Agfa Karat Owners?

farlymac · 03-01-2012

Just picked up a 36 today (with the 2.8 Solinar), and don't see a whole lot of traffic here about it. How many of you all have one, and your feelings about it?

PF

colyn · 03-01-2012

I have the S-K f/2 version.

These are excellent cameras.

The f/2 lens is the same as on the Retina IIIc/C cameras..

Gerry M · 03-01-2012

I have a Karat with the unusual/goofy split level rf windows. Solinar/Synchro-Compur. A solid build, but it needs to go to the hospital.

Red Robin · 03-01-2012

I have a two or three of them I'll look tomorrow. I can't get to the camera room due to sleepers in there. Nice little cameras - well built, nice lenses. Just haven't gotten round to using them much yet.

citizen99 · 03-02-2012

I have a Karat 36 and am very pleased with it. I first got one with a Solinar lens like the OP's which as stated above is an excellent lens. I then got a 'parts' Karat 36 with the f2.0 Solagon lens; having resurrected that one with a fairly 'intrusive' repair, I sold on the Solinar one as being more 'original' and kept the Solagon one to use.
I have also tried the later Karat IV (with f2.0 Xenon), also very nice, but I found that the 'quirky' staggered rangefinder of the 36 actually suits me better. This linked picture was with the Solinar, hand-held, on my knees

.

Spider! by johnnyh4, on Flickr

farlymac · 03-02-2012

That's one mighty fine looking spider there, Johnny. I've had a few of the Apotar lensed Agfa/Anscos, and have been happy with the results, so when I found this Solinar lensed model, I went ahead and got it (didn't hurt that it was 25% off). It will definitely need a teardown, as everything is stiff and draggy, and the bellows is a holy mess. The chrome is in halfway decent shape, but I'll know more after a surface cleaning. I was glad to find out that it takes the Retina sized filters, so I don't have to go get another set. Took forever to get the first ones. And it can share the hood from my Retinette.

If I don't mess up the repairs on this one, I may go on the hunt for an f2 model.

PF

farlymac · 04-01-2012

A note of caution to anyone who decides to do their own repairs on the Karat 36.

When tearing down the camera for any repairs that require the removal of the front shroud (or maybe it's called the shutter/lens mount cover), remove the entire shutter as an assembly. Do not remove bits and pieces that extend from the shutter (such as the PC connector) so the shroud will clear. It is much harder to get things back in the proper order, and unless the shutter needs a complete stripdown for blade cleaning, not worth the trouble. Trust me.

PF

farlymac · 04-11-2012

Finally got the Karat 36 back together. It's not my best effort so far, but it works. Now to run some film through it.

You can see the repairs and commentary at
http://www.flickr.com/photos/7699588@N07/sets/72157629429740568/

PF

farlymac · 04-12-2012

Shot a test roll of Kodak Ultramax 400 (by golly, if it's leaking light, I should find out) today, and discovered I flipped the rear elements during reassembly. Oh well, it's an easy fix.

Do not adjust your screen!

Camp Roanoke Admin Cabin by br1078phot, on Flickr

Colorful Canoes by br1078phot, on Flickr

Stream Boulder by br1078phot, on Flickr

Looking Up by br1078phot, on Flickr

Cabin Path by br1078phot, on Flickr

Campground Morning by br1078phot, on Flickr

PF

HuubL · 04-13-2012

I would keep that rear lens reversed. Wonderful images this way!

farlymac · 04-13-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by HuubL

I would keep that rear lens reversed. Wonderful images this way!

Found out it wasn't the rear elements, but the second one. May have been like that since 1987, since I didn't take the front two apart from their shared housing. I flipped it around, double checked the focus, and ran a roll of BW400CN through it today. Will have results back by tomorrow.

PF