Agfa Isolette I

[Greyscale]

I just now received my late father's Agfa Isolette I.

I know its not technically a rangefinder, but there doesn't seem to be a sub forum for 120 scale-focus folders.

Anyway, the camera seems to be in excellent condition, except for a broken front clasp. Remarkably, even the bellows appears to be in good condition. The shutter works well on all speeds, the lens (while very dirty) is free of fungus or scratches, the body and leatherette are perfect, and the viewfinder is clean as a whistle. However, it does have one problem, which I understand is endemic to most of the old Agfa folders, the focus ring is basically immovable.

Now, if only I could remember where I saw that tutorial for freeing up cleaning the lens assembly on these, I would have a nice project for the next rainy day. 🙂

 

[bigeye]

This Agfa links site maybe helpful.

David Reichert's link there is very useful, though I simply dipped the lens assembly in hot water after removing from the shutter assy to release the goo.

Charlie

 

[Greyscale]

Thanks for the link, I have the lens assembly out and soaking in naphtha right now, if that doesn't do it, I'll try the hot water.

 

[charjohncarter]

This Agfa links site maybe helpful.

David Reichert's link there is very useful, though I simply dipped the lens assembly in hot water after removing from the shutter assy to release the goo.

Charlie

I got two hose clamps and a pair of thick cotton gloves. The hose clamps went on the parts that need to turn. I stuck it in the oven set at 250. I would bring it out as the temp rose. Finally at about 225 it loosened. Then I cleaned and lightly oiled (with light oil). Maybe boiling water would do the same.

 

[Greyscale]

Soaking it in naphtha directly underneath a hot light for two hours loosened it up to a point where I was able to unscrew it with my fingers, and the rest of the gunk cleaned up out of the screw threads with a toothbrush. A light coat of synthetic grease and she's good to go. The slow speeds are kind of iffy, and I don't think that I even want to touch the self timer, but I'm pretty sure I can take some photos with this little camera.

 

[fidget]

Hope that you enjoy it, and that you will post a few pics here.

I have an Isolette I from several years back. I took the front cell out but could never get it to thread back on. It's like the thread was a different size. It got converted to pinhole cam and has given good service in this mode.
One thing that is impressive with this camera is that it is so light. My example has an aluminium top rather than the chromed brass on the Isolette II. I've often thought of getting a better lens/shutter for it for lugging around on my hikes.

Dave..

 

[bigeye]

Hope that you enjoy it, and that you will post a few pics here.

I have an Isolette I from several years back. I took the front cell out but could never get it to thread back on. It's like the thread was a different size. It got converted to pinhole cam and has given good service in this mode.
One thing that is impressive with this camera is that it is so light. My example has an aluminium top rather than the chromed brass on the Isolette II. I've often thought of getting a better lens/shutter for it for lugging around on my hikes.

Dave..

Dave: did you use hose clamps or a wrench to separate the lens elements? I'm concerned about thread damage when getting "mechanical" with it.

Greyscale: congrats; would like to see samples too. BTW you may have to re-collimate to get the scale calibrated. I was not able to use the focusing screen method. The SLR mating at infinity method was successful.

Charlie

 

[lynnb]

Thanks for the info on freeing up focus on the Isolette I - mine focuses a little stiffly, but is quite usable for the present.

 

[fidget]

I've used white spirit/turps and on anther, lighter fuel. Left for a couple of hours
Taken off by hand, one needed a little heat from a hair dryer.

A word of warning though, be careful before you try this on any elements that are bonded, Solinar for example, as it can eat into the balsam between the elements. You "should not" of course put so much on that it floods inside the lens.....

Dave..

Dave: did you use hose clamps or a wrench to separate the lens elements? I'm concerned about thread damage when getting "mechanical" with it.

Greyscale: congrats; would like to see samples too. BTW you may have to re-collimate to get the scale calibrated. I was not able to use the focusing screen method. The SLR mating at infinity method was successful.

Charlie