Flash sync on an agfa isolette ii

stool · Jul 27, 2015

Greeting apugers,

I have a question about sync cords for my isolette ii prontor s unit. The manual on butkus and every google search indicates that the camera has a standard 3mm sync terminal. I used a standard sync cord and it doesnt seem to fit. The cord fit fine on all my other gear but just wont go in on the isolette.

Please advise if the port shown in the picture requires me to pick up something other than a standard cable to get flash on this beauty

AgX · Jul 27, 2015

The standard german synchro-connector is of the "PC" (Prontor-Compur) type. Your male plug is the right one.

Your female connector does not look like an original PC one. But rather like one hampered with or even something different. In any case nothing like I have seen. In the original the outer contact tube is about as long as the inner contact tube, and the isolator at level or slightly protruding. But then not as far as in your case.

If there is a chance to easily manipulate a PC male plug to make the connection, you could look at a rummage box for a short PC hybrid-/extention-cord and modify that into a custom-made adapter.

stool · Jul 27, 2015

Thanks agx. This unit was purchased as serviced and ready to go a week ago. I will investigate if the sync terminal was modified or changed during repairs.

John Koehrer · Jul 27, 2015

The cord is right. I've never seen a flash connector like the one on the camera.
I may have led a sheltered life.

stool · Jul 27, 2015

Mystery solved by jurgen from certo6.com

Apparently I have a pre-war lens with the older pre 1949 flash post which preceded the modern format. Jurgen said that these posfs are common on lens measuring in feet instead of metric.

TLDR: port is old. Get a camera thats metric next time if you want flash.

AgX · Jul 27, 2015

And what male connectors did those posts take?

Pioneer · Jul 28, 2015

If you want to mount a standard PC synch post it should not require much work. I have a nice pre-war Agfa Record that I was able to retrofit. It doesn't look wonderful but it works. If you aren't comfy diving into a Prontor shutter you could have someone do it for you.

stool · Jul 29, 2015

no idea what connector the post takes, perhaps Pioneer can show us his?

baachitraka · Jul 29, 2015

What shutter does that camera have?

stool · Jul 29, 2015

prontor s shutter

baachitraka · Jul 29, 2015

That's good. It has flash synchronisation.

It see is there any adapter available...

Sent from my GT-I9301I using Tapatalk

joedoss · Jan 28, 2016

Hi, this is my 1st post on APUG and I hope its at the righ place.

I have a Isolette II on the way from Jurgen (Certo6) and was planning on using flash on it. I've never used a folder and I'm exited to try it out. I currently have a Nikon SB-20 that I use with my Nikon FE2. Will it be ok to directly mount this flash onto the Isollete II's "cold shoe" and trigger the flash with a pc sync? Will the contacts from the SB-20 on the Isolette ii "cold shoe" cause any issues to the flash?

Thanks in advance for the replies

Peltigera · Jan 29, 2016

In my experience, you will be fine. If I remember correctly, my first flash player gun (c1972) would only fire through the PC connector if the hot shoe connectors were shorted in a metal cold shoe.

www.johns-old-cameras.blogspot.co.uk

AgX · Jan 29, 2016

joedoss said:
Will the contacts from the SB-20 on the Isolette ii "cold shoe" cause any issues to the flash?

Welcome to Apug!

Yes, the contacts of your flash will cause trouble.

The all-metal cold shoe will shorten the trigger circuit of your flash.
As the contacts at the hot-foot of the flash are in parallel to its PC contacts.

Put isolating tape on the base of the camera cold-shoe.
Or use an adapting hot-shoe with pc-socket.

The Isolette II was delivered with two different shutters, both are X-synchronized/have X-setting.

With other folders with PC socket check whether the camera is x-synchronized at all:
Open the aperture, the back door, dim the light and release the shutter looking through the lens from behind.
In X-synchronisation you should see the flash light unobstructed by any shutter leaves.

joedoss · Jan 29, 2016

Thanks Peltigera & Agx for the reply. Answers seem to be conflicting, could it be dependent on flash or camera? Would I damage the sb-20 if I tried it directly on the cold shoe? Tks

AgX · Jan 29, 2016

The top cap of the Isolette is anodized Aluminium, and thus isolating. The cold shoe though is chromed.
(Maybe though the cold shoe of Peltigera's sample is anodized too, or he overlooked that issue.)

No, the basic function of your flash will not be damaged.
(Just let it load off the camera and then push onto the cold-shoe, it will fire.)

However, shortening those other camera dedicated contacts might induce error.
Thus set the flash to M. In the A setting it likely still is employing one of these contacts.
But so far I know of no dedicated flash where there is a warning not use it on non-dedicated cameras.
And likely those contacts are cold at the side of the flash. Have not yet looked into that...

But as I indicated, remedy is simple.

Or even better, buy a flash where plugging in a synchrocable will disactivate the hot-foot contact.

joedoss · Jan 30, 2016

Agx, Thanks for the detailed reply. I'm going to try the Sb-20 on the camera directly when it arrives. Its already been 12 days since shipment, but I live i Malaysia and will have to be patient I guess

joedoss · Mar 1, 2016

Just wanted to give an update. Sb20 could not fire when mounted as it was shortening on the body. Solved it by using electrical insulation tape on the cold shoe. I just have to watch the tape for tears and replace when necessary. ☺ Doesn't look bad either...

Flash sync on an agfa isolette ii

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