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.
 
 
 
==Description==
 
 
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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]], changes in the film transport and focusing system. 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 is very different from the other cameras, even though it was introduced only a little later than the Isolette I, II and III. 
  
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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Besides a better fit and finish than all the other Isolettes:  Focusing is performed by moving the whole front lens assembly instead of the front element, which is coupled via push-rod with the rangefinder.  Film loading is semiautomated, and there is no red window in the back of the camera; the film is loaded in the camera and it advances until the 1st frame, then advances 1 frame at a a time.  The double-exposure prevention interlock, has 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 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 (at around 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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The Super Isolette was only sold with a 75 mm f/3.5 [[Solinar]] (4 elements/3 groups), the highest-grade lens offered among Agfa's folders, that accepts 32 mm slip-on filters or 29.5 mm screw-in ones. 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 offer a B,1-500 speed range and are synchronised for flash.
  
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.
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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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|| [http://www.flickr.com/photos/29504544@N08/21417888855/in/pool-camerawiki/ http://farm1.staticflickr.com/735/21417888855_de6c26b7e7_m.jpg] [http://www.flickr.com/photos/29504544@N08/21407168422/in/pool-camerawiki/ http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5675/21407168422_27423f7f06_m.jpg]  [http://www.flickr.com/photos/29504544@N08/21229659250/in/pool-camerawiki/ http://farm1.staticflickr.com/660/21229659250_b00bc57a49_m.jpg]
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|| Agfa Super Isolette<br>Images by {{image author|Hans Kerensky}}. {{with permission}}
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==Notes==
 
==Notes==
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<references />
 
<references />
  
 
==Links==
 
==Links==
 
 
In English:
 
In English:
* [http://www.ph.utexas.edu/~yue/misc/AnscAgfa.html#SuprIso Super Isolette] profiled among other Agfa/Ansco folders, by [http://www.ph.utexas.edu/~yue/ Andrew Yue]
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* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110828032428/http://www.ph.utexas.edu/~yue/misc/AnscAgfa.html Super Isolette] profiled among other Agfa/Ansco folders, by [https://web.archive.org/web/20110902090127/http://www.ph.utexas.edu/~yue Andrew Yue] (archived)
* [http://www.certo6.com/cameras/agfa-super-isolette Notes on the Super Isolette] and PDF [http://www.certo6.com/file_download/1/SuperIsoletteInstructions.pdf User's manual for it] at [http://www.certo6.com Certo6.com].
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*[https://certo6.com/camera-archive/agfa-super-isolette/ Notes on the Super Isolette] and PDF [https://certo6.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/SuperIsoletteInstructions.pdf User's manual for it] at [http://www.certo6.com Certo6.com].
 
* [http://www.jnoir.eu/en/cameras/agfa/super-isolette/ Agfa Super Isolette] on [http://www.jnoir.eu/en/ Pocketable History] by J. Noir
 
* [http://www.jnoir.eu/en/cameras/agfa/super-isolette/ Agfa Super Isolette] on [http://www.jnoir.eu/en/ Pocketable History] by J. Noir
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*[https://www.kenrockwell.com/agfa/super-isolette.htm Super Isolette review] by [https://www.kenrockwell.com/index.htm Ken Rockwell]
  
 
In Spanish:
 
In Spanish:
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[[Category: German 6x6 rangefinder folding]]
 
[[Category: German 6x6 rangefinder folding]]
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[[Category:120 film]]
 
[[Category: Agfa]]
 
[[Category: Agfa]]
 
[[Category: Super]]
 
[[Category: Super]]

Latest revision as of 03:40, 3 April 2024

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, changes in the film transport and focusing system. 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 is very different from the other cameras, even though it was introduced only a little later than the Isolette I, II and III.

Besides a better fit and finish than all the other Isolettes: Focusing is performed by moving the whole front lens assembly instead of the front element, which is coupled via push-rod with the rangefinder. Film loading is semiautomated, and there is no red window in the back of the camera; the film is loaded in the camera and it advances until the 1st frame, then advances 1 frame at a a time. The double-exposure prevention interlock, has 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 only sold with a 75 mm f/3.5 Solinar (4 elements/3 groups), the highest-grade lens offered among Agfa's folders, that accepts 32 mm slip-on filters or 29.5 mm screw-in ones. 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 offer a B,1-500 speed range and are synchronised for flash.

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.

Links

In English:

In Spanish: