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 by [[Argus]] in Ann Arbor, Michigan 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.
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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 U.S..  
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Produced by [[Argus]] in Ann Arbor, Michigan from 1936 to 1941. The original price was $12.50.  The camera featured a collapsible 50mm F4.5 lens and a [[bakelite]] body. The shutter was supplied by [[Ilex]].
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The A is most often found in black although it was also produced in gray, brown, and olive drab colors. An Ivory white version was announced, but no actual examples have yet been observed.
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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).
 
  
 
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Revision as of 14:45, 2 June 2009

895341259_0a9ac51a75.jpg
Argus A


Possibly the most important 35mm American camera. The Argus A was largely responsible for popularizing the 135 format in the U.S..

Produced by Argus in Ann Arbor, Michigan from 1936 to 1941. The original price was $12.50. The camera featured a collapsible 50mm F4.5 lens and a bakelite body. The shutter was supplied by Ilex.

The A is most often found in black although it was also produced in gray, brown, and olive drab colors. 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(imeExtinction
  • Flash Synch Tubes: No
  • Pressure Plate: Fixed


Links

In French :

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