Antique Agfa Isolar Camera for 9 × 12 cm Plates. Germany 1927-1935

Antique Agfa Isolar camera for 9 × 12 cm plates. Germany 1927-1935 This antique Agfa Isolar camera that we see in these images is a German camera manufactured between 1927 and 1935. It is part of the classic line of bellows cameras for 9 × 12 cm plates developed by Agfa during the interwar period and it is an excellent example of the solid German photographic engineering of the time. Its folding design allows comfortable use both in the studio and outdoors. In addition, its foldable viewfinder system and focusing screens place it in the category of cameras intended for demanding photographers who were seeking precision in composition and full control of the photographic process. The body is covered with Agfa’s characteristic grained leather, easily recognizable by the large logo on the back cover. Built on a robust metal frame with black lacquered finishes, it features chrome fittings in very good condition. The bellows is original and remains flexible and without light leaks. The extension and folding mechanism moves in a uniform way thanks to the front guides that maintain the alignment of the standard, which facilitates focusing and allows the position of the lens to remain secure. The camera is accompanied by an original 9 × 12 cm plate holder that appears well preserved, which reinforces its value as a functional and complete set. The folding viewfinder appears intact and maintains the focusing screen with its folding hood, also in a condition that allows its use. The optical assembly is one of its strong points. It mounts a Meyer Görlitz Jhagee Anastigmat Trioplan of 13.5 cm and aperture f 4.5, a lens highly appreciated for its classic sharpness and its soft optical character. The lens is clean and well preserved. The mount is integrated in a Compur shutter that works correctly. Although it is not timed, it responds with precision and smoothness, something very valuable given that this is a camera almost a century old. The combination of the Trioplan with the Compur offers excellent control over exposure and remarkable optical performance within the 9 × 12 cm format. Regarding the condition, it is a very well cared for piece. The exterior leather shows signs of normal use, but maintains its solidity and its original presence. The chrome parts appear clean and without relevant corrosion. The moving parts act with firmness and smoothness. The only detail to mention is the absence of the left lateral rod of the focusing system, a wire characteristic of this model that served as an auxiliary guide. The lack of this element does not affect the operation nor the closing of the camera, and can be considered a minor sign associated with its age. Otherwise, the set appears complete, balanced and fully usable. It is an ideal piece for any collection of classic cameras, either for its historical value, for the quality of its construction or for the appeal of the Trioplan. In addition, it fully preserves its functional character, something especially appreciated by those who enjoy analog photography with historical equipment. It is a camera that would look magnificent in the decoration of a photography studio or in the display cabinet of a collector. Measurements: 15.3 cm × 10.8 cm (6 in × 4.25 in). History of Agfa Agfa was founded in Berlin in 1867 as Aktien Gesellschaft für Anilinfabrikation. Initially it focused on the manufacture of dyes and chemical materials, but at the end of the nineteenth century it began to expand into the field of photographic products. In 1894 it launched its first photographic film and shortly afterwards it began the production of plates and papers for professional use. The brand quickly consolidated itself in Germany and the rest of Europe thanks to the quality of its emulsions and the development of robust and well designed cameras. During the first decades of the twentieth century, Agfa became one of the main European manufacturers in the photographic field. With the introduction of lines such as the Standard, the Billy and later the Isolar, the company expanded its influence among both amateurs and professionals. The decade of the 1920s was a particularly important period for the company. Favored by technical advances and the growing popularity of portable photography, Agfa developed bellows models for different formats, from 6 × 9 to 9 × 12 cm. After its merger with the Belgian company Gevaert in 1964, the firm adopted the name Agfa Gevaert and continued to expand its catalogue of films, cameras and chemical products. The brand remained an international reference in the photographic industry throughout the twentieth century, especially for the reliability of its materials and its decisive participation in the evolution of analog photography.