Love my medium format folders, especially for hiking, take up so little space. The lenses have their own quirks and character too. I like to shoot through a yellow filter to up the contrast a little, usually just hold it over the lens!
Just got an isolette 1 this week and fixed it up yesterday. I'm really excited to start shooting with it and love it if only for how the bellows sound and feel when opening. 🤩
Nice video and a good buy. I have three folding cameras covering three formats - a Voigtlander Vito III (35mm), a Zeiss Ikon Nettar (6x6) and a Zeiss Ikon Ikonta 521/2 (6x9), all working well and in great condition for cameras made in the early 1950s. I use a separate rangefinder in the cold shoes of the Zeiss cameras, then transfer the reading to the lens, like you mentioned. It’s a slow but hugely enjoyable shooting experience. Really glad I found your channel, I’m enjoying your content.
That’s a great collection! I’m def planning to on growing my collection. I need a coupled rangefinder setup to make things even easier. I have been eyeing a mamiya six for a while or maybe one of the super Isolette or ikonta. Would be nice to get a premium folder
Thank you very much !! I really like these type of cameras. I had for a while a Super Ikonta III and it seems to be very similar in size and specs to your Isolette III. Mine had some dirt in the lens and it was extremely easy to take apart and fix. These types of camera are definitely the most portable 6x6+ cameras out there! Thanks for another awesome video!
very cool - i was eyeing a super ikonta for a while but the price tag dissuaded me. those are fantastic folders though. yea i love that these cameras are easy to repair. so many spare parts. excited to travel with this one given how portable it is!
@@ribsy I just picked up the Ansco version of this camera, the Speedex Special R. It has the same lens but the shutter goes to 300. I sent it off along with an Ansco Viking 6x9 camera for CLA and bellows replacement. Both came back working just about like new! The Viking has the Agnar 105mm 4.5 and takes great shots so I'm looking forward to seeing what the Apotar can do. Cheers!
I have an old Franka Bonafix for 6x9 and a super simple Dacora Subita for 6x6. I've shot a roll of FP4+ on the Bonafix and was not impressed by the lens performance, but it's not bad. The Subita has only 1/25, 1/75 and B speeds on the shutter, but on the plus side it's self-cocking. There are only two aperture settings, 1:6.3 and 1:11. I guess it is a lot like box cameras.
Just purchased one of these on eBay after watching this video! Not as pristine condition as yours but still looks good and in working order. Can't wait to try it out! Really helpful video, thank you! :)
Great video!, I also acquired a similar one a short time ago, the Zeiss Ikon Nettar and its amazing too, i didnt know about the red dot! Thanks for sharing bro!
Ha, that red dot. It explained a lot…😋 I have a Agfa Record ii 6x9 and love it! I don’t know if it is for beginners. You have to take a lot of steps before you can push the shutter release. Mine has no rangefinder. So it is a lot of guess work when it comes to distance. But I am learning to just eyeball it…😋
I had the chance to find and quickly buy with no hesitation on ebay the rare version with the fantastic solinar 75mm f3.5. It's important to very accurately align the front focusing ring on the fixed mark at infinity with a previously lens focused to infinity thanks to a ground glass. Then the correct alignment of the rangefinder can be done. All these operations require calm and precision, there're not easy to do if you're not accustomed to do so, but when all is correct, you can make very sharp and precisely focused images , and you realise how good the camera and lens are.
very cool good for you! i should prob test my rangefinder but in the shots that i have taken with mine, it seems like everything is aligned nicely. i've even tested at the closest focal ranges wide open. hopefully it truly is all good!
Yeah, the lenses on these cameras were seriously slept on. They used Lanthanum glass, which made them especially hard, which is why its so easy to find them with few scratches. I like mine, but I need to get a replacement bellows set for mine. I am honestly shocked yours didn't have any pinholes in the bellows. For that matter, a few of my favorites are my Kodak Retina 119 from 1939(?), and a ZEH Primus 6x9 with a Trinar 105,3.8, i think from 1938. Both of mine are in great condition, and got them for under US$20 each. Folding cameras are so fun to use, and have definitely gotten some of my favorite shots out of them. Edit: Also, your shutter is actually the lowest end one. You 100% could get a donor shutter, with better speeds for $10-$20, just take it off the donor camera, and replace the lens. They are really cheap cameras. If you're lucky you could probably find one of the compur-rapid equipped models.
thanks for watching. its so tempting to collect these since there are so many! and yes, definitely aware i have a lower end shutter. when researching, i noticed there were other shutters with more speeds, and paired with wider aperture lens. my main buying point was the range finder tho. thus i was willing to pay more for this, over an isolette 1 or 2. def would be open to upgrading if i ever find the spare part 😊
Great video! I have an Isolette II which is basically the same but doesn't have a rangefider so it's just scale focusing which is sort of annoying. You're making me want to pick up the third model lol.
