Since I live in Ann Arbor, I naturally thought that finding old Argus cameras would be interesting. Ann Arbor was once the original home for the Argus Corporation., and the building that housed it is now used partly by the University of Michigan. There is a group for Argus collectors (well, why not?) and of course, they have a very useful web site. My first acquisition was an Argus C3 - ye olde "brick" that I bought over ebay. My next purchase was an Argus C4, a more refined rangefinder camera that is actually very nice to use. Another ebay purchase brought forth an Argust Model A in the original box -- a cute little bakelite 35mm camera that is quite basic. I now own an Argus A-4 as well, having bought it at a photo swap for $2.50. During a vacation trip, I picked up a 620 film Argus 75 with a case for a measly $5.00. Although it still had film in it, none of it came out when I had it developed. In Feb. 2000, I finally bought a C3 Match-Matic, and in 2001 a friend gave me the one he bought new in 1958 or 1959, complete with meter (still works!) and the flash unit. In June, 2001 I purchased an Argoflex EF -- and it can use 120 or 620 film! My collection seems to growing, as I now have an Argus V-100 (made in Germany, 1959) in mint condition. I also added an Argus Super-75 in 1/2002, an Argoflex 40 in 2003, and more keep adding up, especially C-3 bricks!
These sturdy cameras acquainted many thousands of Americans with 35mm photography in the 1940s-1960. Relatively inexpensive and rugged, the many cameras that are still around today are capable picture takers. Maybe a bit archaic to use, but that's part of the charm -- certainly beats making your own emulsion and coating glass plates...
To see my images from the Argus Museum in Ann Arbor, click on the image above.
 The Argus Model A - first 35mm camera from Argus. Actually the camera works pretty well, given its age, uncoated lens and simplicity. Can take a decent photo as shown below. I paid $6 for this camera. [photo1] Shapiro Library, taken with an Argus Model A and Kodak Gold100 film. Sunny 16 metering. [photo2] flowers in the yard. |
 Argus C-3 - I still find it amazing that this ugly duckling camera takes pretty darn good photos. Rugged as a brick, these cameras are under-appreciated and unknown to most people today. Not the simplest camera to use, but it does work well. This camera has been on several trips with me and has captured some nice images along the way. Note -- it's an early C-3 with no Argus name on the front. I have 5 C-3's, and all are different. |
 The Argus C-3 MatchMatic. I have used this camera, and recently was given another one with an LC-3 meter. It's starting to look like these things breed... A two-tone leather exterior -- why? But it's pretty cool-looking -- for a brick. [photo1] |
 Argus Autronic-35. This late 1950's camera is really a brick disguised as an automatic camera. It has some nice features, and the rangefinder works well. Argus goofed when they tried to "automate" the camera, as the numbers are meaningless without the manual, especially if the selenium meter isn't working. I picked it up a a camera swap for $5. |
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The Argus C-4 is my favorite Argus model. Perhaps that's because of its classy looks and ease of use. I can use a modern flash with it, and it has a nice-sounding shutter. In addition, it has a pretty sharp lens. |
 Argus A-Four. This later model Argus looks and performs much like a Kodak Pony 35mm of the same vintage. It has a Bakelite and metal body, a simple viewfinder, and shutter speeds of B, 1/25, 1/50, 1/100 and 1/200 sec. It also has an aperture of f3.5 to f16. It close-focuses to about 2.5 ft, which of course, you have to approximate, since there is no rangefinder. Nevertheless, the coated lens is surprisngly sharp, and the camera isn't as bad as I thought it would be. I paid $2.50 for it at a swap. Photos 2 &3 are of the squirrel that comes to my window at the Museum. |
 Argoflex EF. Metal-bodied TLR that can use 120 film even though it says to use 620. Mine is in good working condition, but it doesn't quite compare with my Rolleiflex. [photo] photo is an enlargement from 6x6 neg. |
 Argus 75 - This twin lens "reflex" box camera takes 620 film, and I have respooled 120 onto a 620 spool and taken a few shots with it. I picked this one up at a shop in Cheboygan with a mint leather case for $5. The flash holder came later. |
| New acquisitions - Nov. 2002 |
Sept, 2002 - Meeting in Ann Arbor with Phil Sterritt, Dan Cluley, and Bob Kelly. Marjorie and I met them for lunch. Phil and Bob were in town researching Argus materials for a book on Argus. It was a pleasure meeting them!
Photos Taken with the Argus C4:
 Lighthouse ruins at Cheboygan State Park, MI. |
 Metal bald eagle head at the Cheboygan County Fair, Aug. 2000. |
 The Argus Bldg in Ann Arbor, Aug. 2000. |
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 Marshall, MI 03/2002 Plus-X Pan |
Chelsea, MI. 10/2002 FOMA-Pan 200. |
| * Yes, I still have rolls of Kodak Panatomic-X --great film! I like to shoot a roll every now and then, especially with the older, slower cameras. |
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The W.H. Day farm near Sleeping Bear Dunes, MI 6/10/01 |
Sunset over Lake MI, Glen Arbor 6/8/01 |
Sunset over Burt Lk, MI 6/15/01 |
 Whitefish Falls in Ontario, near Manitoulin Is. 7/6/01 |
Nickels Arcade in Ann Arbor. Aug. 1, 2001. |
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pumpkins - October 2001 Kodak Gold 100 |
long exposure of the UM Exhibit Museum fall 2002 Kodak TCN 400 |
PAGE 2 - New additions and updates
last updated Jan. 11, 2006
