Topic: Afga Isolette lens issue

[Nigel]

I have a very frustrating problem that has seemed to have developed with my Agfa Isolette. I'm getting this strange pattern on every shot (see the shot below). It's only really noticeable against light backgrounds but it seems to be in every frame to some extent?

At first I assumed it was either damage to the coating or some sort of fungus (as it seems to be getting worse), but there's nothing that I can see - however the Isolette lens is quite small. As its in the top half of the frame I'm looking in the bottom half of the lens - correct?

Any suggestions would be appreciated, because apart from this the camera is in almost perfect condition.

Sorry for the crappy scan but it shows the problem clearer.

[Sandeha Lynch]

It's not the lens, not by anything I've ever seen.  Your bellows are more likely to be at fault as the pattern looks like loose fabric threads.  No obstruction inside?  Try firing a flash into the open back in a darkened room.  That may show something.

I'd also wonder if any of the black wool thread has come adrift, either from under the top plate or at the sides of the spool chambers.

[Terry]

Ditto that--to my eye it's definitely a magnified image of unravelled fabric.

[Francois]

I also think it looks "fabric-y"... since it also looks so linear, I'd look at the underside of the bellows to see if a split isn't starting to form there (which would explain the higher density on the negs and the straight line).

Sticking a strong flashlight inside the bellows and looking at it from the outside at night will show you if anything is getting worn out.

[Pete_R]

Definitely a leak in the bellows. The lighter area at the top of the image and the blotches further down is fogging from the leak. The threads are at the edge of the split. A couple of other examples can be found on flickr at http://www.flickr.com/photos/aidhoss/4597597996/# and http://www.flickr.com/photos/carter3john/5967820632/#

[Nigel]

Gentlemen, thank you as always. You're right there are four pinholes in the bellows, or they're the ones I've been able to find! That's the trouble with having a fixed idea, I'd convinced myself it was the lens, and so wasn't thinking laterally.

So of course the next question, is it worth trying to repair the bellows? Or should I look for another one on the 'bay, with the risk that'll be leaky as well?

[edthened]

Och Nigel, iff yer happie wi re camera an lens, a sujjest ye speek tae oor wee pal Sandeha. Am shoor hee cood mak yoo a braw nyoo bellows (wi nice polka dots on it if ye like) at an awfie reezzonable cost, an yer strange patterns on yer fotis wood dissappeer fir ever, so ther     

[Terry]

As a stop-gap, there's some sticky gooey stuff called 'liquid electrical tape' or some such title that never quite dries but does plug light leaks well enough.

[Sandeha Lynch]

Och Nigel, iff yer happie wi re camera an lens, a sujjest ye speek tae oor wee pal Sandeha. Am shoor hee cood mak yoo a braw nyoo bellows (wi nice polka dots on it if ye like) at an awfie reezzonable cost, an yer strange patterns on yer fotis wood dissappeer fir ever, so ther     

Generous to a fault is Ed, (and quite correct, too.)   

[Nigel]

New bellows in blue ordered! I'm excited! 

[astrobeck]

New bellows in blue ordered! I'm excited! 

Cool!
I'm excited for you too!
Be sure to post a snap of the re-deux when you get it done.
Can't wait to see the facelift!
 

[Francois]

Plain blue bellows?
I thought you'd have gone with a houndstooth pattern

[Sandeha Lynch]

Plain blue bellows?
I thought you'd have gone with a houndstooth pattern

To be precise ... it is Royal Blue.   

[edthened]

Och am so happie an excited aboottit tae, so ther         

[sapata]

New bellows in blue ordered! I'm excited! 

Cool... glad you sorted out, can't wait to see as well!

[Francois]

Plain blue bellows?
I thought you'd have gone with a houndstooth pattern

To be precise ... it is Royal Blue.   

You mean it comes with an Oxbridge accent

[Nigel]

With my new bellows on the way I was doing a little research and came across these rather helpful videos. I love this guy's understated presentation.

Bellows Replacement Agfa Isolette Folder Camera Part One.wmv

Bellows Replacement Agfa Isolette Folder Camera Part Two.wmv

Bellows Replacement Agfa Isolette Folder Camera Part Three.wmv

[Sandeha Lynch]

They are indeed on their way.   

[Nigel]

This afternoon I headed of to my workshop (shed) Isolette and new bellows in hand.

It's not a difficult job, but it is fiddly and you need a little patience. The first and only real issue was that I don't have a lens spanner. (Basically a device with two pins that you can adjust to the width you need.)

Lens spanner on ebay : http://tinyurl.com/c3f7lyd

Fortunately I had a suitable piece of steel to make something that did the job. Depending how tight the nut is, on your particular camera, you may be able to undo it with a screwdriver by pushing on one side. But you're just as likely to make a mess of the nut. Mine was quite tight, it has been on there for about 50 years so it's not surprising it was stiff. I think next time I see a lens spanner secondhand somewhere I'm going to pick one up.

Other than that it's fairly easy, with the videos above and the instructions sent with the bellows you won't go far wrong. I think it looks quite fetching in it's new blue livery.

[Sandeha Lynch]

Congrats, Nigel.  That's looking good.  And as for lens spanners you've come up with a classic design there !!

[sapata]

Great job Nigel... it looks pretty!

[Francois]

Very nice...
But I mostly love that spanner

[Phil Bebbington]

Nigel, it matches your eyes 

Beautiful job!