|
|
| Line 1: |
Line 1: |
| − | The '''Agfa Jsolette'''s is a strut-[[folding]] medium format camera made by [[Agfa]] from 1938 until 1950. This folder first came on the market as the Isorette but had a name change to Jsolette (pronounced Isolette) quite soon. There a 2 distinct models the early one and the later (post WW2) one. | + | The '''Agfa Jsolette'''s is a strut-[[folding]] medium format camera made by [[Agfa]] from 1938 until 1950. This folder first came on the market as the Isorette but had a name change to Jsolette (pronounced Isolette) quite soon. There a 2 distinct models the early one and the later (post WW2) one. Operation of the Jsolette is completly manual. |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | ==Jsolette early model== | | ==Jsolette early model== |
| − | The early model started life in 1938 as the Isorette but the name was soon changed to Jsolette. Production lasted till 1942. This model was in Germany also called the "Soldatenkamera" (soldiers camera). One of the very distinctive things is the topcover which is made of a plastic called "Trolit". There were different lens/shutter combinations possible | + | The early model started life in 1938 as the Isorette but the name was soon changed to Jsolette. Production lasted till 1942. This model was in Germany also called the "Soldatenkamera" (soldiers camera). One of the very distinctive things is the topcover which is made of a plastic called "Trolit". There were different lens/shutter combinations possible. It was a dual format camera. By using 2 internal mask halves it could be changed from the 6x6cm format to the 4.5x6 format. |
| | * Year of release: 1938 | | * Year of release: 1938 |
| | * Film Format: 12 exp. 6x6 or 16 exp. 4.5x6 on 120 type rollfilm. | | * Film Format: 12 exp. 6x6 or 16 exp. 4.5x6 on 120 type rollfilm. |
| Line 11: |
Line 11: |
| | {{br}} | | {{br}} |
| | | | |
| − | ==Karat 6.3== | + | ==Jsolette late model== |
| − | Similar to the Karat 6.3, the Karat has a larger viewfinder, an external frame counter on the top cover, and a simplified front plate. The lens settings are now on the lens bezel instead of the front plate, and the shutter time exposure lock is relocated to the front, between the top cover and the body. The camera now lacks strap lugs.
| + | The late model was made from 1945 till 1950. Again an unusual topcover material, this time cast-Hydronalium alloy (Nüral). There were different lens/shutter combinations possible. Another change from the early model is the fact that this one only has one film format, 6x6. |
| − | | + | * Year of release: 1945 |
| − | * Year of release: 1938
| + | * Film Format: 12 exp. 6x6 on 120 type rollfilm. |
| − | * Film Format: 35mm 12 exp in Rapid cassette
| + | * Shutter: Prontor, Prontor-S or Compur-Rapid. |
| − | * Shutter: Agfa Automat B 25 50 100 (self cocking)
| + | * Lens: Apotar 4.5/8.5cm or Solinar 4.5/8.5cm. |
| − | * Lens: Igestar 6.3/55 (three elements)
| + | * Double exposure prevention. |
| − | * Aperture: 6.3 to 22
| |
| − | * Viewfinder: optical direct vision viewfinder
| |
| − | * Flash: None
| |
| − | {{br}}
| |
| − | | |
| − | ==Karat 4.5==
| |
| − | Similar to the Karat 6.3, the Karat 4.5's most noticeable difference is the use of brushed aluminum top and bottom covers. This model has an improved lens when compared to the two earlier models.
| |
| − | * Year of release: 1938 | |
| − | * Film Format: 35mm 12 exp in Rapid cassette | |
| − | * Shutter: prontor B 25-125 (self cocking)
| |
| − | * Lens: Oppar 4.5/55 (four elements)
| |
| − | * Aperture: 4.5 to 32
| |
| − | * Viewfinder: optical direct vision viewfinder | |
| − | * Flash: None
| |
| − | | |
| − | {{br}}
| |
| − | ==Karat 3.5==
| |
| − | The last of the rounded body Karats. Similar to the Karat 4.5, the Karat 3.5's most significant difference is the use of Deckel's [[Compur]] and Gauthier's [[Prontor]] shutters. As these shutters are not self-cocking, a simple but ingenious method is used to remind the user to cock the shutter before shooting: when cocked, the shutter cocking lever is clearly visible in the viewfinder. The Karat 3.5 originally featured a 5cm f/3.5 Solinar lens; after the war, this was changed to the less expensive 55mm f/3.5 Apotar lens. Early Karat 3.5 models had a cast aluminum top cover with strap lugs and an aperture plate attached to the front lens standard. Later models had stamped covers and aperture scales on the lens bezel.
