View source for Argus 260 Automatic

The '''260 Automatic''' is a sturdy metal [[viewfinder]] camera for [[126 film]] cartridges from [[Argus]], manufactured starting in 1964 by [[Mamiya]].<ref>Page 129, {{Argomania}}. If there is a parallel Mamiya model we have not seen it. There is a bit of visual similarity to the [[Halina Simplette EE Automatic]] or the [[Amica Amimatic]].</ref>

This is a comparatively sophisticated camera for 126 film,<ref>It's claimed to be the first non-[[Kodak]] model to accept 126 cartridges. Details are found in a [https://www.flickr.com/photos/186048873@N07/51026867022/ May 1965 ''Popular Photography'' (?) magazine profile], photocopy in the [https://www.flickr.com/photos/186048873@N07/ Argus Museum Flickr account].</ref> because it has an automatic aperture system based on a [[selenium meter]] cell, albeit only over a range from F/22 to f/5.6. The shutter speed is fixed at 1/125th second. The camera can detect the 126 cartridge keying which indicates ASA 64 or 160. The viewfinder warns of likely underexposure by showing a red flag.

For darker situations AG-1 [[flashbulbs]] can be used by flipping up a reflector, which also resets the shutter to 1/30th. In this mode the aperture adjusts according to the focus distance set. The bulb ejector can be found on the backside of the camera. (The later [[Argus 264 Instant Load]] would switch to [[flashcubes]].)

The 40mm lens is a coated Cintar and the [[scale focus]] ring has indications in meters and feet, as well as three icons for typical snapshot subjects. Power for the flashbulbs comes from 2 size N batteries. These are not necessary for normal operation, as the selenium cell does not need a battery.

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|colspan=3 align=center | '''Argus 260 Automatic''' <br/><small>images by {{image author|René Maly}}</small> {{with permission}}
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==Notes==
<references/>

==Links==
*[https://www.butkus.org/chinon/argus/argus_260_automatic/argus_260_automatic.htm Argus 260 Automatic user manual] at [https://www.butkus.org/chinon/ Butkus.org]
*[https://argusmuseum.pastperfectonline.com/webobject/3E85E033-9B66-4AB6-AAE1-984899075014 Object record] for a 260 Automatic, at the [https://argusmuseum.pastperfectonline.com/ Argus Museum collection database]

[[Category:Argus|260]]
[[Category:2|260 Argus]]
[[Category:Japanese 126 film]]