The Agfa Isolette II is a folding medium format camera. It was manufactured by Agfa in a factory in Germany in the 1950s. It is the second model of the Isolette series.
It was produced in different versions. So it came with different lenses and shutters. One of these models came with an “Agfa Apotar 1:4.5 / 85 mm”. The lens has a focal length of 85 mm and the largest aperture of the lens is f/4.5. There is no autofocus function on any of the models. The focus is adjusted manually. The distance has to be either estimated or determined with an external meter. The closest focusing distance of the lens is 100 cm.
Exposure is also not metered by the medium format camera. Aperture and shutter speed are set manually. Cameras with a Vario shutter have three shutter speeds (1/200 s, 1/50 s and 1/25 s) to choose from. With the Pronto shutter, there are four (1/200 s, 1/100 s, 1/50 s and 1/25 s). The Pronto-S shutter has eight pieces (1/300 s, 1/100 s, 1/50 s, 1/25 s, 1/10 s, 1/5 s, 1/2 and 1 s).
However, all models definitely come with a Bulb mode. In this mode, the shutter can be opened for a variable time. Here it makes sense to take advantage of the possibility that you can connect a cable release. It also makes sense to mount the camera on a tripod. Through a cable, a flash can also be used with the camera.
Films for the Agfa Isolette II
Medium format films are exposed in the Agfa Isolette II. Fortunately, there are still some manufacturers of medium format films. A color film for the medium format camera would be the Lomography Color Negative 400 120*. A possible film for black and white images is the Kodak TRI-X 400*. Other film material is also available from Rollei, Ilford and Fujifilm.
With the Agfa Isolette II you have to think square. It takes pictures in 6×6 format. A roll of 120 film holds twelve square images. The film is manually wound to the next photo.
Technical datasheet
| Attribute | Specification |
|---|---|
| Type of Camera | Viewfinder camera |
| Film format | 120 |
| Film transport | Manual |
| Picture format | 6 x 6 |
| Lens name | Agfa Apotar 1:4,5 / 85 mm |
| Focal length | 85 mm |
| Biggest aperture | f/4.5 |
| Minimum focus distance | 100 cm / 3.28 ft |
| Focus | Manual |
| Exposure times | 1/200 second to 1/25 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 |
| Country of production | Germany |
| Estimated value / Used price | 63,88 Euro 105,0493,5962,53496,3354,7910663,32745,6768,53 Estimate based on used prices of 11 offers (possibly with different scope of delivery and/or condition). As of 29.4.2024 |
| Average used price in the year 2023 | 76,52 Euro (82.26 US-Dollar) |
I have an Agfa Isolette II Pronto camera. I would like to know how much its worth?
This depends on the condition of the camera and whether it is still working. In addition, of course, in which country you are and whether you find an appropriate buyer. 20 to 50 US-Dollar is a realistic price for a camera like this.