The Argus C3 (and C2) is often referred to as "the Brick", a sobriquet earned largely due to it's, to put it politely, linear styling and significantly reinforced by its weight. Largely conventional in operation it can catch out modern camera users as the shutter needs to be cocked prior to release with what looks like a delayed release winder. This same lever is perfectly positioned to be fouled by the user's fingers during release, wrecking the picture. The construction centres around a "Bakelite" body onto which pressed metal front and back panels are mounted. The C3 shares the same sprocket system as the earlier Argus A and like the A series enjoyed a long production run, evolving gradually from 1939 to 1966. This heritage extends to the lack of double exposure prevention. The rangefinder and viewfinder are separate. One side of the rangefinder image is gathered through the middle of the focus wheel and the other from the central window, resulting in a short rangefinder base. This is mitigated to a large extent as the rangefinder image is significantly magnified. The rangefinder is of the superimposed type, but one above the other merging in the middle, the lower one supplied by the middle window is tinted yellow. The viewfinder is slightly offset. The 35mm film is wound by a thumb wheel and travels right to left, automatically stopping after one frame has advanced. This is a fairly late example with accessory shoe, coated lens and probably dates from 1956. Cameras earn Classic status for a number of reasons, sometimes because they are exceptional instruments, others for being the first in their series, still others for being the first to introduce a new feature or technology. And some cameras become classics for their quirky appearance. The Argus C3 is not a bad camera, but I think it's fair to say that it's inclusion into the Classic camera hall is largely due to the distinctive look. For more information about Argus cameras, visit the Argus Collectors group.

This pristine example was purchased for the collection.

What's the Argus C "Brick" like to use?

Body No.1563579 - post war serial style
Shutter speeds B, 10, 25, 50, 100 and 300th
Lens, Argus 50mm Cintar f/3.5
Condition, 4F

View other rangefinder cameras in this collection.