Agfa Isolar (1928–1930)
Folding double-extension plate camera made by Agfa from 1928 to 1930, based on the Rietzschel Condor Luxus.
Overview
The Agfa Isolar is a folding double-extension plate camera produced from 1928 to 1930. Also known as the Agfa Isolar Luxus or Agfa Isolar 408 (9x12), it was originally based on the Rietzschel Condor Luxus, following Agfa's integration of Rietzschel after the 1925/1926 IG Farben merger. The camera supports 9×12 cm glass plates or film packs as its primary format, with the Isolar Luxus variant also accommodating 6.5×9 cm. It features a folding bed design for close-up capability and includes a ground glass with folding hood, brilliant finder, and folding sports finder for composition.
Specifications
| Format | 9×12 cm (6.5×9 cm on Isolar Luxus variant) |
| Film Type | 9x12 glass plates or film packs |
| Lens | Agfa Solinear 13.5cm f/4.5 (Tessar type); also Agfa Doppelanastigmat, Rietzschel Doppelanastigmat, Solinar |
| Shutter | Dial-Set Compur (T, B, 1–200); later models with Rim-set Compur |
| Aperture | f/4.5 to f/44, 10 blades, in steps: 4.5, 5.6, 8, 11, 16, 22, 32, 44 |
| Focusing | Movement of entire lens on bed, with infinity stop and micrometer screw fine adjustment; minimum focus 26 cm |
| Viewfinders | Brilliant finder (rotatable), folding sports finder, ground glass with folding hood |
| Features | Cable release socket, 3× 3/8" tripod threads, lens shift via micrometer screws, optional yellow filter or telephoto lenses (bayonet mount) |
| Dimensions (folded) | Approx. 53 × 107 × 150 mm |
| Weight | 1250 g |
Design
The Agfa Isolar uses a folding bed ("Laufboden") design with double extension, enabling close focusing down to 26 cm. The lens board moves along the bed for focus, with fine adjustment via a micrometer screw. The lens can be shifted vertically and horizontally using micrometer screws, and some models include a RIM-Compur shutter introduced in 1928. The camera accepts optional accessories like a yellow filter or telephoto lenses via a bayonet mount.
Context
Agfa began selling cameras under its brand from 1926 onward, following the IG Farben merger that absorbed Rietzschel. The Isolar was part of the Standard and Isolar series of plate and roll film cameras, listed in Agfa’s lineup as a plate camera. The Agfa Isolar 408 was sold by Photo Porst, moving over 5,000 units annually at that retailer in 1931. Despite early sales, demand for plate cameras declined sharply around 1930, leaving large unsold inventories; many Isolar models remained in Agfa’s sales program until about 1935.
Market
The Agfa Isolar originally sold for 138 RM in 1928, with a later price of 75.90 RM at Photo Porst in 1932. Approximate current market value as of 2021 is 50 €.
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