I am carrying a Zeiss Ikon Ikonta 523/16 - I bought it for 30 euros and it was mint! Got myself a rangefinder for the cold shoe and BAM! perfect pocketable 6x6 with great image quality. Use it every week
Nice video of your trip to the park! That lens is very nice for sure! My Ansco Speedex Special R is identical to yours but with the Apotar 85 f4.5. Not as nice as the Solinar but still a lot of fun to use. Yes, the green grease from hell was a lot of fun to break loose. Not as bad as the lens on my Ansco Viking 4.5. I just about gave up on that one. I too went with a CLA and new bellows to give these great camera a new lease on life.
It’s a shame that nearly all of these Agfa Isolette/Ansco Speedex cameras have the identical issues, but the end result speaks for itself once it’s fixed.
First of all, some really great compositions, here, so excellent work. Secondly, I’m crazy impressed with the dynamic range/retention of detail in the highlights and shadows. Obviously, this isn’t only a testament to the film, but in your choice of metering/exposure, so again, great work! I just recently picked up a ansco titan (which I heard may have had some ties to the Agfa, but not positive). I have a ton of cameras but only a few medium format cameras & this is my *only working folder, so definitely excited to work through this first roll and see what I’m working with.
I would like to try it in such an environment. Admittedly it can be slow going to focus and setup a composition with the Isolette, but zone focusing would solve some of that.
I think you will find that the dot marker in the focus scale ties in with an aperture scale marker. Together, they set the camera at a hyperfocal distance to create a depth of field covering most focus points without having to manually reset focus for each shot.
Great overview and exceptional photos! I have the exact same model with the Solinar 75mm and the top speed of 1/500. I found it at a thrift store and got it for about $45 Canadian. The range finder and focus ring both had the ceased grease problem. I was going to tackle the issue myself but after a year of not finding the time (and worrying that I would mess it up from trying), I sent it to Jürgen Kreckel (Certo06). I just got it back this week and am about to load it and test it out. Jürgen did a complete overhaul and installed new bellows (real leather ones). His price was very reasonable but it added up with the poor PayPal exchange rate on the Canadian dollar and the return got nailed with duties on his work (or maybe the insurance amount). Too bad he hadn't noted something like "Returning borrowed camera" or some such thing on the parcel. I've two questions for you if you don't mind. What are you using for a lens hood to avoid flare? I like getting low-depth-of-field shots but even with the pretty fast 1/500, I will often need an ND filter on sunny days. Do you know if ones exist that would fit this lens? Thanks and keep posting these great videos!
@@robertramsay2408 that’s a bummer to hear that customs did you dirty for a camera that was essentially being returned! One thing about these cameras is that they springs super vigorously and create a suction effect on the loaded film. This in return means the film isn’t flat on the film plain. I’ve found that the best way to mitigate this is to open the camera slowly and cautiously. That and to only wind the film right before taking the actual photo. As for the lens hood, mine is a push on hood. The same can be said for the filters. It might be best to try and measure the diameter of your lens and working from there
@@ExpiredBren thanks for the faster than 1/500s reply! Yes, I've read not to let the lens assembly fly open but it's good to be reminded of that before I head out with it today. My lens is probably the same outer diameter as yours. It's about 30mm across. Where did you find your push-on hood? Mine came with two filters that have two short pieces of thin metal on the inside of the metal ring that act as springs to hold them on the lens. I guess they could be referred to as push-on ones that are held in place by these metal springs. One filter is a light blue colour and the other is likely an ND filter as it is grey but there are no markings on it to know how many stops it is. I've searched for more filters of this type/size but have had no luck. Any help in this area would be appreciated. Thanks again! Robert
@@robertramsay2408 Mine is indeed 30mm across. I was lucky in that my camera included the B+W hood and a yellow filter. Doing a quick eBay search I did find a couple 30mm push-on lens hoods. For filters it could be smart to find a 30mm push-on to Series IV, V, or VI filter adapter. From there you could either use Series IV, V, VI filters or use the threads on the adapter to screw on a threaded filter.
@@ExpiredBren , thanks for this very useful information. That will certainly help my search for ND filters. I took half a roll of pictures this afternoon and am excited to see the results.
