Difference between revisions of "Argus C4"

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| image_text=Argus C4 outfit, with fixed lens
 
| image_text=Argus C4 outfit, with fixed lens
 
|image_by=Mark O'Brien
 
|image_by=Mark O'Brien
 
|image_rights= with permission
 
|image_rights= with permission
 
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The '''Argus C4''' is a 35mm fixed lens [[rangefinder camera]] manufactured by [[Argus|Argus Cameras, Inc.]] starting in 1951. While not the runaway sales hit of the [[Argus C3 | C3 "brick]]," Argus sold over 300,000 C4's.
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The C4 (styled as "argus c-four" in lowercase on the lens trim ring) has one of the better implementations of a viewfinder with superimposed coupled [[Rangefinder (device)|rangefinder]]. Its design is much modernized compared to the [[Argus C3 | bricklike C3]], but (on a stock C4) the 50mm f/2.8 Cintagon lens is permanently attached.
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| image_text= [[Geiss]]-modified for interchangeable lenses
 
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|image_rights= with permission
 
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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 C4 includes the [[Argus 21 | 21]]'s (allegedly) simplified film-loading method, and its [[hot shoe]] for connecting a flash without cable. The popularity of the C4 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.
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| image=http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2253/2109980500_3579bc78c4_m.jpg
 
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| image_text=with Enna 45mm f1.9
 
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|image_by=Mark O'Brien
 
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|image_rights= with permission
 
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[[Argus]] sold over 300,000 '''Argus C4''' [[35mm]] [[rangefinder camera]]s in the 1950s. It had one of the best implementations of a viewfinder with superimposed [[rangefinder (device)|rangefinder]], an easy film load concept and a [[hot shoe]] for attaching and connecting a flash without cable. It had a modern design, but no interchangeable lenses.
 
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There are several versions of the C4, with the earliest (Version 1) sharing main body elements of its precursor, the [[Argus 21]], or Markfinder. The initial maximum shutter speed was 1/200, but the latter versions featured 1/300 sec maximum shutter speed, and X-synch on the hot shoe. An all-black version - highly prized and rare, with less than 10 known examples was most likely done to attract US Government interest, but by then, the Korean War was over and the days of fat optics contracts were gone. Although the C4 did not have interchangeable lenses, the [[Geiss]] company of Chicago customized C4 cameras for interchangeable lenses which were made by [[Enna]] in Munich, Germany.{{br}}
 
  
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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.
  
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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>
  
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== Links ==
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==Specifications==
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* [http://www.kyphoto.com/classics/instructionmanuals.html Manual available on  the Favorite Classics section of .kyphoto.com]
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{{br}}
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* [http://rick_oleson.tripod.com/index-120.html How it Works: The Argus C4 Shutter]
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{{Flickr_image
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* [http://rick_oleson.tripod.com/index-127.html C4 Repair notes]
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|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/mfobrien/5669643800/in/pool-camerawiki
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* [http://www.collection-appareils.fr/argus/html/argus_c4.php Argus 4] at [http://www.collection-appareils.fr www.collection-appareils.fr] by Sylvain Halgand
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|image= http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5021/5669643800_87b83a775f.jpg
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* [http://www.cameraquest.com/arggeiss.htm Geiss modified C4] at cameraquest.com [http://www.cameraquest.com]
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|image_align= right
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|image_text= Rare black C4
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|image_by= Mark O'Brien
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|image_rights= wp
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}}
  
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* '''Badging:''' Argus C-Four
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* '''Manufacturer:''' [[Argus]]
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* '''Film Format:''' [[35mm|135 (35mm)]]
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* '''Shutter:''' behind lens leaf type shutter
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* '''Shutter Speeds:''' 1/10, 1/25, 1/50, 1/100, 1/300, Bulb (early version only went to 1/200)
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* '''Flash sync:''' Hot shoe; sync selector switch (early: M & F, later: M & X)
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* '''Lens:''' Argus Cintar f/2.8 coated anastigmat, Series IV (20.6mm) filters
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* '''Aperture:''' 10-blades, f/2.8, f/4, f/5.6, f/8, f/11, f/16, f/22
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* '''[[Viewfinder]]:''' Eye-level
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* '''Focusing:''' coincident image type coupled rangefinder
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* '''Meter:''' none
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* '''Battery:''' none
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* '''Weight:''' n/a
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{{br}}
  
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==Advertisements==
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{{Flickr_image
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|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/nesster/4405572791/in/pool-camerawiki
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|image= http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4028/4405572791_6f35d80e12_m.jpg
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|image_align= left
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|image_text= 1952 C4 ad<br/>
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|scan_by= Nesster
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|image_rights= cc
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}}
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{{Flickr_image
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|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/mfobrien/6151796668/in/pool-camerawiki
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|image= http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6064/6151796668_1b5343e164_m.jpg
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|image_align= left
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|image_text= 1952 US Camera Annual<br/>
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|scan_by= Mark O'Brien
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|image_rights= (c)
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}}
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{{Flickr_image
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|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/nesster/5035958950/in/pool-camerawiki
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|image= http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4127/5035958950_f28ab2367d_m.jpg
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|image_align= left
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|image_text= 1955 C4 ad<br/>
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|scan_by= Nesster
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|image_rights= cc
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}}
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{{Flickr_image
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|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/nesster/5855318409/in/pool-camerawiki
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|image= http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5032/5855318409_54b7ba49d6_m.jpg
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|image_align= left
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|image_text= 1958 Sears Catalog<br/>
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|scan_by= Nesster
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|image_rights= cc
 +
}}
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{{br}}
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==Photos==
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{{Flickr_image
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|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/raulm/6172152013/in/pool-camerawiki
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|image= http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6162/6172152013_c0ebb2f2d4_m.jpg
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|image_align= left
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|image_text= Argus C4
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|image_by= Raúl Sá Dantas
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|image_rights= wp
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}}
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{{Flickr_image
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|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/gymeedee/7522411936/in/pool-camerawiki
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|image= http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7119/7522411936_3b13274c52_m.jpg
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|image_align= left
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|image_text= Argus C4
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|image_by= Jim Keeling
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|image_rights= wp
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}}
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{{Flickr_image
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|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/chrizzle/3639802489/in/pool-camerawiki
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|image= http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3601/3639802489_238ded3d69_m.jpg
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|image_align= left
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|image_text= Argus C4
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|image_by= Christopher Robin Roberts
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|image_rights= wp
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}}
 
