Agfa Isoly (1960–1971)
Series of medium format viewfinder cameras made in Spain for Agfa, producing 16 exposures of 4x4 cm images on 120 film.
Overview
The Agfa Isoly series is a line of medium format viewfinder film cameras produced from 1960 to 1971. Manufactured for Agfa by Certex S.A. in Spain, the series includes models ranging from basic to advanced, all using 120 film to produce 16 exposures per roll at a negative size of 4x4 cm. The lineup includes the Isoly (I), Isoly Junior (Jsoly/Isoly 0), Isoly II, IIa, III, IIIa, and Isoly-Mat. The 4x4 format was a competitive alternative to Kodak’s 127 film cameras. The name "Isoly" was later reused for a 1980s 35mm camera, the Agfa Isoly 100, which is unrelated to this series.
Specifications
| Film Format | 120 film |
| Negative Size | 4x4 cm |
| Exposures per Roll | 16 |
| Body Material | Primarily plastic |
Design
The Isoly series features a primarily plastic body with a film compartment that opens by turning a switch on the base and sliding off the back. Early models like the Isoly I use a bent film plane for improved sharpness, while Isoly II and later models use a flat film plate. Lenses across the series are glass, ranging from a single-element meniscus on the Junior to multi-element Color-Agnar and Agnar lenses on higher-end models. The Isoly-Mat includes a built-in selenium cell light meter below the lens front with a green/red exposure indicator in the viewfinder. Most models have a ¼” tripod mount, and the Isoly III and IIIa add a cable release and self-timer. Film advance is via thumb winder.
Context
The Isoly series was positioned as a point-and-shoot medium format alternative during the early 1960s, designed for use with slower films like ISO 40. The model hierarchy progresses from the entry-level Isoly Junior through the advanced Isoly III and IIIa, which feature faster lenses and Prontor shutters with speeds up to 1/250. The design shares lineage with Certex Werlisa cameras and the Agfa Iso-Rapid C, and the later Diana camera was a cheaper copy of the Isoly’s design.
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