@@ExpiredBren , one more question if you don't mind... With the aperture slider on the barrel of the lens, what part of that metal tab are you to line up with the f-stop number? The tab is rather wide and then it slopes away on an angle. It is not obvious to me how to be precise when selecting an f-stop value. It does not show this detail in any of the manuals that I have found.
Note that the version of the Isolette III he has in the video is fairly rare, being the best and most expensive lens/shutter option. The Color-Solinar is a Tessar copy design, but is as good or better. Future comparison: The Isolette versus and Konica Pearl III or IV (same lens).
That would make for a great comparison. Also would serve as a great way to compare front cell focusing on the Isolette versus whole unit focusing on the Pearl
Just picked one up today at a fleamarket, for 50 DKR (US$7.45). Same lense, Prontor SVS shutter (B to 1/300). It has all the issues you mention, but otherwise in very good condition. Kinda expect this on 70-year old cameras, they'll need a CLA....
I also have this camera but with the weaker lens. Could you tell me about the lens hood you are using here? I always wondered what kind of filters could fit on the lens of this camera.
Sorry for the late response! I use an old push on filter that came with the camera. It isn't AGFA branded, so it may be hard to find. The filters that I use for this are push-on as well.
It's definitely crucial do that for all folders. Compared to all of the folding bed cameras that I have, this Isolette springs open way more vigorously
I hear you. Years ago, I looked long for a nice Pearl III, without success. Then, a mint Pearl IV appeared at a nosebleed price, along with an excellent month on my income blotter, and I bought the IV. The lens/shutter on the III is the same, but the IV is "really nice".
I didn't realize that the Pearl IV was such a feature-rich folder. Looks like it would be on par with a Certo Six or Super Baldax, albeit in 6x4.5 format.
Ive had one of these for years! Just figuring out how to use it 😅
I am carrying a Zeiss Ikon Ikonta 523/16 - I bought it for 30 euros and it was mint! Got myself a rangefinder for the cold shoe and BAM! perfect pocketable 6x6 with great image quality. Use it every week
That would be a pretty compact combination!
Nice video of your trip to the park! That lens is very nice for sure! My Ansco Speedex Special R is identical to yours but with the Apotar 85 f4.5. Not as nice as the Solinar but still a lot of fun to use. Yes, the green grease from hell was a lot of fun to break loose. Not as bad as the lens on my Ansco Viking 4.5. I just about gave up on that one. I too went with a CLA and new bellows to give these great camera a new lease on life.
It’s a shame that nearly all of these Agfa Isolette/Ansco Speedex cameras have the identical issues, but the end result speaks for itself once it’s fixed.
First of all, some really great compositions, here, so excellent work. Secondly, I’m crazy impressed with the dynamic range/retention of detail in the highlights and shadows. Obviously, this isn’t only a testament to the film, but in your choice of metering/exposure, so again, great work! I just recently picked up a ansco titan (which I heard may have had some ties to the Agfa, but not positive). I have a ton of cameras but only a few medium format cameras & this is my *only working folder, so definitely excited to work through this first roll and see what I’m working with.
@@microminstrel thank you for the kind words! I hope that you get some good results with your first roll using the Ansco!
Sharp goodness
Excellent video. Would be curious how it would perform in an urban environment, with some architctural and some street photography.
I would like to try it in such an environment. Admittedly it can be slow going to focus and setup a composition with the Isolette, but zone focusing would solve some of that.
Awesome vid as always, IQ is so impressive and looks like you did an amazing job restoring life to great piece of gear. Well done!
Thanks Mike!
Isolette III is my favourite 6x6 camera. If you look at the aperture ring, you will see a red dot, it means it is the sharpest aperture
That'll be good to remember next time that I use the camera!
I think you will find that the dot marker in the focus scale ties in with an aperture scale marker. Together, they set the camera at a hyperfocal distance to create a depth of field covering most focus points without having to manually reset focus for each shot.