Nice video! I have an Isolette 2 that I got years ago from EBay. I went all out and got one that had been completely refurbished and with a brand new bellows. It takes really nice photos.
yea all of the isolette's seem to be great cameras. it is nice that there are so many options and that you can pick from various options. good belows are key!
I found one cheap at a local thrift store last year. It wasn't in the best condition, but for me that was part of the fun. I got to take it a part and CLA it all. Learned a ton and fortunately the bellows were in good shape. Currently it has a 1000 ISO roll inside, so the min 1/200 is a bit limiting :D
I remember seeing one of those in great shape at a thrift store for about $10. I passed on it because I had an RB67 with lenses at the time and didn't see the beauty of a compact 6x6. I found a Zeiss 6x6 folder some years later with a case for $26. These are so much nicer than the Lomo and Diana medium format cameras.
@@ribsy makes sense! The Agfa Viking 45 is definitely my favorite. It's a 6x9 and very sharp (whenever I happen to hit focus lol). But with landscapes, it's really beautiful.
Loved this video! I bought one today, it isn’t the exact one in the video, and I’m not sure on how to properly make it take pictures. Some help would be much appreciated!
At L110, he paid about three times the used price for this particular version in the US. It has the least capable lens (3 element) and cheapest shutter. Better options have the excellent 4 element Solinar lens and a Compur shutter. However, if the lens is shut down to 5.0 - 11, it is more than reasonably sharp. He's note correct re the red dot on the aperture scale. The idea is that if you set the apwerture at the red dot (about f 11) and then set the lens to 10 feet also marked in red, The depth of field will put everything from infinity to "quite close" in reasonable focus. That bypasses the hassle of useing the uncoupled rangefinder and then transferring the footage to the lens. Problems to watch for: The famous Agfa whale oil lube in the focus threads can be hard and require a major effort to clean out the lens. The top/rangefinder section is poorly sealed from the element, so the rangefinder is commonly dirty and its mechanism sticky. However, it's easy to open and clean out.
thanks for clarifying. i wasn't aware for the true purpose of the red dot. i am surprised at your details about pricing. based on my searches i couldn't find a rangefinder version in good condition for a lower price than i paid. all in all, my camera is in full working condition and currently has zero issues with the bellows or the focusing mechanism. not to mention, its super clean and cosmetically flawless. based on that, i am ok with paying a little bit extra 😊
Hi! Loved the video. I am thinking about buying one too. I now found the Agfa Isolette i for 50 dollars in good condition. I was wondering is there a huge difference between the i and iii when shooting color like you did for example. What would you recommend? Love to hear from you!
hey! i don't know enough about the different trims. but you should look to see which lens aperture you have, whether there is a built in rangefinder. lastly make sure to get one in good condition - often the lenses are stuck and/or the bellows are holes
@@ribsy The one is in good condition it says. It has aAgnar 85mm f/4.5 in a Print shutter lens. And an aperture of f/4.5-32. It has no rangefinder tho.
Just got my second Isolette. My first one is really my mother's Isolette V. The one I got yesterday is an Isolette II. Got it to work and have cleaned the lens elements. The bellows actually appears to be non (light) leaking. Not like my mom's old camera. But I'm going to make myself a new bellows for that one. If only I can get the front, focusing, lens element moving again. That old green grease they used back then has turned into actual glue :-O Would like to see more of these "Isolette" videos. Anybody with a how to take the shutters apart and back together again video or pdf?
awesome! yea isolette's are such beautiful and convenient cameras. i do plan on making more content with them 😊although i have no mechanical skills so i can't help you with the repair stuff unfortunately
thanks! i actually own an ikon nettar already. for this new camera i wanted a rangefinder, so i was willing to pay a bit more. also the more "modern" tech of the isolette adds a few extra benefits
Bravo! One caveat: please don't snap the Agfa open. This stresses the bellows and struts and can pull the film off the focal plane. Ease the door open, holding it with your left hand. Happy shooting!