| |
| − | | |
| − | {{Flickr_image
| |
| − | |image_source=http://www.flickr.com/photos/26092923@N02/3611116165/in/pool-camerapedia
| |
| − | |image= http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3567/3611116165_181c61a010_m.jpg
| |
| − | |image_align= right
| |
| − | |image_text= late pre-war Agfa Karat 3.5 <br>by Jack Hufnagel {{with permission}}}}
| |
| − | * Year of release: 1938
| |
| − | * Film Format: 35mm 12 exp in Rapid cassette
| |
| − | * Shutter: [[Compur|Compur-Rapid]] B 1-500; [[Compur]] B 1-300; [[Prontor]] B 1-250; [[Prontor]] S 1-300
| |
| − | * Lens: Agfa Solinar 3.5/50 (pre-war, 4 elements) or Agfa Apotar 3.5/55 (post-war, 3 elements); both front cell focusing | |
| − | * Aperture: 3.5 to 32 | |
| | * Viewfinder: optical direct vision viewfinder | | * Viewfinder: optical direct vision viewfinder |
| − | * Flash: Models with Prontor S
| |
| − |
| |
| − |
| |
| | {{br}} | | {{br}} |
| | | | |
| − | ==Karat 12 / Karat 2.8==
| |
| − | {{Flickr_image
| |
| − | |image_source=http://www.flickr.com/photos/26092923@N02/2450638246/in/pool-camerapedia/
| |
| − | |image= http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3082/2450638246_34af8445f4_m.jpg
| |
| − | |image_align= right
| |
| − | |image_text= Agfa Karat 12<br>by Jack Hufnagel {{with permission}}
| |
| − | }}The Karat 2.8 was the first of the second series of Agfa Karats. It was later called the Karat 12 to differentiate it from the newer Karat 36. The lens standard and bellows arrangement are basically identical to the Karat 3.5, while the body is entirely new. The Karat 12 has a combined [[Viewfinder|viewfinder]]/[[Rangefinder (device)|rangefinder]] and a lever wind. The unusual [[rangefinder]], different from most, shifted the entire upper and lower halves of the viewfinder image when focusing. The film advance lever, which now cocks the shutter, is also unusual in that it operates in the opposite direction (front to back), similar to the later [[Alpa]] reflexes. Another upgrade to the Rapid series is a depth-of-field dial located on the top cover where a rewind knob would be on a traditional 35mm camera, and a film reminder dial, located above the right viewfinder window. The film counter has been moved to the right side of the camera, and shutter time exposure lock and lens release button have been relocated as well. Post-war models have a mushroom shaped shutter release.
| |
| − |
| |
| − | Sources vary as to the introduction of the Karat 12, most stating either 1941 or 1945. The example shown here has a pre-war Schneider Xenar lens dating from September of 1935, indicating that the Karat 12 was probably in production well before 1941. At any rate, due to the war, introducing a new consumer camera as late as 1941 seems unlikely.
| |
| − |
| |
| − | Note: post-war Karats of this model with Schneider lenses did not use the normal Schneider lens serial number sequence, instead using a low five digit number.
| |
| − | * Year of release: 1941?
| |
| − | * Film Format: 35mm 12 exp in Rapid cassette
| |
| − | * Shutter: [[Compur]] B 1-300; [[Compur]]-Rapid B 1-500
| |
| − | * Lens: [[Schneider]]-Kreuanach Xenar 2.8/50 (five elements); unit focusing
| |
| − | * Aperture: 2.8 to 16
| |
| − | * Viewfinder: Split image Rangefinder
| |
| − | * Flash: Some with Compur-Rapid
| |
| | {{br}} | | {{br}} |
| − |
| |
| − | ==Karat 36==
| |
| − | With the Karat 36, the series moved from the Rapid cassettes to the Kodak 35mm cartridge, though the Karat 12 remained in production for several more years. Outwardly nearly identical to the Karat 12, the most notable differences were: a film rewind knob replacing the depth-of-field dial (which now replaces the film reminder dial) on the top cover, a rewind button on the bottom cover, a folding articulated film advance lever, elimination of the lens release lever (the body mounted lens release lever now performs that function), an accessory shoe, and a shutter time exposure lock that rotates rather than slides.
