Difference between revisions of "Argus C4"
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The C4 design is an improvement over the [[Argus 21|Argus 21 Markfinder]], which did not have a coupled rangefinder. The popularity of the camera led to consumer demand for an interchangeable lens version. At first, this demand was met by a [[Geiss]]-modified version of the C4, known as the [[Argus C4 Geiss]], that could accept Lithagon lenses. Later Argus released the [[Argus C44]], which became their standard interchangeable lens rangefinder. | The C4 design is an improvement over the [[Argus 21|Argus 21 Markfinder]], which did not have a coupled rangefinder. The popularity of the camera led to consumer demand for an interchangeable lens version. At first, this demand was met by a [[Geiss]]-modified version of the C4, known as the [[Argus C4 Geiss]], that could accept Lithagon lenses. Later Argus released the [[Argus C44]], which became their standard interchangeable lens rangefinder. | ||
| − | There are several | + | There are several iterations of the C4. The earliest shares the knobs and back style of the [[Argus 21 | 21]]. The initial maximum shutter speed was 1/200, but the later versions featured 1/300 sec maximum shutter speed, and an X-synch option for the hot shoe. An all-black version also exists but is rare and highly prized by collectors. There are less than 10 known examples of the Black C4. Some collectors have theorized that the black versions are prototypes created to attract US Government interest, but no evidence has been found explaining the company's motivation for this version. The black version does not have a stamped serial number. |
According to photo magazine ads, the Argus C4 retail price was $99.50 USD in 1951.<ref>[https://www.flickr.com/photos/vox/51294746033/in/pool-camerawiki/ "The brilliant new Argus C-4"] in the June 1951 Popular Photography, pg. 19; scan by [https://www.flickr.com/photos/vox/ Voxphoto on Flickr].</ref> A 1955 ad lists the C4 retail price at $84.50.<ref>[http://www.flickr.com/photos/nesster/5035958950/ Argus C4 1955 ad], scan by [https://www.flickr.com/photos/nesster/ Nesster on Flickr].</ref> | According to photo magazine ads, the Argus C4 retail price was $99.50 USD in 1951.<ref>[https://www.flickr.com/photos/vox/51294746033/in/pool-camerawiki/ "The brilliant new Argus C-4"] in the June 1951 Popular Photography, pg. 19; scan by [https://www.flickr.com/photos/vox/ Voxphoto on Flickr].</ref> A 1955 ad lists the C4 retail price at $84.50.<ref>[http://www.flickr.com/photos/nesster/5035958950/ Argus C4 1955 ad], scan by [https://www.flickr.com/photos/nesster/ Nesster on Flickr].</ref> | ||
Revision as of 18:19, 7 July 2021
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| Argus C4 outfit, with fixed lens image by Mark O'Brien (Image rights) |
The Argus C4 is a 35mm fixed lens, coupled-rangefinder camera manufactured by Argus, Inc. In the 1950s, Argus sold over 300,000 Argus C4's. It had one of the better implementations of a viewfinder with superimposed rangefinder, an easy film load concept and a hot shoe for attaching and connecting a flash without cable. It had a modern design compared to the bricklike C3, but no interchangeable lenses.
The C4 design is an improvement over the Argus 21 Markfinder, which did not have a coupled rangefinder. The popularity of the camera led to consumer demand for an interchangeable lens version. At first, this demand was met by a Geiss-modified version of the C4, known as the Argus C4 Geiss, that could accept Lithagon lenses. Later Argus released the Argus C44, which became their standard interchangeable lens rangefinder.
There are several iterations of the C4. The earliest shares the knobs and back style of the 21. The initial maximum shutter speed was 1/200, but the later versions featured 1/300 sec maximum shutter speed, and an X-synch option for the hot shoe. An all-black version also exists but is rare and highly prized by collectors. There are less than 10 known examples of the Black C4. Some collectors have theorized that the black versions are prototypes created to attract US Government interest, but no evidence has been found explaining the company's motivation for this version. The black version does not have a stamped serial number.
According to photo magazine ads, the Argus C4 retail price was $99.50 USD in 1951.[1] A 1955 ad lists the C4 retail price at $84.50.[2]
Specifications
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| Rare black C4 image by Mark O'Brien (Image rights) |
- Badging: Argus C-Four
- Manufacturer: Argus
- Film Format: 135 (35mm)
- Shutter: behind lens leaf type shutter
- Shutter Speeds: 1/10, 1/25, 1/50, 1/100, 1/300, Bulb (early version only went to 1/200)
- Flash sync: Hot shoe; sync selector switch (early: M & F, later: M & X)
- Lens: Argus Cintar f/2.8 coated anastigmat, Series IV (20.6mm) filters
- Aperture: 10-blades, f/2.8, f/4, f/5.6, f/8, f/11, f/16, f/22
- Viewfinder: Eye-level
- Focusing: coincident image type coupled rangefinder
- Meter: none
- Battery: none
- Weight: n/a
Advertisements
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| 1952 C4 ad scanned by Nesster (Image rights) |
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| 1952 US Camera Annual scanned by Mark O'Brien (Image rights) |
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| 1955 C4 ad scanned by Nesster (Image rights) |
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| 1958 Sears Catalog scanned by Nesster (Image rights) |
Photos
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| Argus C4 image by Raúl Sá Dantas (Image rights) |
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| Argus C4 image by Jim Keeling (Image rights) |
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| Argus C4 image by Christopher Robin Roberts (Image rights) |
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| Rare black C4 image by Mark O'Brien (Image rights) |
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| Grey recovered C4 image by Rick Oleson (Image rights) |
Links
- Argus C4 manual from the Argus Collectors Group
- Argus C4 manual from Butkus Orphan Cameras website
- C4 Repair notes at Rick Oleson's
- Geiss modified C4 at cameraquest.com [1]
- Argus C4 at www.collection-appareils.fr by Sylvain Halgand (in French)
References
- ↑ "The brilliant new Argus C-4" in the June 1951 Popular Photography, pg. 19; scan by Voxphoto on Flickr.
- ↑ Argus C4 1955 ad, scan by Nesster on Flickr.
