who loves their isolette?

BetterSense · Sep 2, 2009

$16 is really cheap especially if you want to actually go buy another Isolette II. I mean if you want an Isolette II just go buy one and keep your Isolette I. I would have kept using my I happily if the bellows had held up.

BlueWind · Sep 2, 2009

Isolette lens disassembling

BimmerJake said:
is there a good resource that explains how to disassemble and re-lubricate the lens?

Jake
You may find these helpful
http://www.rolandandcaroline.co.uk/apotar.html
Dead Link Removed
I disassembled and cleaned the lens based on them, it requires some patience but it is feasible.
Concerning the bellows, my Isolette always makes a strange noise when unfolding (like two pieces of Velcro being separated). I was afraid of some impending disaster, but I read somewhere that this is typical of the original Agfa synthetic bellows in these cameras. So far, nothing serious happened and I got used to the noise
Enjoy your camera
Joao

BimmerJake · Sep 2, 2009

BetterSense said:
$16 is really cheap especially if you want to actually go buy another Isolette II. I mean if you want an Isolette II just go buy one and keep your Isolette I. I would have kept using my I happily if the bellows had held up.

that's what i'm thinking... i really like the concept of the folder and probably wouldn't mind finding a higher quality one down the road. i got the focus free, so i think i'm fully functional. i'll have film on friday to test it out

arealitystudios · Sep 2, 2009

I LOVE my isolette!

Yes, it does have it quirks but personally that does not bother me at all. It's a beautiful machine.

Mine has an uncoupled rangefinder but I hardly ever use it. For outdoor shooting I stick to f/11 and just guess the focus. Works just fine 99% of the time and allows for faster shooting when out on the street.

It fits perfectly into my P-coat pocket during the winter or the glove compartment of my car. Typically I load it up with Foma 400 and the results are lovely to look at.

BimmerJake · Sep 2, 2009

my idea, subject to change, is to load it with delta 3200, set it to f/32 and 1/200 (fastest shutter on mine), and let 'er rip. i really am looking forward to it. i'm sure i'll have some negatives by the end of the weekend

BetterSense · Sep 2, 2009

my idea, subject to change, is to load it with delta 3200, set it to f/32 and 1/200 (fastest shutter on mine), and let 'er rip.

That's exactly what I do, but with me it's usually TriX or Neopan 400 developed in Diafine. f/32 and be there.

BimmerJake · Sep 2, 2009

i actually also have some hp5+ i'm going to fire too. both will go in diafine, at least at first.

mrdarklight · Sep 11, 2009

I got one for about $25 shipped. The lens is fogged I think (it just looks fogged... it doesn't look like any other lens I have). I did run a roll of Portra 160VC through it, and it did fine, but most of the photos were low contrast (as would be expected from a fogged lens). A couple though came out quite nice. The guy at the lab may have upped the contrast on those somehow, but they were very serviceable prints.

I haven't done any more with the Isolette since I got my Yashica-Mat.

Necator · Sep 12, 2009

I bougth one (Isolette V) from a colleague. The lens is fogged here also, but it does add a very 'vintage' style look to the shots. It will never be my go to camera, but it is fun to shoot with, and is an excellent conversation starter when people notice you use it. But that probably goes for all folders.

Here is an example (from my very first roll of 120):

who loves their isolette?

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