Difference between revisions of "Super Isolette"

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The '''Super Isolette''' provides 6&times;6 cm pictures on [[120 film]] and was manufactured by [[Agfa]] from 1954-60.<ref name=McK>{{McKeown12}} p25.</ref>. "Super" refers to the addition of a [[rangefinder (device)|coupled rangefinder]]; it was the base for copies made abroad such as the [[Iskra]] and is a redesign of the [[Isolette#Isolette III|Isolette III]] - which has an ''un''coupled rangefinder - and other [[Isolette]]s which are viewfinder cameras.
 
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==History==
 
 
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The '''Super Isolette''' is a coupled-rangefinder camera for 6&times;6 cm pictures on [[120 film]], made by [[Agfa]] from 1954-60.<ref name=McK>{{McKeown12}} p25.</ref>. "Super" refers to the addition of a [[rangefinder (device)|coupled rangefinder]]. The camera is an extension of the [[Isolette]] range of square-format folders; the Isolette III has an ''un-coupled'' RF; other Isolettes are all viewfinder cameras. However, the Super Isolette was introduced only a little later than the Isolette I, II and III, and is a high-specification alternative to them, not a replacement.
  
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The '''Super Isolette''' (sold as [[Ansco Super Speedex|Super Speedex]] in the US) was #2 in Agfa's folding medium format camera podium, with only the Agfa [[Automatic 66]] over it, this [[Agfa]] Automatic being world's first photographic camera with a real system for an automatic aperture priority - something not to be seen on medium format cameras until the release of Fuji's GA645. The Agfa [[Automatic 66]] was a really sophisticated camera, even more so Agfa could only manufacture it for barely two years. About 5,000 cameras were made, and now they are really collector's items
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The Super Isolette always has a 75 mm f/3.5 Solinar, the highest-grade lens offered among Agfa's folders. The shutter is either a Synchro-Compur MX for the early cameras or a Synchro-Compur MXV, fitted on cameras after serial numbers somewhere in the 7xxx range. Both these shutters are synchronised for flash. The lens can accept 32 mm slip-on filters or 29.5 mm screw-in ones. There is a double-exposure prevention interlock, with an indicator window by the shutter release.
  
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The film advance knob is on the right of the top housing. There is a film-type reminder on the left, in a knurled disc matching the film-advance.
  
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==Description==
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The Super Isolette was sold in the USA as the [[Ansco Super Speedex|Super Speedex]]. It was copied by KMZ as the [[Iskra]].  
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The '''Super Isolette''' was always fitted with a 75/3.5 Solinar, the highest-grade lens offered among Agfa's folders. It was mounted on either a Synchro-Compur MX for the early units or a Synchro-Compur MXV fitted sometime during the production run (somewhere at the 7xxx mark). In any event, these shutters are flash synched at all speeds. Lens can receive either 32mm slip-on filters, or 29.5mm screw-in filters.
 
  
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Unit focusing, 4-element Tessar-like lens, fast shutter, automatic frame counter, semi-automatic film loading system, double exposure prevention mechanism, coupled rangefinder... All these features make the Super Isolette a sought-after camera even today.
 
  
 
==Notes==
 
==Notes==

Revision as of 16:23, 23 August 2013

2414600560_3398c24d4b.jpg
image by Alf Sigaro (Image rights)

The Super Isolette is a coupled-rangefinder camera for 6×6 cm pictures on 120 film, made by Agfa from 1954-60.[1]. "Super" refers to the addition of a coupled rangefinder. The camera is an extension of the Isolette range of square-format folders; the Isolette III has an un-coupled RF; other Isolettes are all viewfinder cameras. However, the Super Isolette was introduced only a little later than the Isolette I, II and III, and is a high-specification alternative to them, not a replacement.

The Super Isolette always has a 75 mm f/3.5 Solinar, the highest-grade lens offered among Agfa's folders. The shutter is either a Synchro-Compur MX for the early cameras or a Synchro-Compur MXV, fitted on cameras after serial numbers somewhere in the 7xxx range. Both these shutters are synchronised for flash. The lens can accept 32 mm slip-on filters or 29.5 mm screw-in ones. There is a double-exposure prevention interlock, with an indicator window by the shutter release.

The film advance knob is on the right of the top housing. There is a film-type reminder on the left, in a knurled disc matching the film-advance.

The Super Isolette was sold in the USA as the Super Speedex. It was copied by KMZ as the Iskra.


Notes

  1. ↑ 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.

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