I appreciate the intent with this video. However, I stopped watching after eight minutes because it always seemed to be either out of shot or out of focus. Try putting some tape on the mat just out of shot on all four corners to remind you of what the viewer can see. For focus, keep it as close to the mat as possible and keep it as well lit as possible to allow for a slightly smaller aperture and increased depth of field.
Thank goodness for your easy demeanor and natural ability to teach others. I really wanted to fix my camera and I believe I can now! Whoooo hoo! Thank you!
What worked for me was soaking the outward lens assembly in a shot glass with 85% alcohol, wrapping said glass in plastic foil and then dumping this setup into a pot with water just below the "bubbling" stage. This keeps the temps at just below 100C, which in my opinion is well bellow what the lens can tolerate but warm enough for the green goo to melt and stops the alcohol from evaporating too fast. After about 10 minutes I saw that the alcohol got hazy and greenish. I could then separate the lenses with no effort at all. Keep in mind that alcohol is HIGHLY flammable and this may not be safe at all on a gas stove. Did this on an induction stove top. I also designed a custom 3D printed tool for the removal of the shutter from the bellows, will be posting to thingiverse. I don't think Dennis mentions it, but set your 35mm camera to infinity and then align with the isolette. Once the glass (or painters tape with a couple of straight lines) is in focus you have your infinity notch.
Recently I got one from my friend in Hyderabad,India.It is Agfa agnar pronto 4.5 to 85.But soiled by dust.and I cleared it with D40solution and by coconut oil in liquid paraffin to clean the external body.But to open the lens ,I saw this video.But in vain.Actual lens opening video was out of frame.Sorry, I couldn't control.
This worked like a charm for my Isolette V! Took me a minute to get the lenses unscrewed, it was hurting my thumbs, but I pushed through and they came undone! after that I soaked them in Mineral Spirts for a few hours and the old grease came off pretty easily. A camera shop in my area wanted $250 to fix it! Going to use a #10 grease to put them back together again. Cheers!
I just got a frozen isolette III in beautiful condition but with a frozen range finder and focus. The range finder was easy enough to get at and is now perfect, but for the life of me I couldn't figure out how to get the lens off the bellows to soak and clean (I'm new to servicing cameras and this one is over 30 years older than I am). This was super helpful, I'm ordering pliers now and going out to get some hose clamps. Even though I marked the orientation of the lenses so I wouldn't have to worry about getting it right when I put it back together I'm going to go get some wax paper just to experiment and double check Thank you!
Great Video lesson Dennis, Thank you, just one question, i am checking a rolleicord 3 focusing with your method, using a dslr Nikon 5100, what is the setting on the DSLR i must apply ? Gracias , Alejandro
Thanks for posting. Not sure if its my computer, or what but the video keeps going darker or lighter. Not sure how to adjust for this to keep it bright.
Do you have a qebsite link to a supplier of the type of screwdrivers that fit Agfa Isolette Cameras because I could not find any online. Thanks in advance,Gerard.
I wish I could see what you are doing. The image is either blurry or your hands are out of the frame. I’m a noob so I really need the video, I can’t learn it from just your talking through it. 😢 I’m only at the 5:26 mark but I already feel like I missed the most important part, taking it apart.
a question, when you say you are using ducktape for the hose clamp. That does nowhere look like ducktape and if so where does the glue side go? feels wrong to put it towards the lens but makes no sense if to put it towards something else. Just wondering :)
I am not sure if I understand the question. If asking if the lens is frozen and would not have to take apart? If lens is frozen you would only be able to take a picture at only the distance it is frozen at. Not sure this answers your question.
@@dennisworkman3287 maybe I explained myself wrong (my lens turns with difficulty) I was wondering if to release the front lens it is essential to detach from the bellows, or if you can only operate from the front.
@@dennisworkman3287 i understand because i have the same question. Is it possible to perform the repair without taking the entire lens & shutter packadge of the body? the place where you use the wrench, or is it possible to perform while the shutter is still attatched to the body? Since i dont have special tools, it would be quite nice to skip the part where im possibly dameging the bellows. Hope that makes more sense :) Greetings from sweden, Apprichiate your videos!
Dennis, good video! Question - I got the inner ring off with the spanner wrench. The lens would not come off the bellows. There was another set screw underneath the ring that I also took off and the lens will still not come off. Not only that, I can’t put the set screw back in - there doesn’t seem to be a hole. Do you do repairs for other people and could I send my camera to you to fix for a fee? Thank you.
