Agfa Isolette III vs Kodak Retina IIc

[scottkathe]

I shoot nature/landscape primarily with a 35 mm Nikon system. This past spring I built a Bender 4x5. Both are pretty serious or at least my attitude with them is. I want something fun for family snapshots and to keep in the car for whatever comes up. I fixed up my old Oly XA but it's too small. I just got a Yashica Electro 35 GSN and fixed that up but it's too big. I want one that is just right 😉

I was thinking about the Agfa Isolette III but then I realized that my dad has/had (can't find it now) a Kodak Retina IIc and from others comments these seem pretty good. So which of those two is going to be more user friendly and give better images. If I had more money I'd also think about a Fuji GA645 which would get me into modern medium format. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Scott

 

[ZeissFan]

Well, the IIc is 35mm, so you're still dealing with a small negative. And I doubt the IIc can outperform a Nikon ... as good as the Retinas were.

However, the f/2.8 Xenon is still an excellent lens, and once the camera has been serviced, it will should give many years of reliable service, as long as you're not rough on the camera, particularly the film advance.

Regarding the Isolette III, the key is to find one with the Solinar and in good condition optically and mechanically.

These cameras also came with the Agnar (the budget lens) and the Apotar (a mid-level lens). The Apotar is a decent lens, but I find that it still can't compete with a Tessar (or Tessar clone, which includes the Solinar). The Isolette III has that somewhat flaky uncoupled rangefinder. In the two cameras I've seen, both had to be disassembled, degreased and relubed.

The other weakness of the Agfa folders is the material they used for the bellows. They are sharply creased, and it's not uncommon for the Agfa folders to have holes in the bellows.

On a small budget (say, less than $100), I'd probably look for a zone focus Ikonta 521/16 with a Tessar lens.

Personally, I wouldn't leave any camera in a car unattended for long periods. Extreme heat and cold just isn't good for a camera. I might treat a P&S in that manner, but not a classic camera. However, it's not my camera.

Of the two, the Retina probably will be more user friendly.

 

[Solinar]

Hello Scott, I've had both and I still have the Isolette III. My Retina IIIc gave way to a FED 2, which is normally fitted with a collapsible Industar 50/3.5.

Anyway, the Retina IIc is more user friendly for snaps and candids. For one it has a coupled RF. The Agfa RF is uncoupled, which is anything but kid friendly. The little hellyans are on the move to much. Second, the film advance on the Retina stops the film at the next frame and is coupled to the shutter. On the Agfa Isolette III you have to open the cover on the ruby window, advance the film slowly, close the cover and then cock the shutter.

Where the Isolette III with a Solinar shines is scenics and those shots were folks are willing to pose. Enlargerments from the larger format simply outclass 35mm.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

These are from my Retina IIIc with the Xenon 50mm F2. I also have the IIc, and the F2.8 lens is at least as sharp.

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/data/3204/LEXI1B.JPG

At F4.

The Xenon's are very sharp and good contrast.

Detail of above: