Argus Instant Load 146X
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| Argus branding on a simple snapshot model image by Donald Poirier (Image rights) |
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 Instamatics. A later 1970s series denoted by model designations ending in "X" were able to use Magicubes (which do not require battery power) as a small badge on the camera front indicates. These models from Japan[1] also gained a more "mod" styling language than the earlier, boxy, 126 models provided by Balda in Germany.
The Instant Load 146X is the most stripped-down model, fixed focus and without any exposure adjustments. The Argus Museum dates it to approximately 1972. It was also offered in an Argus Lady Carefree version—identical except for its colors and name in "girly" script letters.
Among the "X" models the top of the line was the Electronic 355X offering true autoexposure.
Notes
- ↑ McKeown attributes this model to Sedic; also seen under "Astral" branding. His identification with the Astral S20 "Electric Eye" perhaps intended the S30 Electric Eye; but the 146X has no electric eye. Instead, the basic Astral S5 appears probable. Attribution of any of the "X" models to Sedic is not claimed in Gambino's Argomania; nor in their Argus Museum entries.
Links
- Object record for an Instant Load 146X, from the Argus Museum collection database
- Likely name variant Astral S5 sold by French retailer Flash; at collection-appareils.fr