Sorry for the delayed response I am traveling so makes checking difficult. I guess the first question I would have is what make of camera. The inside ring should be the only thing holding the shutter. I am not understanding the set screw but if it can out it will go back in. Maybe kind of turn it in reverse to set just right before turning to tighten. Again not sure what talking about. As far as taking cameras for repair I don’t. In fact right now I am on a year of travel in travel trailer out west so make where I cannot. Rereading you question so I don’t miss anything you are saying you took rear rear (one inside bellows) and could not remove lens. When you take that ring off allows you to remove the complete shutter and lens. Maybe rewatch video. Hope helps some and more questions let me know. Dennis
Just bought an isolette ii today. First film camera ever and know very little but believe the focus to be frozen. Do you hire out your services? Would love to be able to send this to someone who could help me fix it!
okay so with your clamp technique i managed to actually get the lenses apart (damn they were stuck!) but the clamp must of slipped when i tightened so the outer lens got a bit bent in one spot. I hope it will work anyway, i think so atleast, its right where the focus ring goes on, you can see it from the outside so hopefully it will be just a good memory and nothing else. I apprichiate seeing the part on how you focus a camera too, its nice! We'll ill be on with it, got alot of the deviles grean greease to rid of.. Aaaand i just found a shatter in the glas of the back lens.. was afraid to screw it real tight and i think i just learnt how much is too hard.. Its just on the side so hopefully it still works. Or the picture just might have to be that way.
I appreciate the intent with this video. However, I stopped watching after eight minutes because it always seemed to be either out of shot or out of focus. Try putting some tape on the mat just out of shot on all four corners to remind you of what the viewer can see. For focus, keep it as close to the mat as possible and keep it as well lit as possible to allow for a slightly smaller aperture and increased depth of field.
Thank goodness for your easy demeanor and natural ability to teach others. I really wanted to fix my camera and I believe I can now! Whoooo hoo! Thank you!
Unfortunately your video is out of focus and mostly out of the viewing area.
What worked for me was soaking the outward lens assembly in a shot glass with 85% alcohol, wrapping said glass in plastic foil and then dumping this setup into a pot with water just below the "bubbling" stage. This keeps the temps at just below 100C, which in my opinion is well bellow what the lens can tolerate but warm enough for the green goo to melt and stops the alcohol from evaporating too fast. After about 10 minutes I saw that the alcohol got hazy and greenish. I could then separate the lenses with no effort at all. Keep in mind that alcohol is HIGHLY flammable and this may not be safe at all on a gas stove. Did this on an induction stove top. I also designed a custom 3D printed tool for the removal of the shutter from the bellows, will be posting to thingiverse. I don't think Dennis mentions it, but set your 35mm camera to infinity and then align with the isolette. Once the glass (or painters tape with a couple of straight lines) is in focus you have your infinity notch.
Nice you have cleared the lens and practical.Thanks.
Recently I got one from my friend in Hyderabad,India.It is Agfa agnar pronto 4.5 to 85.But soiled by dust.and I cleared it with D40solution and by coconut oil in liquid paraffin to clean the external body.But to open the lens ,I saw this video.But in vain.Actual lens opening video was out of frame.Sorry, I couldn't control.
This worked like a charm for my Isolette V! Took me a minute to get the lenses unscrewed, it was hurting my thumbs, but I pushed through and they came undone! after that I soaked them in Mineral Spirts for a few hours and the old grease came off pretty easily. A camera shop in my area wanted $250 to fix it! Going to use a #10 grease to put them back together again. Cheers!
I just got a frozen isolette III in beautiful condition but with a frozen range finder and focus. The range finder was easy enough to get at and is now perfect, but for the life of me I couldn't figure out how to get the lens off the bellows to soak and clean (I'm new to servicing cameras and this one is over 30 years older than I am).
This was super helpful, I'm ordering pliers now and going out to get some hose clamps. Even though I marked the orientation of the lenses so I wouldn't have to worry about getting it right when I put it back together I'm going to go get some wax paper just to experiment and double check
Thank you!
Even though you marked the lens you will need to check focus. Very hard to mark and get it right again. Good luck take your time.
Definitely helpful! Got a pretty stuck lens and I hope it comes apart.
Apologies if I missed it, but what did you soak the lens in?
Late to the party but might be interesting for others too… mineral spirits or lighter fluid is normally used
Great Video lesson Dennis, Thank you, just one question, i am checking a rolleicord 3 focusing with your method, using a dslr
Nikon 5100, what is the setting on the DSLR i must apply ? Gracias , Alejandro
Sorry never used a DSLR but I would say setting doesn’t matter as long as you don’t move the setting that you are using.
