Difference between revisions of "Isolette"

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==Isolette V (1950-52)==
 
==Isolette V (1950-52)==
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The '''Isolette V''' has Agfa's entry-level f/4.5 Agnar triplet lens, and only low-specification shutters (Pronto or Vario). However, the lens is now coated on many examples, and the shutters are synchronised, with a [[PC socket]]. The accessory shoe is either on top of the viewfinder or to one side of it (on earlier examples). There is no body-mounted shutter release.
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The '''Isolette V''' has Agfa's entry-level f/4.5 Agnar triplet lens, and only low-specification shutters (Pronto or Vario). However, the lens is now coated on many examples, and the shutters are synchronised, with a [[PC socket]]. The camera's top housing is now of pressed, bright silver metal: this finish is retained for the rest of the series. The accessory shoe is either on top of the viewfinder or to one side of it (on earlier examples). There is no body-mounted shutter release.
 
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==Isolette I==
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The Isolette I  is, like the V, a rather low-specification model. It has a coated f/4.5 Agnar lens, and a synchronised Vario or Pronto shutter. Unlike the V, it has a body shutter release. There are two versions of it:
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* 1951-54: the early version has a disc-shaped depth-of-field calculator, mounted in a position matching that of the film advance knob, but on the right of the camera.
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* 1955-58: the depth of field brackets are now marked on the face-plate of the shutter, around the focus scale of the lens. This model also has a slightly different [[cold shoe]].
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==Succeeding models==
 
==Succeeding models==
 
After 1950, several different models of the Isolette were made at the same time, with different levels of specification:
 
After 1950, several different models of the Isolette were made at the same time, with different levels of specification:
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* the [[Agfa Isolette I|Isolette I]]
 
 
* the [[Agfa Isolette II|Isolette II]]
 
* the [[Agfa Isolette II|Isolette II]]
 
* the [[Agfa Isolette III|Isolette III]]
 
* the [[Agfa Isolette III|Isolette III]]
 
* the [[Super Isolette]]
 
* the [[Super Isolette]]
 
* the [[Isolette L]]
 
* the [[Isolette L]]
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Revision as of 22:53, 31 October 2011

The Isolette is a compact horizontal-folding camera for twelve 6×6 cm (2¼-inch square) pictures (or sixteen 4.5×6 cm (2¼×1⅝ inch) pictures, with the first model of the camera) on 120 film. It was made by Agfa Kamerawerk AG, Munich, Germany, from 1938.[1] It was the first of a series of cameras lasting until about 1960.


Isolette (1938-42)

3984687578_bc7446c4e7.jpg
First model Isolette.
image by Raúl Sá Dantas (Image rights)

This first model was a dual format camera. It has hinged masks in the film chamber (they pivot around the spindle of the film rollers each side of the film gate), to change it from the 6×6 cm format to 4.5×6 cm. There is also a mask for the viewfinder.

It first came on the market as the Isorette (embossed in the leatherette of the front door/lens bed as JSORETTE[2] ), but the name was changed to Isolette (again, marked on the camera as JSOLETTE) within a year.

One of the distinctive features of the camera is the top housing, made of a plastic called "Trolitan"; the post-War camera has a cast aluminium top housing. This camera also has loops to attach a strap, the only version of the Isolette to have these.

Different lens and shutter combinations were available, allowing a wide range of levels of specification. All have front-element focusing. The shutter release is on the body. This model was called the "Soldatenkamera" (soldier's camera) in Germany during the War.

The earliest cameras have Vario shutters which are not labelled as such.


5351076559_38e7b8307e_m.jpg
5351689218_2c26a5db61_m.jpg
5351079367_3a19f86223.jpg
Isolette, first model, about 1938.

Images by Süleyman Demir (Image rights)


5274371955_2ba455deb5.jpg
Post-War Isolette
image by Hans Kerensky (Image rights)

Isolette (1945-50)

The first post-War model was made from 1945 till 1950. It is not adjustable to 4.5×6 cm format. The top housing of this model is cast from Hydronalium (Nüral: an aluminium alloy). There were less lens and shutter combinations, offering only the higher levels of specification (no Agnar, nor Vario or Pronto shutters). Most of the lenses are still uncoated.[1] Some of the shutters available are synchronised. The camera has an accessory shoe (above the viewfinder).

  • Year of release: 1945
  • Film Format: 12 exp. 6x6 on 120 film.
  • Shutter: Prontor, Prontor-S or Compur-Rapid.
  • Lens: Apotar 8.5cm f/4.5 or Solinar 8.5cm f/4.5.
  • Double exposure prevention.
  • Viewfinder: reverse-Galilean viewfinder


3061172185_05c7ecaa27.jpg
Isolette V, with f/4.5 Agnar and Vario shutter. The upright metal strip at the side of
the shutter is the release. Note the control added to offer 'T' as well as 'B' shutter.
image by Raúl Sá Dantas (Image rights)

Isolette V (1950-52)

The Isolette V has Agfa's entry-level f/4.5 Agnar triplet lens, and only low-specification shutters (Pronto or Vario). However, the lens is now coated on many examples, and the shutters are synchronised, with a PC socket. The camera's top housing is now of pressed, bright silver metal: this finish is retained for the rest of the series. The accessory shoe is either on top of the viewfinder or to one side of it (on earlier examples). There is no body-mounted shutter release.

1799585165_bd57b5b3b9.jpg
Isolette I; second version with DOF scale on the shutter face-plate.
image by Alf Sigaro (Image rights)

Isolette I

The Isolette I is, like the V, a rather low-specification model. It has a coated f/4.5 Agnar lens, and a synchronised Vario or Pronto shutter. Unlike the V, it has a body shutter release. There are two versions of it:

  • 1951-54: the early version has a disc-shaped depth-of-field calculator, mounted in a position matching that of the film advance knob, but on the right of the camera.
  • 1955-58: the depth of field brackets are now marked on the face-plate of the shutter, around the focus scale of the lens. This model also has a slightly different cold shoe.



Succeeding models

After 1950, several different models of the Isolette were made at the same time, with different levels of specification:


Notes

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 McKeown, James M. and Joan C. McKeown's Price Guide to Antique and Classic Cameras, 12th Edition, 2005-2006. USA, Centennial Photo Service, 2004. ISBN 0-931838-40-1 (hardcover). ISBN 0-931838-41-X (softcover). p25.
  2. ↑ The name is written as Jsolette simply because the capital "I" resembles a "J" in German typography of the time. The embossing on the camera was changed to a modern "I" in 1937. See: Old German Letters


Links

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