My "new" Agfa Record III

[XFer]

Just received from Certo6!
It's a beauty!! 😛

Now I'll start my usual checks (RF accuracy, lens sharpness at various apertures etc.).

By the way, I think the lens is not really parallel to the film plane, I may have to shim it.
Jurgen adviced to place a shim at the back of the shutter.
Anyone knows how to disassemble the lens to do that?

Thanks!

Fernando

 

[Ronald M]

Check the folding mechanism first before shiming. The problem is there.

 

[XFer]

No it's not (it locks firmly, no plays and it's not bent), but thank you for chiming in.

Fernando

 

[ray*j*gun]

Why would you have to deal with that kind of issue with a new purchase from Certo? Seems wrong.

 

[XFer]

He's in the USA, I'm in Italy. It's too costly to ship a camera back and forth (custom issues, paperwork, overseas shipping price, insurance, etc.).

But as I said "I think it may be not parallel": I'm not sure yet, I just briefly checked with a ground glass and the two edges seem not equally sharp; but I still have to do actual tests with film, maybe it will turn out OK (hopefully! 🙂 ). I was just forward-checking if there was any knowledge about that. 🙂

Thanks for replying.

Fernando

 

[citizen99]

If a shim is needed at the back of the shutter, you wouldn't need to disassemble the lens; the whole lens+shutter assembly is released by the ring screw inside the camera. You might only need to loosen it enough to slide a shim piece into the gap. (There is an orientation pin on the back of the shutter - make sure it re-enters its slot correctly).
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. Adjust if necessary by loosening the 3 grub screws in the focus finger ring to allow the front cell to be turned to the correct position for Infinity.

Beautiful camera, by the way. Light & compact for a 6x9, good ergonomics, good lens 🙂 .

 

[XFer]

Citizen, thank you very much!! Extremely helpful! 🙂
I really hope that with actual film tests the lens alignment will turn out fine; but it's great to know how to work on it if needed.

Yes, it's a beautiful camera, I'm so happy to have it. By the way, I'll carry it with me to London in April (it's RyanAir compatible, so small and light! 🙂 ).

Fernando

 

[Tom hicks]

It is a beauty, bought my Franka Solida lll from him .

 

[farlymac]

You'll want to be sure and get a push-on hood for that Solinar, Fernando. Lovely set-up, lens, shutter, and camera. I still haven't gotten around to CLA'ing my Ansco Super Speedex Special "R", which is the 6x6 drop front version of this camera in it's American guise (same as the Isolette III).

PF

 

[XFer]

Farlymac, do you have an advice for a proper push-on hood? Thanks!

I have to say, I was very tempted to wait for a Super Isolette, because of the coupled range finder.
But after some weeks without finding one, I decided to go for this lovely Record. I don't regret it one bit!

Can't wait to put some film through it. 🙂

Fernando

 

[farlymac]

Just measure the diameter of the lens front. Best bet though is to get a Series VI filter holder to fit the lens, and then use a screw-on Series VI hood as the retainer. There are a few different styles of Series VI hoods, and I think the normal one will work fine, as the Solinar is somewhat deep-set in the barrel. And you'll also have a way to mount filters for controlling contrast and color balance.

There are a couple of England based sellers on eBay that specialize in old camera accessories, and they should have a decent assortment of holders and hoods. Or, if you have an old-time camera store close by, you can always go rummage in the stock for what you need. That's always more fun. The closest one to me is almost an hour away, but it's always worth the trip.

PF

 

[Moto-Uno]

On a different note,that camera's just about prettier than my Mockba-5's!!!!!
Regards,Peter

 

[hanskerensky]

Farlymac, do you have an advice for a proper push-on hood? Thanks!

Fernando

I have a Record III with the Apotar lens. Tried yesterday evening which hood would fit. The only one i found that did fit snugly was a bit of a surprise, a "no-name" slip-on hood with a diameter of about 37mm. Problem is that there is no name and no diameter reference visible on it. Maybe made by i cunning craftsman ? The mount of that hood is also a bit strange for a slip-on, not the usual tongues but a bit conical machined.

 

[Fernando2]

Thank you all (yes it's me again, long story! 😀 ), looks like I'll have to research a bit!

Fernando

PS: it's just me, or in the '50s they did the best-looking cameras and cars? 🙂

 

[hanskerensky]

Thank you all (yes it's me again, long story! 😀 ), looks like I'll have to research a bit!

Fernando

PS: it's just me, or in the '50s they did the best-looking cameras and cars? 🙂

No, it's not just you :angel:

Although those of the late thirthies are also smashing 🙂

 

[Denverdad]

Measurements I made of the Solinar lens on my old Record III showed a diameter of about 36.9mm. I found that a Series VI press-on adapter ring, 1-7/16 in (36.5mm) worked very well:

EDIT: Re-reading just now, I see you were actually asking specifically about a hood. For what it is worth, I tested a a Kodak Series VI hood mounted to this adapter, and found that there was room to spare before vignetting occurred. So no guarantee of it being optimal, but it should help. It has about the right vintage look to it also. 🙂

 

[hanskerensky]

Yes, that series IV adapter seems to have tongues and that gives you some room to play.

Here a picture of my "No-Name" Hood on the Apotar lens :

 

[V-12]

Well done on your purchase Fernando!

I think the Record III with a Solinar is one of the very best 6x9's you can buy. A superb lens, pocketable dimensions, and good build.

I'll re-iterate what the others have said and suggest you look for a 37mm Series VI adapter and hood, and some Series VI filters. But for the record, not all Record III's are created equal. Mine has the Solinar and a focusing scale in meter's not feet. The focusing ring is different and a 37mm hood is too small, it needs an impossible to find 37.5mm hood/adapter, but a 38mm hood with bendable prongs can be made to fit, as can a 38mm Series VI adapter.

 

[Fernando2]

Thank you everyone!

Just out of curiosity: since all of you "heartly" recommend buying a lens hood, is the Solinar particularly prone to flare? I mean, more than the usual with single-coated lenses?

Fernando

 

[V-12]

I don't think it is prone to lens flare, but you know what they say, never listen to anybody who say's 'it has never happened to me', because you know it will happen sooner or later.