Cable release diameter problems - Agfa Billy Record II

Hi

I have a refurbished Agfa Billy Record II. I thought it would be a good idea to use it on a tripod, and I wanted to use a cable release.

This camera has the Solinar lens and a Compur Rapid shutter (thanks to Jurgen Kreckel).

 

I recently bought a cable release - because I learned that if you unscrew the top shutter button there are threads underneath it.

The only problem is that the cable release I bought is too thick or too large in diameter to fit into the threads on the camera body!

 

I don't know what to buy that will fit, because I don't even know the correct terminology.

 

Can someone please tell me what is going on with this problem? I'm mystified.

 

I'm happy to buy another cable release, but I just have no idea what's going wrong.

 

Thanks in advance for any help

I don't know quite what you unscrewed Matthew, unless it was the shutter release on the body! The Agfa Billy Record II has the Prontor-S shutter with the cable release access point beside the lens. See attached pic. Your cable release should screw straight in.

 

Cable Fitting (marked with red arrow)

 

Mine has a Compur Rapid shutter thanks to the fine work of Jurgen Kreckel. So maybe it doesn't work with mine?

The Compur Rapid shutter has the fitting at more or less the same place, but not standing proud. It's a small threaded port in the side of the shutter, just below the cocking lever.

Oh OK! I didn't notice it. I'll look. So a standard cable release can screw in?

So a standard cable release can screw in?

 

Sure can! Just be gentle with it, being careful not to get it cross-threaded. It will screw in only a couple of turns.

Speaking of this camera, is it still possible to get a working flash gun and bulbs for it if you happen to know? Or are they all merely decorative, shall we say?

 

As for the camera, I'm going to try to use it on a tripod as frequently as possible. Hence the cable release.

Sure can! Just be gentle with it, being careful not to get it cross-threaded. It will screw in only a couple of turns.

Thank you!

The Compur Rapid shutter has the fitting at more or less the same place, but not standing proud. It's a small threaded port in the side of the shutter, just below the cocking lever.

 

I'm sorry to report, after careful inspection, that my Compur Rapid has no such fitting anywhere in and around the lens /shutter. It simply doesn’t exist.

 

I think I read another poster saying the same thing about his Agfa Billy Record II. He was upset because he couldn't use a cable release.

 

Jurgen told me not to use the self timer as well, because the little knob breaking is the most common reason that he ends up seeing the cameras again.

That's really disappointing! I can't imagine where it went... I have several Compur shutters of this era and they all have the fitting. Here's a pic of the shutter on my Agfa Billy Compur. The cable release access is clearly visible.

 

Well, I definitely don't have that or anything similar. The most I can do is use the delicate self timer. And psync a flash gun that I probably can't get bulbs for.

Hmmm...I think I'd get in touch with Jurgen. An inability to use a cable release with a camera of this nature is a pretty severe failing, in my estimation, and not one I would have anticipated in a "refurbished" camera.

Sorry I lost this thread.

The parallel threaded socket is coincidentally capable of (just) catching the last turn or the threads on a modern cable release. There used to be adapters from Prontor? to Compur? back in the 80's when I was in the business, but I have no idea where you'd find them today. As mentioned its a tenuous fit at best & there's the risk of cross threading, or worse snapping the tip off inside. Basically you need to find the old cloth covered non tapered threaded cable release.Unfortunately its completely obsolete as far as I know.