Adventures with the Agfa Isolette
p.1 #1Adventures with the Agfa Isolette
As my vision fades, I'm trying some different approaches to stay involved with film photography. I don't like autofocus and have no desire to move to digital. I now have a Zero Image 2000 pinhole camera and last week, I bought a Agfa Isolette II from Jim Markus. It's a 6X6 scale focus folder that will actually fit in a jacket pocket. This morning, I loaded it with Tro-X and took it for a spin.
I have a Reveni Lumo meter. A little block of aluminum about the size of a Bic lighter. It can meter in reflective or incident, has a flash meter and a number of modes. It also has a OLED screen which is just about impossible to read in bright sunlight. I'm also curious to see how the film turns out because some of the meter readings were circumspect.
The laser measuring tape seemed like a good idea except in most situations, I can't see where the dot is landing.
Now on to the Isolette. In it's favor, it is easy to load. The feed side holder flips out and the top spool guide flips up to make loading the film easier. It's most annoying feature is the double exposure lock. Since there are no automated features on the camera, preparing to take a picture involve a number of steps. There is the normal ones of setting the shutter speed and aperture plus setting the focus. Next comes cocking the shutter. If you miss this step and press the shutter release, the double exposure lock engages and you have lost a frame. With the shutter cocked and positioning the camera, if you touch the shutter release, the double exposure lock engages and you have lost a frame. Halfway through the second roll, I began to learn the sequence but still managed to lose the last frame because I forgot to cock the shutter. I'll develop the film later today and it will be interesting to see how many images there are.
I like the camera, The Pronto shutter has four speeds plus bulb with a top speed of 1/200th. The viewfinder is fairly large and it offers square format images. I just need more practice.
I have a Reveni Lumo meter. A little block of aluminum about the size of a Bic lighter. It can meter in reflective or incident, has a flash meter and a number of modes. It also has a OLED screen which is just about impossible to read in bright sunlight. I'm also curious to see how the film turns out because some of the meter readings were circumspect.
The laser measuring tape seemed like a good idea except in most situations, I can't see where the dot is landing.
Now on to the Isolette. In it's favor, it is easy to load. The feed side holder flips out and the top spool guide flips up to make loading the film easier. It's most annoying feature is the double exposure lock. Since there are no automated features on the camera, preparing to take a picture involve a number of steps. There is the normal ones of setting the shutter speed and aperture plus setting the focus. Next comes cocking the shutter. If you miss this step and press the shutter release, the double exposure lock engages and you have lost a frame. With the shutter cocked and positioning the camera, if you touch the shutter release, the double exposure lock engages and you have lost a frame. Halfway through the second roll, I began to learn the sequence but still managed to lose the last frame because I forgot to cock the shutter. I'll develop the film later today and it will be interesting to see how many images there are.
I like the camera, The Pronto shutter has four speeds plus bulb with a top speed of 1/200th. The viewfinder is fairly large and it offers square format images. I just need more practice.
Aug 30, 2026 at 12:36 PM
p.1 #2Adventures with the Agfa Isolette
Nice!
Are you only going to be shooting B&W film , or also kolor stock?
Are you only going to be shooting B&W film , or also kolor stock?
Aug 30, 2026 at 12:43 PM
p.1 #3Adventures with the Agfa Isolette
I have a five pack of Kodak Gold 200 in the refrigerator. I don't want to waste it until I'm consistently getting twelve exposures on a roll.
Aug 30, 2026 at 01:22 PM
p.1 #4Adventures with the Agfa Isolette
Stoked to see the results. My nettar has the same get-the-steps-right for shutter cocking, and it took me a couple rolls of burning frames before I got it. I wish it had a way to cock the shutter disconnected from film advance. It’d be a great multi exposure camera if those two things were separate.
Aug 30, 2026 at 04:05 PM
p.1 #5Adventures with the Agfa Isolette
The Isolette models vary a bit, but I think there is usually another way to trip the shutter if things get locked up. The manual for Isolette II from Butkus says, "If you do not wish to sacrifice a piece of film, release in such special cases the shutter by means of the little lever on the lower part of the lens mount."
I have an Isolette III and somehow have not run into this problem. There have been many times where I forget to cock the shutter and hit the button and somehow it's fine to go back. I wonder if the person I bought it from modified it in some way.
I have an Isolette III and somehow have not run into this problem. There have been many times where I forget to cock the shutter and hit the button and somehow it's fine to go back. I wonder if the person I bought it from modified it in some way.
