Difference between revisions of "Argus A"

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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 from1936 thru1941. 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.
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{{Flickr_image
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|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/uberj/4395020541/in/pool-camerawiki
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|image= http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4006/4395020541_68523868fc.jpg
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|image_align= right
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|image_text= Argus A, the original [[Argus]] camera
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|image_by= Jeff Rawdon
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|image_rights= with permission
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}}
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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.  
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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.
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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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----
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===Features:===
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*Focus Type: 2 Position (6ft - 12ft and 12ft - Infinity, later 6ft - 18ft and 18ft - Infinity)
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*Years Manufactured: 1936 - 1941
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*Shutter Type: Pre-war Ilex Precise
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*Lens Speed: f/4.5 anastigmat
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*Aperture Settings: f/4.5, 5.6, 8, 11
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*Shutter Speeds: 1/200th sec, 1/100, 1/50, 1/25, B(ulb), T(ime)
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*Flash Synch Tubes: No
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*Pressure Plate: Fixed
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==Notes==
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<references/>
  
 
== Links ==
 
== Links ==
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* [http://daniel.mitchell.name/cameras/ilexprecise/ilexprecise.html Fix the Ilex Precise shutter]
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{{Flickr_image
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* [http://arguscg.tripod.com/index.html Argus Collector's Group]
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|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/ricksoloway/4394143589/in/pool-camerawiki
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* [http://homepage.mac.com/mattdenton/photo/cameras/argus_a.html Matt's Argus A]
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|image= http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4012/4394143589_50ab88b341.jpg
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* [http://www.vintagephoto.tv/argusa.shtml Vintage Photo's Argus A]
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|image_align= right
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* [http://www.cameraquest.com/arg2.htm Cameraquest]
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|image_text= with original leather case
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* [http://www.retrothing.com/2006/01/the_argus_a_the.html Argus A - The First American 35mm Camera]
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|image_by= Rick Soloway
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* [http://theargusa.com/Book.htm 35mm For The Proletariat: A Modern User's Guide To The Argus A/A2 Camera]
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|image_rights= with permission
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}}
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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]
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* [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]
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* [http://www.arguscg.org/reference/a.shtml Argus A], amongst others, at [http://www.arguscg.org The Argus Collector's Group]
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* [https://mattsclassiccameras.com/rangefinders-compacts/argus-a/ Matt's Argus A] at [https://mattsclassiccameras.com/ Matt's Classic Cameras]
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* [http://www.vintagephoto.tv/argusa.shtml Vintage Photo's Argus A] at [http://www.vintagephoto.tv/ Scott's Photographica Collection]
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* [http://www.cameraquest.com/arg2.htm Argus A] at [https://www.cameraquest.com/index.htm Stephen Gandy's CameraQuest  ]
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* [http://www.retrothing.com/2009/10/argus_35mm-cameras.html Argus A - The First American 35mm Camera] at [http://www.retrothing.com/ Retrothing]
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* [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]
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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]
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* [http://collectiblend.com/Cameras/Argus/Argus-A-Black.html Collectiblend's Argus A]
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In French :
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* [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: 35mm viewfinder]]
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[[Category: Bakelite]]
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[[Category: USA]]
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[[Category:Argus|A]]
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[[Category: 1936]]
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[[Category:A|A Argus]]

Latest revision as of 04:16, 31 July 2023

4395020541_68523868fc.jpg
Argus A, the original Argus camera
image by Jeff Rawdon (Image rights)

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

4394143589_50ab88b341.jpg
with original leather case
image by Rick Soloway (Image rights)

In French :

  • Argus A at www.collection-appareils.fr
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