Argus A

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 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. Three body types were manufactured.

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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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

Links

with original leather case image by Rick Soloway (Image rights)

• Fix the Ilex Precise shutter at Camera Collecting and Restoration
• Argus A, amongst others, at The Argus Collector's Group
• Matt's Argus A at Matt's Classic Cameras
• Vintage Photo's Argus A at Scott's Photographica Collection
• Argus A at Stephen Gandy's CameraQuest
• Argus A - The First American 35mm Camera at Retrothing
• 35mm For The Proletariat: A Modern User's Guide To The Argus A/A2 Camera by Hrad Kuzyk
• Argus A- English version - at Ken.Lyndrup.dk
• Argus A - Dansk udgave - Ken.Lyndrup.dk
• Collectiblend's Argus A

In French :

• Argus A at www.collection-appareils.fr