Restored Agfa Isolette/Ansco Speedex 6x6 - Free (with a few conditions)

[Solinar]

I don't want a camera - I already have four folders - but what an awesome gesture. I do hope these see some use.

 

[Michel Hardy-Vallée]

Add a Human Rangefinder to your folder!

I was looking for accessory rangefinders (the Isolette II models are zone focus only) when I stumbled upon this little gem:

http://photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=003HEV
http://www.tomchuk.com/rf_hfd/index.php

Basically, it uses the parallax of your eyes and your arm's length to build a chart for estimating focus. I'll be using it for sure.

Coupled with the exposure-mat: http://expomat.tripod.com/, nobody should fear anymore a camera without focus or exposure measurement!

 

[jsfyfe]

To all who contacted me about my offer, I want to thank you for the fantastic interest and very kind messages. All of the cameras are now or soon will be on their way to their new owners. I think I've contacted everyone who will receive a camera and also those to whom, I'm sorry to say, I was unable to give cameras. If I failed to respond to your PM or e-mail I apologize. Maybe I will do this again sometime once I have a few more cameras than I know what to do with.

Again, thanks very much (and try to give a little something to APUG).

Best regards, John

 

[unibonded]

A fantastic offer, what a gent, it gives you faith in society!

For those receiving a Isolette, you won't be disappointed, it's a great camera, simple with a superb sharp lens.

 

[indierthanthou]

you, sir, are an amazing person. Maybe next time I will get a chance to jump on this sooner!

 

[k_jupiter]

So jsfyfe... do you want to rebuild some Zeiss nettars (6x6) for next years giveaway?

I have a couple I will send you, gratis, not in bad shape, but they would certainly apperciate the overhaul.

PM me

tim in san jose

 

[Gene_Laughter]

I'm the happy recipient of one of John's restored gift folders - an Agfa Isolette III, in my case. I received it last week and let me tell you, it's a thing a beauty!!! John does a great job. I twisted his arm and insisted that John accept a contribution from me to his "parts fund," as he obviously spends a lot of time and money in restoring and mailing out these wonderful cameras. For him to continue with this generous "hobby" I felt I should help in some small way!

Thanks again, John!

A happy "customer"

Gene Laughter

 

[Michael W]

Well, one of these cameras will be coming to Sydney. Very generous offer by John & I'm looking forward to using it. I've been interested in folders for awhile so this is a great chance to get into shooting with one.

 

[Dennis S]

On the list

I would love to be a candidate for this genorous gift. I sent a PM. APUG is the best thing sence sliced bread.

 

[vdonovan]

John you really are a gentleman. The nicest thing about your offer is that I believe the cameras will truly end up in the hands of folks who will use them, which is a good thing for all of us.

And I just BOUGHT an Ansco Speedex! Darn.

 

[chriscrawfordphoto]

John you really are a gentleman. The nicest thing about your offer is that I believe the cameras will truly end up in the hands of folks who will use them, which is a good thing for all of us.

And I just BOUGHT an Ansco Speedex! Darn.

I agree. Old cameras have often been priced out of reach of people like me who are serious photographers who enjoy the older cameras more then newer ones, but have little income. I graduated from Indiana University with a fine arts degree 9 years ago and never found a job. Here in Indiana art majors are absolutely unemployable. Two of the women I went to school with are still on welfare because no one would hire them, and the rest of my classmates live with parents still or they're married and living off their spouse's income. I live off what little I make selling my work on my website and from the exhibits I am in. Its not easy.

I think if I had a chance to do over, I'd still go to school for art and still be a fine art photographer. My life has been very hard, but I have had an incredible adventure and it has been made easier by generous people like John who have given me equipment along the way. He's the first person to do so without knowing me first, and he was sending cameras to a lot of others here too, but it is something I will always appreciate and I will use the camera he sends to make art!

A lot of times people think photographers who do artistic work rather than commercial stuff are all dentists and trustfunders who buy costly cameras as a hobby. Some are, but there are a lot of us who are not rich who make it our life, not just a hobby or a job. For all of us poor artists, I say thanks!

