Help Needed: Agfa Super Isolette Top Plate Removal

[Blind_spark]

I have an Agfa Super Isolette that has a sluggish rangefinder action - that is, the follower for the RF cam attached to the lens moves more slowly than the lens being focused. Probably gummed up with many years of grease and just needs a scrub. Problem is, I can't seem to figure out how the top comes off.

I've successfully removed the wind knob and the screw underneath, as well as the accessory show cover and its hidden screw. Is the film reminder knob at the left of the camera supposed to come off? If so, how? A hidden screw under the front name plate (I hope not!). Anything else? 😕

I took down the lens and helical the other day and got them working smoothly - this is the last thing I can't figure out. Thanks in advance!

For visual reference...

 

[Solinar]

Take a look under the top of the film spool retaining shaft - which is directly under the film speed reminder. The shaft is slotted for removal with a screw driver.

Get a syringe with a tinyl hypodermic needle to a.) put a tiny droplet or two of Rosinol/naphtha on the RF mechanism for cleaning to see if it frees up - and - b.) to put a tiny droplet of lubricant onto the pivot point after cleaning.

Have fun keeping tracking of those tiny screws for the RF cover plate.

 

[Blind_spark]

Thank you! I have it working smoothly now - any tips for adjusting the RF horizontally and vertically? It looks like the infinity adjustment the screw visible by the shutter that seems to have a set screw?

Again, thank you!!

 

[Solinar]

The infinity, i.e. horizontal adjustment is at lens bed assembly by the shutter.

It has been many moons since I've had to work on RF assembly itself. There should be some set screw for the vertical adjustment within the assembly.

 

[Sylvain G.]

The infinity, i.e. horizontal adjustment is at lens bed assembly by the shutter.

It has been many moons since I've had to work on RF assembly itself. There should be some set screw for the vertical adjustment within the assembly.

Blind Spark, Solinar,

If I can request your kind help.
Blind Spark, I can't seem to remove that hot shoe blade covering the hidden screw. Of course I removed the visible screw but then can't seem to slide or pull that thing away? Anything I'm doing wrong ?

Solinar : about the rangefinder adjustment. Just to be sure :
-you need to adjust the vertical alignement if the two split discs aren't on the same height.
-you need to adjust the horizontal alignement if the two split discs are on the same height but you get back or front focus when the two discs overlap perfectly.
Is that right ?

I get from flickr that the tiny screw next to lens post doesn't help :
https://www.flickr.com/photos/35960028@N03/17016418489/

Is the horizontal adjustment only performed on that little screw next to the lens post for setting infinity (btw, how many turns can you turn it approx. ? mine seems stuck with agfa green goo...) and therefore there is an extra adjustment under that top cover?

Thanks for your help. My agfa is giving me great shots, fell absolutely in love with it, but clearly I have a focus bias that's preventing me to get a better hit rate.

 

[farlymac]

Sylvain, if you look at Hans' photo closely you'll see that the plate hooks over the front of the shoe, so you have to lift the three sections in order to get it moving towards the rear.

PF

 

[Sylvain G.]

Sylvain, if you look at Hans' photo closely you'll see that the plate hooks over the front of the shoe, so you have to lift the three sections in order to get it moving towards the rear.

PF

Oh indeed ! I just popped it out 🙂

Thanks Farlymac. Know anything about my other questions ?

 

[farlymac]

Oh indeed ! I just popped it out 🙂

Thanks Farlymac. Know anything about my other questions ?

Not really. I've got the Ansco version (Super Speedex 4.5 Special R), but haven't taken it apart yet.

PF

 

[Sylvain G.]

Well, thanks anyway, it looks like I'll be doing fine with what little I found now.

Happy shooting,