My "new" Agfa Record III

[farlymac]

It's just really good practice to use a hood, no matter the lens (unless it's one of those Nikkor fish-eyes that go like 210 degrees). Or you always plan on shooting with the sun at your back.

PF

 

[Fernando2]

Well I never use hoods (my equipment range from Minox to 4x5"), but not because I don't fear flare: it's just that I'm used to shoot from a tripod, so I protect the lens from direct light with my hand. 🙂
On a folder, a hood would need to be umounted and remounted each time it's opened, quite inconvenient for me.
Thanks anyway!

Fernando

 

[vegard_dino]

Oh, what a nice folder🙂

 

[tjshot]

Well I never use hoods (my equipment range from Minox to 4x5"), but not because I don't fear flare: it's just that I'm used to shoot from a tripod, so I protect the lens from direct light with my hand. 🙂
On a folder, a hood would need to be umounted and remounted each time it's opened, quite inconvenient for me.
Thanks anyway!

Fernando

Hello,

I've been using a Record III (bought from Jurgen) for quite a while now, in different conditions: the Solinar turned out to be pretty resistant to flare, even without a hood.

Just check some of the shots I did without filter/hood:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/tjshot/sets/72157627565754689/

Anyway, 37mm slip-on hoods and filter adapters generally fit the lens.
Regards

Simone

 

[GaryLH]

Looks like it is in good condition.

Be careful when u shim.. The lens ring is sometimes pretty close to the bellows back there. Make sure u have got your lens spanner setup right before u start working on it.

I would take some test photo wide open before u think about doing any shimming.

Good luck and have fun w/ it

Gary

 

[Fernando2]

Sooooo,

it's been awhile! 🙂

In the meantime, I adjusted the lens via shimming, and now lens and rangefinder agree quite nicely. 🙂

I carried the Record with me on various trips: what about a couple shots?
These were taken while cruising the Danube, this summer.

Too bad I shot with a long-expired Provia400X: colors are a bit off (but not much).

Love my Agfa Record! 😀

 

[Solinar]

Fernando - I have four different 6x9 shooters and the Agfa Record III is my favorite - which includes my Big Fuji.

Best Regards,

 

[V-12]

Wonderful, and yes the Record III (especially with the Solinar lens) is a terrific camera, every bit as capable as many more modern folders.

V

 

[Fernando2]

Crop from left border:

Not bad, Granny! 😛

 

[Pioneer]

Love that Solinar on the Record III. A great lens in the true tradition of the Tessar. It will flare though. A strong light source in the upper right or left side of the lens is what it takes. The result is a general reduction in contrast in the area of the flare, particularly noticeable with color film. But, if you use a tripod it is very easy to shade the lens with your hand.

EDIT - BTW, nice shots.

 

[Fernando2]

Thanks!

I shoot freehand (this is my walkaround pocket camera after all 😀 ), but yes, I always try to avoid direct light hitting the lens.

I love these folders. A friend of mine just purchased a gorgeous-looking SuperIsolette.

A shot from Vienna, again Provia400X (out of production, what a shame):

Fernando

 

[riverie]

I love my record III with solinar. I got mine from another forum in a good deal. Too bad mine didn't come with the case like yours. I only use it for b&w, but your picture just makes me want to put c41 film to see the color from it.

 

[shortstop]

Hi Fernando,
I'm italian too and for the reasons (spedition costs, taxes, time,etc) you explained didn't buy until now from Certo6. I'm tempted anyway. Your Record is simply wonderful. My 6x9 is a Weltur with a uncoated xenar: this camera is astonishing; then have a Super Isolette (easy to use; you didn't find one, but I think is better, because now you are in the 6x9 world!) My third "serious" folding is the tiny Perkeo II with Voigtländer external RF. Before buying one, considered folding cameras simply camera of the past. Since I began to know them and now I consider this kind of camera an expeession of human geniality. A MF in the pocket. Modern foldings like Fuji 670 aren't so beautiful and are too big, losing the main advantage.

 

[Fernando2]

I totally agree with you!
These are work of art, genius and craftmanship. 🙂

 

[Mablo]

I have an identical Record III with Solinar in great shape (even the original hood in its own little leather box is there) Unfortunately the bellows are leaky beyond repair and need to be replaced. I checked the back and it looks like the film mask in my camera is riveted, not fasten with screws, so I'd need power tools to remove the mask. Nngghh... I'm afraid that's too much for my skills. So far the camera stays in the drawer and waits for a day when I'll have time and energy or some free cash.

 

[citizen99]

I have an identical Record III with Solinar in great shape (even the original hood in its own little leather box is there) Unfortunately the bellows are leaky beyond repair and need to be replaced. I checked the back and it looks like the film mask in my camera is riveted, not fasten with screws, so I'd need power tools to remove the mask. Nngghh... I'm afraid that's too much for my skills. So far the camera stays in the drawer and waits for a day when I'll have time and energy or some free cash.

I replaced the bellows on my Record III/Apotar with bellows from Sandeha Lynch. They were quite easy to fit. From memory (I no longer have the camera to check) I think the film gate was secured with screws, not rivets.

The Record was the lightest, slimmest, 6x9 that I had, well made and very good for fitting in the pocket.

 

[Solinar]

The Record was the lightest, slimmest, 6x9 that I had, well made and very good for fitting in the pocket.

I was going to mention this - plus I like having the RF dial and shutter release comfortably placed by my right hand.

With regards to bellows - another source is:

http://www.custombellows.co.uk/products.html

My bellows for a Bessa and a Record III are from Custom Bellows. They're very well made.

Best Regards,

 

[lynnb]

beautiful looking camera. Old folders are wonderful! Thanks for sharing the pictures.

 

[kuzano]

A better focus screen than 3M tape....

A better focus screen than 3M tape....

You would then need to check the focus of a distant object on e.g. a piece of 3m Magic Tape stretched tautly across the film plane. .

I use a 6X9 piece of plastic cut from a tupperware, or "big box store" plastic kitchen bowl. Find a larger bowl in the housewares section that is semiclear opaque, and has a large enough flat surface to cut a piece 6X9cm plus a bit.

One of the surfaces is matte to form the opaque surface. Place that side against the film rails in the camera and afix by your best method. I use tape along the edge, but not between the plastic and the rails.

Works nearly as well as a real piece of ground glass and is assured to be flat, or at least as flat as the bowl area you cut it from.

I keep this handy whenever a new 6X9 folder follows me home.🙄

 

[mburns]

Folder cameras have an air space gap.

Folder cameras have an air space gap.

So I am careful to measure from the roller surface and not from the air gap surface closer to the lens.