Pictures & Thoughts about the Argus C-3.

[2strokebloke]

The Argus C-3 is THE American camera - like American cars of the era, it's flashy, chrome encrusted, reliable, overweight, and handles a little clumsily. But the C-3 is also the Volkswagen Beetle of cameras, it's different, but not necessarily in a good way. It was outdated even in it's day, but it took reasonable pictures, was cheap and outsold every other 35mm camera ever made (more than two million C-3 cameras found owners between 1939 and 1966).
I already had and enjoyed using a very old (pre '54) C-3, when I found a mint condition late-model C-3 Match-Matic, pictured below.

Basically a clip on light meter, and a troublesome exposure system were meant to update the old C-3, along with a flashy new two tone exterior. But it functions the same, you have to cock the shutter yourself after each exposure, and your have to unlock the film tranport system by holding down a button to advance the film to the next frame, no rapid wind levers, film advance/shutter interlock, or double exposure prevention.
You focus by turning a wheel that's connected to the lens by a gear, while looking through a second viewfinder that's seperate from the main viefinder, it uses a military type split image range finder with half of the image viewed through a yellow filter. It's a slow process, but it works.
The exposure system features EVS numbers, so it's impossible to set the camera correctly without the light meter, which is commonly missing or non functional. Mine still works, you turn a dial to select your desired shutter speed, and an arrow to select your film speed rating - you then point the camera at what it is you want to take a picture of, and the meter needle will tell you which f-stop you need to use (in theory). You then focus, cock the shutter, make your exposure, push the film wind button down with one finger, and try to wind the film with your other fingers. The good news is that it does take pictures. See below:

The lens isn't the finest, there's noticable loss of definition at the extreme edges of the photographs, but it does offer a decently sharp image and excellent contrast, as well as a certain indescribable vintage feel. I really like using the C-3, it's nice to throw some variety into my picture taking every once in a while, and they're cheap: good ones go for less than $20.

[The732]

Well that is one way to spend an afternoon. seems like it would be too frustrating to be fun.

[2strokebloke]

Once you get the hang of the camera, it's actually a blast to use... however your first roll can be pretty frustrating, rembering whether or not you wound the film usually leads to alot of double exposures. I like mine almost as much as my regular Petri 7S.

[Moppie]

Now that is a classic old camera, I think it sounds like it would be a lot of fun to use!

Very nice thread 2sb, its nice to read about something that isnt all digital and idiot proof.

[zzpza]

old camera's are cool. i still use my zorki c (194x clone of a leica 3f) and my weltaflex (195x 120 tlr) whenever i have a chance. none have meters.

j.