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  • Agfa Isolette I 120 Film Folding Camera, Vintage 1955-1958, black & silver 1
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  • Agfa Isolette I 120 Film Folding Camera, Vintage 1955-1958, black & silver 2
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  • Agfa Isolette I 120 Film Folding Camera, Vintage 1955-1958, black & silver 3
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  • Agfa Isolette I 120 Film Folding Camera, Vintage 1955-1958, black & silver 4
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  • Agfa Isolette I 120 Film Folding Camera, Vintage 1955-1958, black & silver 5
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  • Agfa Isolette I 120 Film Folding Camera, Vintage 1955-1958, black & silver 6
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  • Agfa Isolette I 120 Film Folding Camera, Vintage 1955-1958, black & silver 7
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  • Agfa Isolette I 120 Film Folding Camera, Vintage 1955-1958, black & silver 8
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  • Agfa Isolette I 120 Film Folding Camera, Vintage 1955-1958, black & silver 9
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  • Agfa Isolette I 120 Film Folding Camera, Vintage 1955-1958, black & silver 10
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  • Agfa Isolette I 120 Film Folding Camera, Vintage 1955-1958, black & silver 11
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  • Agfa Isolette I 120 Film Folding Camera, Vintage 1955-1958, black & silver 12
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Description

For decades, Germany was famous around the globe for its cameras with the big names producing the very best in the world - many of them are still in great demand and commanding high prices to this day. Agfa, then based in Berlin, never made a camera that was quite in the top league and is seen as something of an also-ran; however, many of their products were nevertheless very high quality, well-made and yielded excellent results - as a result, if you can't quite stretch to a Rollei, a Voigtlander or a Leica, Agfa are an affordable way into the world of vintage photography.

The Isolette horizontally-folding range, introduced in 1937, had been through three generations by the time the Isolette I was introduced in 1951. It was an attempt to produce a camera for the demographic known to modern manufacturers as "prosumer": keen amateurs who wanted a good quality model with lots of scope to adjust settings but couldn't justify the sort of expense that a professional photographer would spend, and it was a success - its seven-year production run was the second-longest of any Isolette, topped only by the Isolette II made between 1950 and 1960. With an uncluttered appearance due to controls limited to the essentials and plenty of smooth, presed aluminium, it's also up there with the most beautiful cameras of all time.

This one doesn't feature a depth of field calculator on the top plate opposite the film advance and is therefore one of the later examples dating to between 1955 and 1958; it's fitted with a Vario shutter (some models had a Pronto) and has depth of field brackets printed on the barrel faceplate (omitted on some examples).

It's in excellent condition and doesn't appear to have been used much - we haven't been able to fully test it as we don't have any 120 film, but there is no reason to suspect it's in anything less than full working order: the bellows are sound without holes or rot, the film compartment door locks tightly closed and the seals are in good shape, the shutter works perfectly in all settings across its range from bulb to 1/200th" and the focus ring rotates smoothly, if a little stiffly, from 1 metre to infinity. Aperture control is smooth and accurate throughout the f/4.5-32 range. The optics are remarkably good with no dust behind the lens, and the front lens is unmarked. The film compartment has only very minimal dust.

The metalwork, springs and hinges are all in good order with only a few specks of surface rust in non-essential interior parts - the lens board still springs into the extended position at very high speed and retracts without problems. There is a small mark on the back of the camera caused by a pop stud fastening of the original leather case, which is included - it's a little scuffed, but overall in decent and complete condition. Unusually, it also retains the original manual which is tatty and repaired with sticky tape, but complete without missing sections. Even more unusually, it retains its original sales receipt, showing that it was purchased by a Miss Clarke from Campkins Cameras of Cambridge (still there, incidentally) for the sum of £11 in 1956.

Due to the nature of this item it is not always possible for us to identify any missing parts.
For this reason we ask that you please check the pictures carefully, as these show everything that is included.

This item has been very kindly donated to the Arthur Rank Hospice Charity.

Arthur Rank Hospice supports people in Cambridgeshire living with a life-limiting illness and those who need end-of-life care. Our services are provided free of charge to patients and their families. Our aim is to provide the highest quality care, helping them to make every moment count.

100% of the money raised from this sale will go to the charity.

Our sales team do their best to check each item and ensure that the description and pictures provided are as accurate as possible.

Feedback is extremely important to the charity so if you are not fully satisfied with your purchase please give us a chance to resolve any issues by contacting us prior to leaving feedback.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us via eBay messages, we will make sure that your message is responded to promptly, usually within three working days. Messages sent over the weekend will be responded to on the next working day.