Hi Doing! You've got a very fine camera, but PLEASE don't let the door snap out. This stresses bellows and support struts. Ease the lens out gently. f4,5 does not refer to width of field, but to light transmission. For wide vs. normal vs. telephoto refer to millimeter of the lens, typically 75 or 80mm for normal. Good post, sir!
I purchased an Isolette 3 in mint condition for £4 in a charity shop. Called into the same shop 2 weeks later and got a Pen EE 3 half camera again in mint condition for £3.
Actually, Kodak made a whole series of high quality 35mm folding cameras, called Retina, in the 50's. And to my knowledge, all or almost all of them where shipped with HQ Schneider - Kreutznach lenses.
thanks. what do you mean IR? someone else also commented that the dot was not about aperture. he mentioned that the dot was a sweet spot for focusing at a certain distance + aperture.
IR = infrared. IR film is really cool for shooting landscapes and can be a fun portrait stock too. Infrared light waves are a different wavelength than visible light. This means your focus point shifts for shooting IR film. You'll also need an IR filter on your lens to get the right pop im the image. filmphotographystore.com/products/35mm-infrared-film-fpp-black-and-white-ir
l found the same camera under my bed,which l have kept for thirty years,it works find and takes normal pictures,the problem of this camera is the price of the color film,it is too expensive and takes twelve photos only,thats why l takes b&w 😂
I know this is 4 yrs old but thanks for posting Ribsy its been a big help.
Thanks for watching
Love my medium format folders, especially for hiking, take up so little space. The lenses have their own quirks and character too. I like to shoot through a yellow filter to up the contrast a little, usually just hold it over the lens!
Hey! Yup I love them too. Haven’t used any filters with these but I def should
Just got an isolette 1 this week and fixed it up yesterday. I'm really excited to start shooting with it and love it if only for how the bellows sound and feel when opening. 🤩
nice! congrats!
Nice video and a good buy. I have three folding cameras covering three formats - a Voigtlander Vito III (35mm), a Zeiss Ikon Nettar (6x6) and a Zeiss Ikon Ikonta 521/2 (6x9), all working well and in great condition for cameras made in the early 1950s. I use a separate rangefinder in the cold shoes of the Zeiss cameras, then transfer the reading to the lens, like you mentioned. It’s a slow but hugely enjoyable shooting experience. Really glad I found your channel, I’m enjoying your content.
That’s a great collection! I’m def planning to on growing my collection. I need a coupled rangefinder setup to make things even easier. I have been eyeing a mamiya six for a while or maybe one of the super Isolette or ikonta. Would be nice to get a premium folder
On the basis of your videos I have managed to purchase one like yours, just waiting for it to arrive..looking forward to the adventure with it.
niceeeee
Thanks for this review !
Glad you enjoyed it
Love the flower shots especially 1:35 Great video
thanks! i really liked that image as well 😊
Thank you very much !! I really like these type of cameras. I had for a while a Super Ikonta III and it seems to be very similar in size and specs to your Isolette III. Mine had some dirt in the lens and it was extremely easy to take apart and fix. These types of camera are definitely the most portable 6x6+ cameras out there!
Thanks for another awesome video!
very cool - i was eyeing a super ikonta for a while but the price tag dissuaded me. those are fantastic folders though. yea i love that these cameras are easy to repair. so many spare parts. excited to travel with this one given how portable it is!
Awesome looking photos. The way that lens renders Portra is amazing.
yea i was surprised how good the lens was
Late to the party but I wanted to thank you for this video. I just bought an Agfa Isolate I and am awaiting delivery. Don
Of course! Thanks for watching
Another nice camera! Definitely having camera envy! Very informative video as always!
thanks
@@ribsy I just picked up the Ansco version of this camera, the Speedex Special R. It has the same lens but the shutter goes to 300. I sent it off along with an Ansco Viking 6x9 camera for CLA and bellows replacement. Both came back working just about like new! The Viking has the Agnar 105mm 4.5 and takes great shots so I'm looking forward to seeing what the Apotar can do.
