Agfa Karat IV adventures

[bcostin]

An eBay grab-bag of random cameras included this handsome Agfa Karat IV rangefinder, circa 1955. A happy surprise! This camera has a Solinar 50/2.8, slightly less desirable than the 50/2.0 but still very nice. After a bit of cleaning and lubrication it was in good working condition.

The rangefinder is still a little sluggish (Agfa's patented solidifying grease) but after some exercise it's working pretty well. Here are a few of my first pics with it. The color shots are expired Fuji Super G+ 100, the B&W ones are Arista-branded Pan F+ developed in in HC110H (6.8 minutes rotary). The film gate has these unusual wavy edges that leave interesting borders on each frame.










The lens seems to be very sharp, but it still has that nice soft glow you see with a lot of older glass. I'm looking forward to using this camera.

 

[btgc]

Must admit that pictures are captivating! Right, it's not sharpness itself, it's overall look.

 

[marcopperman]

Hi, I have one, too, and the focus ring is completely stuck... wondering how you lubricated it. did you have to take anything apart? What lubricant did you use? Where did you apply it?

Thanks for any help.

 

[colyn]

Hi, I have one, too, and the focus ring is completely stuck... wondering how you lubricated it. did you have to take anything apart? What lubricant did you use? Where did you apply it?

Thanks for any help.

I would advise send it out for repair since relubing the focus helicoid requires dis-assembling it, cleaning off the old grease and applying new grease then trying to re-align it so it will focus properly. Not a very easy job.

By the time you get it right there won't be any paint left on your walls because of the cussing you'll be doing..

 

[huffy49]

Hi, I have one, too, and the focus ring is completely stuck... wondering how you lubricated it. did you have to take anything apart? What lubricant did you use? Where did you apply it?

Thanks for any help.

I have successfully fixed this problem on a half dozen Agfa RFs without taking the camera apart. I start with a syringe (my wife is diabetic) filled with Ronsol and carefully applied it to the seam between the two focusing helicoids, accessible from the rear of the lens assembly. (These are the two outermost rings.) Use sparingly - let it soak in, then try to move the focusing ring. The key is to use enough force to break up the congealed old grease after the Ronsol has loosened it. Repeated applications of Ronsol may be necessary - be careful to apply small amounts!

Once the focusing mount has worked free, you're not home yet - once the Ronsol has evaporated, the mount will tend to freeze up again. The next step is to move the lens to its closest focusing position, which will expose part of the helicoids threads. Using a toothpick, I apply a SMALL amount of silicon/Teflon grease (Archer Lube Gel or Synco Super Lube) evenly to the threads, then work the focusing mount back and forth from infinity to the closest setting. As you do this, some grease may build up on the helicoid's lip - wipe this up with a Q-tip. You may see green-blue discoloration on the grease, which is the brass corrosion and congealed Agfa grease coming out. I usually have to repeat this step numerous times. When it seems to be working fine, let it sit for a week or so, and then check the focusing again. You may have to repeat the entire process again.

The key is to use the solvent and grease sparingly - use just enough to get the job done. I have not had any problems with the grease spreading. YMMV!

Certainly the best option is to have the camera serviced by a competent repairman, but spending $130 to fix a $25 camera is a bit too steep for me.

 

[fidget]

That's a great looking camera! Nice images too. Just the sort of cam that can be huge fun to use.
I hope to see more of your work from this!