DOA Isolette I - Test rolls questions

ggray79 · Apr 25, 2022

85/4.5 Agnar.

The first roll showed me this was pretty much DOA from eBay, probably bellows pinholes, and I could see a couple later. Examples: 2022-04-05 ... 001 and 004 below.

For the second roll I wrapped the bellows with a dark cloth and got 2022-05-22 010 below. Took off the cloth and got 2022-04-22 005 and 007 below.

I think 007 shows I still have a pinhole somewhere, although it is so much brighter and sharper than the first roll leaks I thought I would ask you folks if it looks like something more than a pinhole.

I think 005 shows a light seal leak, probably where the back latches. In other words, something different than a bellows pinhole, since it is so vertically uniform. Does anyone agree that it is a light seal leak?

Thanks!

reddesert · Apr 26, 2022

You didn't ask my opinion on terms, but IMO "dead on arrival" means the camera doesn't operate, like stuck shutter, focus seized, etc. Bellows pinholes are a frequent problem with folding cameras, and like many light leaks require repair before the camera can be useful, but not "DOA."

The straight edge to the light struck area in 005 and 007 might be from a light leak that is partly shaded by a fold of the bellows. I wouldn't yet judge that 005 has anything to do with the back.

Common advice for finding bellows light leaks is to take the camera into a dark room, open the back, and put a flashlight or light source inside the bellows from the back. Clearly the professional way to fix them is replacement, but you can also try liquid electrical tape or similar concoctions to patch small leaks. If you do that, search for others' recommendations (small amounts in multiple coats, don't goop a lot on, etc etc).

ggray79 · Apr 27, 2022

reddesert said:
You didn't ask my opinion on terms, but IMO "dead on arrival" means the camera doesn't operate, like stuck shutter, focus seized, etc. Bellows pinholes are a frequent problem with folding cameras, and like many light leaks require repair before the camera can be useful, but not "DOA."

The straight edge to the light struck area in 005 and 007 might be from a light leak that is partly shaded by a fold of the bellows. I wouldn't yet judge that 005 has anything to do with the back.

Common advice for finding bellows light leaks is to take the camera into a dark room, open the back, and put a flashlight or light source inside the bellows from the back. Clearly the professional way to fix them is replacement, but you can also try liquid electrical tape or similar concoctions to patch small leaks. If you do that, search for others' recommendations (small amounts in multiple coats, don't goop a lot on, etc etc).

Very good thoughts on bellows vs. the back. I will follow up and do the light test. The focusing ring is stuck, but it is on infinity so I thought I might could salvage it as a landscape only camera. Thanks!

pentaxuser · Apr 27, 2022

Depending on what you paid and how much you will value its future use then given its bellows and focusing ring problems, you might want to consider sending it out to a reputable repairman such as Certo 6 or another who knows folders well and repairs them. I have one myself and within its limitations of zone focusing and only 3 speeds it's a good camera

pentaxuser

gone · Apr 27, 2022

It's probably just another light leak. The bellows will need to be replaced, or you'll need to buy a camera w/ a good one. It should be much cheaper and easier to get anther camera. That way you have a spare lens and shutter, and maybe keep the current camera w/ an eye to dealing w/ that bellows later.

bernard_L · Apr 27, 2022

momus said:
The bellows will need to be replaced, or you'll need to buy a camera w/ a good one. It should be much cheaper and easier to get anther camera.

Isolettes have pinholes in the bellows, it's in their DNA. A good isolette is an isolette with a replaced bellows.

Nicholas Lindan · Apr 27, 2022

ggray79 said:
The focusing ring is stuck, but it is on infinity so I thought I might could salvage it as a landscape only camera.

Stuck focusing helicals are also a hallmark of Agfa cameras.

Google for "agfa grease" for articles and posts on fixing the problem. It isn't hard, just requires a jeweler's screwdriver, the solvent of your choice and a bit of new grease.

Special greases are available for focusing helicals, I haven't been too impressed with them as they seperate. There is also 'damping grease' recomended for optical assemblies - I have no direct knowledge. I use Dow High Vacuum grease - it doesn't dry out, it doesn't seperate, it doesn't creep, and it doesn't outgas (i.e. fog the inner lens surfaces).

pentaxuser · Apr 27, 2022

bernard_L said:
Isolettes have pinholes in the bellows, it's in their DNA. A good isolette is an isolette with a replaced bellows.

I was given mine probably 10 years ago and it had and still has no bellows holes. It may have been used rarely or extensively in its life before my possession, I have no way of knowing.

So my question would be what causes the holes? Is it time in the form of there being the near certainty of holes after X years whether used or not or is it use i.e. the opening and closing frequency of the bellows?

If it was used on a very occasional basis I'd have expected have expected problems with shutter speeds and focusing but I have had neither. So it's a bit of a puzzle

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DOA Isolette I - Test rolls questions

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