Cheers!
I just bought one from the UK for $80 in fantastic condition i can't wait to test it out
I have an old Franka Bonafix for 6x9 and a super simple Dacora Subita for 6x6.
I've shot a roll of FP4+ on the Bonafix and was not impressed by the lens performance, but it's not bad.
The Subita has only 1/25, 1/75 and B speeds on the shutter, but on the plus side it's self-cocking. There are only two aperture settings, 1:6.3 and 1:11. I guess it is a lot like box cameras.
Oh cool!
Just purchased one of these on eBay after watching this video! Not as pristine condition as yours but still looks good and in working order. Can't wait to try it out! Really helpful video, thank you! :)
dope! congrats -- you will enjoy it a lot.
Looks like a great find! Just got my
Bronica and excited to see my results.
dope! let me know how it goes!
Came from brae hunzikers channel. Impressed
great! thanks for watching. glad you liked the video 😊
Great video!,
I also acquired a similar one a short time ago, the Zeiss Ikon Nettar and its amazing too, i didnt know about the red dot!
Thanks for sharing bro!
I have a Zeiss Nettar too, a 6x6, damn it makes good images!
Of course! Glad I could help. They are such amazing cameras - so cool that they are so old
Ha, that red dot. It explained a lot…😋 I have a Agfa Record ii 6x9 and love it! I don’t know if it is for beginners. You have to take a lot of steps before you can push the shutter release. Mine has no rangefinder. So it is a lot of guess work when it comes to distance. But I am learning to just eyeball it…😋
I had the chance to find and quickly buy with no hesitation on ebay the rare version with the fantastic solinar 75mm f3.5. It's important to very accurately align the front focusing ring on the fixed mark at infinity with a previously lens focused to infinity thanks to a ground glass. Then the correct alignment of the rangefinder can be done. All these operations require calm and precision, there're not easy to do if you're not accustomed to do so, but when all is correct, you can make very sharp and precisely focused images , and you realise how good the camera and lens are.
very cool good for you! i should prob test my rangefinder but in the shots that i have taken with mine, it seems like everything is aligned nicely. i've even tested at the closest focal ranges wide open. hopefully it truly is all good!
Cheers for the vid mate. Im thinking about dabbling with medium format but don't wanna spend big coin on it.
Very helpful vid, much obliged
def give it a shot!
I own an Isolette II (no rangefinder). Haven't used it yet but you have inspired me.
def use it! those cameras are great
Nice video, dude! Gotta love the Isolettes...
haha yes! i love these cameras
Good review. Excellent video quality! Thank you!
thanks for watching! 😊
Yeah, the lenses on these cameras were seriously slept on. They used Lanthanum glass, which made them especially hard, which is why its so easy to find them with few scratches. I like mine, but I need to get a replacement bellows set for mine. I am honestly shocked yours didn't have any pinholes in the bellows.
For that matter, a few of my favorites are my Kodak Retina 119 from 1939(?), and a ZEH Primus 6x9 with a Trinar 105,3.8, i think from 1938. Both of mine are in great condition, and got them for under US$20 each. Folding cameras are so fun to use, and have definitely gotten some of my favorite shots out of them.
Edit: Also, your shutter is actually the lowest end one. You 100% could get a donor shutter, with better speeds for $10-$20, just take it off the donor camera, and replace the lens. They are really cheap cameras. If you're lucky you could probably find one of the compur-rapid equipped models.
thanks for watching. its so tempting to collect these since there are so many!
and yes, definitely aware i have a lower end shutter. when researching, i noticed there were other shutters with more speeds, and paired with wider aperture lens. my main buying point was the range finder tho. thus i was willing to pay more for this, over an isolette 1 or 2. def would be open to upgrading if i ever find the spare part 😊
Great video! I have an Isolette II which is basically the same but doesn't have a rangefider so it's just scale focusing which is sort of annoying. You're making me want to pick up the third model lol.
thanks! you can still do plenty with the isolette 2. i'm not gonna stop you from picking up the iii 😊
Nice video! I have an Isolette 2 that I got years ago from EBay. I went all out and got one that had been completely refurbished and with a brand new bellows. It takes really nice photos.
yea all of the isolette's seem to be great cameras. it is nice that there are so many options and that you can pick from various options. good belows are key!
