I am trying to fix up a mystery folder and thought someone more knowledgeable might be able to point me in the right direction. My father picked it up in Germany in the 40s or early 50s. Its an Agfa plate camera (I think it is 6.5x9), and is similar to the Standard, but has a front just like the rollfilm Nitor, with rise and shift. The lens is an Agfa Helostar Doppel-Anastigmat f4.5 10.5cm. I have not been able to find a name for it or a picture that matches it anywhere on the web.
It is a beautiful camera, and I would love to shoot it, but there are several issues. I took off the lens and pulled and cleaned the front and rear elements, and found the internal surfaces of the rear pair cover with fungus. I'm not sure how to get that pair apart, and even if I could, I'm afraid I might not be able to get the fungus off, so I think I need to replace the lens elements (the compur dial-set shutter seems fine, if a bit stiff). Anybody have any idea where I might get something so esoteric as these lens elements? (I thought perhaps an old-style camera workshop somewhere might have a set on a busted shutter).
Also, the ground glass actually looks like a piece of plastic, is anything but flat, and is very yellow (not sure if it is supposed to be yellow, or its just age). Can I replace it with actual glass, or is there something else I should use?
Finally, I need to find some film holders for it (I'll worry about film later). Any idea where I can get them? I assume agfa 6.5x9 holders will work. Can anyone tell me how to spell that in German, and I can search the German ebay?
Thanks for your help. Tim
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