Difference between revisions of "Isolette"

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(Jsolette/Isolette late model: Changed late model name back to Jsolette as they were produced under this name)
(Jsolette=Isolette explanation)
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The '''Agfa Jsolette''' is a horizontal-[[folding]] [[medium format]] camera made by [[Agfa]] Kamerawerk AG,  Munich, Germany. This folder first came on the market as the '''Jsorette''' (also known in the market as '''Isorette''') but had a name change to '''Jsolette''' (pronounced ''Isolette'') quite soon. Then, from late 1937 the writing of the camera name changed again as '''Isolette'''.
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The '''Agfa Jsolette/Isolette''' <ref>The writing of Isolette looks like Jsolette because it is written with an old German capital letter "I" which resembles a "J", pronounced Isolette, and later changed with the new form of the "I" , in 1937. info from: [http://www.kindredroots.com/What/germanletters/germanletters_caps.htm Old German Letters]</ref>  is a horizontal-[[folding]] [[medium format]] camera made by [[Agfa]] Kamerawerk AG,  Munich, Germany. This folder first came on the market as the '''Jsorette/Isorette''' but had a name changed to '''Jsolette/Isolette''' quite soon. Then, from late 1937 the writing form of I (like J) in the camera name changed again as '''Isolette'''.
 
There are two distinct models of the first Jsorette/Jsolette/Isolette series: the early one (before and during WW2) and the later (post WW2) one. Operation of the Jsolette is completely manual. All Jsorette/Jsolette/Isolette series produced between 1936/37-1950.
 
There are two distinct models of the first Jsorette/Jsolette/Isolette series: the early one (before and during WW2) and the later (post WW2) one. Operation of the Jsolette is completely manual. All Jsorette/Jsolette/Isolette series produced between 1936/37-1950.
  
 
==Isolette camera models==
 
==Isolette camera models==
 
The [[Agfa]] [[Isolette]] models include:  
 
The [[Agfa]] [[Isolette]] models include:  
*Jsorette (also known as Isorette) 1936 (Some sources say 1937)
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*Isorette (the name writing as Jsorette) 1936 (Some sources say 1937)
*Jsolette 1937
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*Isolette (the name writing as Jsolette) 1937
 
*Isolette 1937-42  
 
*Isolette 1937-42  
 
*Isolette (model 4.5) 1946-50  
 
*Isolette (model 4.5) 1946-50  
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==Jsolette early model==
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The early model started life in 1936 (1937 as to some sources) as the '''Jsorette''' ('''Isorette''') but the name was soon changed to Jsolette, and then in late 1937 renamed again as '''Isolette'''. This means that very early 1936/37 models have '''Jsolette stamping''' on the front plate leatherette of the camera. '''Isolette''' production lasted till 1942.  
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==Jsolette/Isolette early model==
 +
 
 +
This folder first came on the market as the '''Isorette (the name writing as Jsorette''' but the name changed to '''Isolette (the name writing as Jsolette''' quite soon. From late 1937 the name's writing changed again to '''Isolette'''. This means that very early 1936/37 models have a Jsolette writing (=Isolette) on the front plate leatherette of the camera. '''Isolette''' production lasted till 1942.  
  
 
This model was called in Germany during the WWII times the "Soldatenkamera" (soldiers camera)  also.
 
This model was called in Germany during the WWII times the "Soldatenkamera" (soldiers camera)  also.
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|image= http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3470/3984687578_bc7446c4e7_m.jpg
 
|image= http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3470/3984687578_bc7446c4e7_m.jpg
 
|image_align= right
 
|image_align= right
|image_text= Early model Agfa Jsolette <br>by RaúlM
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|image_text= Early model Agfa Jsolette/Isolette <br>by RaúlM
 
|image_rights= with permission  
 
|image_rights= with permission  
 
}}  
 
}}  
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* Lens: Jgestar (later Igestar) 6.3/8.5cm, Apotar 4.5/8.5cm or Solinar 4.5/8.5cm.
 
* Lens: Jgestar (later Igestar) 6.3/8.5cm, Apotar 4.5/8.5cm or Solinar 4.5/8.5cm.
 
* Viewfinder: optical direct vision viewfinder
 
* Viewfinder: optical direct vision viewfinder
The [[Vario]] shutter is on very early models which named Jsorette and Jsolette, but there is no shutter name on the lens-shutter barrel.
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The [[Vario]] shutter is on very early models which name's writings as Jsorette and Jsolette, but there is no shutter name on the lens-shutter barrel.
On the early Jsolettes the front focusing element were frozen in time which is aparently typical.   
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On the early Jsolettes/Isolettes the front focusing element were frozen in time which is apparently typical.   
 