Love your work on darkroom printing! Still something I'm yet to do
thanks! you should def try it out. printing is loads of fun (and frustration 😂)
Bro I've been eyeing 6x6 cameras, specifically bellows ones, and this one seems cleeaaaaaaan
yea it is! def get yourself one. they are amazingly capable and usually cheap
Doing Film Things my one gripe is the uncoupled rangefinder. All the coupled ones are mad expensive tho, might have to work my way up.
I found one cheap at a local thrift store last year. It wasn't in the best condition, but for me that was part of the fun. I got to take it a part and CLA it all. Learned a ton and fortunately the bellows were in good shape.
Currently it has a 1000 ISO roll inside, so the min 1/200 is a bit limiting :D
awesome. yea, these cameras are a whole lot of fun. 1/200 is limiting but you learn to cope
Lovely pictures! Where are those gardens?
thanks! those gardens are in london at brockwell park 😊
@@ribsy Nice one, cheers! 👍
Sunny Brockwell Park, amzing shots! People sleep on these cameras!
yea brockwell park is awesome 😊 and for sure, these cameras are jewels. i'm gonna keep growing my collection
The condition of the camera is crazy haha. Digging that big tree picture.
right?! i got lucky! glad you like that pic - i had high hopes for it but it was a bit of a dud 😂
I remember seeing one of those in great shape at a thrift store for about $10. I passed on it because I had an RB67 with lenses at the time and didn't see the beauty of a compact 6x6. I found a Zeiss 6x6 folder some years later with a case for $26. These are so much nicer than the Lomo and Diana medium format cameras.
ah man. glad you eventually go tone. they are such great tools
Sweet camera! Agfa make good lenses. Have you tried a Zenobia R? They have a nice Teaser style lens, very sharp!
Na I haven’t! I’ll check it out
Very helpful! I got the Afga Isolette II.
Just wondering, what color film are you using?
I don’t remember but prob portra 160 or something
I have a few folders but they're zone focus only. Which is a real pain lol. Great video and shots!
i have another one that is zone focus as well. i mostly keep it for landscape stuff since its just focused at infinity. which is your favorite?
@@ribsy makes sense! The Agfa Viking 45 is definitely my favorite. It's a 6x9 and very sharp (whenever I happen to hit focus lol). But with landscapes, it's really beautiful.
i'll have to look it up!
Loved this video! I bought one today, it isn’t the exact one in the video, and I’m not sure on how to properly make it take pictures. Some help would be much appreciated!
Nice- good luck
Looks awesome!
thanks for watching! yea so far so good 😊
At L110, he paid about three times the used price for this particular version in the US. It has the least capable lens (3 element) and cheapest shutter. Better options have the excellent 4 element Solinar lens and a Compur shutter. However, if the lens is shut down to 5.0 - 11, it is more than reasonably sharp. He's note correct re the red dot on the aperture scale. The idea is that if you set the apwerture at the red dot (about f 11) and then set the lens to 10 feet also marked in red, The depth of field will put everything from infinity to "quite close" in reasonable focus. That bypasses the hassle of useing the uncoupled rangefinder and then transferring the footage to the lens. Problems to watch for: The famous Agfa whale oil lube in the focus threads can be hard and require a major effort to clean out the lens. The top/rangefinder section is poorly sealed from the element, so the rangefinder is commonly dirty and its mechanism sticky. However, it's easy to open and clean out.
thanks for clarifying. i wasn't aware for the true purpose of the red dot.
i am surprised at your details about pricing. based on my searches i couldn't find a rangefinder version in good condition for a lower price than i paid. all in all, my camera is in full working condition and currently has zero issues with the bellows or the focusing mechanism. not to mention, its super clean and cosmetically flawless. based on that, i am ok with paying a little bit extra 😊
I have non rangefinder version but find images quite soft even when at f11
Interesting, I feel that money is sharp ish. Especially when closed down. The camera is super old tho, so not surprised
I got one it works perfectly and it's so clean the only problem is the grease in the rangefinder that's dried up
ahh yea thats the classic problem
I bought an Agfa Isolette II for 5€ and it works, built like a tank.