If this item is not quite what you were looking for but you would still like to help our cause, please consider providing us with a donation which can be done via our eBay Charity Profile linked below.

Donate via Arthur Rank Hospice Charity Profile

We only accept payments via PayPal for items sold through eBay, or cash and credit/debit card if the item is to be collected. If paying via PayPal, please make sure to complete your payment within 96 hours of winning an item. Once your payment has been received we will dispatch your item as soon as possible, usually within three working days.

Delivery times are calculated in working days (Monday to Friday). If your order is placed after 1pm, the next working day will be considered the first working day for delivery. In case of bank holidays and during the Christmas period where delays are more likely, please allow an extra few days for delivery.

Domestic Delivery

We aim to dispatch orders within three working days. If for any reason there is an unexpected delay in dispatching your order we will make sure to inform you of this as soon as possible.

We use Hermes to deliver the majority of our parcels. If you would like to specify a preferred neighbour, or safe place for the parcel to be left, please leave the details in a message when placing your order.

Some low-value items will be sent by Royal Mail 2nd Class. Some items of higher value are sent by Royal Mail Signed For or Special Delivery, which requires a signature. If you are not present at the time of delivery, a card will be left instructing you to arrange a redelivery, or to collect your order from the local sorting office.

International Delivery

International orders are handled by eBay's Global Shipping Programme.

For full details please see the following eBay help page: Buying internationally with the Global Shipping Programme.

Items can be collected from our Retail Hub at Arthur Rank Hospice Charity, Eastern Counties Leather Industrial Estate, Pampisford, CB22 3EE during our opening hours of 10:00 to 16:00, Monday to Saturday. If you would like to collect your item please contact us in advance to arrange this.

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Arthur Rank Hospice Charity uses the eBay Returns system to make the process as easy for you as possible. For full details about the process, and for information on how to begin a return, please see the following eBay help page: Return an item for a refund.

Change of Mind

If when you receive your order you are not completely satisfied, you may return the items to us within 30 days for a refund. Returns will be processed within three working days once the goods have been received by us.

Items must be returned to us in the same condition as they were received by you. This includes, but is not limited to: original packaging, original boxes, packaging materials, manuals, blank warranty cards, accessories and documents. We reserve the right to refuse a return or deduct an amount for lost value where the item is returned in a different condition.

We strongly recommend that you fully insure your package that you are returning, as well as using a carrier that can provide you with tracking information or proof of delivery.

Arthur Rank Hospice Charity will not be held responsible for returns lost or damaged in transit.

Please be aware that it is the responsibility of the customer to cover any delivery charges for returning an unwanted item.

Incorrect/Damaged Goods

We try very hard to ensure that you receive your order in pristine condition. In the unlikely event that your order arrives damaged or faulty, please contact us via eBay immediately, this will be given special priority and you can expect to receive a response within 48 hours, Monday to Friday. Arthur Rank Hospice Charity will cover the cost of domestic return postage for any incorrect or damaged items.

About Arthur Rank Hospice Charity

Arthur Rank Hospice Charity supports people in Cambridgeshire living with an advanced serious illness or other life-limiting condition and those who need end-of-life care. Its 'Outstanding' services are provided free of charge to patients and their families. The aim is to provide the highest quality care, helping them to make every moment count.

More than 4,100 patients are cared for each year at the Hospice in Cambridge, the Alan Hudson Day Treatment Centre in Wisbech and in patients' own homes via the Arthur Rank Community Team. This care supports people to improve their quality of life and fulfil their end of their life choices.

Alongside the care provided by the Inpatient Unit, Day Therapy and Hospice at Home teams, patients can access: patient and family support; lymphoedema care; complementary therapy; medical and pain outpatient clinics; and advice from the clinical nurse specialists within the Specialist Palliative Care Home Team. Programmes are practical, holistic and tailored to the individual patient, family member or carer and may also include rehabilitative support, physiotherapy, occupational therapy and psychological support.

It will cost £8.56 million in 2020/2021 to run services, which are provided free of charge to patients and their loved ones. £4.29 million has currently been secured from the NHS, meaning that £4.27 million needs to be raised through donations, fundraising activities and trading. The Charity is extremely grateful to the local community for the continual dedication, commitment and generosity they show in supporting towards meeting this target.

© 2017 Arthur Rank Hospice Charity. All rights reserved A registered Charity No 1133354