Argus "Seventy-five"

[remegius]

I just found one of these old camera, took it apart, and got it all cleaned up. Seems to work fine, but I have no idea what the typical shutter speed is for this old fixed focus. Anyone know? I'm dying to try it out. Has to be better than a Holga :). I don't know where I'm going to find 620 film, but I'll figure something out. I suppose I could always respool some 120 onto 620 spools.

Cheers...

[bob cole]

I just found one of these old camera, took it apart, and got it all cleaned up. Seems to work fine, but I have no idea what the typical shutter speed is for this old fixed focus. Anyone know? I'm dying to try it out. Has to be better than a Holga :). I don't know where I'm going to find 620 film, but I'll figure something out. I suppose I could always respool some 120 onto 620 spools.

Cheers...

-----------------------------------------------

There's an instruction booklet on line, remegius , if you want to pay $3 for it:

http://www.butkus.org/chinon/argus/argus_75/argus_75.htm



Here's 620 film -- if they're still in business;

http://www.centralcamera.com/Film/Film-for-Older-Cameras/

[nikon_sam]

My guess would be maybe 1/50...I have two of them and one has the flash, they use the Sylvania P25 bulb...so the shutter will be a bit on the slow side...
I really like the view-finder it's so big and bright...no focusing, just point and shoot...
Find the slowest film you can and shoot that...

[oftheherd]

620 film can be found. 120 roll film holders can be modified. I don't know what an Argus "Seventy-five" shutter speed is either, but the second url seems

http://www.merrillphoto.com/Argoflex75.htm

http://home.rmci.net/deanw/Argus_Seventy-five.html

to think it was between 1/30 and 1/50. I would have guessed 1/25 myself, based on its age. Good luck on taking photos. Hope you post some here.

EDIT: Well, there you go. Another user with probably a better estimate of the speed, while I was looking up the urls.

[nikon_sam]

Just found this...

I can't get the link to work but look up...:bang:

Argus Collectors Group

[giovatony]

Mine is like brand new and still has a roll of Verichrome Pan in it on frame #11.
The flash takes 2 D batteries . A neat camera.
John

[remegius]

Thanks to all. I'm going to go with something around 1/30. And Bob, I have the site you recommended bookmarked, and have looked up the manual. No info on shutter speed in the manual which, I guess, would be typical for a camera of that type and age. I see that B&H carries a good selection of 620 film, but it sure is expensive compared to 120.

Cheers...

[sienarot]

Someone in the Argus Flickr group couldn't sell his Argus 75 and put it up for grabs. I happened to be on at the right time and snapped it up, which finally arrived today. It looks like it's gonna fun!

[remegius]

Someone in the Argus Flickr group couldn't sell his Argus 75 and put it up for grabs. I happened to be on at the right time and snapped it up, which finally arrived today. It looks like it's gonna fun!

Good deal. What kind of condition is it in? The one I have was working fine, but very dirty. I removed the metal cover, viewfinder lens, and the lens board and gave everything a good cleaning. Easy job. Anyway, I'm waiting on a new scanner, and when it arrives I'll post some pics. BTW, mine has the little "portrait" lens that slips over the main lens for getting in close. Also, the manual is online, but not very useful. It's a pretty simple device :).

Cheers...

[bmattock]

A lot of folks seem to like the 75 for TTV type photography. You know, where you take a photo as seen through the viewfinder of the TLR, using a second camera - generally a PnS digicam. Look for TTV on Flickr. Some shots are quite interesting, others less so.

[sienarot]

Good deal. What kind of condition is it in? The one I have was working fine, but very dirty. I removed the metal cover, viewfinder lens, and the lens board and gave everything a good cleaning. Easy job. Anyway, I'm waiting on a new scanner, and when it arrives I'll post some pics. BTW, mine has the little "portrait" lens that slips over the main lens for getting in close. Also, the manual is online, but not very useful. It's a pretty simple device :).

Cheers...

Very good condition, actually. Save for a few rub marks and a slight dent on the hood, all it really needed was a good cleaning. I just finished doing the very same cleaning you just described tonight! The leather (or should I say plastic?) case for the camera is in great condition too, except that it has a name written across it. I should be able to get it rubbed off with a bit of elbow grease. Mine came with the flash too, but it's kinda useless without the bulbs.

Let's see what I can get with this tomorrow on the way to work!