Isoly

In the period 1960-1971, Agfa offered a series of simple cameras for shooting 16 exposures of 4x4 cm on 120 film. (That is, as with the Diana, the exposures are not the full height of the film.)

The different models are distinguished by their lens & shutter specification. The Isoly Junior has a simple meniscus f/11 lens and a one-speed shutter; while the top model Isoly IIIa offers an f/3.5 Color Agnar lens in a Prontor shutter.

Isoly Framespacing, 16 images 4x4 on type 120 rollfilm image by Hans Kerensky (Image rights)

Isoly I

Agfa Isoly I image by Raúl Sá Dantas (Image rights)

The first in the Isoly series. Basic with a 1:8 lens, 2-speed shutter and 2 hole apertues (8 and 11).

• Production period : from 1960 onwards
• Lens : Achromat 1:3.9 ??mm
• Shutter : Everset type, speeds 1/30 and 1/100 sec.
• Double exposure prevention : Yes
• Flash synchronisation : Hotshoe on top, left

Isoly II

Agfa Isoly II image by Alf Sigaro (Image rights)

• Production period : from 1960 onwards

Isoly II image by Hans Jan Dürr (Image rights)

Isoly Junior

Although just named Isoly in its manual. This is the most basic model in the Isoly series.
It offers a simple meniscus lens with 2 hole apertures (11 and 16) and a built-in close up range lens (2.5 to 5 meters).

Basic Isoly model (later renamed Isoly Junior) image by Paul Analog (Image rights)

• Production period : from 1961 onwards
• Shutter : Everset type, fixed 1/30 speed
• Double exposure prevention : Yes
• Flash synchronisation : Hotshoe on top, left

Isoly IIa

Isoly IIa with Color-Agnar 5.6/55mm image by Jaap Schelvis (Image rights)

• Production period : from 1962 onwards

Isoly III

Agfa Isoly III, Color-Apotar f/3.9 lens image by Stefan Bucher (Image rights)

An Isoly with higher specifications.

• Production period : from 1961 onwards
• Lens : Agfa Color-Apotar 1:3.9 60mm
• Shutter : Gauthier Pronto leaf shutter.
  Speeds 1/30 to 1/250 sec. + B and selftimer
• Double exposure prevention : Yes
• Flash synchronisation : Hotshoe on top, left

Agfa Isoly III, brown lens ring image by Alf Sigaro (Image rights)

Isoly IIIa

Marked and sold as Isoly III. In fact this is the second model of the III with just another lens and shutter.

• Production period : from 1962 onwards
• Lens : Agfa Color-Agnar 1:3.5 60mm
• Shutter : Gauthier Prontor 250 S leaf shutter.
  Speeds 1/30 to 1/250 sec. + B and selftimer
• Double exposure prevention : Yes
• Flash synchronisation : Hotshoe on top, left

Isoly-Mat

Agfa Isoly-Mat image by Hans Kerensky (Image rights)

The Mat in the name refers to the automatic exposure control of the shutter. In automatic mode the diaphram opening is determined by the lightmeter. An indicator in the viewfinder shows if enough light is available (green) or not enough (red). In low light situations the shutter release is blocked (only in Auto mode).

• Production period : from 1962 onwards.
• Lens : Agfa Color-Agnar 1:5.6 55mm.
• Shutter : Leaf shutter with an automatic diaphragm control.
• Light measurement : Selenium cell underneath the lens.
• Exposure control :
  In Auto mode speed 1/70 sec. Automatic diaphragm 5.6 to 22.
  In Flash mode speed 1/30 sec. Manual diaphragm 5.6 to 22.
  In B mode diaphragm fully open (5.6)
• Film sensivity setting : 11 to 25 DIN, 10 to 250 ASA.
• Double exposure prevention : Yes.
• Flash synchronisation : Hotshoe on top, left. X-synchronisation.

Bibliography

• Günther Kadlubek & Rudolf Hillebrand, Agfa, Geschichte eines deutsches Weltunternehmens von 1867 bis 1997, Rudolf Hillebrand Verlag, 1997, ISBN 3-89506-169-7.
• Photo Porst Catalog (German) 1961, page 84
• Photowelt Silesia Catalog (German) 1963, page 19
• Agfa Isoly-Mat user manual, nr.2435 engl.1261

Links

• Agfa Isoly III user manual (pdf) at Günter Posch
• Agfa Isoly-Mat user manual at Butkus.org