{{br}}
 
{{br}}
 
{|class=plainlinks align="center"
 
{|class=plainlinks align="center"
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  }}
 
  }}
 
  |-
 
  |-
  |colspan=3 align="center"| Agfa Jsolette, 1936/37, from the first production year of the Isolette series  
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  |colspan=3 align="center"| Agfa Jsolette/Isolette, 1936/37, from the first production year of the Isolette series  
 
<small>Images by Süleyman Demir  {{ with permission }}</small>  
 
<small>Images by Süleyman Demir  {{ with permission }}</small>  
 
|}
 
|}
  
 
==Jsolette/Isolette late model==
 
==Jsolette/Isolette late model==
The late model was made from 1945 till 1950 with the name Jsolette or Isolette. Again an unusual topcover material, this time cast-Hydronalium alloy (Nüral). There were different lens/shutter combinations possible. Other changes from the early model are to one film format only (6x6) and the addition of an accessory shoe (above the viewfinder).
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The late model was made from 1945 till 1950 with the name Jsolette/Isolette. Again an unusual topcover material, this time cast-Hydronalium alloy (Nüral). There were different lens/shutter combinations possible. Other changes from the early model are to one film format only (6x6) and the addition of an accessory shoe (above the viewfinder).
  
 
{{Flickr_image
 
{{Flickr_image
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|image= http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5002/5274371955_2ba455deb5_m.jpg
 
|image= http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5002/5274371955_2ba455deb5_m.jpg
 
|image_align= right
 
|image_align= right
|image_text= Late model Agfa Jsolette <br>by Hans Kerensky
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|image_text= Late model Agfa Jsolette/Isolette <br>by Hans Kerensky
 
|image_rights= with permission  
 
|image_rights= with permission  
 
}}  
 
}}  
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{{br}}
 
{{br}}
  
==References==
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==Notes and References==
<references />
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<references/>
 
== Bibliography ==
 
== Bibliography ==
 
'''Original documents'''
 
'''Original documents'''
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*  
 
*  
 
*  
 
*  
[[Category:Agfa|Jsolette]]
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[[Category:Agfa|Jsolette/Isolette]]
 
[[Category:Isolette]]
 
[[Category:Isolette]]
 
[[Category:120 film]]
 
[[Category:120 film]]
 
[[Category:German 6x6 viewfinder folding]]
 
[[Category:German 6x6 viewfinder folding]]

Revision as of 14:31, 28 March 2011

The Agfa Jsolette/Isolette [1] is a horizontal-folding medium format camera made by Agfa Kamerawerk AG, Munich, Germany. This folder first came on the market as the Jsorette/Isorette but had a name changed to Jsolette/Isolette quite soon. Then, from late 1937 the writing form of I (like J) in the camera name changed again as Isolette. There are two distinct models of the first Jsorette/Jsolette/Isolette series: the early one (before and during WW2) and the later (post WW2) one. Operation of the Jsolette is completely manual. All Jsorette/Jsolette/Isolette series produced between 1936/37-1950.

Isolette camera models

The Agfa Isolette models include:

  • Isorette (the name writing as Jsorette) 1936 (Some sources say 1937)
  • Isolette (the name writing as Jsolette) 1937
  • Isolette 1937-42
  • Isolette (model 4.5) 1946-50
  • Isolette I 1952-60
  • Isolette II 1950-60
  • Isolette III 1952-58
  • Isolette V 1950-52
  • Isolette L 1957-60


Jsolette/Isolette early model

This folder first came on the market as the Isorette (the name writing as Jsorette but the name changed to Isolette (the name writing as Jsolette quite soon. From late 1937 the name's writing changed again to Isolette. This means that very early 1936/37 models have a Jsolette writing (=Isolette) on the front plate leatherette of the camera. Isolette production lasted till 1942.

This model was called in Germany during the WWII times the "Soldatenkamera" (soldiers camera) also.

One of the very distinctive features is the topcover which is made of a plastic called "Trolitan".

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.

The Vario shutter is on very early models which name's writings as Jsorette and Jsolette, but there is no shutter name on the lens-shutter barrel. On the early Jsolettes/Isolettes the front focusing element were frozen in time which is apparently typical.

Jsolette/Isolette late model

The late model was made from 1945 till 1950 with the name Jsolette/Isolette. Again an unusual topcover material, this time cast-Hydronalium alloy (Nüral). There were different lens/shutter combinations possible. Other changes from the early model are to one film format only (6x6) and the addition of an accessory shoe (above the viewfinder).

  • Year of release: 1945
  • Film Format: 12 exp. 6x6 on 120 type rollfilm.
  • Shutter: Prontor, Prontor-S or Compur-Rapid.
  • Lens: Apotar 4.5/8.5cm or Solinar 4.5/8.5cm.
  • Double exposure prevention.
  • Viewfinder: optical direct vision viewfinder



Notes and References

  1. The writing of Isolette looks like Jsolette because it is written with an old German capital letter "I" which resembles a "J", pronounced Isolette, and later changed with the new form of the "I" , in 1937. info from: Old German Letters

Bibliography

Original documents

  • McKeowns, Price Guide to Antique & Classic Cameras, 12th Edition 2005.

Links