Aug 30, 2026 at 04:21 PM
p.1 #6Adventures with the Agfa Isolette
I also have an Isolette III and have not encountered problems with losing a frame. They probably changed something between the two models. They have good lenses and take very nice photos. Enjoy the camera, and I also look forward to seeing the results.
Aug 30, 2026 at 05:44 PM
p.1 #7Adventures with the Agfa Isolette
Michael, Glad to hear you have got right to it.
I made mistakes from the get-go. I had two of these Isolette II's. The Solinar version had more shutter speeds, and the lens scale was in feet. The Apotar lens used meters. My very first shot with the Apotar lens was a still life at near mfd - but the focus was way off due to my using the wrong scale.
Hey, at least I didn't miss Mars with a space probe. Next issue for me was camera shake. I found that 5-7 inch vintage cables releases worked great. Here is that first shot, and one to redeem myself.
Still Life with Kentmere 100
A freshly plowed onion field with a white Birch for contrast
I made mistakes from the get-go. I had two of these Isolette II's. The Solinar version had more shutter speeds, and the lens scale was in feet. The Apotar lens used meters. My very first shot with the Apotar lens was a still life at near mfd - but the focus was way off due to my using the wrong scale.
Hey, at least I didn't miss Mars with a space probe. Next issue for me was camera shake. I found that 5-7 inch vintage cables releases worked great. Here is that first shot, and one to redeem myself.Still Life with Kentmere 100
A freshly plowed onion field with a white Birch for contrast
Aug 30, 2026 at 06:15 PM
p.1 #8Adventures with the Agfa Isolette
skylight1b wrote:
The Isolette models vary a bit, but I think there is usually another way to trip the shutter if things get locked up. The manual for Isolette II from Butkus says, "If you do not wish to sacrifice a piece of film, release in such special cases the shutter by means of the little lever on the lower part of the lens mount."
I have an Isolette III and somehow have not run into this problem. There have been many times where I forget to cock the shutter and hit the button and somehow it's fine to go back. I wonder...Show more →
That's what I was looking for! Last year, I had a Fujica Super 6 with the same type of double exposure lock but I cold see the actuator arm and where it met the shutter release plate. On the Isoolette, I found the release hidden behind the right side door strut. Thanks!
The Isolette models vary a bit, but I think there is usually another way to trip the shutter if things get locked up. The manual for Isolette II from Butkus says, "If you do not wish to sacrifice a piece of film, release in such special cases the shutter by means of the little lever on the lower part of the lens mount."
I have an Isolette III and somehow have not run into this problem. There have been many times where I forget to cock the shutter and hit the button and somehow it's fine to go back. I wonder...Show more →
That's what I was looking for! Last year, I had a Fujica Super 6 with the same type of double exposure lock but I cold see the actuator arm and where it met the shutter release plate. On the Isoolette, I found the release hidden behind the right side door strut. Thanks!
Aug 30, 2026 at 06:35 PM
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p.1 #11Adventures with the Agfa Isolette
The answer to my problem is addressed in the manual. Don't wind the film until you are ready to make an exposure.
Maybe reading the manual is helpful.
Maybe reading the manual is helpful.
Aug 30, 2026 at 10:13 PM
p.1 #12Adventures with the Agfa Isolette
I bought a ND 4 A30 push on filter. It was a little tight to get on and when I took it off it brought the distance scale ring with it. I was planning on taking it to a local shop for service, just not quite so soon.
P.S. I don't have any jewelers screwdrivers small enough to fit the set screws.
P.S. I don't have any jewelers screwdrivers small enough to fit the set screws.
Aug 31, 2026 at 02:29 PM
p.1 #13Adventures with the Agfa Isolette
madNbad wrote:
I bought a ND 4 A30 push on filter. It was a little tight to get on and when I took it off it brought the distance scale ring with it. I was planning on taking it to a local shop for service, just not quite so soon.
P.S. I don't have any jewelers screwdrivers small enough to fit the set screws.
Any camera repair shop can fix that. Vintage filters are a bizarre array of sizes and attachment methods.
Aug 31, 2026 at 06:30 PM
p.1 #14Adventures with the Agfa Isolette
I took the Isolette to a local shop and decided to invest in having the shutter cleaned. Knowing the owner, I won't see the camera for a while. On a positive note, as I was looking at the Blue Moon Camera and Machine site, they were posting new arrivals. The one that caught my eye was a Agfa/Ansco B2 Speedex. It's an American made copy of the Isolette II. It was built as a bargain version of the Isolette. The top plate and control knobs are bakelite, the swing out loader is replaced with a pop up knob, no double exposure lock and the shutter is a Ansco Speedex which lacks a PC sync, so no flash. The lens is a 85mm 4.5 Ansco Astigmat, which may or may not be coated. The speeds are from 1/2 to 1/250th plus Time and Bulb. It has strap lugs but unfortunately, the right side one is missing a piece. All the speeds work well enough and for fifty seven dollars, including shipping, it'll serve my needs.
