Agfa Karat 36 CLA and minor fixes

[farlymac]

After taking the top off this one, I'm sure glad the rangefinder was solidly built, because I would hate to try and figure the darn thing out for an adjustment. The camera was pretty dirty and gunky, but not inside the finder.

I tried my best to keep from messing things up, but you know how it is when you get distracted or in a hurry. Overall it wasn't all that hard to do, but I could have done better. First time inside a Synchro-Compur, and was that ever fun. Still can't get the slow speeds to pick it up some, but I hope to not have to use them all that much.

Here are some examples from the proceedures.


P1070462_2 by br1078phot, on Flickr


P1070493_2 by br1078phot, on Flickr


P1070503_2 by br1078phot, on Flickr


P1070508_2 by br1078phot, on Flickr


P1070510_2 by br1078phot, on Flickr


P1070549_2 by br1078phot, on Flickr


P1070560_2 by br1078phot, on Flickr


P1070557_2 by br1078phot, on Flickr


P1070556_2 by br1078phot, on Flickr

If you want to see all 90 photos, and read the commentary and notes, go to my Flickr page at
http://www.flickr.com/photos/7699588@N07/sets/72157629429740568/

PF

 

[pinkarmy]

P1070557_2 by br1078phot, on Flickr

SHAKE WELL???.....😀

 

[Noll]

My hats off to you for venturing inside a synchro-compur! Looks like a fun camera, nice job restoring this little bit of history.

 

[je2a3]

Looks good, congrats PF! Will check your Flickr 😉

 

[farlymac]

Oops! I flipped the rear elements during the rebuild, so I'll have to shoot another roll (maybe b&w this time). But if you don't mind looking at 'artsy' photos, here they are
http://flic.kr/s/aHsjztApbT

PF

 

[farlymac]

Turns out I didn't flip the rear elements. An owner previous to me had flipped the second element, giving all the photos that 'center sharp, edge fuzzy' look that some folks like. But I can't see burning a whole roll of film just to get one or two shots that I like. So it's back to normal. and the results are really nice.


Ivy by br1078phot, on Flickr


SSA Eagle 3 by br1078phot, on Flickr


Junior Lunch 2 by br1078phot, on Flickr

The rest of the test roll is at
http://flic.kr/s/aHsjzuL27p

Venturing is right, Noll. Don't want to do that again without some instructions.

Thanks, JE. I hope you like this set better.

PF

 

[wes loder]

How do you adjust the rangefinder of the Karat 36 type 3? Mine is off at infinity.
Thanks, WES

 

[titrisol]

Coming late to the party, the split style RF is easy to adjust, as long as the mechanisms move freely (green AGFA curse); just loosen the screws and move it L or R until it is right. I did it at 6ft with a tripod.

What is killing me is the bellows, which is full of pinholes

 

[titrisol]

It's alive!!!

 

[The Spastic Image]

Turns out I didn't flip the rear elements. An owner previous to me had flipped the second element, giving all the photos that 'center sharp, edge fuzzy' look that some folks like. But I can't see burning a whole roll of film just to get one or two shots that I like. So it's back to normal. and the results are really nice.


Ivy by br1078phot, on Flickr


SSA Eagle 3 by br1078phot, on Flickr


Junior Lunch 2 by br1078phot, on Flickr

The rest of the test roll is at
http://flic.kr/s/aHsjzuL27p

Venturing is right, Noll. Don't want to do that again without some instructions.

Thanks, JE. I hope you like this set better.

PF

That test roll was beautiful. Enjoyed seeing your images. I once owned an Agfa Karat 36, wish I'd kept it. It was a beautiful camera and handled superbly. Thanks!!!

 

[farlymac]

That test roll was beautiful. Enjoyed seeing your images. I once owned an Agfa Karat 36, wish I'd kept it. It was a beautiful camera and handled superbly. Thanks!!!

Thanks, and you're welcome.

PF

 

[titrisol]

Adjunsting the RF
The RF is coupled by a lever that moves the RF as the lens unit moves, and is held in place by the 3 screws marked in yellow
View attachment 4828111
The RF assembly has a pin that moves it Left to Right and a spring that return to infinity. If that movement is sluggish you have to clean the rail. I used a qtip with electrical contact cleaner and then lubricated with a little powdered graphite.
View attachment 4828112

and by adjusting the horizontal position of the assembly to the point were it matches the lever then you can adjust the focusing.
View attachment 4828110


I used infinity first looking at the top of trees a few hundreds m away, and confirmed looking at my booxcase at 2m (6ft) and 5m(15ft)

Crossposted here:Agfa Karat IV -- rangefinder adjustment