Nice but I cannot see the camera is not picking the strip down 9:24
Thanks for posting. Not sure if its my computer, or what but the video keeps going darker or lighter. Not sure how to adjust for this to keep it bright.
Do you have a qebsite link to a supplier of the type of screwdrivers that fit Agfa Isolette Cameras because I could not find any online. Thanks in advance,Gerard.
I wish I could see what you are doing. The image is either blurry or your hands are out of the frame. I’m a noob so I really need the video, I can’t learn it from just your talking through it. 😢 I’m only at the 5:26 mark but I already feel like I missed the most important part, taking it apart.
a question, when you say you are using ducktape for the hose clamp. That does nowhere look like ducktape and if so where does the glue side go? feels wrong to put it towards the lens but makes no sense if to put it towards something else. Just wondering :)
Hallo, Is possible make the maintenance without deassebly the rear, operating only on the front Lens?
I am not sure if I understand the question. If asking if the lens is frozen and would not have to take apart? If lens is frozen you would only be able to take a picture at only the distance it is frozen at. Not sure this answers your question.
@@dennisworkman3287 maybe I explained myself wrong (my lens turns with difficulty) I was wondering if to release the front lens it is essential to detach from the bellows, or if you can only operate from the front.
@@dennisworkman3287 i understand because i have the same question. Is it possible to perform the repair without taking the entire lens & shutter packadge of the body? the place where you use the wrench, or is it possible to perform while the shutter is still attatched to the body?
Since i dont have special tools, it would be quite nice to skip the part where im possibly dameging the bellows.
Hope that makes more sense :)
Greetings from sweden, Apprichiate your videos!
Dennis, good video! Question - I got the inner ring off with the spanner wrench. The lens would not come off the bellows. There was another set screw underneath the ring that I also took off and the lens will still not come off. Not only that, I can’t put the set screw back in - there doesn’t seem to be a hole. Do you do repairs for other people and could I send my camera to you to fix for a fee? Thank you.
Sorry for the delayed response I am traveling so makes checking difficult. I guess the first question I would have is what make of camera. The inside ring should be the only thing holding the shutter. I am not understanding the set screw but if it can out it will go back in. Maybe kind of turn it in reverse to set just right before turning to tighten. Again not sure what talking about. As far as taking cameras for repair I don’t. In fact right now I am on a year of travel in travel trailer out west so make where I cannot. Rereading you question so I don’t miss anything you are saying you took rear rear (one inside bellows) and could not remove lens. When you take that ring off allows you to remove the complete shutter and lens. Maybe rewatch video. Hope helps some and more questions let me know.
Dennis
No apologies required. Have the general idea of what's taking place, and that will suffice. Very Best Wishes!
Just bought an isolette ii today. First film camera ever and know very little but believe the focus to be frozen. Do you hire out your services? Would love to be able to send this to someone who could help me fix it!
okay so with your clamp technique i managed to actually get the lenses apart (damn they were stuck!) but the clamp must of slipped when i tightened so the outer lens got a bit bent in one spot. I hope it will work anyway, i think so atleast, its right where the focus ring goes on, you can see it from the outside so hopefully it will be just a good memory and nothing else. I apprichiate seeing the part on how you focus a camera too, its nice!
We'll ill be on with it, got alot of the deviles grean greease to rid of..
Aaaand i just found a shatter in the glas of the back lens.. was afraid to screw it real tight and i think i just learnt how much is too hard..
Its just on the side so hopefully it still works. Or the picture just might have to be that way.
Hello, I would like to ask you, what settings do you use on the SLR? Do you set it on a given distance? The Isolette of course on infinite. Thank you
I still use an old light meter to get my settings.
@@dennisworkman3287 I mean to re-colimate the isolette with a SLR, I do not understand what you do with your slr. Do you set it also on the infinite?
It doesn’t matter you are focusing the one you collimate.
@@dennisworkman3287 thank you very much
You are very intelligent enough not to show the real lens opening.Thanks.
Did anyone get what he soaked it in?
Ironic that a video about cameras has such poor camera work.
Some useful information but lacking details about materials and techniques.
Thank you!
Jesus H Christ.... out of focus ... out of frame ... rambling explanations. Thanks for nothing.
Good intent, but most of it was out of frame.
waste of time cant see what he did out of focus and out of shot
Out of shot. Poor