Difference between revisions of "Argus A"

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(footnote to early, 1935 ad scan)
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Possibly the most important [[35mm]] American camera, the '''Argus A''' was largely responsible for popularizing the [[35mm film|135 format]] in the United States.  
 
Possibly the most important [[35mm]] American camera, the '''Argus A''' was largely responsible for popularizing the [[35mm film|135 format]] in the United States.  
  
Produced by [[Argus]] in Ann Arbor, Michigan, from 1936 to 1941,<ref>Advertising aimed largely at attracting dealer interest [https://www.flickr.com/photos/vox/51350170696/in/pool-camerawiki/ appeared in late 1935] (''The New Photo Miniature'', No. 4, pg. 234).</ref> at the original price of $12.50, the camera featured a collapsible 50mm F4.5 lens and a [[bakelite]] body. The shutter was supplied by [[Ilex]]. Three body types were manufactured.
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Produced in Ann Arbor, Michigan, from 1936 to 1941 by the company still called [[Argus | International Research Corporation]],<ref>Advertising aimed largely at attracting dealer interest [https://www.flickr.com/photos/camerawiki/16429457602/in/pool-camerawiki appeared in late 1935] (''The New Photo Miniature'', No. 4, pg. 234).</ref> the original price of $12.50 insured its great popularity. The camera featured a collapsible 50mm F4.5 lens and a [[bakelite]] body. The shutter was supplied by [[Ilex]]. Three body types were manufactured.
  
 
The A is most often found in black, although it was also produced in gray, brown, and olive drab. An ivory white version was announced, but no actual examples have yet been observed.
 
The A is most often found in black, although it was also produced in gray, brown, and olive drab. An ivory white version was announced, but no actual examples have yet been observed.
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===Features:===
 
===Features:===
 
 
*Focus Type: 2 Position (6ft - 12ft and 12ft - Infinity, later 6ft - 18ft and 18ft - Infinity)  
 
*Focus Type: 2 Position (6ft - 12ft and 12ft - Infinity, later 6ft - 18ft and 18ft - Infinity)  
 
*Years Manufactured: 1936 - 1941  
 
*Years Manufactured: 1936 - 1941  
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== Links ==
 
== Links ==
 
 
{{Flickr_image
 
{{Flickr_image
 
|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/ricksoloway/4394143589/in/pool-camerawiki
 
|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/ricksoloway/4394143589/in/pool-camerawiki
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|image_rights= with permission
 
|image_rights= with permission
 
}}
 
}}
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*[https://www.butkus.org/chinon/argus/argus_a_a2/argus_a_a2.htm Argus A user manual] at [https://www.butkus.org/chinon/ Butkus.org]
 
* [http://pheugo.com/cameras/index.php?page=ilexprecise Fix the Ilex Precise shutter] at [http://pheugo.com/cameras/index.php?page=default Camera Collecting and Restoration]
 
* [http://pheugo.com/cameras/index.php?page=ilexprecise Fix the Ilex Precise shutter] at [http://pheugo.com/cameras/index.php?page=default Camera Collecting and Restoration]
 
*  [http://www.arguscg.org/reference/a.shtml Argus A], amongst others, at [http://www.arguscg.org The Argus Collector's Group]
 
*  [http://www.arguscg.org/reference/a.shtml Argus A], amongst others, at [http://www.arguscg.org The Argus Collector's Group]
* [http://www.mattdentonphoto.com/cameras/argus_a.html Matt's Argus A] at [http://mattsclassiccameras.com/ Matt's Classic Cameras]
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* [https://mattsclassiccameras.com/rangefinders-compacts/argus-a/ Matt's Argus A] at [https://mattsclassiccameras.com/ Matt's Classic Cameras]
 
* [http://www.vintagephoto.tv/argusa.shtml Vintage Photo's Argus A] at [http://www.vintagephoto.tv/ Scott's Photographica Collection]
 
* [http://www.vintagephoto.tv/argusa.shtml Vintage Photo's Argus A] at [http://www.vintagephoto.tv/ Scott's Photographica Collection]
 
* [http://www.cameraquest.com/arg2.htm Argus A] at [https://www.cameraquest.com/index.htm Stephen Gandy's CameraQuest  ]
 
* [http://www.cameraquest.com/arg2.htm Argus A] at [https://www.cameraquest.com/index.htm Stephen Gandy's CameraQuest  ]
 
* [http://www.retrothing.com/2009/10/argus_35mm-cameras.html Argus A - The First American 35mm Camera] at [http://www.retrothing.com/ Retrothing]
 
* [http://www.retrothing.com/2009/10/argus_35mm-cameras.html Argus A - The First American 35mm Camera] at [http://www.retrothing.com/ Retrothing]
 
* [http://theargusa.com/Book.htm 35mm For The Proletariat: A Modern User's Guide To The Argus A/A2 Camera] by [http://theargusa.com/index.htm Hrad Kuzyk]
 
* [http://theargusa.com/Book.htm 35mm For The Proletariat: A Modern User's Guide To The Argus A/A2 Camera] by [http://theargusa.com/index.htm Hrad Kuzyk]
* [http://ken.lyndrup.dk/Engelsk/Argus%20E/Argus%20A%20E.htm Argus A]- English version - at [http://ken.lyndrup.dk/Engelsk.htm Ken.Lyndrup.dk]
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* [https://web.archive.org/web/20201128192626/http://ken.lyndrup.dk/Engelsk/Argus%20E/Argus%20A%20E.htm Argus A]- English version - at [https://web.archive.org/web/20190330224704/http://ken.lyndrup.dk/Engelsk.htm Ken.Lyndrup.dk]
* [http://ken.lyndrup.dk/Dansk/Argus/Argus%20A.htm Argus A] - Dansk udgave - [http://ken.lyndrup.dk/index.htm Ken.Lyndrup.dk]
 
 
* [http://collectiblend.com/Cameras/Argus/Argus-A-Black.html Collectiblend's Argus A]
 
* [http://collectiblend.com/Cameras/Argus/Argus-A-Black.html Collectiblend's Argus A]
 
In French :
 
In French :
 
 
* [http://www.collection-appareils.fr/x/html/page_standard.php?id_appareil=453 Argus A] at www.collection-appareils.fr
 
* [http://www.collection-appareils.fr/x/html/page_standard.php?id_appareil=453 Argus A] at www.collection-appareils.fr
 
 
  
  
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[[Category: Bakelite]]
 
[[Category: Bakelite]]
 
[[Category: USA]]
 
[[Category: USA]]
[[Category: Argus]]
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[[Category:Argus|A]]
 
[[Category: 1936]]
 
[[Category: 1936]]
[[Category: A]]
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[[Category:A|A Argus]]

Latest revision as of 04:16, 31 July 2023

Possibly the most important 35mm American camera, the Argus A was largely responsible for popularizing the 135 format in the United States.

Produced in Ann Arbor, Michigan, from 1936 to 1941 by the company still called International Research Corporation,[1] the original price of $12.50 insured its great popularity. The camera featured a collapsible 50mm F4.5 lens and a bakelite body. The shutter was supplied by Ilex. Three body types were manufactured.

The A is most often found in black, although it was also produced in gray, brown, and olive drab. An ivory white version was announced, but no actual examples have yet been observed.



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(ime)
  • Flash Synch Tubes: No
  • Pressure Plate: Fixed

Notes

  1. Advertising aimed largely at attracting dealer interest appeared in late 1935 (The New Photo Miniature, No. 4, pg. 234).

Links

In French :

  • Argus A at www.collection-appareils.fr