View source for Argus Electric Eye 345X

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After a decade of corporate turmoil, the [[Argus]] brand attempted to revive their fortunes with a series of '''Instant Load''' cameras for [[126 film]], the format made hugely popular by Kodak's line of [[Instamatic]]s. A later 1970s series denoted by model designations ending in "X" were able to use [[Magicube]]s, as a small badge on the camera front indicates. These models from Japan also gained a more "mod" styling language than the earlier, boxy, 126 models provided by [[Balda]] in Germany.

The '''Electric Eye 345X''' improves on the rudimentary [[Argus Instant Load 146X | 146X]] by offering automatic control of the shutter speed using a [[CdS]] photocell.<ref>A [https://www.pacificrimcamera.com/rl/01925/01925.pdf 1974 Argus product list] (pg. 24) refers to this as a "2 step shutter"—in contrast to the [[Argus Electronic 355X]] which had a full range of shutter speeds. Product flyer posted online by [https://www.pacificrimcamera.com/rl/rlArgusMisc.htm Pacific Rim Camera].</ref> The camera is still [[fixed focus]] and has a single fixed aperture. The Argus Museum dates it to circa 1972.

The same camera seems to have been offered in France by [[Ifba | Flash]] as the [[Astral S30 Electric Eye]].<ref>See the [https://www.collection-appareils.fr/x/html/camera-2369-Flash_Astral%20S30.html Astral S30 page] at [https://www.collection-appareils.fr/carrousel/html/index_eng.php collection-appareils.fr]</ref>

==Notes==
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==Links==
*[https://argusmuseum.pastperfectonline.com/webobject/01B88415-B8C2-4C38-BED1-035833863220 Object record] for an Electric Eye 345X at the [https://argusmuseum.pastperfectonline.com/ Argus Museum collection database]

[[Category:Argus]] [[Category:126 film]]