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, made from 1928 to 1930. It is also known as the Agfa Isolar Luxus or Agfa Isolar 408 (9x12). It started as the Rietzschel Condor Luxus, after Agfa took in Rietzschel following the 1925/1926 IG Farben merger. The main format is 9×12 cm glass plates or film packs. The Isolar Luxus variant also takes 6.5×9 cm. The folding bed allows close-up work. For composition there is a ground glass with folding hood, a brilliant finder and a folding sports finder.
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") with double extension, which lets it focus as close as 26 cm. The lens board slides along the bed for focus, with fine adjustment by micrometer screw. The lens shifts vertically and horizontally, also on micrometer screws. Some models have a RIM-Compur shutter, introduced in 1928. A bayonet mount takes optional accessories such as a yellow filter or telephoto lenses.
Context
Agfa began selling cameras under its own brand from 1926, after the IG Farben merger absorbed Rietzschel. The Isolar belonged to the Standard and Isolar series of plate and roll film cameras, and Agfa's lineup listed it as a plate camera. Photo Porst sold the Agfa Isolar 408, moving over 5,000 units a year there in 1931. Demand for plate cameras dropped sharply around 1930 anyway, and that left large unsold stocks. Many Isolar models stayed in Agfa's sales program until about 1935.
Market
The Agfa Isolar sold for 138 RM in 1928. By 1932 Photo Porst had it at 75.90 RM. Its approximate market value as of 2021 is 50 €.
Market Value
┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │ AGFA ISOLAR Nov 2026 │ ├──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤ │ High $473 Latest $140 │ │ Median $140 Trend — │ │ Low $57 Volume ~2/mo │ ├──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤ │ $500 ┤ │ │ │ . │ │ │ │ │ $307 ┤ │ │ │ . . │ │ │ │ │ │. . .│ │ $50 ┤ . . . │ │ ├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────│ │ vol │█ █ █ █ █ █ █ █ █│ │ └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────│ │ 2026-03 2026-06 2026-08│ └──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
eBay completed sales. Excludes accessories, parts, and non-working units. Hover points for details.
eBay Listings
Recently sold on eBay: $93–$287 (median $140, based on 9 completed sales, past 12 months)
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