Should I Worry? (Super Isolette Film Advance Stopped Working)

[davies24]

Last weekend took my Agfa Super Isolette out for a spin, haven't used it in over a year. Apart from the focus being a little stiff everything seemed fine. Reached frame 10 on my second roll and the film advance stopped working.

Tried re-cocking the shutter and pressing the shutter button but the button would not depress (shutter release bar under the lens would fire the shutter). Yet the advance would still not budge!

Couple of hours after getting home decided to try the advance again, no go. Cocked the shutter and the shutter release then worked and was able to advance the film another frame. Should I be worried?

This was my Dad's camera which he owned from new. It even has the original bellows which still appear to be light tight (not got the recently exposed films processed but was light tight last roll I got developed).

Anything I can do to extend its life?

Thanks.

 

[Windscale]

I think there is a shutter lock in the shutter release button which you have to turn, that is turning the shutter release button, to get two red dots facing each other or else the shutter is locked. Try this and see if this is your problem.

 

[FallisPhoto]

Last weekend took my Agfa Super Isolette out for a spin, haven't used it in over a year. Apart from the focus being a little stiff everything seemed fine. Reached frame 10 on my second roll and the film advance stopped working.

Tried re-cocking the shutter and pressing the shutter button but the button would not depress (shutter release bar under the lens would fire the shutter). Yet the advance would still not budge!

Couple of hours after getting home decided to try the advance again, no go. Cocked the shutter and the shutter release then worked and was able to advance the film another frame. Should I be worried?

This was my Dad's camera which he owned from new. It even has the original bellows which still appear to be light tight (not got the recently exposed films processed but was light tight last roll I got developed).

Anything I can do to extend its life?

Thanks.

As for the problem, there are two possibilities I can think of right off. Windscale has mentioned one. The other is that there is a film chip in there somewhere jamming the shutter lock. To extend its life, just maintain it. Periodic CLAs, every five years (two, if you live near the ocean) or when you accidentally drop it in the mud or something, keep it clean, keep saltwater and sand out of it, don't store it in leather or where it is humid, never force anything, and so on.

 

[davies24]

Thanks for the advice guys.

Didn't recall a shutter lock so dug out the instruction manual and can confirm no shutter lock.

There could still possibly be something fouling the mechanism but as I still have that second roll loaded will have to wait until I've finished it up.

The camera has always been stored in its leather ever ready case. As a young kid recall Dad with this camera in its leather case in the bottom of his wardrobe. Though have to admit we didn't have central heating in those days which probably hasn't helped. Also the camera spent much of the time between 1990 and now in an uninsulated attic (boxed) which was far from ideal so storage is a valid point to make.

Just have to find somewhere capable of giving it a CLA from time to time in the UK. Recall Dad having it serviced from time to time though no idea where he did it.

Thanks again.

 

[Windscale]

Newton Ellis in Liverpool are very good with folder repairs.

http://newtonellis.co.uk/

 

[FallisPhoto]

Didn't recall a shutter lock so dug out the instruction manual and can confirm no shutter lock.

Advance lock, I mean, not shutter lock. If it's working, not working, and then working again, that argues for something loose in there jamming into the gearing intermittently. Not sure what it could be. With 35mm cameras, it is very often film chips, out of the sprocket holes. With medium format, it can still be film chips, but it is less likely. Might be sand or a loose part though. No way to tell what it is unless you open it up and look.

 

[chippy]

Last weekend took my Agfa Super Isolette out for a spin, haven't used it in over a year. Apart from the focus being a little stiff everything seemed fine. Reached frame 10 on my second roll and the film advance stopped working.

Tried re-cocking the shutter and pressing the shutter button but the button would not depress (shutter release bar under the lens would fire the shutter). Yet the advance would still not budge!

Couple of hours after getting home decided to try the advance again, no go. Cocked the shutter and the shutter release then worked and was able to advance the film another frame. Should I be worried?

This was my Dad's camera which he owned from new. It even has the original bellows which still appear to be light tight (not got the recently exposed films processed but was light tight last roll I got developed).

Anything I can do to extend its life?

Thanks.

Its time for a CLA,

i'd guess its never had one [edit; you say you Dad had it serviced, still it must have been long a go i guess, or very minor service], the stiff focusing can be an indication that the helical grease has dried (needs cleaning/replacing etc). take a look with the back open at the little star gear and check that you havnt broken a cog off it (trouble!), but hopefully just needs adjusting if its loose (not connecting to gear inside), so it engages with counter mech gears. also feel the teeth, they should be sharp (they puncture the film for the film advance mech/spacing to work, and is linked to the shutter button too). have a look at the the little silver parts next to the pressure plate on the back door just to give an indication of how worn (milage of film it might of had through it) it is, if its brassed then it shows its done a fair bit of work .the sharp star type gear and the things associated with it under the top may just need a good clean (and poss adjustment) and it will be good to go. sounds a bit like it just needs a clean and adjustment (hopefully) as its been working and is again except for that one time.

you know that it wont work without film installed, also this makes it hard for you to test without wasting some film

Its possible that it could continue to work, but best if you give it its long overdue service before that star cog gets damaged, which will happen sooner or later if its slipping off its position

 

[picker77]

FWIW, http://www.certo6.com/cam/superisolette.html has a lot of good info on the Super Isolette. I think he also does CLA's on them. The S-I has a fairly complicated film advance system.