The
Agfa Isolette III is a 120 film folding camera, 6x6 format, one
of
the latest models of a whole series, built from 1938 to 1960 by Agfa
Kamerawerk AG, Munich. The "III" model was first
issued in the early 1950s. It has a non-coupled rangefinder. This one
has an Apotar lens and a better Prontor SV shutter. There were versions
with a cheaper shutter and versions with a top Solinar lens, a Tessar
clone.
Size (mm): 140 x 95 x 38 Weight: 580 g Lens: Apotar 4.5/85, closest focus 0.95 m Shutter: Prontor SV, B, 1 - 1/300, F 4.5 - 32 Finder: rangefinder, non coupled Film advance: knob winding by red window
Here are some photos of the camera. There is a short introduction to the use of it and how it feels at the bottom of the page.
Camera
front closed. Top: film advance, viewfinder and rangerfinder window, depth-of-the-field calculator.
Seen
from the back. On top: view/rangefinder eyepiece. Red window in the middle.
Seen
from above. Depth-of-the-field calculator, camera opening button, accessory shoe. With the
wheel in the middle you can define the distance via the rangefinder.
Shutter release button and small indicator for double exposure
prevention in front of film advance.
Seen from the bottom. Tripod socket.
Camera
front open. Distance scale, speed setting
ring. Little self-timer lever bottom right of the speed setting ring.
Seen
from above, camera open. Lens: shutter cocking lever near the speed setting ring, aperture
control and synchro lever.
Left side, camera open.
Right side, camera open.
Camera back open. Film
chamber. Film spool sits in a cradle.
Leather case.
Leather case open. It fits perfectly.
Handling
an Agfa Isolette III is easy, it's like
other folding cameras. Loading film is as usual. Open
the
camera back, retract the winding knob and put the take-up spool into
place. Put the film spool into its cradle, it's hinged, so this is very
easy. Insert the film paper
backing
into the take-up spool and advance it using the knob until it's
well engaged. Close the camera back. Open the red window and advance
the film via the advance knob
until the red window shows "1".
Open
the camera. Look at your subject and measure the distance via the rangefinder. Cock
the shutter, set speed and aperture. Set focus by directly turning the
front of the lens, focussing movements are inside the lens. Press the
shutter release button. That's it. The double exposure warning
will be visible and the release is blocked until you turn the film
advance. To
close the camera, press the hinges of the struts as
usual, it will fold easily.
The
Agfa Isolette is a very nice and quite sturdy camera, yet it is
lightweight and easy to use. The rangefinder is a big advantage. The
lens is not top class, but quite fine. The bellows are said to be a
weak
point. Mine were fine.
