The Agfa Isola I is a viewfinder camera for medium format film. It was built by Agfa Camera Werk AG from 1957 to 1963.
This camera has a fixed focal length of 72.5 mm, which can be limiting in certain situations, but also has the advantage of providing sharper images than zoom lenses. The maximum aperture of the lens is f/11, which means that it is not particularly fast and can cause problems in low light.
Like many old cameras, the Agfa Isola I does not have an autofocus function. Instead, focus has to be adjusted manually, which can be a bit of a challenge for beginners, but gives experienced photographers more control and flexibility. The closest focusing distance of this lens is 150 cm, which is a bit far for some macro shots, but can still produce beautiful results for landscape or portrait photography.
Exposure is not measured by the 120 camera. A bulb mode is available for long exposures. In this mode, the shutter is released as long as the shutter-release button is pressed. An external flash can be used with the PC flash socket. A flash can be attached to the hot shoe.
The Agfa Isola I has a cable release and a tripod thread. No batteries are necessary for taking pictures.
Films for the Agfa Isola I
The Agfa Isola I uses 120 film. Films are still being produced for this type of film format. One way to get color images is the Lomography Color Negative 100 120* and the Ilford FP4 Plus* for black-and-white photos.
The images of the Agfa Isola I are exposed on the film in 6×6 format. In this format, approximately twelve photos fit on a roll of film.
You can only buy the medium format camera when it is needed. Depending on its condition, the costs for the medium format camera vary. The new price at that time was around 30 DM-Mark. Today the value is around 10 to 25 Euro.
Technical datasheet
| Attribute | Specification |
|---|---|
| Type of Camera | Viewfinder camera |
| Film format | 120 |
| Film transport | Manual |
| Picture format | 60 mm x 60 mm |
| Focal length | 72.5 mm |
| Widest aperture | f/11 |
| Minimum focus distance | 150 cm / 4.92 ft |
| Focus | Manual |
| Exposure times | 1/35 second, Bulb |
| Bulb mode | Yes |
| Built-in flash | No |
| Flash Connection | PC-Flash |
| Tripod mount | Yes |
| Cable release thread | Yes |
| Self-timer | No |
| Power supply | Not necessary |
| End of production | 1963 |
| Production duration | 6 years |
| Estimated value / Used price | 26,47 Euro Estimate based on used prices of 28 offers (possibly with different scope of delivery and/or condition). As of June 15, 2026 |
| Average used price in the year 2023 | 28,58 Euro (30.31 US-Dollar) |
| Average used price in the year 2024 | 24,29 Euro (25.98 US-Dollar) |
| Average used price in the year 2025 | 26,25 Euro (28.14 US-Dollar) |
FAQ about the Agfa Isola I
Is the Agfa Isola I camera easy to use for beginners?
While it's a simple camera, the manual focus might be challenging for beginners. It doesn't have autofocus, and the fixed lens requires some adjustment to get used to. However, experienced users will appreciate the manual controls.
What kind of film does this old camera use?
The Agfa Isola I uses 120 roll film, a medium format film. This produces 6x6 cm negatives, yielding about twelve images per roll. Both color and black and white films are compatible.
Does the camera have a flash?
Yes, it has a PC flash sync socket for external flash units. You can also attach a flash to the hot shoe on top of the camera. An external flash is recommended because the camera's aperture is not very wide.
How much does this type of camera cost?
Because it's an older model, you can only buy it used. The price varies depending on its condition, but generally ranges from 10 to 25 euros.
What's the lens like on the Agfa Isola I?
It has a fixed 72.5mm lens. While this means no zoom, it results in sharper images than many zoom lenses. The maximum aperture is f/11, so it's not very bright, making low-light photography more difficult.