Restored Agfa Isolette/Ansco Speedex 6x6 - Free (with a few conditions)

[JMC1969]

John,

Thanks for the tip. I was thinking it might be the placement of the rear lens. I rubber banded a piece of ground glass to the film plane to check for focus at infinity. Like you would w/ LF focusing. It was night time, so maybe It just wasn't close enough. I say it might be the rear because the front group screws into the barrel that contains the center group and they only come together at one spot. I don't recall there being any paper spacers, but I got it from the auction site and have no idea what someone else may have already tried. It was pretty dirty so I dove straight into cleaning it up without testing it first. The focus ring was completely frozen up and had the familiar green goo in the threads. It was the same on the Speedex and half a dozen other cameras I have been playing with. Maybe I will have time this week to try and re-set the lens.

Thanks,
Jody

[JMC1969]

John,

I am certainly missing something here. I have been looking at this lens for an hour or so and can't seem to get any results that differ from each other. I did not actually remove the shutter from the mounting plate, but have no idea what someone else may have done.

My results are that no matter where the lens is focused my finger is not "in focus" at the film plane. If I move my finger inward (closer to the lens) it becomes "in focus" around 3/4"(2cm). The odd thing to me is that I can take the front group and the center group out of the shutter (leaving only the rear element mounted) and get the identical results. For clarification, I am looking through the lens from the front as though it were a loop (eye up against). I think I may be missing something about the principals of optics. Regardless, At this point it seems like the entire shutter and lens needs to be moved by 3/4" (2cm) and I don't see a way to do such a thing. It's locked in place when the front door pops out. I guess I shouldn't be relying on you to teach me the basics of camera repair, but I am stumped and thought I understood. It's frustrating. And, on a rather simple camera.

Any help you don't mind sharing is greatly appreciated.

Thank You,
Jody

[mongo6407]

Does anyone have a rangefinder knob/dial for an ansco speedex (or isolette III) that they have and can part with? I am restoring an ansco speedex and the rangefinder knob on mine is frozen and somewhat knarled.

[azdustdevil]

For the past year I have been restoring Agfa Isolettes and Ansco Speedex 6x6 folders as an enjoyable hobby. I do it mainly for the satisfaction of transforming these 50 year old cameras from dust collectors to fully functional photographic instruments, and not with the intent of selling the cameras for a profit.

I currently have 20 restored cameras that I would like to give away as gifts to photographers who would like to get into medium format photography or just have a very portable MF camera to carry with them.

I have only a few conditions (which I can't enforce) attached to this offer:

1. That you are sincere and serious about making photographs with these cameras (which almost all APUG'ers are) and just don't collect them or want to resell them for a profit.

2. That you send a contribution to APUG (at least $10 would be nice).

All cameras have f/4.5 85mm Apotar lenses. Most have Prontor-S or SV shutters (8 speed + B). A few have Pronto (4 speed + B) shutters and two have Compur-Rapid shutters. Four have the focusing ring in meters, the rest are in feet. Four are Isolette III type models with the uncoupled rangefinder, the rest are Isolette II type with no rangefinder.

All cameras are pretty much equal in quality.

Once again, the cameras are free and I will pay the postage. You may specify your preference (e.g. feet or meters), but I reserve the right to pick the camera for you.

Please PM or E-mail me if you are interested.

Here's what I do to restore these cameras:

All cameras are completely disassembled. Lenses are removed from the shutter. The lens glass is removed from the lens mount and cleaned with a solution of 50% ammonia and 50% peroxide. Lens mounts are cleaned of all old grease using non-acetone nail polish remover. Shutter is disassembled and cleaned with either a very small amount of Ronsonol lighter fluid (naphtha) and/or Asahiklin AK225 tech cleaner, depending on how much cleaning is required. Any residue left on the shutter leaves or diaphragm leaves is carefully removed using Eclipse Optic cleaner. In some cases (not all), the shutter escapement and delay timer gears receive a very light application of molybdenum disulfide (BP-2000 powder) dry lubricant. The old bellows is removed. The top plate is removed. Dust and dirt is removed from all interior surfaces using the ammonia/peroxide solution. The shutter release mechanism and double-exposure prevention mechanism receive a very light oil. Excess is removed. The film take-up winding knobs are cleaned and dry lubricated using the BP-2000 powder. If the camera has a rangefinder, it is removed, disassembled, cleaned, lubricated, and adjusted. The top plate is cleaned in an ultrasonic cleaner using a biodegradable cleaning solution (EuroSonic). I may also use a restoration metal polish to further improve the appearance of the top plate. For badly tarnished depth-of-field dials on the top of the camera I use a Dremel burnishing brush to 'brass' the dial. The exterior cover is cleaned using ArmorAll Cleaning wipes. If the covering is in very bad shape I completely remove the old covering, clean the camera down to the bare metal, and re-cover using black seal grain leatherette purchased from CameraLeather.com. The camera is reassembled. I fabricate new leather bellows and install them. Bellows are checked for light tightness. Focus is adjusted using an old Rolleiflex focusing screen with two 120 reels attached to each end. The focusing screen is loaded into the camera and focus is adjusted for 10 feet using a loupe. After securing the focusing ring at the 10 foot (or 3 meters) indicator, focus is again checked at 3, 6, 10, 30, and infinity. If the camera has a rangefinder, the focusing ring is matched to the distance reading on the rangefinder. Last step is just to check that everything works.

Just found your post. I would love to have an old (folding) medium format camera if you have any left. 6x9 is preferable but I will take what I can get. I am semi-professional with 41 years of experience and tired of lugging the Hasselblad around. talbert@azdustdevil.com

[omatix]

Hello. I just read this post, albeit a few years late. I was wondering if you occasionally take in repairs from folks. I have an Agfa B2 Speedex with a blade issue, and could use some help. Thanks!