Agfa"Billy Record"

[scott_mccarthy]

Recently acquired an Agfa "Billy Record". I think it's pre WWII. Uses 120 film, shoots 6x9cm negs. Lens says AGFA at top And PRONTOR II at bottom. Also says AGFA ANASTIGMAT APOTAR 1:4.5/10.5cm. There is a ring around the front of the lens that looks like a distance scale. It says" Meter" and goes from 1 to Infinity. It is held in place by 3 set screws. There is a reference mark on the lens barrel but the ring did not move when I got it and seems to have no function at all. Anyone have a clue about this???

 

Thanks,

SJ McCarthy

[d_daine]

That ring is what you use to focus the camera. Seized focus on Agfa folders is apparantly quite common. See http://www.smu.edu/~rmonagha/mf/index.html for more info.

 

cheers,

[atlatling]

In reviewing eBay medium format yesterday, I saw where someone was selling an Agfa Isolet and it too had damage from someone trying to turn a siezed focus element. I then went to my shelf of old cameras and found my Agfa Isolet to see if it was the same camera shown in the picture on eBay. Indeed it was, and then I noted that my old camera (that I bought new in 1948 in Germany) has the same focus problem. I'm afraid to force it, so I just put it back up on the shelf.