Agfa Isola II (1956–1963)

A pocketable 6x6 medium format camera with a simple meniscus lens and a shutter that only clicks twice.

Overview

Slide the lens tube forward with a firm twist, feel it lock into place with a soft metallic snap, and suddenly this flat little brick of Bakelite and metal becomes a real camera — not a toy, not a gag, but a legitimate medium format machine that fits in your coat pocket. The Agfa Isola II doesn’t announce itself with fanfare or chrome trim; it’s modest, almost shy, but in your hands it feels solid, deliberate, like a tool made for people who wanted results without fuss. It shoots 120 film into 12 perfectly square 6x6 negatives, each one capable of revealing detail and tonality that would make most 35mm snapshots blush. And yet, this is no precision instrument — no rangefinder, no exposure meter, no interchangeable parts. Just three focus zones, two shutter speeds, and a lens that doesn’t try to do too much. That simplicity is its strength. It forces you to slow down, to estimate, to guess — and when it works, which is more often than you’d expect, the images have a quiet honesty to them, unburdened by technical pretense.

It's easy to write the Isola II off as just another box camera, especially next to a Holga or a Diana. It's something different. Agfa Camerawerk made it in Munich between 1956 and 1963. It came from the original Isola, a model so similar that when the simpler Isola I arrived in 1957, Agfa renamed the first model the Isola II. No new parts, no redesign, just a name change to fit a new hierarchy. The II sat above the I, but only just. Both shared the same collapsible body and basic controls, but the II had better shutter options: 1/30, 1/100, and Bulb, against the I's sluggish 1/35 and Bulb. That extra speed helps in handheld shooting, especially on overcast days or in dim interiors. The lens is a fixed 75mm f/6.3 Agnar triplet (sometimes listed as 72.5mm in early versions). It is multi-coated and sharp in the center, then softens toward the edges with a gradual roll-off that looks natural, not broken. It doesn't correct for field curvature or astigmatism, but the center is good enough to pull faces from crowds or render brick and bark.

Specifications

Key Features

The Telescoping Lens Tube

The Isola II's defining quirk is its collapsible lens assembly. Stowed, the camera is barely thicker than a pack of cigarettes. To use it, you twist and pull the lens forward until it clicks into place. That sets the lens at the correct focal distance and also arms the shutter. No extension, no exposure. It prevents accidental firing, though you can't just point and shoot. The lens tube is metal. It can feel stiff on older examples, but it's generally durable. Some collectors report that misaligned tubes cause focus inconsistency, but a careful cleaning and realignment usually fixes it. The design also protects the lens when it's not in use, which helped in an era when lens caps were easily lost.

Simple, No-Nonsense Controls

Everything on the Isola II is labeled in German: "Klar" for clear (sunny), "Bewölkt" for cloudy, and the shutter speeds marked plainly. There's no exposure meter and no automation, just two aperture choices and three shutter speeds. You pick based on light and subject motion, then estimate focus with the zone scale on the front. The shutter release is small but positive, with a threaded hole for a cable release to avoid shake on long exposures. The film advance knob is on the back, and as you wind, a red window on the back of the camera shows the frame number printed on the paper backing of 120 film. Double exposure prevention is mechanical: once you fire the shutter, you can't fire it again until you advance the film. That avoids wasted frames, but it also means you can't double-expose on purpose without trickery.

Built-In Practicality

For a simple camera, the Isola II has a good set of features. It has a tripod socket, a PC flash sync port, and a cold shoe. The shoe is purely mechanical, so it won't trigger electronic flashes without a separate cable. The viewfinder is small but clear, with parallax correction marks to help frame close shots. The body is metal and Bakelite with a leatherette covering that ages gracefully. It's not waterproof or shockproof, but many examples still function perfectly over 60 years later. It uses 120 film, which is still widely available, so you can load it with Kodak Portra, Ilford HP5, or Lomography's latest emulsions.

Historical Context

The mid-1950s were a boom time for amateur photography. Kodak had popularized 35mm, but medium format still ruled for those who wanted bigger negatives without the bulk of a TLR or SLR. Agfa, better known for its film than its cameras, saw an opening for a compact, affordable 6x6 camera that didn't need a folding design or the expense of a coupled rangefinder. The Isola series was the answer, a no-frills, zone-focus camera built for portability and ease of use. The original Isola (1956) was quickly followed by the stripped-down Isola I in 1957, which used a slower 1/35s shutter and simpler aperture choices. To distinguish the better model, Agfa rebranded the original as the Isola II. It was not a new product, just a repositioning in the lineup. It competed with other simple medium format cameras like the Wirgin Edinex and the Soviet-made Lubitel, and stood out for its build quality and German engineering. Unlike the plastic toy cameras that would dominate decades later, the Isola II was meant to be taken seriously, though as an amateur's camera and not a professional tool.

Collectibility & Value

Today the Agfa Isola II sits in a quiet corner of the vintage camera market. It's not rare and not hyped. You can pick one up for $20 - $30 on eBay. In very good to excellent condition, with a clean lens and smooth shutter, it might fetch $40 - $60, especially with the original case or manual. Fully mint examples are uncommon but not unheard of. When buying, watch for a stuck or wobbly lens tube, cloudy or scratched lens elements, and shutter blades that don't open fully or stick at 1/100. The red window can fade or crack, but that's mostly cosmetic. The biggest functional issue is the shutter interlock. If the lens tube doesn't seat properly, the shutter won't fire, and diagnosing that can frustrate beginners. Most serviceable examples still work, and because the camera is fully mechanical, there's no electronics to fail. Repair resources are limited, but the design is simple enough that a patient tinkerer can often clean and adjust it with basic tools.

eBay Listings

Agfa Isola II 6x6 Manual Instruction Guide Instruction Bookl

$25.10

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