Agfa Isolette iii

[Roughcollie]

I have a Agfa Isolette iii with a Solinar 85/4.5 lens and a Synchro Compur Shutter,my question is on the Shutter mech is there a timer,as I have look and can't see one?or does this shutter not have one.
Regards Nigel

 

[Robert Lai]

Synchro Compur shutters do have a self timer - the same as the flash synch mode selection lever. These are typically marked M X V.

M is for M class flash bulbs (pre-fires the flash 1/20 of a second, so that the shutter will open when the bulb is burning brighest).

X is for electronic flash synch (and F class flash bulbs).

V is your self timer (Germans can tell you exactly what the V is an abbreviation of). You need to cock the main shutter spring first before setting the lever to V. As you do so, you'll feel spring tension as you are winding up the self timer spring. If you are using flash at the same time, be aware that the synch mode of V is X.

I don't own an Isolette III, but this is the behavior of the Synchro Compur on my Super Isolette, and the Zeiss Super Ikonta IV.

 

[max Trader]

Evolution of the Synchro Compur

Evolution of the Synchro Compur

The history is slightly more nuanced. The post war demand for cameras equipped with the better leaf shutters -- particularly synced for flash -- was growing. The Compur Rapid could be factory fitted with X synchronization but this wouldn't be of help to the more commonly used flash bulbs. When the Gauthier Prontor SVS (with M and X) began to appear (late 1951?), Compur may have felt the need to 'rush' the new Synchro Compur development. I believe these first came to market in the smaller 00 size.

Early Super Isolette (and Ansco Super Speedex) cameras were equipped with the first available version of the Synchro Compur in size 0 and lacked the self timer mechanism. In this line, the next version of the Synchro Compur (often called MXV vs simply MX) apparently coincides with introduction of the linearized shutter speed sequence (1/4, 1/8, 1/15 ... vs 1/5, 1/10, 1/25), equi-rotationally spaced apertures, and LV marked and/or coupled settings. In order to realize the mechanical 'conformity' in aperture, it was necessary to reduce the number of blades from 9 or 10 to 5 or 6. Thus, versions without self timers have more nearly round aperture shapes.

Regards,
Richard

 

[max Trader]

Evolution of the Syncro Compur

Evolution of the Syncro Compur

The history is slightly more nuanced. The post war demand for cameras equipped with the better leaf shutters -- particularly synced for flash -- was growing. The Compur Rapid could be factory fitted with X synchronization but this wouldn't be of help to the more commonly used flash bulbs. When the Gauthier Prontor SVS (with M and X) began to appear (late 1951?), Compur may have felt the need to 'rush' the new Synchro Compur development. I believe these first came to market in the smaller 00 size.

Early Super Isolette (and Ansco Super Speedex) cameras were equipped with the first available version of the Synchro Compur in size 0 and lacked the self timer mechanism. In this line, the next version of the Synchro Compur (often called MXV vs simply MX) apparently coincides with introduction of the linearized shutter speed sequence (1/4, 1/8, 1/15 ... vs 1/5, 1/10, 1/25), equi-rotationally spaced apertures, and LV marked and/or coupled settings. In order to realize the mechanical 'conformity' in aperture, it was necessary to reduce the number of blades from 9 or 10 to 5 or 6. Thus, versions without self timers have more nearly round aperture shapes.

Regards,
Richard

 

[Solinar]

.........

Early Super Isolette (and Ansco Super Speedex) cameras were equipped with the first available version of the Synchro Compur..........

Regards,
Richard

Thanks Richard - my Ansco Speedex, a.k.a. the Agfa Super Isolette - definitely has the Compur Synchro MX, which lacks a self-timer and has that nice round ten bladed aperture.

It's possible that the O.P. has a Compur Synchro MX, if he is unable to locate the V setting.

By perusing old "Modern Photography" journals, it appears that Compur introduced the newer MXV at the end of 1954. I also have a Super Isolette and that has newer shutter, complete with the new shutter speed progression and LV scale that is in lower portion of my avatar.

Best Regards,

 

[sevo]

When the Gauthier Prontor SVS (with M and X) began to appear (late 1951?), Compur may have felt the need to 'rush' the new Synchro Compur development.

Deckel (Compur) was a subsidiary of Gauthier (Prontor) and Zeiss, Gauthier itself was a subsidiary of Zeiss - the difference was one of branding and production sites. To the point that all shutter activities were eventually merged at Gauthier by the late sixties and production completely transferred by 73 (with Compur their main photographic brand, Prontor for auto-cocking shutters) as Deckel moved off into being the then world leading CNC tool maker. Whatever competition there was would have been all inside the Zeiss foundation conglomerate.

 

[Roughcollie]

Thats very interesting as my Agfa Isolette iii just has the M and X,and no V for a Timer.
Regards Nigel