Difference between revisions of "Argus C44"
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| − | |image_text= the Argus camera with the very special lens mount <br> by [http://www.flickr.com/photos/vox/ Voxphoto] {{Non-commercial}} | + | |image_text= the Argus camera<br>with the very special lens mount <br> by [http://www.flickr.com/photos/vox/ Voxphoto] {{Non-commercial}} |
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| − | After the [[Geiss]] company produced a modification of the [[Argus C4]] which permitted interchangeable lenses, [[Argus]] followed suit with the C44 (spelled out as "c-forty-four" on the camera itself). | + | After the [[Geiss]] company produced a [[Argus C4 Geiss|modification]] of the [[Argus C4]] which permitted interchangeable lenses, [[Argus]] followed suit with the C44 (spelled out as "c-forty-four" on the camera itself). |
The camera shared the same body as the C4, including that model's improved rangefinder/viewfinder. The only real difference was in the lenses. | The camera shared the same body as the C4, including that model's improved rangefinder/viewfinder. The only real difference was in the lenses. | ||
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The standard Cintagon 50mm f/2.8 was the first 4-element lens ([[Tessar]]-type) that the Ann Arbor factory produced. The design was said to have been computed with the help of a punch-card mainframe computer belonging to the University of Michigan. | The standard Cintagon 50mm f/2.8 was the first 4-element lens ([[Tessar]]-type) that the Ann Arbor factory produced. The design was said to have been computed with the help of a punch-card mainframe computer belonging to the University of Michigan. | ||
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Three other focal lengths were offered as well: 50mm f/1.9; 35mm f/4.5 and 100mm f/3.5. These were manufactured by [[Steinheil]] in Germany, to a somewhat higher standard of finish, but also branded Cintagon. | Three other focal lengths were offered as well: 50mm f/1.9; 35mm f/4.5 and 100mm f/3.5. These were manufactured by [[Steinheil]] in Germany, to a somewhat higher standard of finish, but also branded Cintagon. | ||
However the C44 bayonet is clumsy to use, as a lens can not be mounted until pairs of small red guide marks inside the mount throat and lens bayonet are aligned. | However the C44 bayonet is clumsy to use, as a lens can not be mounted until pairs of small red guide marks inside the mount throat and lens bayonet are aligned. | ||
| + | The C44 employs a behind-the-lens leaf shutter (as do other [[Argus]] C-series models), offering 1/10–1/300 second and B. This fires with an unexpectedly noisy snap, not unlike a mousetrap closing. The camera's frame counter counts down, so the user must remember to re-set it to the correct number of frames with each re-loading (and attempt not to bump it accidentally after that). | ||
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| + | A new C44 owner will search in vain for a rewind-release button. Instead, lifting and slightly twisting the advance knob disengages the film drive and allows the roll to be rewound. | ||
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Revision as of 17:08, 26 March 2011
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| the Argus camera with the very special lens mount by Voxphoto (Image rights) |
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| Argus C44 accessories image by RaúlM. (Image rights) |
After the Geiss company produced a modification of the Argus C4 which permitted interchangeable lenses, Argus followed suit with the C44 (spelled out as "c-forty-four" on the camera itself).
The camera shared the same body as the C4, including that model's improved rangefinder/viewfinder. The only real difference was in the lenses.
The standard Cintagon 50mm f/2.8 was the first 4-element lens (Tessar-type) that the Ann Arbor factory produced. The design was said to have been computed with the help of a punch-card mainframe computer belonging to the University of Michigan.
Three other focal lengths were offered as well: 50mm f/1.9; 35mm f/4.5 and 100mm f/3.5. These were manufactured by Steinheil in Germany, to a somewhat higher standard of finish, but also branded Cintagon. However the C44 bayonet is clumsy to use, as a lens can not be mounted until pairs of small red guide marks inside the mount throat and lens bayonet are aligned.
The C44 employs a behind-the-lens leaf shutter (as do other Argus C-series models), offering 1/10–1/300 second and B. This fires with an unexpectedly noisy snap, not unlike a mousetrap closing. The camera's frame counter counts down, so the user must remember to re-set it to the correct number of frames with each re-loading (and attempt not to bump it accidentally after that).
A new C44 owner will search in vain for a rewind-release button. Instead, lifting and slightly twisting the advance knob disengages the film drive and allows the roll to be rewound.
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| Steinheil München Cintagon 35mm f/4.5 by Voxphoto (Image rights) |
Links
- comprehensive critical review at cameraquest.com [1]
- argus c44 at Sylvain Halgand's www.collection-appareils.fr