Sep 04, 2026 at 02:37 PM
p.1 #15Adventures with the Agfa Isolette
madNbad wrote:
I took the Isolette to a local shop and decided to invest in having the shutter cleaned. Knowing the owner, I won't see the camera for a while. On a positive note, as I was looking at the Blue Moon Camera and Machine site, they were posting new arrivals. The one that caught my eye was a Agfa/Ansco B2 Speedex. It's an American made copy of the Isolette II. It was built as a bargain version of the Isolette. The top plate and control knobs are bakelite, the swing out loader is replaced with a pop up knob, no double...Show more →
Bakelite cameras are cool, hope it works out.
Not familiar with the B2 Speedex, but Ansco sold the re-branded Isolette II as the Ansco Speedex 4.5 Special (I have one I got cheap for parts when I was messing around with getting a couple Isolette IIs working).
I took the Isolette to a local shop and decided to invest in having the shutter cleaned. Knowing the owner, I won't see the camera for a while. On a positive note, as I was looking at the Blue Moon Camera and Machine site, they were posting new arrivals. The one that caught my eye was a Agfa/Ansco B2 Speedex. It's an American made copy of the Isolette II. It was built as a bargain version of the Isolette. The top plate and control knobs are bakelite, the swing out loader is replaced with a pop up knob, no double...Show more →
Bakelite cameras are cool, hope it works out.
Not familiar with the B2 Speedex, but Ansco sold the re-branded Isolette II as the Ansco Speedex 4.5 Special (I have one I got cheap for parts when I was messing around with getting a couple Isolette IIs working).
Sep 04, 2026 at 03:39 PM
p.1 #16Adventures with the Agfa Isolette
An added bonus, iy feeds right to left!
Sep 04, 2026 at 10:43 PM
p.1 #17Adventures with the Agfa Isolette
I was fishing in the 'Bay when this Certo6 refurbished pre 1955 Isolette II popped up. New bellows, serviced shutter, new leather. It has the 85 4.5 Apotar in a Prontor SV shutter. Now I have speeds from one second to one three hundredth, the self timer works and it has a flash sync. It pops open, the finder is clear and all of the controls are smooth. The back's a little snug and needs a bit of assistance to open and I need to listen for the latch to click when I close it. I'm anxious to try it!
Edited on Sep 12, 2026 at 10:22 PM · View previous versions
Edited on Sep 12, 2026 at 10:22 PM · View previous versions
Sep 12, 2026 at 02:35 PM
p.1 #18Adventures with the Agfa Isolette
This green lazer is easy to see outdoors in bright sunlight unlike the red ones.
https://www.amazon.com/clp/B0FCM48QCM
https://www.amazon.com/clp/B0FCM48QCM
Sep 12, 2026 at 03:56 PM
p.1 #19Adventures with the Agfa Isolette
Took the new Isolette II for a spin today. It was drizzling on and off but I managed to find enough time between showers to finish a roll. First off, twelve images on the roll, no problems with the double exposure lock and all twelve are in focus. I did make the decision to use my Mandrotto travel tripod and the laser gave me accurate distances. I;m also using two sets of glasses. My regular ones I wear all the time and a par that are 1.5X magnification so I can read the small numbers on the lens and the frame number through the red window. The tripod may become a regular partner. Not the fastest way to photograph but it keeps me in the game.
pre 1955 Agfa Isolette II, 85 4.5 Apotar, Prontor SV shutter, Tri-X, Adox Syrup 110 1:47
Multnomah Village
pre 1955 Agfa Isolette II, 85 4.5 Apotar, Prontor SV shutter, Tri-X, Adox Syrup 110 1:47
Multnomah Village
Sep 13, 2026 at 09:11 PM
p.1 #20Adventures with the Agfa Isolette
Norm Shapiro wrote:
This green lazer is easy to see outdoors in bright sunlight unlike the red ones.
https://www.amazon.com/clp/B0FCM48QCM
Thanks, Norm! The Bosch arrived today and it i's many times brighter than the red. Well worth the price!
This green lazer is easy to see outdoors in bright sunlight unlike the red ones.
https://www.amazon.com/clp/B0FCM48QCM
Thanks, Norm! The Bosch arrived today and it i's many times brighter than the red. Well worth the price!
Sep 17, 2026 at 08:35 PM