Pre-war, dual format Agfa Isolette...

bliorg · Jun 8, 2011

I had one of these years ago and always wanted to play with another. One came up last week on eBay with the usual problems (defunct shutter, stuck focus). I bought it. Arrived a few days ago; have it purring nicely now:

Pre-war Agfa Isolette... by Scott --, on Flickr

It's a neat camera - leather bellows, dual format (6x6 and 645), Solinar lens in Compur Rapid shutter. Wrote it up on my blog, if'n yer bored.

Neanderman · Jun 8, 2011

How did you loosen up the focus? I've had one for years in that condition and have had no luck freeing it up.

ed

BetterSense · Jun 8, 2011

On mine, I had to take the front focusing ring off, and then actually grab the front lens element with adjustable pliers. There was no other way; I even tried the boiling and whatnot.

bliorg · Jun 8, 2011

Hair dryer. Period. I've tried everything else, and nothing works as consistently. Point the dryer, on medium heat, at the edge of the elements (with the front ring removed - BTW, when removing the ring, loosen the screws without removing them, 'cause they're impossible to get restarted, and made of easily-stripped aluminum). Move the heat around so you gently and evenly heat the parts. Use a towel to unscrew. Never takes me more than about 30 seconds or so of heating.

When all the stuck parts are separated, you must remove all of the old grease before relubing with an appropriate grease. I use a small brass brush dipped in Goof-Off (essentially xylene) for this step, and relube with Teflon grease thinned a little with Rem Oil.

Buje · Jun 8, 2011

When all the stuck parts are separated, you must remove all of the old grease before relubing with an appropriate grease. I use a small brass brush dipped in Goof-Off (essentially xylene) for this step, and relube with Teflon grease thinned a little with Rem Oil.

Pardon my ignorance, but what is "Rem Oil"?

Paul

Neanderman · Jun 9, 2011

Thanks! I'll give that a try.

Ed

Mike Wilde · Jun 9, 2011

Buje said:
Pardon my ignorance, but what is "Rem Oil"?

Light machine oil - Rem(mington) gun oil, sewing machine oil, electric hair clipper oil, etc.

bliorg · Jun 9, 2011

A couple shots from the test roll today:

img045a by Scott --, on Flickr

img051a by Scott --, on Flickr

Mike Wilde · Jun 9, 2011

I rehabilitated my next door neighbours' 50's or earlier era agfa folder. It was a 6x9, with a optional 6x6 insert mask.

Pre-war, dual format Agfa Isolette...

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