1956 / AGFA Isola (6×6) / Vintage Camera

The Agfa Isola (6×6) camera is a medium format viewfinder camera produced by Agfa primarily between 1957 and 1963. It uses 120 roll film to produce 6×6 cm square negatives, allowing for about twelve exposures per roll. The camera features a collapsible Agfa Agnar lens, typically with a fixed focal length around 72.5mm and aperture settings of f/6.3 or f/11, but it can vary slightly by model. Its shutter system includes speeds of about 1/30 to 1/100 seconds and a bulb mode for long exposures. The lens is not coated, making the camera somewhat prone to lens flare, so using a lens hood is recommended. Focus is manual via a rotating front lens element with a distance scale, which requires some skill or additional rangefinder assistance. The camera body is a mix of steel and plastic, offering modest durability, and it has a double exposure guard mechanism that prevents accidental double exposures by requiring film winding between shots. A PC sync flash socket and accessory shoe allow for flash attachment, enhancing its functionality. Overall, the Agfa Isola is regarded as a solid, straightforward starter camera for medium format film photography, combining simple controls with reliable design.