AlTheKiller
Established
I got an Agfa Silette for free today, however the focus is frozen and the shutter blades are stuck. Its the type 2 with the Compur-Rapid and Apotar f/3.5 lens. From looking around online, I can not find anywhere that shows how you pull this lens apart. Anyone have any guidance? It needs a heck of a cleaning but I don't think its worth paying for a CLA so I wanted to give it a try myself.
ZeissFan
Veteran
There are so many Agfa cameras named "Silette" that you should post a photo of it.
In general, the Agfas used a grease that today has the consistency of concrete - as you now know.
I've used some lighter fluid and a propane torch to soften the grease.
In general, the Agfas used a grease that today has the consistency of concrete - as you now know.
I've used some lighter fluid and a propane torch to soften the grease.
Chris Sherlock
Established
It is a long time since I pulled one of these apart, but I expect this is how it will be done.
The focus ring, the bit with the focus scale on it, is held to the front lens group by three screws. just loosen them and lift off the focus ring.
The front group will be screwed into the centre group. You will either successfully unscrew the front group and the centre group will stay in the shutter, or the front group will be VERY well stuck, and the centre group will unscrew from the shutter with it.
Regards, Chris
The focus ring, the bit with the focus scale on it, is held to the front lens group by three screws. just loosen them and lift off the focus ring.
The front group will be screwed into the centre group. You will either successfully unscrew the front group and the centre group will stay in the shutter, or the front group will be VERY well stuck, and the centre group will unscrew from the shutter with it.
Regards, Chris
Pioneer
Veteran
The lubricant that Agfa used in the focus helical has dried out and is preventing the lens from focusing.
Before you unscrew anything that requires a full focus realignment you will want to read about Peter Naylor's method. If it works you will have saved yourself a bunch of trouble.
Check it out here. http://photo.net/classic-cameras-forum/00OKOk
If not, then look up Agfa Grease on Google and you will find a lot more information than you probably wanted.
Enjoy your Sillette
Before you unscrew anything that requires a full focus realignment you will want to read about Peter Naylor's method. If it works you will have saved yourself a bunch of trouble.
Check it out here. http://photo.net/classic-cameras-forum/00OKOk
If not, then look up Agfa Grease on Google and you will find a lot more information than you probably wanted.
Enjoy your Sillette
AlTheKiller
Established
this is the exact setup as mine. As much as I would rather not pull the lens out, I think I will have to in order to clean the shutter blades or whatever is preventing them from operating correctly. I appreciate all the help so far guys!
ZeissFan
Veteran
That's an unusual copy that you have. Most of these Silettes have an Apotar. The Solinar is a Tessar type lens - a better lens than an Apotar.
You will need to remove the focus/lens name ring. Loosen (don't remove) the three grub screws. You will probably end up removing the entire front group of lens elements. That will allow you to remove the depth of field scale, shutter speed ring and protective plate so that you can service the shutter.
As far as removing that grease, I've tried everything from soaking to boiling to the aforementioned propane torch. It all depends on what level of solidity the grease has achieved.
Once removed, clean all of the lens surfaces, relubricate the lens and reassemble. Make sure that you reset infinity focus.
You will need to remove the focus/lens name ring. Loosen (don't remove) the three grub screws. You will probably end up removing the entire front group of lens elements. That will allow you to remove the depth of field scale, shutter speed ring and protective plate so that you can service the shutter.
As far as removing that grease, I've tried everything from soaking to boiling to the aforementioned propane torch. It all depends on what level of solidity the grease has achieved.
Once removed, clean all of the lens surfaces, relubricate the lens and reassemble. Make sure that you reset infinity focus.
AlTheKiller
Established
just realized that photo has the 2.8 Solinar. Mine has the 3.5 Apotar with Compur-Rapid like you stated but I imagine that doesnt change much in terms of disassembly and cleaning? Sorry for the wrong information. Being at work away from the camera makes it hard to take photos haha. Ill nab a few this evening so you can see how rough it is.
farlymac
PF McFarland
Well, the Solinar is four element in three groups, while the Apotar is three elements in three groups. So when you take them apart:
The Apotar has two elements in front of the shutter, and one behind it. When removing the elements, usually the second one will come out with the first. Then you can soak them in alcohol for a week until the glue finally loosens enough to separate them.
The Solinar has three elements in front of the shutter, with the first two being a cemented pair, and one element behind the shutter. The first two elements do not need to be separated, and hopefully there is nothing in between them necessitating such a drastic measure. Again, the second element usually comes out with the front group, and the alcohol soak will have to be done.
