Topic: 6x6, Solinar, yellow filter, Acros, Rodinal ... just testing.

[Sandeha Lynch]

I'd bought an Agfa Isolette III in April and hadn't yet had a chance to try it in sunlight.  The first roll, after repairing the shutter and replacing the bellows, was shot under an overcast sky in between rain showers, but this time there was plenty enough sun to fire off a roll of Fuji Acros at EI 100.

Two places I haven't visited in a year or so: the small fishing dock in Swansea Marina, and Llangyfelach church.  The tower is one of three in the area that dates back to Norman times. 





































Among the many others I've owned or worked on, I've had just one other Isolette with a Solinar before, the older version with the 85/4.5, but they don't often come up at a good price.  This one, (£35) needed work to fix a bad repair by the previous owner - they had fitted a wrong lever in the shutter and I had to get a replacement part all the way from New Zealand. 



I've had a few cameras originally sold in Germany with the dealer's badge on the back, and this one carries the black and white logo of August Leistenschneider, a photography shop that is still thriving in Dusseldorf.  As it's also a late version Isolette with the 75/3.5 Solinar and Synchro Compur MX shutter, I'll be keeping it.

[Ezzie]

That´s a beauty Sandeha. Amazing how these old cameras can give results many a MF digital camera would envy. Very sharp. And yet they are compact and easy to use. What´s the catch?

Makes me wonder why I sold my Ikonta 523.

[Andrej K]

Nice camera, seems to be ship-shape indeed:) Very nice images!

[Urban Hafner]

Beautiful shots Sandeha! But red still can't beat the polka dots bellows

[Sandeha Lynch]

Thanks, guys.  I've usually shot ISO 400 film in folders, but with the constant light it was a real pleasure shooting this roll.

[ambaker]

Love those sexy red bellows! 

The images are excellent as well, but those bellows... :wink:


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[jojonas~]

looks like some good shots out of that roll, sandeha. definitely enough sharp details to be impressed by! and with how the sky looks, I'm thinking I should look into getting some yellow filters for my cameras. I use the ones I have too little too

[Sandeha Lynch]

Indeed, with most films through older lenses the light yellow really helps with the sky.  Sometimes I've used an orange but I usually find that too strong.

[ManuelL]

I like the tonality of your photos. I think it gives the images almost a mediteranean look.  Makes me think of summer vacation.

[Fluminian]

Beautiful images, Sandeha. I'm surprised what quality images can these old cameras produce.

[Sandeha Lynch]

Thanks.  It's the tonality that drives me.   

[Ezzie]

Funny, I've just recently come to the same conclusion. Single coated lenses, Acros and Rodinal, works very well indeed. Saving an example for the weekend thread. The tones can be really stunning. I shoot at box speed, and develop for 10min in 1:50. I find Acros is still very fine grained, and sharp enough, though not as sharp as in 1:25.

[jojonas~]

Indeed, with most films through older lenses the light yellow really helps with the sky.  Sometimes I've used an orange but I usually find that too strong.

interesting. I'll take note on that

[stevesegz]

Luvly stuff Sandeha, but please keep it quiet, I am trying to find a nice little model myself after the info gained on the FW trip to south Wales, all this talk and demonstrating how good these cameras are is doing the SH prices no good at all from my perspective.

[Sandeha Lynch]

Steve, I was exceptionally lucky to find a Solinar at this price, even though it took some extra labour.   Be patient.

[stevesegz]

Ah hah, I have one, and not too expensive, not a mint example like Daves or yours but with a little work it will be ok. Will pm you with some questions if thats ok.