{{Flickr_image
 
{{Flickr_image
 
|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/mfobrien/5669643810/in/pool-camerawiki
 
|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/mfobrien/5669643810/in/pool-camerawiki
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|image= http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5141/5669643810_2c4c9a9dee.jpg
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|image= http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5141/5669643810_2c4c9a9dee_m.jpg
 
|image_align= left
 
|image_align= left
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|image_text= Extremely rare black C4
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|image_text= Rare black C4
 
|image_by= Mark O'Brien
 
|image_by= Mark O'Brien
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|image_rights= with permission
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|image_rights= wp
 +
}}
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{{Flickr_image
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|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/26262745@N08/3087342753/in/pool-camerawiki
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|image= http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3222/3087342753_21f77f459d_m.jpg
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|image_align= left
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|image_text= Grey recovered C4
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|image_by= Rick Oleson
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|image_rights= wp
 
}}
 
}}
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{{br}}
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== Links ==
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* [http://www.arguscg.org/manuals/c4/c4camera.pdf Argus C4 manual] from the [http://www.arguscg.org/ Argus Collectors Group]
 +
* [http://www.cameramanuals.org/argus/argus_c4.pdf Argus C4 manual] from [http://www.butkus.org/chinon/ Butkus Orphan Cameras website]
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* [http://rick_oleson.tripod.com/index-127.html C4 Repair notes] at [http://rick_oleson.tripod.com/ Rick Oleson's]
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* [http://www.cameraquest.com/arggeiss.htm Geiss modified C4] at [https://www.cameraquest.com Cameraquest.com]
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* [http://www.collection-appareils.fr/x/html/page_standard.php?id_appareil=629 Argus C4] at [http://www.collection-appareils.fr www.collection-appareils.fr] by Sylvain Halgand (in French)
 +
* [https://www.35mmc.com/01/04/2017/argus-c4-review/ Argus C4 review] at [https://www.35mmc.com/ 35mmc.com]
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* [https://youtu.be/0nougnS1ytg Argus C4 video presentation] by YouTuber [https://www.youtube.com/@MrKayFisher Kay's Cameras]
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==Notes==
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<references />
  
 
[[Category: 35mm rangefinder]]
 
[[Category: 35mm rangefinder]]
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[[Category: Argus|C4]]
 
[[Category: Argus|C4]]
 
[[Category: A]]
 
[[Category: A]]
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[[Category: C|C4]]
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[[Category:C|C4 Argus]]

Latest revision as of 18:39, 4 April 2024

1510540015_a0de2a8362_z.jpg
Argus C4 outfit, with fixed lens
image by Mark O'Brien (Image rights)

The Argus C4 is a 35mm fixed lens rangefinder camera manufactured by Argus Cameras, Inc. starting in 1951. While not the runaway sales hit of the C3 "brick," Argus sold over 300,000 C4's.

The C4 (styled as "argus c-four" in lowercase on the lens trim ring) has one of the better implementations of a viewfinder with superimposed coupled rangefinder. Its design is much modernized compared to the bricklike C3, but (on a stock C4) the 50mm f/2.8 Cintagon lens is permanently attached.

The C4 design is an improvement over the Argus 21 Markfinder, which did not have a coupled rangefinder. The C4 includes the 21's (allegedly) simplified film-loading method, and its hot shoe for connecting a flash without cable. The popularity of the C4 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


5669643800_87b83a775f.jpg
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

4405572791_6f35d80e12_m.jpg
1952 C4 ad
scanned by Nesster  (Image rights)
6151796668_1b5343e164_m.jpg
1952 US Camera Annual
scanned by Mark O'Brien  (Image rights)
5035958950_f28ab2367d_m.jpg
1955 C4 ad
scanned by Nesster  (Image rights)
5855318409_54b7ba49d6_m.jpg
1958 Sears Catalog
scanned by Nesster  (Image rights)


Photos

6172152013_c0ebb2f2d4_m.jpg
Argus C4
image by Raúl Sá Dantas (Image rights)
7522411936_3b13274c52_m.jpg
Argus C4
image by Jim Keeling (Image rights)
3639802489_238ded3d69_m.jpg
Argus C4
image by Christopher Robin Roberts (Image rights)
5669643810_2c4c9a9dee_m.jpg
Rare black C4
image by Mark O'Brien (Image rights)
3087342753_21f77f459d_m.jpg
Grey recovered C4
image by Rick Oleson (Image rights)


Links

Notes

  1. ↑ "The brilliant new Argus C-4" in the June 1951 Popular Photography, pg. 19; scan by Voxphoto on Flickr.
  2. ↑ Argus C4 1955 ad, scan by Nesster on Flickr.
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