Over the years, I’ve used and handled a lot of Agfa Isolette folding cameras. It’s been at least 20 years since I used my first one, and while these scale-focus cameras may not be to everyone’s taste, the 6x6 negatives on 120 film, made with a camera that can fit in a jacket pocket are something to be appreciated. However, the problem with many of the Agfa/Ansco folding cameras is that the focus helical used a grease that in time, has solidified into something that is more like concrete. In some, I have seen the focus ring turn, but with no connection with the helical. On top of that, the paper bellows may have pinholes. So, yes these cameras can have problems.
But not this one.
My friend Louise in New Hampshire sent me this lovely Agfa Isolette that looks as new as can possibly be. It’s been CLA’d and checked over, and I have never seen an Isolette as nice as this. I’m thankful that people think highly enough of me to send me such gifts. Knowing that the camera was ready to use, I loaded a roll of expired Fuji Acros 100 film, and over the course of a few days, shot the 12 exposures.
This is a fun camera to use. It has B, 1/25, 1/50 and 1/200 sec shutter speeds with an Agnar 85mm f/4.5 lens. The smallest aperture is f/32! There is a PC flash sync port on the Vario Shutter, and the scale focus goes from about 1 meter to infinity. You need to cock the shutter for each use, so it can make multiple exposures on a frame, if you so desire.
In use, it’s pretty simple - frame your subject, cock the shutter, and press the shutter button, but only after you have figured out your exposure and distance. I’m pretty good at estimating distances, as well as using sunny-16, so I don’t need a rangefinder or a meter. However, I dug out a shoe-mount rangefinder from my boxes of stuff, and it would be useful for anything under infinity. So, I’ll try that out for the next roll.
This Isolette 1 was made from 1951-1958, so it’s a camera that is at least as old as I am. I think that it’s probably in better shape than I am, too. Maybe I can get a CLA for myself!
There is plenty of information about the Isolette series of cameras, so I suggest that you do some research before you go and buy one, because not all Isolette models have the same specifications. Camera-wiki has a good bit of information.
The following images were shot on expired Fuji Acros 100, developed in Flic Film's Black White and Green developer for 12 min. Scanned on my Epson V700.
Thank you, Louise!
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| Barns at Bailey Mountain Preserve, Mars Hill, NC |
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| The I-240 bridge over the French Broad River |
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| Rail trestle over the French Broad River - note the guy walking on it! |
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| Nothing like being able to have a beer at 3 pm with friends at Hi-Wire Brewing in the River Arts District of Asheville |
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