Camerapedia
Register
Advertisement


Possibly the most important 35mm American camera ever made. This was the camera which made 35mm popular in America. Unashamedly borrows from the Leica 1 design with a few changes to avoid copyright infringement. Produced from 1936 to 1941. Has a collapsible 50mm F4.5 lens. The body is made of bakelite (an early plastic) and is most often found in black although it was also produced in gray, brown, and olive drab. The holy grail of collectors is the white model mentioned in the original press release but, as yet, unseen in real life. Price in 1939 was $10.

The main body is manufactured from an early thermosetting plastic known as "Bakelite" and exhibits some very art deco styling influences. The basic model doesn't have variable focus (this one is model A).

Features:

  • Focus Type: 2 Position (6ft - 12ft and 12ft - Infinity, later 6ft - 18ft and 18ft - Infinity)
  • Years Manufactured: 1936 - 1941
  • Shutter Type: Pre-war Ilex Precise
  • Lens Speed: f/4.5 anastigmat
  • Aperture Settings: f/4.5, 5.6, 8, 11
  • Shutter Speeds: 1/200th sec, 1/100, 1/50, 1/25, B(ulb), T(imeExtinction
  • Flash Synch Tubes: No
  • Pressure Plate: Fixed


Links

In French :

  • Argus A at www.collection-appareils.com
Advertisement