| |
| − |
| |
| − | Later models of the Karat 36 replaced the folding articulated advance lever extension with a non-folding lever with a larger cylindrical knob, eliminated the shutter time exposure lock, replaced the top depth-of-field dial with a more modern depth-of-field scale on the front lens standard, and have a shorter shutter release.
| |
| − |
| |
| − | The Karat 36's top engravings varied significantly over the years.
| |
| − |
| |
| − | The [[Ansco]] Karomat were re-badged versions of the Karat 36 cameras produced for the American Market. In 1953, it sold for $164US (over $1200 in 2007 US dollars - these were not cheap cameras!) At the same time, a comparable Contax IIA cost $440, and a comparable Leica IIIc cost $385.
| |
| − | * Year of release: 1948
| |
| − | * Film Format: 35mm
| |
| − | * Shutter: [[Compur]]-Rapid B 1-500; Synchro-[[Compur]] B 1-500
| |
| − | * Lens: Agfa Solinar 2.8/50 (four elements); Agfa Solagon 2.0/50; [[Rodenstock]] Heligon 2.0/50; [[Schneider]] Xenon 2.0/50 (all six elements)
| |
| − | * Aperture: 2.0 or 2.8 to 16
| |
| − | * Viewfinder: optical viewfinder with superimposed rangefinder
| |
| − | * Flash: X- , V- and M-synchronization
| |
| − | {|class=plainlinks
| |
| − | ||[http://www.flickr.com/photos/mfobrien/1547003699/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2138/1547003699_cd8a4dcbdc_m.jpg]
| |
| − | ||[http://www.flickr.com/photos/mrmonde/2088788343/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2111/2088788343_73aed03b9b_m.jpg]
| |
| − | ||[http://www.flickr.com/photos/mrmonde/2089577248/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2404/2089577248_5325a79e9b_m.jpg]
| |
| − | |-
| |
| − | || late model Ansco Karomat 36 (1951)
| |
| − | |colspan=2| Agfa Karat 36 (1952) with [[Schneider-Kreuznach]] Karat Xenon 1:2/50 lens
| |
| − | |}
| |
| − | {{Flickr_image
| |
| − | |image_source=http://www.flickr.com/photos/26092923@N02/4518224283/in/pool-camerapedia
| |
| − | |image= http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4008/4518224283_bbe4caf839.jpg
| |
| − | |image_align= left
| |
| − | |image_text= early model Agfa Karat 36 (1949)<br>Jack Hufnagel {{with permission}}
| |
| − | }}
| |
| − | <br style="clear: left" />
| |
| − | <br>
| |
| − |
| |
| − | ==Karat IV==
| |
| − | The Karat IV upgrades the Karat 36 with a more conventional superimposed rangefinder and revised top cover.
| |
| − | * Film Format: 35mm
| |
| − | * Shutter: [[Prontor|Prontor-SVS]]
| |
| − | * Lens: Agfa Solinar 2.8/50 (four elements); Agfa Solagon 2.0/50; [[Rodenstock]] Heligon 2.0/50; [[Schneider]] Xenon 2.0/50 (all six elements)
| |
| − | * Aperture: 2.8 to 16
| |
| − | * Viewfinder: optical viewfinder with superimposed rangefinder
| |
| − | * Flash: X- , V- and M-synchronization
| |
| − | {{Flickr_image
| |
| − | |image_source=http://www.flickr.com/photos/dbroglin/3128317969/
| |
| − | |image= http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3243/3128317969_e1e212f88a_m.jpg
| |
| − | |image_align= left
| |
| − | |image_text= Agfa Karat IV<br>by dbroglin {{with permission}}
| |
| − | }}{{br}}
| |
| | ==References== | | ==References== |
| | <references /> | | <references /> |
