras to shoot though, so it'll get shot eventually. Fortunately, I've stocked up on film so I won't have any excuse to not shoot it. I just wish it had some kind of integral lens cap or something, I don't like carrying collapsing cameras that don't have lens caps in my pocket and this seems like it would be a great pocket camera.

 

[titrisol]

Aw man, I haven't had a chance to shoot mine yet. I love the ergonomics of it though. The combined rangefinder/viewfinder is a really interesting idea (and not hard for me to use) and I love the way it pops open. I do have a long list of cameras to shoot though, so it'll get shot eventually. Fortunately, I've stocked up on film so I won't have any excuse to not shoot it. I just wish it had some kind of integral lens cap or something, I don't like carrying collapsing cameras that don't have lens caps in my pocket and this seems like it would be a great pocket camera.

If you have someone close by that can 3D print for you I can send you the STL-code
Otherwise it is a 32mm cap

 

[SpinierPigeon]

If you have someone close by that can 3D print for you I can send you the STL-code
Otherwise it is a 32mm cap

I have one of the ones that uses normal 135, thankfully. I just need to go out and shoot it.

 

[titrisol]

I'm talking about lenscaps

 

[JPD]

I just got a Karat12 with the Karat-Xenar f/2.8 lens - 4 or 5 element?

If it's a five element Xenar, with the shutter closed you should see six reflections in the front component. That should be easy to see because the the front component has three uncemented elements in the five element Xenar, while the normal Xenar has two (four reflections).

 

[SpinierPigeon]

I'm talking about lenscaps

Oh sorry, I misunderstood. If you'd send me the STL I would greatly appreciate that. I have a 3d printer so i can make it myself.

 

[Anaxagore]

Had 3 Karat 36, with the various 2.0 lenses.. I guess 2 of them were stolen during house moves as I can now only find one of them. IIRC I preferred the Solagon, followed by the Heligon, and the Xenon last. As for the split rangefinder, I found it much quicker to align two half images than doing it with a tiny patch in the middle…

 

[SpinierPigeon]

As for the split rangefinder, I found it much quicker to align two half images than doing it with a tiny patch in the middle…

I think I like the split rangefinder design the most. It's really convenient and really stands out when you're focusing.
.
I just ran a roll through mine and it ripped a bunch of sprocket holes for some reason. I don't see why it did that. I don't think it was because I didn't put the film on the sprocket properly (I checked in a dark bag), not sure where to go from here. Maybe I'll try it again and triple check to see if I put the film in incorrectly.

 

[titrisol]

I have one with the Rodenstock f2.0 lens. It needs a whole bunch of stuff - the focusing is incredibly stiff, the shutter speeds are off, and the film advance has issues. I like the ergonomics of it and the overall quirkiness, but it may end up sitting on the shelf as a display piece because the quote I got for overhauling it was in the $600 range. If anyone here knows someone who would tackle it for less money, I'd be open to any suggestions.

It shouldn't be that difficult unless the bellows is broken or the link to the RF is gone.

Focusing helicoid can be cleaned, I moved the lens to the closest focus (1m), and then clean the helicoid with Qtips moistened in electrical contact cleaner/acetone. A lot of black/green goo came off quickly, exercises the focusing and repeated a few times
It is not buttery smooth, but is easy to work with now.

 

[titrisol]

If it's a five element Xenar, with the shutter closed you should see six reflections in the front component. That should be easy to see because the the front component has three uncemented elements in the five element Xenar, while the normal Xenar has two (four reflections).

Thanks, you are right.
I found the CJ's Karat website very informative.

Agfa Karat 12 / 2.8 cameras

Agfa Karat, camera information, photographs, collection

www.cjs-classic-cameras.co.uk

 

[titrisol]

I finally relented and got a couple of Karat36 from fleabay
The Karat12 has a great lens but I cant find the cartridges for a decent price.

I bought 2 Karat36 version 3, with a Solinar 2.8, a Rodenstock Heligon 50/2, and a Ansco Karomat (rebadged) with a Xenar 50/2.8.
The Karomat and the Solinar cameras were not in the best shape, but using one as donor it allowed me to have a fully functional camera.
The hardest part after regreasing the helicoid was to put it back in the right place


Karat 36 v3 with Karat Xenar 50/2.8


Karat36 v3 with Heligon 50/2.0

From the Karat-Xenar 36

 

[titrisol]

Hoover Dam with Karat36