Unjamming Agfa Apotar -need clarification!

jay moussy · Jun 16, 2022

My "new" Agfa Ventura/Isolette has a fozen focus ring. I am reading:

It looks simple enough by my questions are:

1. How do go from picture 1 to picture 2? Text is unclear (to me).

2. Author, at re-assembly stage, refers to an (unmentioned) marking he made earlier. What relative parts is the marking made on so they can mate as original?

DWThomas · Jun 16, 2022

In the text about the band and plastic tubing he used to grip the lens parts he describes the mark:

In order to help keep proper focus adjustment I marked the edge of the 2nd element with a wax crayon and noted which part of the lettering/numbers of the focus ring was next to it when the front element eventually became detached.

It's just a trick to start the threaded part back into the thread it released from, as some focusing helix assemblies have multiple threads.

(Now personally, I think lighter fluid would tend to dissolve wax crayon, but whatever! )

Saganich · Jun 16, 2022

Simple, your funny. Perhaps the infinity post is removed allowing the group to be unscrewed. Befor unscrewing the two elements mark (on both elements) to indicate where they were befor you unscrewed them. They will have to end-up back in the same position. In other words, you can start the thread in several positions on assembly, but only one will work, so you have to indicate that befor you pull them apart.

cmacd123 · Jun 16, 2022

AGFA is one of the makers who used a grease that is known to become almost solid over time. I have put mine away until I have a very patient day, But I have heard of using Both Hairdryer heat as well as various solvents to get it loose enough to take apart and clean to remove ALL the old grease. One post indicated thet the grease was made by BAYER, which was part of the same firm as AGFA at the time.

jay moussy · Jun 22, 2022

Update:
I used some minute amounts of PB Blaster in hope of dislodging front lens, but also the whole, which was stuck as well.
A few days later, a gentle tug on the focus ring, and the whole lens assembly rotated!
I now just need to remove the infinity post, focus ring, remove lens assembly, and then soak it in some grease-dissolving liquid, still TBD.
EDIT: lighter fluid" (which I have a hard time finding locally).

I took a close-up of the focus ring markings in relation to the lens markings ("Apotar...") and I am hoping it will help me get them back together in correct relative position/focus.

I feel a bit better about the camera now.

gone · Jun 22, 2022

The only way I was able to get the green grease off, and the only way I was able to get the focus unstuck, was to set the whole lens and shutter assembly in a coffee cup filled w/ the highest proof alcohol you can find. 99% if you can find it. After a couple of days in that, the very-stuck lens element unscrewed easily.

Make sure you remove every teeny, tiny vestige of that old lube, even a minute amount will cause problems.

Dan Daniel · Jun 23, 2022

'Lighter Fluid' is naphtha. Sold in hardware stores, usually Kleen Strip VM&P Naphtha. But first ask at he hardware (if it is areal one, not Lowes or Home Depot) if they have lighter fluid so you don't need to buy a quart of naphtha.

flavio81 · Jun 23, 2022

jay moussy said:
My "new" Agfa Ventura/Isolette has a fozen focus ring. I am reading:

frozenfix

It looks simple enough by my questions are:

1. How do go from picture 1 to picture 2? Text is unclear (to me).

2. Author, at re-assembly stage, refers to an (unmentioned) marking he made earlier. What relative parts is the marking made on so they can mate as original?

If you google "agfa green grease" or "bayer green grease" you will find more webpages telling you ideas on how to get those helicoids unstuck.

Murrayatuptown · Oct 15, 2022

I also measure the distance of the lens focus ring from another part of the camera or shutter body (with a digital caliper) as well, so I'm not off by a whole thread (or two).

jay moussy · Oct 16, 2022

Great idea. In fact, I got it right the second try, using my marks, and also a visual check of the gap between the ring and shutter body. New to all this, it was a relief to see first negatives come out right!
On the first try, the back element was not in tight enough and rotated out, so I had to fix that, and install front again.

Unjamming Agfa Apotar -need clarification!

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