@@randallstewart1224 thanks
Great overview and exceptional photos! I have the exact same model with the Solinar 75mm and the top speed of 1/500. I found it at a thrift store and got it for about $45 Canadian. The range finder and focus ring both had the ceased grease problem. I was going to tackle the issue myself but after a year of not finding the time (and worrying that I would mess it up from trying), I sent it to Jürgen Kreckel (Certo06). I just got it back this week and am about to load it and test it out. Jürgen did a complete overhaul and installed new bellows (real leather ones). His price was very reasonable but it added up with the poor PayPal exchange rate on the Canadian dollar and the return got nailed with duties on his work (or maybe the insurance amount). Too bad he hadn't noted something like "Returning borrowed camera" or some such thing on the parcel. I've two questions for you if you don't mind. What are you using for a lens hood to avoid flare? I like getting low-depth-of-field shots but even with the pretty fast 1/500, I will often need an ND filter on sunny days. Do you know if ones exist that would fit this lens? Thanks and keep posting these great videos!
@@robertramsay2408 that’s a bummer to hear that customs did you dirty for a camera that was essentially being returned! One thing about these cameras is that they springs super vigorously and create a suction effect on the loaded film. This in return means the film isn’t flat on the film plain. I’ve found that the best way to mitigate this is to open the camera slowly and cautiously. That and to only wind the film right before taking the actual photo.
As for the lens hood, mine is a push on hood. The same can be said for the filters. It might be best to try and measure the diameter of your lens and working from there
@@ExpiredBren thanks for the faster than 1/500s reply! Yes, I've read not to let the lens assembly fly open but it's good to be reminded of that before I head out with it today. My lens is probably the same outer diameter as yours. It's about 30mm across. Where did you find your push-on hood? Mine came with two filters that have two short pieces of thin metal on the inside of the metal ring that act as springs to hold them on the lens. I guess they could be referred to as push-on ones that are held in place by these metal springs. One filter is a light blue colour and the other is likely an ND filter as it is grey but there are no markings on it to know how many stops it is. I've searched for more filters of this type/size but have had no luck. Any help in this area would be appreciated. Thanks again! Robert
@@robertramsay2408 Mine is indeed 30mm across. I was lucky in that my camera included the B+W hood and a yellow filter.
Doing a quick eBay search I did find a couple 30mm push-on lens hoods. For filters it could be smart to find a 30mm push-on to Series IV, V, or VI filter adapter. From there you could either use Series IV, V, VI filters or use the threads on the adapter to screw on a threaded filter.
@@ExpiredBren , thanks for this very useful information. That will certainly help my search for ND filters. I took half a roll of pictures this afternoon and am excited to see the results.
@@ExpiredBren , one more question if you don't mind... With the aperture slider on the barrel of the lens, what part of that metal tab are you to line up with the f-stop number? The tab is rather wide and then it slopes away on an angle. It is not obvious to me how to be precise when selecting an f-stop value. It does not show this detail in any of the manuals that I have found.
Note that the version of the Isolette III he has in the video is fairly rare, being the best and most expensive lens/shutter option. The Color-Solinar is a Tessar copy design, but is as good or better. Future comparison: The Isolette versus and Konica Pearl III or IV (same lens).
That would make for a great comparison. Also would serve as a great way to compare front cell focusing on the Isolette versus whole unit focusing on the Pearl
Just picked one up today at a fleamarket,
for 50 DKR (US$7.45).
Same lense, Prontor SVS shutter (B to 1/300).
It has all the issues you mention, but otherwise in very good condition.
Kinda expect this on 70-year old cameras, they'll need a CLA....
I also have this camera but with the weaker lens. Could you tell me about the lens hood you are using here? I always wondered what kind of filters could fit on the lens of this camera.
Sorry for the late response! I use an old push on filter that came with the camera. It isn't AGFA branded, so it may be hard to find. The filters that I use for this are push-on as well.
All folders should be opened slowly! Hold the folding bed while pressing the release.
It's definitely crucial do that for all folders. Compared to all of the folding bed cameras that I have, this Isolette springs open way more vigorously
Similarly I found myself wanting a Konica Pearl IV - then I looked at prices and went for the III.
I hear you. Years ago, I looked long for a nice Pearl III, without success. Then, a mint Pearl IV appeared at a nosebleed price, along with an excellent month on my income blotter, and I bought the IV. The lens/shutter on the III is the same, but the IV is "really nice".
I didn't realize that the Pearl IV was such a feature-rich folder. Looks like it would be on par with a Certo Six or Super Baldax, albeit in 6x4.5 format.