 

[vfcs]

Godsend for India project

Amazing project, you are a star!

I have a square Bronica kit that I use often, and old 35mm fast lens rangefinders (Canonet, Konica, etc.). At the end of this year I am travelling to South India to do 3 photo projects. I am only taking film cameras, no digital, and travel as light as possible. I've been scratching my head for a while, pondering about my MF choices -- I'm sorted for Leica size but forget the Bronica in the field there, especially in low light, when you can't shoot below 1/60 even with a tripod, because of the mirror slap. MF rangefinders are measured for their weight in gold. I never though of it but hey, great idea: I could use one of them old folders, the lens would give an interesting effect to the pictures. Gosh, you really put the shutterbug in my ear now. I'd shoot BnW and colour alike. I have an old Kodak autograph but it's more decoration than a user, that's why I never considered folders as an option.
I'm prepared to donate 20US to APUG and pay for shipping and give you feedback with the test pictures and the final project. I plan to shoot temples, a closed brahmin community and martial arts, and feel more comfortable with meters than feet but all the same really. Usability, quality and a decent finder is all I need, I fill in the rest.

Regards,

Csaba Farkas

 

[ray*j*gun]

Free Folder

If you still have some available I would be happy to abide by your rules.

Please let me know.

Thanks

Ray

 

[jsfyfe]

All of the cameras have been shipped to those who were fortunate to receive one. My supply of restored cameras is now zero, so I guess I'll have to get back to the workbench (or maybe I'll just take the summer off and go take some pictures!!). Thanks again for everyone's interest and kind comments.

 

[chriscrawfordphoto]

I got mine today! It looks like new, and works beautifully. John could have sold these for a lot of money, and I want to say thanks again to him for his gift. I can't wait to get out and use it.

 

[MikeSeb]

Let me take another opportunity to publicly thank John for one of the nicest gestures I've ever witnessed. I was lucky enough to respond in time to receive a camera, and just took this beauty out of its shipping box (I live pretty close to Virginia!). John's craftsmanship in restoring my "new" Isolette II was as meticulous as his offer was generous.

Thank you John, on behalf of us all.

 

[Richard Wasserman]

I received mine as well today and I have to second Mike's opinion of the camera. The workmanship on the restoration is terrific, it looks almost like new. I put a roll through it and it works as well as it looks. Thank you John for this very generous offer, I feel very lucky to have received this camera.

Richard Wasserman

 

[Lee L]

John sent one to my son as well. It arrived today, looking great, and the first roll he shot with it (he went for the Efke 25) is in my darkroom waiting to get onto a reel tonight and be processed. Of course it cuts ahead of the dozen or so rolls I have waiting.

My son has sent his thanks already, but I'll add mine again here. Great thing to do, and very nice refurb on the camera.

Lee

 

[Whatadame]

Mine was on my front porch when I got home from work. It's like a time capsule, it's so beautiful.
I'm going to get a roll to shoot tomorrow after work.
I'm so excited to try the larger format!

 

[Robin A]

Many thanks go to John,my Speedex arrived yesterday and it is GREAT !! A SUPER GUY...............Robin

 

[moose10101]

Amazing! And thanks for detailing your restoration procedure. I have a couple folders that need a bit more TLC.

 

[Jon Shiu]

Beautiful camera! Looking forward to shooting some square pictures!

Jon

 

[ricksplace]

John -I have some parts you might want. A few bodies, lenses, etc. PM me with your home address and I'll mail them to you.
Rick

 

[Richard530]

Sam,
What an awesome thing to do...I hope it makes you feel as good to do it as it did for me to read about it.
Best of Life to you,
Richard

 

[nsurit]

Share a camera/share an image

I have a few folders that I enjoy using from time to time (Semi-Leotax, Olympus Chrome Six, Voigtlander RF and Bessa II). It might be nice for the folks who received these folders to post an image or two to the forum and identify them as being made with the "pay it forward" cameras. Maybe someone could even start a "pay it forward" thread.

Bill Barber