The rear element of both lenses is secured by a slotted retaining ring that is removed with a spanner. This is done much easier if you remove the entire lens/shutter assembly from the camera, as Agfa used a baffle in most of the Silette series. It is necessary to remember the proper orientation of the rear element when you reassemble the lens.
The front elements of both lenses are in mounts, so you can't put them back together wrong. If I remember correctly, the second element is held in by the helical, and will be loose when the helical comes out, so checking the orientation is necessary just as with the rear element.
When disassembling the lens, make sure to make a reference point when the front group separates from the helical so that you can put it back in on the same thread landing. This cuts down on time spent resetting infinity focus.
For reference photos, here is my repair of an Ansco Super Memar with the six element Soligon and Synchro-Compur. Some of the methods used on this particular model can be used on your Silette, such as removal of the lens/shutter assembly from the camera body. And then here is my repair of a Silette Type 6 with the Compur-Rapid and Apotar. It starts out with the dis-assembly already having been done to get at the self timer mechanism, and works it's way back to a fully assembled camera. You can start at the end of the photos, and work your way forward.
Unfortunately, Flickr removed the Notes feature when they did the last rebuild of the site, so all my work in that respect is lost, and you have to kind of muddle your way through the descriptions.
PF
The Apotar has two elements in front of the shutter, and one behind it. When removing the elements, usually the second one will come out with the first. Then you can soak them in alcohol for a week until the glue finally loosens enough to separate them.
The Solinar has three elements in front of the shutter, with the first two being a cemented pair, and one element behind the shutter. The first two elements do not need to be separated, and hopefully there is nothing in between them necessitating such a drastic measure. Again, the second element usually comes out with the front group, and the alcohol soak will have to be done.
The rear element of both lenses is secured by a slotted retaining ring that is removed with a spanner. This is done much easier if you remove the entire lens/shutter assembly from the camera, as Agfa used a baffle in most of the Silette series. It is necessary to remember the proper orientation of the rear element when you reassemble the lens.
The front elements of both lenses are in mounts, so you can't put them back together wrong. If I remember correctly, the second element is held in by the helical, and will be loose when the helical comes out, so checking the orientation is necessary just as with the rear element.
When disassembling the lens, make sure to make a reference point when the front group separates from the helical so that you can put it back in on the same thread landing. This cuts down on time spent resetting infinity focus.
For reference photos, here is my repair of an Ansco Super Memar with the six element Soligon and Synchro-Compur. Some of the methods used on this particular model can be used on your Silette, such as removal of the lens/shutter assembly from the camera body. And then here is my repair of a Silette Type 6 with the Compur-Rapid and Apotar. It starts out with the dis-assembly already having been done to get at the self timer mechanism, and works it's way back to a fully assembled camera. You can start at the end of the photos, and work your way forward.
Unfortunately, Flickr removed the Notes feature when they did the last rebuild of the site, so all my work in that respect is lost, and you have to kind of muddle your way through the descriptions.
PF
AlTheKiller
Established
Thank you so much for all the information! Cant wait to get this thing shooting again
Heres the camera:
This was sitting in a bucket in a garage for quite some time. A co-worker brought the bucket in to work and let me have everything. I got a Polaroid SX70, Polaroid Land Camera 420, Olympus Pen EE S, Minolta XD11, Minolta XG1, Rokkor-x 1.4 50mm, 2 45mm, Vivitar Macro 75-205 f3.5 (something like that) this Agfa. All have been cleaned up and are working except this one. The Rokkor glass I got is in absolute perfect shape too which I was shocked to discover when I got them cleaned up.
farlymac
PF McFarland
Ah, the XD-11. I've been chasing after one of those for some time now. But I've decided to give up on the Minolta stuff, and concentrate on Nikon and Olympus.
Your Silette is a good one to learn camera repair on, as it's not too complicated, yet gives very satisfying results when in working order.
PF
Your Silette is a good one to learn camera repair on, as it's not too complicated, yet gives very satisfying results when in working order.
PF
AlTheKiller
Established
Ive been looking to sell the Minolta and the lenses with it but no one around here seems to have any interest. Youd think with all the hipsters Austin has, it would have been sold fast haha
Pioneer
Veteran
Good stuff farlymac. Too bad your notes were lost. I have my own Super Memar that needs a good overhaul. The pictures do help establish the sequence so I'll just have to start digging in.