Dope! Yea they are quite resilient
Yo I loved this video! I think I might pick one up now haha
Do it!! Won’t regret it
Hi! Loved the video. I am thinking about buying one too. I now found the Agfa Isolette i for 50 dollars in good condition. I was wondering is there a huge difference between the i and iii when shooting color like you did for example. What would you recommend? Love to hear from you!
hey! i don't know enough about the different trims. but you should look to see which lens aperture you have, whether there is a built in rangefinder. lastly make sure to get one in good condition - often the lenses are stuck and/or the bellows are holes
@@ribsy The one is in good condition it says. It has aAgnar 85mm f/4.5 in a Print shutter lens. And an aperture of f/4.5-32. It has no rangefinder tho.
Just got my second Isolette. My first one is really my mother's Isolette V. The one I got yesterday is an Isolette II. Got it to work and have cleaned the lens elements. The bellows actually appears to be non (light) leaking. Not like my mom's old camera. But I'm going to make myself a new bellows for that one. If only I can get the front, focusing, lens element moving again. That old green grease they used back then has turned into actual glue :-O
Would like to see more of these "Isolette" videos. Anybody with a how to take the shutters apart and back together again video or pdf?
awesome! yea isolette's are such beautiful and convenient cameras. i do plan on making more content with them 😊although i have no mechanical skills so i can't help you with the repair stuff unfortunately
@@ribsy Looking forward to your next Isolette video 👌🏻
Well in Ribsy. The Zeiss iKON Netter is a good cheaper alternative.
thanks! i actually own an ikon nettar already. for this new camera i wanted a rangefinder, so i was willing to pay a bit more. also the more "modern" tech of the isolette adds a few extra benefits
nice video!!
Thanks! 👍🏽
Saw a video about these type of camera. The AGFA should be eased out when opened. Letting it slam open may cause issues.
yea i usually do
1/200th is ok in medium format and works perfectly with Kodak Gold 200.
Bravo! One caveat: please don't snap the Agfa open. This stresses the bellows and struts and can pull the film off the focal plane. Ease the door open, holding it with your left hand. Happy shooting!
thanks for the tip 😅
Hi Doing! You've got a very fine camera, but PLEASE don't let the door snap out. This stresses bellows and support struts. Ease the lens out gently.
f4,5 does not refer to width of field, but to light transmission. For wide vs. normal vs. telephoto refer to millimeter of the lens, typically 75 or 80mm for normal.
Good post, sir!
haha alright. i prob should be a bit more tender with it. its a gentle creature
I purchased an Isolette 3 in mint condition for £4 in a charity shop. Called into the same shop 2 weeks later and got a Pen EE 3 half camera again in mint condition for £3.
great price!
Actually, Kodak made a whole series of high quality 35mm folding cameras, called Retina, in the 50's.
And to my knowledge, all or almost all of them where shipped with HQ Schneider - Kreutznach lenses.
Yea those are great! Sucks they don’t have any medium format
Where to find thr negatives reels pls tell
hi - which negative reels? ones used to develop film?
@@ribsy the reel 6x6
Which film do you use?
i use alot of different ones. here it was portra 160
I have one…… also in mint condition. Picked it up at a flee market for 5$
dope. great find
The red dot or numbers are for IR focusing. Has nothing to do with the sharpest aperature.
thanks. what do you mean IR?
someone else also commented that the dot was not about aperture. he mentioned that the dot was a sweet spot for focusing at a certain distance + aperture.
IR = infrared. IR film is really cool for shooting landscapes and can be a fun portrait stock too. Infrared light waves are a different wavelength than visible light. This means your focus point shifts for shooting IR film. You'll also need an IR filter on your lens to get the right pop im the image.
filmphotographystore.com/products/35mm-infrared-film-fpp-black-and-white-ir
Oh wow I had no idea about the changes. Gonna Read up on this - thanks!
l found the same camera under my bed,which l have kept for thirty years,it works find and takes normal pictures,the problem of this camera is the price of the color film,it is too expensive and takes twelve photos only,thats why l takes b&w 😂
Nice!
Aaaand, in what has become a recurring theme; these have doubled in price, in lesss than a year🙄
Lucky for us there are tons of options! And still plenty of cheap ones