Argus C3

Argus C3 c.1950 image by Süleyman Demir (Image rights)

Argus C3 is a 35mm film rangefinder camera manufactured by Argus and produced between 1939-1966.

The Argus C series had in been called "the brick". C3 is similar to the C2, but with flash sync attachment holes on left end.

Specifications[]

Lens: Argus Coated Cintar 50mm f/3.5 three elements filter slip-on
- Aperture: f/3.5-f/16
- Focus range: 3–50 feet +inf
Focusing: match the rangefinder images in the rangefinder eyepiece, rangefinder coupled to the lens with a gear
Shutter: leaf shutter, speeds: 10-300 +B
- Setting: dial on the left front of the camera; B setting is separate from the dial, by a collar beneath the shutter release, set to B, for speeds set to I
Shutter release: on the top plate, w/ cable release socket
Cocking lever: on the right front of the camera
Frame counter: manual reset, not works wo/film in the camera, on the top plate
Winding knob: Hold down the film catch and turn the winding knob about a quarter of a turn then release film catch and continue to turn winding knob without forcing until it stops.Make sure not to hold down the film catch for more than a quarter turn, or the film may advance past one or more exposures; on the top plate
Film catch knob: beside the film counter dial
Viewfinder: coupled rangefinder, but separate eyepieces for reverse telescopic finder and rangefinder
Re-windknob: on the bottom plate
Re-wind release: no special knob, just rotate the re-wind knob; the film counter dial on top of the camera will rotate bacwards
Flash PC socket: none-PC, two holes on the left side of the camera for dedicated flash unit
Cold-shoe
Self-timer: none
Back cover: hinged
Embossing in the film winding spirockets hole: MPC and US patent numbers
Tripod socket: ¼"
Body: metal; Weight: 749g